Agency experts shared insights and strategies in Leeds on growing and selling businesses.
- The event highlighted the importance of focus, especially with AI’s rise, in business models.
- Attracting and retaining talent were emphasized as key for agency growth and success.
- Mergers and acquisitions trends were analyzed, with private equity playing a significant role.
- Future planning was a theme, with leaders stressing risk management and opportunity realization.
An event in Leeds attracted agency leaders eager to explore growth and exit strategies. The gathering provided a platform for sharing insights on scaling, talent management, and investment, discussed by top professionals in the industry.
Focus emerged as a crucial element in today’s fast-moving market, especially with the growing influence of artificial intelligence. CEOs like Mark Mallinder emphasized the need for discipline and leadership in evolving business models, noting the easy distraction by ‘noise.’
The ability to attract and retain talent was a recurring theme, with experts like Ben Turner and Martin Corcoran providing valuable advice. Turner highlighted the significance of progression pathways while Corcoran pointed out the importance of creating a motivated and experienced workforce.
Insights into the M&A landscape were provided by Ben Taylor from KPMG, who noted the recent increase in deal volumes. However, he mentioned a decline in expenditure, underscoring the growing preference for acquiring specialized firms rather than generalists.
Discussions also covered planning and risk management, stressing that leaders should prepare for potential challenges and seize opportunities. Carrie Rose shared her experience in building a successful agency, emphasizing the importance of keeping clients diversified and managing risks through strategic growth.
The event in Leeds underscored the critical need for strategic focus and adaptability in scaling and selling agencies.
