ABOUT SUCCESSION PLUS

Succession Plus specialises in providing strategic advisory services and project management in the areas of business succession and exit planning for small business owners.

With three critically acclaimed books educating SME businesses on employee incentives, succession plans and asset protection, Succession Plus’s unique IP lies in strategic and project planning for effective delivery of solutions which maximise SME value from Start-Up to Succession.

Succession Plus works with a number of expert partners to implement planned solutions for the mutual benefit of partners and their clients.

Succession Plus is one of Australia’s leading strategic advisory firms, going ‘Beyond Advice’ to offer practical growth and succession planning solutions to businesses across Australia.

THE SUCCESSION PLUS PROCESS

Our process involves four stages all focused around Value:

Stage One – Identify Value

Due diligence review, valuation, personal and family structure review & benchmarking.

Stage Two – Maximise Value

Strategic options, value drivers, growth strategy, exit options and strategy, protection – risk minimisation and insurances.

Stage Three – Extract Value

Exit strategy implementation, structures, asset protection and tax management, transactional issues – legal, tax and accounting.

Stage Four – Manage Value

Estate planning issues – wills & successors, Self Managed Superannuation, Investment.

COMPANY HISTORY & PRINCIPALS

Craig West founded Succession Plus in May, 2004, after taking a year off to write three books and design the intellectual property that would form the foundation for the new enterprise.  Originally called Peak Partners, the business was a specialised strategic advisory practice completely focussed on assisting small business owners to effectively deal with the four key strategic issues that Craig’s research has uncovered as the fundamental issues facing SME’s as they grow:

  1. Raising Capital
  2. Building Equity
  3. Protecting equity
  4. Extracting value upon exit

In 2009 the business rebranded as Succession Plus to reflect its sharpened focus on business exit strategies and succession planning.

Originally a principal in Peak Partners, Steve Connell joined the business after running a successful business coaching practice where he worked extensively with clients in succession management.  Michael de Haan joined the team in late 2009 as an equity partner with a wealth of experience in financial and business planning.

Craig West, Australia – Partner
Craig is a CPA who has been advising businesses in management, taxation and accounting issues for over 15 years. He specialises in business structuring and succession planning and has had extensive experience working with clients to improve their financial performance –with proven results



Michael de Haan, Australia – Partner
Michael is an experienced financial adviser and successful small business owner.  He is also an award-winning sports coach with a passion for helping people achieve their best.






Steve Connell, New Zealand – Partner
Steve is a Fellow of the Taxation and Management Accountants Association of Australia and has been advising businesses in management issues for over 20 years. In addition, he has been an in-demand speaker and educator for many leading organisations throughout Australia and South East Asia…



Steven Kay, Australia , Partner

Steve is a highly experienced business coach who has built a 60 person coaching business in Crows Nest as well as being an experienced and entertaining presenter, trainer and mentor to business owners who need accountability in implementing strategic plans.



Detailed bios on partners available in this site