#12: From Acquisitions to Management Buyouts with Richard Tompkins, Where Eagles Dare

Welcome to The Exit Plan, a podcast for business owners interested in learning more about selling their business. In this episode, we are joined by Richard Tompkins, Co-Founder of Where Eagles Dare and an award winning comms expert. Richard has experience working with a broad range of clients from exciting sustainable start-ups to FTSE100 companies. He has experience across sectors including travel, sport, finance, FMCG, aviation, technology and music. Richard's journey into acquisitions began during his tenure as Managing Director at W Communications, where he helped grow the agency and embarked on an expansion drive that included several acquisitions. These acquisitions were motivated by the agency's desire for continuous growth and cost-efficiency. Richard emphasizes the importance of evaluating opportunities and understanding the cultural aspects of integration, which played a significant role in the success of these acquisitions. He shares insights into valuation, financing, and the challenges involved in integrating acquired teams. After leaving W Communications in 2020, Richard launched Where Eagles Dare in September of the same year. The first year focused on establishing the agency, and the second year saw growth and the restructuring of ownership through a management buyout (MBO) in February. Richard's advice for business owners considering acquisitions or exits includes getting legal and financial matters in order, being honest about post-acquisition intentions and capabilities, recognizing the importance of relationships, understanding the realistic value of your business, and considering the impact of earnings on your workload and expectations. Discover valuable lessons and expert advice from a comms pro who's been there, done that.   WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: Richard's experience with acquisitions during his time as Managing Director at W Communications. Valuation methods for acquisitions and the importance of assessing staffing and growth potential. Challenges and considerations during the integration of acquired teams, including cultural aspects. The transition from W Communications to launching Wear Eagles Dare in 2020. The initial challenges and adaptations faced during the first years of Wear Eagles Dare. Advice for business owners considering acquisitions or exits, including financial and relationship considerations.   CONNECT WITH RICHARD: Website | www.whereeaglesdare.co.uk LinkedIn | Richard Tompkins   THE EXIT PLAN The Exit Plan is for business owners that are interested in learning more about how to sell their business. Each episode Barnaby Cook interviews someone who has bought or sold a business - either a creative agency, or a production company. The conversation gets under the skin of why they wanted to sell, or were looking to acquire, how the deal was structured, how they agreed upon a valuation and what lessons they learnt along the way.