How to Effectively Scale - Leading Acquisitions and People

The Lucent Perspective

Are you looking at scaling your business through acquisitions? My special guest, Richard Quinn, is here to share strong insights about this subject. Richard has worked on seven acquisitions with a combined transaction value of $400m in a 3-year period.

Some critical topics that Richard and I covered in this episode are:

• When scaling through acquisition is the best option
• Challenges and focus areas when scaling your company
• What to look for in a company that you may acquire
• What could be holding your company from scaling
• Leadership qualities that you must cultivate now to scale your business

Richard is the Managing Director of Hahei Consulting Ltd. He was the Chief Operating Officer of Kpler, a fast-growing data analytics business of the commodity markets and has worked for Trustpilot and Wood MacKenzie.

Episode Outline and Highlights

• [02:10] Richard’s journey to the C-suite role.
• [03:26] Key focus areas when scaling a company.
• [08:41] Case Study - scaling up Trustpilot.
• [13:58] What you need to focus on when scaling.
• [17:00] Insights on mergers and acquisition - when is acquisition key?
• [21:00] What are the things you should be looking for in a company that you might potentially acquire?
• [24:30] How to proceed with a smooth integration during mergers and acquisitions.
• [33:27] Insights on restructuring the leadership team.
• [39:40] Trust building, clarity, and setting of expectations.
• [49:15] What could be stopping companies from scaling?
• [57:09] Leadership qualities for someone who looks into scaling and acquiring.

About Richard Quinn

Richard Quin is an accomplished professional with a diverse and impressive career in the tech and analytics industry. As the COO of Kpler, he was responsible for leading critical functions across the business to ensure smooth operations and continuous improvements. Prior to that, Richard served as Chief of Staff for Trustpilot a customer review platform in which he contributed to strategic transformations of the business leading to growth ahead of their London listing in 2021. Richard's expertise in scaling operations and driving business growth has made him a sought-after advisor and consultant.

• Richard on LinkedIn

Rebecca Hastings, Founder and Director at The Lucent Group
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hastingsrebecca/

Would you like to be a guest? Book a time to speak with Rebecca: https://calendly.com/rebeccahastings/discovery-call
The Lucent Group Ltd website - https://www.thelucentgroup.co.uk/
The Lucent Perspective website - https://thelucentperspective.com/
Rebecca has extensive talent and executive search experience supporting digital and technology businesses through complex changes and fast-paced scale-up periods. She works with businesses advising on C-level, technical, sales and commercial appointments, workforce planning, strategic talent management, recruitment processes and associated technology and employer brand development.

Chapters

1. How to Effectively Scale - Leading Acquisitions and People (00:00:00)

2. Richard’s journey to the C-suite role. (00:02:10)

3. Key focus areas when scaling a company. (00:03:26)

4. Case Study - scaling up Trustpilot. (00:08:41)

5. What you need to focus on when scaling. (00:13:58)

6. Insights on mergers and acquisition - when is acquisition key? (00:17:00)

7. What are the things you should be looking for in a company that you might potentially acquire? (00:21:00)

8. How to proceed with a smooth integration during mergers and acquisitions. (00:24:30)

9. Insights on restructuring the leadership team. (00:33:27)

10. Trust building, clarity, and setting of expectations. (00:39:40)

11. What could be stopping companies from scaling? (00:49:15)

12. Leadership qualities for someone who looks into scaling and acquiring. (00:57:09)