Exiting your business is more than just a financial transaction – it’s a journey that takes careful, long-term planning. In my Sunday Times column, I share lessons from building and selling HomeServe. From handling the emotional side of stepping back to making sure your business

It’s never too late to become an entrepreneur. While many focus on young stars, entrepreneurs over 45 now make up a third of new businesses. Experience isn’t a barrier—it's an asset. Age brings skills, connections, and opportunities. If you’ve dreamed of starting something, now's

Your health is your greatest wealth. After 40+ years of focusing on well-being, I’ve learnt it’s about balance, not extremes. Small, consistent habits like daily movement and mindful eating matter more than strict diets. Prioritise self-care and sustainable changes. #Wellness

Don’t believe the naysayers — it’s never too late to start a business thetimes.com/article/40bae0…

Failure isn’t the end—it’s the start of learning. In this week's Sunday Times, I discuss why boards must own their CEO choices. A great leader isn’t just qualified—they must inspire, adapt, and deliver results. Read more on avoiding leadership mistakes. #leadership #CEOsuccess

If you were writing a Sunday Times Business column, what would you write about? The only condition is that it must come from your own business experience. Share it in the comments below, and I'll respond to as many as I can. You can find previous editions right here:

I met up with the brains behind the Barbie marketing blitz for Business Leader, chief franchise officer of MATTEL, Josh Silverman. businessleader.co.uk/secret-mattel/

Hate the budget? Turn it into a growth opportunity. In this week's Sunday Times, I challenge retailers: stop moaning about Labour’s budget & start acting. External challenges are inevitable—but they don’t have to derail your business. From AI to cost-cutting, bold action wins:

Kindness is the secret ingredient for building sustainable, collaborative relationships that balance the needs of all parties, fostering long-term alliances and creating lasting value in both business and life.

After 30 years of building HomeServe UK, my mission is clear: inspire breakthrough. The UK has 7,500 large companies today. My goal? Double that by 2029—creating more billion-pound success stories to rival our US counterparts. That’s why I’m thrilled to collaborate with James

The last time I ran a half marathon in my hometown, I was a teenager. 46 years later, I beat my summer time—2:12 to 1:59. Same training, new mindset (or the thought of old neighbors watching 👀). In running and business, progress isn’t about drastic changes. It’s about focus,

Julian Hearn didn’t just create Huel—he refined an entire category. Huel’s success isn’t about being first. It’s about being smarter, more adaptable, and strategic. Hearn learned, refined, and turned a niche product into a global sensation. The lesson? Business success doesn’t

Every entrepreneur needs a NOT-to-do list. When I started out, I wanted everything: more ideas, more opportunities, faster growth. But here’s what I’ve learned: Saying YES to everything spreads you too thin. Focus is your superpower. Every yes has a cost, so protect your

The Small Business Sessions podcast is back 📣 First up is Richard Harpin, founder of HomeServe UK, who sold his business for £4 billion 🚀 Tune in now ▶️ ow.ly/wrth50UB0J4 Vodafone Business UK J.P. Morgan Chase Dropbox @constantcontact Dan Martin Business Leader

💥Delighted to finally share that we will have renowned entrepreneur, Richard Harpin, on the main stage as our Fireside Chat guest- hearing about his business journey & his advice for SMEs, including his 8 secrets to building a billion pound business.💥 #SBSEvent2025

So excited for this! Richard Harpin #SBSEvent2025 #SBSWinnershour

Theo - It’s brilliant to see successful entrepreneurs like yourself championing UK small businesses through initiatives like #SBS Supporting small businesses is vital for driving growth across the country, and it’ll be great to explore how we can do even more to back them.

Yesterday, we hosted Business Leader's second Large Growth Workshop. The focus? How to scale more medium-sized businesses to the next level. The energy in the room was proof: UK entrepreneurs have what it takes to double the number of large businesses by 2029. Thanks to

The Power of Peer-toPeer! We brought together over 100 mid-sized UK business owners to prove that when it comes to growing your business, Peer-to-Peer networking is one of the most powerful tools you can tap into 🚀 Joined by two of the UK's most successful business owners

AIM higher. AIM has helped 3,600 companies raise £60bn—but high costs and red tape are holding businesses back. With £430bn in UK savings waiting to be invested, it’s time to fix AIM and fuel the next wave of British success. 📖 More in The Sunday Times: