Advantages

Fund raising

Long term access to finance

Tangible valuation

Acquisition finance

Management incentivisation, retention and recruitment

Status: suppliers, customers, employees

Exit route

Disadvantages

 Management time

1. press, analysts, institutions

2. process, compliance and cultivation

External scrutiny

Executive salaries

Short termism

Loss of control/autonomy

Unfair ratings

Cost of flotation

Continuing obligations

Reduced tax planning

Exit route governed by takeover code