September Glasgow Drinks Panel – ‘Built to Sell: The Truth About Business Exits’

Join us for our inaugural Panel Drinks event on the topic ‘Built to Sell: The Truth About Business Exits’.  An informal and insightful evening you won’t want to miss to hear the inside scoop from 2 exited entrepreneurs.

Every entrepreneur will leave their business eventually.  The real question is whether that exit happens by design or by default.

We’re delighted to be bringing together two entrepreneurs who have successfully exited their businesses.  Together, they’ll share candid insights into what it really takes to prepare a business for sale, drawing on both personal experience and professional expertise.  From increasing value and reducing reliance on the founder to choosing the right time, finding the right buyer and managing life after the deal, this will be an honest conversation about the realities behind a successful exit.

We’ll explore:

• When founders should begin planning their exit and why it is rarely too early.
• What makes a business genuinely attractive to potential buyers.
• How to build value without becoming indispensable to the company.
• Common mistakes that can reduce value or de-rail a deal.
• How founders know when the time and the offer are right.
• The emotional reality of selling the business you have built.

Whether selling your business is part of a defined plan or simply something you would like to achieve one day, the decisions you make now will influence your eventual options, valuation and outcome.

This event is designed for founders and entrepreneurs at every stage of that journey – not only those preparing to sell immediately.  Expect practical advice, honest experiences and the opportunity to ask the questions that rarely feature in polished exit stories.

Set in a relaxed drinks setting, this is a great opportunity to finish your day in great company with your peers. Connect with fellow members, entrepreneurs and business leaders and hear real-world insights.

MEET THE PANEL

MIKE SCOTT 

FOUNDER & FORMER CEO OF HYDROGEN

Mike Scott built and sold Hydrogen, Scotland’s largest social media agency within 6 years, fully bootstrapped, in a multi-million sale to PA Media Group.  An experienced business leader, social and digital marketing expert with over 20 years in the industry, Mike has worked on many household global brands, helping them to develop their strategies and deliver outstanding results.

Mike has worked for the vast majority of his career in agencies with disciplines including, digital marketing, social, PR, web and advertising. This multi-discipline view has provided a unique opportunity to observe the entire length and breadth of marketing, identify the commonalities and in turn the universal issues brands and businesses face. It was those lessons that allowed Mike to create a brand which itself was able to excel at pace, growing an average of 30% YoY with no dedicated sales function and deliver an above market exit within 6 years.

“There’s a general myth that every buyer will be a nightmare and they only want to argue you down on the valuation. That wasn’t our case.  Our buyer really wanted to buy our brand and therefore weren’t too concerned about contract values etc.  They gave us a fair offer which they stuck to throughout and while due diligence was heavyweight, they didn’t pick over things to try and reduce valuations as you often hear.  I think if you haven’t over-inflated your numbers, present a fair picture and are able to justify your thoughts you leave little room for them to argue you down.”

BILLY LYLE 

FOUNDER & FORMER CEO OF REDSPIRE

FOUNDER & CEO OF ILLUMINATE AI

Billy Lyle Billy Lyle has more than 25 years experience in technology and a proven track record scaling UK consultancies.  He previously led Redspire to become one of Microsoft’s top Financial Services partners, leading to a successful exit in 2021.

Redspire’s customer success stories spanned a wide range of industries. Their specialism was in Financial Services transformation and this expertise allowed them to collaborate with Retail and Commercial Banks including Virgin Money and NatWest Group, insurance innovators like Beazley and Brit and Capital Markets Groups and Investment Banks including Martin Currie. They also partnered with the Government’s Money and Pensions Service.

Today, Billy is CEO of Illuminate AI, a Gen AI and Microsoft Power Platform partner helping business leaders harness Generative AI to automate operations, enhance compliance, and elevate customer experience.  Illuminate AI works closely with C-suite teams across industries to turn disruptive AI into strategic advantage, balancing innovation with trust and governance.

If you value honest conversation, shared learning and genuine connection, this event is for you.  The Panel session will be hosted by our CEO, Belinda Roberts MBE.

TICKETS

Tickets include a drink on arrival, additional drinks thereafter can be purchased at the bar.

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