How Much Is My Health and Safety Business Worth? | James Dixey
How much is my health and safety consultancy worth?
Get a free, indicative valuation based on real market data. No documents needed — it takes around 60 seconds.
Updated April 2026Completely confidential
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Everything we ask, you already know. No documents or financials needed. Takes around 60 seconds.
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See what businesses like yours are selling for, based on up-to-date valuation multiples in your sector.
Indicative valuation range
£3.4m – £3.8m
£2.5m£5m
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Talk to a sector specialist
Speak with an advisor who understands your market, can give you a more accurate valuation, and help you find the right buyer when you're ready.
How are health and safety consultancies typically valued?
Health and safety consultancies are valued on a multiple of adjusted earnings (EBITDA), which is your annual profit after stripping out owner-related costs and any one-off items. The multiple depends on factors including the size of your business, the mix of services you offer, your client retention rate, and how reliant the business is on you personally. Consultancies that have built a team of qualified advisors and a base of recurring client relationships will typically achieve a stronger valuation than sole practitioners or owner-dependent firms.
What multiples do health and safety consultancies sell for?
Multiples for health and safety businesses in the UK generally range from 3x to 6x adjusted earnings. The higher end of that range is reserved for businesses with a strong base of retained clients, a qualified team that operates independently of the owner, and a clear sector specialism. When we speak with buyers in this space, the conversation almost always comes back to client retention. A consultancy where clients stay year after year, with predictable annual revenue, is a fundamentally different proposition from one that has to sell each engagement from scratch.
What factors affect the value of a health and safety consultancy?
Retained clients and recurring revenue. This is the most important value driver. Annual retainer contracts, ongoing audit programmes, and compliance management agreements all provide the revenue predictability that buyers are willing to pay a premium for. The longer your average client relationship, the stronger your position.
Team qualifications and depth. Buyers want to see a team with recognised qualifications such as NEBOSH diplomas, chartered membership of IOSH, or specialist credentials relevant to your sector focus. A business where the owner holds all the key qualifications and client relationships is significantly harder to sell than one with a broader team.
Want a more accurate picture?
An online calculator is a useful starting point. Speak with our team to understand what your health and safety consultancy could realistically achieve.
Sector specialism. Health and safety consultancies that focus on specific sectors, such as construction, manufacturing, food production, healthcare, or oil and gas, tend to be more attractive to buyers than generalist firms. A clear specialism signals deeper expertise, stronger client relationships, and higher barriers to entry for competitors.
Accreditations. UKAS accreditation, SafeContractor approval, CHAS membership, and similar credentials support your credibility and can be prerequisites for working with larger clients. Buyers will check the status and transferability of these accreditations during due diligence.
Service breadth. Consultancies that offer a range of services beyond core advisory work, such as training, auditing, policy documentation, CDM coordination, or occupational health referrals, are generally more valuable. A broader service offering means more touchpoints with each client and higher revenue per account.
Owner dependence. As with most professional services businesses, the degree to which the business can function without the owner is a critical factor. Buyers need confidence that clients will stay and work will continue to be delivered after the sale. Having a team in place and documented processes makes a significant difference.
Who buys health and safety consultancies?
The buyer pool includes larger compliance and risk management groups looking to build scale or geographic coverage, insurance-linked businesses seeking to add advisory capabilities, training providers expanding into consultancy, and individuals looking to acquire an established practice rather than starting from scratch. Private equity interest is growing as the compliance services sector consolidates, particularly for businesses with recurring revenue and strong client retention.
Is now a good time to sell a health and safety consultancy?
The market is favourable for sellers. Health and safety obligations are not discretionary for businesses, which gives the sector a degree of resilience regardless of wider economic conditions. Regulatory requirements continue to expand, and the trend towards outsourcing compliance functions rather than employing in-house teams supports demand for consultancy services. Consolidation is ongoing, with several buy-and-build platforms actively looking for acquisitions in this space.
How long does it take to sell a health and safety consultancy?
Most sales complete within three to seven months. There are no regulatory registration transfers required, which makes the process simpler than selling a care or education business. The main areas of focus during the sale will be the transferability of client contracts, the retention of key staff, and the status of any accreditations. Well-prepared businesses with clear documentation tend to move through the process quickly.
How accurate is an online health and safety business valuation?
An online valuation provides a reasonable indicative range. Health and safety consultancies vary widely in their client profiles, service mix, and operating models, so a closer look at the specifics is usually worthwhile. If the range is of interest, a confidential conversation about your business will give you a much sharper figure.
