Send us a text Most business owners focus on the numbers they can see – balance sheets, P&L, cash flow. But what about the value that doesn’t show up on your financial statements? In this episode, Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to dig into positioning – one of the most powerful but often overlooked intangible assets. It’s the first in a mini-series about the off-balance-sheet factors that make or break your exit. You'll discover: ✅ How to make your business stand ...

Send us a text Chris Everard knows what it takes to build a business that sells. After starting and successfully exiting seven companies, he’s now helping others do the same as a Business Architect at Fabric Business Solutions. In this episode of Exit Insights, Chris shares the practical lessons he learned from 20+ years of exits, including: Why starting with the end in mind gives you the best chance of a high-value exitHow to remove owner dependence and build a self-sustaining teamThe ‘borin...

Send us a text Is your business growing – or just getting busier? In this episode of Exit Insights, host Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to explore how SME business owners can achieve scalable growth without copying the clunky habits of big corporates. Too many owners try to grow by adding more people, more processes, and more pressure. The result? Bottlenecks, burnout, and a business that’s still heavily reliant on the owner. Kevin and Darryl break down the four essenti...

Send us a text If you’re a business owner looking to scale, maximise your valuation, or plan your exit – this episode is a must-listen. Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to discuss why many SMEs lose their edge when they try to behave like corporates – and how to avoid it. They unpack the key inflection points in business growth (£1M → £3M → £10M), what structures actually support scaling, and how to build a leadership team that reduces owner dependence and drives value. W...

Send us a text Most business owners have heard of an IFA or a wealth manager. But what’s a family office – and why is it a game-changer when preparing for a business exit? In this episode of Exit Insights, Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to break down the real difference between IFAs, wealth managers, and private offices – and how Fabric brings together both business architecture and wealth strategy to support owners through every stage of exit preparation. You’ll...

Send us a text Before you can maximise the value of your business or plan your succession, you need to know exactly where you stand today. In this episode of Exit Insights, Darryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington break down the importance of a current state assessment – the essential first step in exit planning. They explore: Why risk is the biggest driver of business valuation.The red flags buyers look for (owner dependence, messy financials, client concentration, weak contracts)How to ...

Send us a text What really drives business valuation – and how do you make your company truly exit-ready? In this episode of the Exit Insights podcast, host Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by regular guest Kevin Harrington to explore the crucial differences between financial optimisation and strategic value creation. Together, they break down: Why CFOs and business architects play complementary roles in exit planningThe difference between tangible financials and intangible growth driversWha...

Send us a text What if you discovered you weren’t building a business, but a lifestyle job – just when it was time to sell? Brandon Harris, serial entrepreneur and now business architect at Fabric, joins Exit Insights to share his journey from cookie start-up and gym ownership to guiding other owners on their exit preparation journey. In this episode, Brandon reveals: How family dynamics and founder alignment can make or break a businessThe exit he didn’t plan – but had to makeWhy fi...

Send us a text In this episode, Darryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington unpack why it takes three years to prepare your business for a successful exit – and why starting early can make all the difference. You’ll learn: ✅ Why clean financials and documented governance are essential ✅ The role of intangibles like culture, IP, and brand in boosting valuation ✅ How preparation can turn chaos into clarity – and even attract unexpected offers Whether you’re looking to exit soon or just wan...

Send us a text What if preparing your business for sale was like designing your dream home? In this episode of Exit Insights, Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to unpack the role of a business architect – a professional who helps you create a clear vision, long-term plan, and the right sequence of actions to maximise your valuation and achieve your ideal exit. Kevin explains how a business architect: ✅ Looks at your business from a shareholder-first perspective. ✅ He...

Send us a text What happens when two like-minded firms unite to better serve business owners planning their exit? In this special episode of Exit Insights, host Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to share why Succession Plus has evolved into Fabric Business Solutions – and what it means for you as a business owner. If you're looking to maximise the valuation of your business and exit on your terms, this episode unpacks: The real reason 80% of businesses never ...

Send us a text What really happens after a business becomes employee-owned? In this insightful episode, Caroline Summers, CEO of PBShop – a successful book distribution company – shares her five-and-a-half-year journey through an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) transition. From renegotiating a sky-high valuation to building a culture of ownership among long-serving staff, Caroline walks us through the highs, the hard truths, and the powerful lessons learned. 💡 “We had to teach everyone how the...

Send us a text Most business owners have a number in mind for what they believe their business is worth - but is it realistic? In this episode of Exit Insights, host Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to discuss the Business Insights Report, a powerful tool designed to help owners see their business through the eyes of a buyer.💡 Discover how this report can:✅ Identify gaps between your expected and actual business valuation✅ Provide an actionable plan to maximise value befo...

Send us a text In this episode, Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Adam Coffey, author of The Private Equity Playbook, to explore how private equity works and why business owners need to understand it, even if they’re not planning to sell.They unpack what PE firms are looking for, how rolling over equity can lead to multiple paydays, and the growing impact of PE on business valuations.You’ll learn:What private equity is and how it operatesHow to prepare your business for a potential PE exit...

Send us a text You've sold your business to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT—now what? Many founders think their job is done, but the reality is that the longest earn-out period often begins after the sale. In this episode of Exit Insights, Kevin Harrington and Darryl Bates-Brownsword dive into the post-exit journey, uncovering how former owners can reduce risk, accelerate payments, andensure their business thrives under new ownership.🔹 How can founders transfer critical knowledge to employee...

Send us a text Are you constantly solving problems, putting out fires, and feeling like your business would collapse without you? You’re not alone. Many business owners build their companies around people instead of structure - leading to inefficiencies, stress, and an unattractive business when it’s time to sell.In this episode of Exit Insights, Kevin Harrington and Darryl Bates-Brownsword explore how to flip the script. Using the analogy of a well-balanced choir, they reveal how you can des...

Send us a text What makes a business irresistible to investors? Adrian Mendoza, founder of Mendoza Ventures, shares his playbook for scaling and selling businesses. Learn why institutionalising finances and governance is a game-changer, how to identify repeatable revenue streams, and why documenting your business model can make or break your exit. "The goal is to find the landmines before they blow up."Watch full episode here: https://succession.plus/uk/podcasts-uk/exit-ready-essentials-how-t...

Send us a text Many entrepreneurs are natural optimists - it’s what drives them to start and grow successful businesses. But when it comes to exit planning, that same optimism can lead to overconfidence, unrealistic expectations, and costly mistakes.In this episode of Exit Insights, Darryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington explore:✅ Why entrepreneurs often underestimate the challenges of selling a business✅ The biggest blind spots that can reduce your business valuation✅ How to think like...

Send us a text What’s holding your business back from reaching its full potential? In this episode of the Exit Insights podcast, Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to dive into the transformative power of capacity planning.Learn how to:✅ Spot and fix operational bottlenecks.✅ Ensure sustainable growth without cash flow crises.✅ Transition from focusing on revenue to driving valuation.With real-life examples and practical advice, Kevin explains how capacity planning can help...

Send us a text Ready to step back from your business, but not sure where to start? In this episode, Darryl Bates-Brownsword sits down with exit planning expert Len Bruskiewitz to discuss your options, from family succession and employee buyouts to third-party sales. Discover why planning ahead can increase your valuation by up to 300% and how reducing owner dependence makes your business more attractive to buyers. “The more options, the better the choices,” says Len. Tune in to find out how t...