M&A The Inside Story – What’s it Really Like to Sell a Company – Sale of Harvest Fine Foods. Part of our Real Clients, Real Stories Series.
This latest video captures the frank reflections of Dr. Richard Strongman on his experience selling Harvest Fine Foods, a company he owned over several decades. Initially joining a modest operation with £500,000 annual turnover, Dr. Strongman expanded the business to nearly £30 million in revenue with 120 employees.
The sale to Bidfood was the culmination of years of strategic planning, including scaling operations, hiring key personnel, consolidating leases and transitioning to larger, purpose-built premises.
A central theme is the critical importance of early and expert professional guidance. Dr. Strongman emphasises working with trusted advisors like Justin Levine and Nick Davies whose strategic and legal support helped shape a favourable, clean exit that included full payment at completion and minimal post-sale obligations. One memorable example was their successful negotiation of a clause interpretation that shifted the deal value by six figures in Richard’s favour.
The emotional toll of selling a business also features prominently in his story. Dr. Strongman likens the process to a “once-in-a-lifetime” event, underscoring the deep personal attachment to the company and the stress of intense due diligence, confidentiality concerns, and fears of buyer tactics to chip the price. The sale was with their main competitor, making trust and discretion of paramount importance.
His final advice to entrepreneurs is clear: plan your exit early, at least three years in advance, understand your buyer and engage professionals who can guide you strategically through the process. Selling a business, he stresses, is about much more than numbers, it’s an emotional, complex and ultimately life transformative journey.
Justin Levine, Managing Director, The NonExec Limited M&A Boutique
Justin leads a boutique exit advisory firm specialising in manufacturing, technology, IT, digital, healthcare, wholesale and distribution markets. With the support of a 20-strong virtual team of analysts and researchers, he helps private business owners with growth and exit strategies. Connect with Justin >
Nick Davies, Partner, Steele Raymond
Nick acts for a wide range of business clients across various sectors, advising on complex corporate transactions including company sales, purchases and mergers. Nick also advises on mergers, de-mergers and re-organisation. Connect with Nick >
If you have any questions regarding your business, a business exit, a merger or any other corporate legal query, please contact Nick Davies on 01202 204576 or email [email protected]
Shared language gives our teams real momentum. From Associates Day to firm-wide book clubs, people learn together, talk openly about pressure and burnout, and turn ideas into practical changes that make daily work more sustainable.
Serious work, human rhythm. From Bournemouth and Southampton to Poundbury, our teams handle heavyweight matters, then step into sea air, green space and short commutes that keep heads clear and careers moving. If you want City level work with South Coast balance, this is where both can happen.
This transaction brings together long‑standing British distribution expertise and the scale of a European market leader.
Ranked Top Tier in The Legal 500 for the 21st year running, Steele Raymond gives businesses, developers and families across the South City calibre judgement with local commitment – helping deals complete, sites progress and families move forward while we protect value and keep momentum.
People often think about houses, savings and heirlooms but don’t have a plan for the photos that hold a thousand moments, the messages they want to keep, and the accounts that pay for daily life.
For landowners, farmers, parish councillors, and anyone who cares about keeping rural communities alive.
Steele Raymond’s new brand marks a clear moment of growth and ambition.
This growth comes from a deliberate focus on people, client relationships and selective expansion.
Protecting what matters most.
Your Estate. Your Family.
Your Peace of Mind
Shared language gives our teams real momentum. From Associates Day to firm-wide book clubs, people learn together, talk openly about pressure and burnout, and turn ideas into practical changes that make daily work more sustainable.
Serious work, human rhythm. From Bournemouth and Southampton to Poundbury, our teams handle heavyweight matters, then step into sea air, green space and short commutes that keep heads clear and careers moving. If you want City level work with South Coast balance, this is where both can happen.
This transaction brings together long‑standing British distribution expertise and the scale of a European market leader.
Ranked Top Tier in The Legal 500 for the 21st year running, Steele Raymond gives businesses, developers and families across the South City calibre judgement with local commitment – helping deals complete, sites progress and families move forward while we protect value and keep momentum.
People often think about houses, savings and heirlooms but don’t have a plan for the photos that hold a thousand moments, the messages they want to keep, and the accounts that pay for daily life.
For landowners, farmers, parish councillors, and anyone who cares about keeping rural communities alive.
Steele Raymond’s new brand marks a clear moment of growth and ambition.
This growth comes from a deliberate focus on people, client relationships and selective expansion.
Protecting what matters most.
Your Estate. Your Family.
Your Peace of Mind
