Dr Craig West, is a strategic accountant and mentor with more than 25 years of experience in advising business owners on exit planning, succession, and mergers and acquisitions. Craig holds two master's degrees in Taxation Law and Accounting and Finance and has been a Certified Exit Planning Adviser (CEPA) since 2011. Craig is the founder of Succession Plus, the largest Business Succession and Exit Planning consulting firm in Australia. He leads a team of experts who help clients maximize the value of their businesses and achieve successful exits. Additionally, he founded Capitaliz, a platform that connects businesses with investors and advisers for growth and exit opportunities. Since its establishment in 2009, Craig's consulting firm has worked with over 800 business owners. In October 2014, he was awarded the Exit Planner of the Year at the Exit Planning Institute Annual Conference in Texas, USA, due to his innovative development of a 21 step exit planning process. In July 2022, he was awarded a Doctor of Business Administration for his research thesis titled "Examination of the key factors driving business exit options in Australian Small and Medium Enterprises". Craig is passionate about educating and empowering business owners to achieve their personal, professional, and financial goals. He has authored four books, hosted three podcasts, and delivered several seminars and keynote presentations on exit planning, employee incentives, asset protection, and valuation. Craig is an engaging and highly sought-after presenter who has received international recognition and awards for his work in the field.