FEATURE
Knowledge – Orangebox Training Solutions’ founder Simon Corbett is singing Azets’ praises for its guidance, support and expertise when he was selling his business.
WORDS: PAUL FRASER PICTURES: CHRIS BOOTH
Mastering the art of the exit
How Azets guides Teesside business owners to a deal
Building a business from the ground up is notoriously tough, but successfully selling it presents an entirely different challenge. Navigating a corporate exit requires expert orchestration.
Across Teesside, accounting and advisory firm Azets is building a formidable reputation for guiding business owners through this complex, emotional journey.
Led by experts such as corporate finance partner Mike Williams, Azets helps local entrepreneurs turn their life’ s work into secure, life-changing realities.
To understand the impact of having the right advisory team in your corner, you only needs to look at the recent success story of Simon Corbett.
In October 2025, Simon sold his Hartlepool-based firm, Orangebox Training Solutions, to Coniston Peak.
The strategic deal secured the future of his 60 staff and aligned his company with a national network. It was a huge triumph, but a journey he admits he could never have completed alone.
Acquisition – Simon has remained with Orangebox since its sale to Coniston Peak.
“ Ten years ago, I bought a £ 58 computer off eBay, set up a business and had never set one up before,” Simon said.
“ All of a sudden, I started to grow it. I started getting interest from potential buyers in 2020. Due to the pandemic the sale fell through, but it was bittersweet because it was too early to do it.”
As Orangebox’ s post-pandemic trajectory soared, acquisition inquiries returned. Realising the potential toll of a sale, Simon was introduced to Azets.
“ I realised what a thorough and detailed process it was to sell your business, doing it the right way, and how much stress and pressure Azets take off you,” Simon said. He quickly learned the stark reality of corporate exits.
He added:“ When you look at the statistics about start-up businesses, how many business owners who want to sell the business actually get a sale across the line? I realised it was far lower than I’ d ever imagined.
“ The work Azets do, with their adviser guidance and support, and everything from designing the initial IM( information memorandum) and promoting that within the network, really helps you to achieve something that not many do.”
A key strength of the Azets corporate finance team is its ability to manage the emotional rollercoaster.
“ During the process, you speak with a number of interested parties,” Simon said.
“ Azets do really well to work with you and to keep you realistic. They support you and ensure you stay grounded. They did a great job of bringing interested parties to the table.”
Finding the perfect buyer in Coniston Peak was only half the battle. Rigorous due diligence followed.
“ The due diligence process is probably one of the toughest and most stressful things I have been involved in,” Simon said.
“ I want to sing Azets’ praises because they hold your hand through that process and are extremely supportive.
“ The due diligence process was more detailed than I’ d imagined, but working closely with the Azets team, I felt reassured.”
Confidentiality is often a heavy burden for exiting founders. For Simon, the Azets team became his primary support system.
“ It is difficult when you are selling a business about what you are saying and who you can say it to. NDAs are signed and things have to be dealt with in the strictest of confidence,” he said.
“ There were daily calls and, in fact, I was speaking to the team at Azets more than my wife during that period!
“ At times you contemplate whether it is the right thing or doubt yourself, but Azets were always brilliant, always offering genuine, sound advice.”
Today, Simon remains with Orangebox, now under the Coniston Peak umbrella, leading its expansion with his legacy secure.
It was a textbook exit, made possible by the steady hand of Azets – and proving that when selling your life’ s work, the right partner makes all the difference.
For more information, contact Mike Williams, corporate finance partner, on 01642 260823 or email michael. williams @ azets. co. uk.
50 | Tees Business