Exit Insights

Send us Fan Mail Most business owners think exit planning begins when they're ready to sell. Darryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington explain why that's backwards. In this episode of the Exit Insights Podcast, they introduce the VORTEX model , a practical framework that helps business owners maximise business valuation, reduce owner dependence and create a business that delivers weal...

Send us Fan Mail In the latest episode of the Exit Insights podcast Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to break down the most common patterns behind successful business exits — drawn from over 190 episodes and real-world experience working with business owners. Listen in as we discuss: 🔹 Why starting your exit planning too late is one of the biggest reasons 80% of businesses ne...

Send us Fan Mail   In the latest episode of the Exit Insights podcast Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by corporate finance specialist Jack Minns to explore how early planning can significantly increase business value and help owners exit on their terms. Listen in as we discuss: 🔹 Why waiting until you're ready to sell could cost you hundreds of thousands of pounds 🔹 How a simple change in...

Send us Fan Mail “I don’t want to sell yet, so why should I start planning now?” In this episode of Exit Insights , host Darryl Bates-Brownsword and co-host Kevin Harrington dig deep into why early exit planning is about more than just preparing for a sale – it’s about building a stronger, more profitable business today. They break down: The hidden cost of owner dependence Why waiting until you fe...

Send us Fan Mail If stepping away from your business fills you with dread, chances are you're suffering from owner dependence – and buyers can smell it a mile away. In this episode of Exit Insights , Darryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington explore what owner dependence really means, how to spot the red flags, and what practical steps you can take to fix it. You’ll discover: The hidden co...

Send us Fan Mail In this final episode of our Intangible Assets series on Exit Insights , host Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to explore the asset that brings everything together: scale . Together, they unpack: Why building a scalable business is essential – even if you never plan to expand How most business owners fall into the “technician trap” The six intangible assets th...

Send us Fan Mail What’s your route to market – and is it helping or hurting your business valuation? In this episode of Exit Insights, Darryl Bates-Brownsword and marketing strategist Kevin Harrington break down how to turn your marketing system into a valuable intangible asset. From understanding why relying on a single channel is risky, to learning how to build a predictable, scalable marketing...

Send us Fan Mail Are you ready to step back from the daily grind of running your business – without everything falling apart? In this episode of Exit Insights , host Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to explore how documenting your systems and processes not only makes your business easier to run, but significantly increases its value. 💬 “The only way to show you’re in control...

Send us Fan Mail Could you walk away from a thriving business without selling it? This week on Exit Insights , Dawn Farrow shares her extraordinary journey from professional dancer to founder of a fast-growing marketing agency – and why she chose to shut it down just before the pandemic hit. Dawn opens up about: The emotional toll of burnout and identity crisis The challenges of owner-dependence i...

Send us Fan Mail Your people could be your greatest intangible asset – or your biggest blind spot. In this episode of Exit Insights , Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to explore the crucial role that people and culture play in business valuation, exit preparation, and long-term sustainability. If you're thinking about succession planning or want to increase the attractive...

Send us Fan Mail If your revenue stopped tomorrow, would your business survive? More importantly – would anyone want to buy it? In this episode of the Exit Insights podcast, Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to explore how the structure and quality of your revenue impacts your business valuation and exit options. 💡 You’ll learn: Why buyers favour subscription and contracted in...

Send us Fan Mail 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-balanc...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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, an...

Send us Fan Mail 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 su...

Send us Fan Mail 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 archi...

Send us Fan Mail 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 fl...

Send us Fan Mail 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 complementar...

Send us Fan Mail 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 f...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 throug...

Send us Fan Mail 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 b...

Send us Fan Mail 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...