Before selling HomeServe for £4.1b, I made plenty of mistakes. Yet, each turning point came from our laser-like focus on what we specialised in and what mattered most to the customer. Today, the businesses that truly get this concept are the ones thriving, run by entrepreneurs

Interesting piece @dominicoc Two leaders at the top can work, but only when the roles, trust & communication are crystal clear. At HomeServe I learnt that the key is complementing, not competing. https://t.co/tkNDYjo7LB

Costa Coffee could soon change hands. Coca-Cola bought it for £3.9bn in 2019. Now it might sell for around £2bn to Bain Capital, owners of Gail’s and Pizza Express. It’s another reminder that big acquisitions outside your core business often destroy value.

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:

Yesterday, we hosted @businessleader'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

💥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

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.

So excited for this! @richard_harpin #SBSEvent2025 #SBSWinnershour

The Small Business Sessions podcast is back 📣 First up is @richard_harpin, founder of @HomeServeUK, who sold his business for £4 billion 🚀 Tune in now ▶️ https://t.co/BrJeiLhhR6 @VodafoneUKBiz @jpmorgan @Chase @Dropbox @constantcontact @Dan_Martin @businessleader

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

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

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,

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

I met up with the brains behind the Barbie marketing blitz for @businessleader, chief franchise officer of @Mattel, Josh Silverman. https://t.co/5wBZB6GYHT

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.

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:

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:

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

Don’t believe the naysayers — it’s never too late to start a business https://t.co/t5Iu1DYDXE

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