Deal completion is only the beginning: what UK SMEs should do once the deal closes

Posted Tuesday 3rd June 2025

Finalising a merger or acquisition is a significant achievement for any business. But for UK SMEs, closing the deal is just the beginning. What happens after completion is equally important and missteps in the early stages of integration or compliance can create costly problems down the line.

Too often, businesses dive straight into management changes or new strategic planning without addressing the critical post-deal requirements. To avoid penalties, delays, or legal issues, it’s vital to have a clear post-completion plan.

Here are the key actions every SME should take once the deal is done:

Don’t delay on deal-related payments

Start by settling any outstanding payments linked to the transaction. This often includes stamp duty to HMRC and Land Registry fees. Delays here can result in fines that are an avoidable cost that can sour a successful deal.

Complete legal and regulatory filings

Post-deal filings must be submitted to the relevant authorities. These can include:

Companies House (e.g. new directors or share allotments)
HMRC (e.g. stamp duty, tax elections, share option reporting)
The Land Registry
The UK Intellectual Property Office

Some filings are time critical. For example, registering new charges at Companies House must happen within 21 days. Similarly, EMI share options must be reported to HMRC within 92 days to remain valid.

Track key dates from the agreement

Transaction documents often include deadlines that stretch beyond the completion date. Important examples include:

Timetables for earn-out or completion accounts
Dates for deferred payments
Triggers for releasing security or guarantees
Expiry periods for warranty or indemnity claims

Create a clear calendar of these dates to avoid missing obligations or opportunities.

Request a post-deal summary

Especially in more complex deals, it’s useful to ask your legal team for a post-completion summary. This should outline:

When and how deferred or contingent payments will be handled
Steps for preparing and reviewing financial accounts
Terms under any loan, shareholder, or investment agreements
Any continuing property or lease issues

This summary acts as a reference guide, making it easier to manage your responsibilities going forward.

Build a short-term action plan

Many private equity-backed businesses use a 100-day plan to guide post-deal priorities. SMEs can benefit from doing the same, whether or not private equity is involved.

This plan should identify critical tasks highlighted during due diligence and set clear timelines for implementation. Including your legal and financial advisers in the planning process helps ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

Conclusion

A successful deal doesn’t end at completion. In many ways, that’s when the real work begins. For UK SMEs, taking a structured and proactive approach to post-deal responsibilities is essential. Timely filings, diligent follow-up on legal obligations, and clear planning can help you avoid setbacks and accelerate the value you expect from the transaction.

With the right guidance and a focused execution plan, you’ll be well placed to navigate the transition and make the most of your new business structure.

Please get in touch if you require any more information or find out more about our corporate and commercial team and how we can help you.

This article is for reference purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Specific legal advice about your specific circumstances should always be sought separately before taking or deciding not to take any action.