EPISODE · Feb 25, 2026 · 44 MIN
From the brink of bankruptcy to BILLIONS: Sir Richard Harpin
from Strategy & Tragedy: CEO Stories with Steph Melodia · host stephaniemelodia
Want Steph to mentor you? Apply for 1:1 founder coaching here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSchRTqGNNhrN8xph4Gh4RuVJNU_mc31cT8bl08nXRQeM6rd8Q/viewform- - - - - - From running out of money to building a business worth billions, Sir Richard Harpin is the co-founder of HomeServe, the home repairs and insurance business he started in 1993 before scaling it to a multinational serving millions of customers, listing on the London Stock Exchange, and becoming a FTSE 100 company before being taken private in a multibillion-pound deal.A passionate advocate for entrepreneurship, Richard is the author of 'How to Make a Billion in 9 Steps' - sharing lessons from his journey building one of Britain’s most successful companies.He is also the founder of Business Leader, a growth programme that supports founders of £3m+ businesses, combining CEO coaching and peer forums, powered by the proven 9-Step framework in Richard's book, alongside practical content, masterclasses and company visits so you can focus on what matters and scale with confidence. Richard also invests in founder-led companies.In this episode, Steph and Richard discuss:- Co-founder relationships Richard and Jeremy Middleton's 30+ year partnership worked because of clear role division and mutual honesty, even when Jeremy once told Richard to give up entirely.- Near-bankruptcy to breakthroughDown to their last £10,000, a direct mail campaign with a 3.8% conversion rate saved the business and sparked the HomeServe home insurance model.- Entrepreneurial mindset Copy and improve proven models, bootstrap where possible, avoid growing too fast, and embrace persistence and optimism when your back is against the wall.- Knowing when to step aside as CEOBring in an experienced CEO at the right growth stage, recruit slowly, and let the founder focus on their true strengths (vision, BD, international growth).- Mentorship and persistence pay Richard didn't find his first mentor until 2009, but swears by it — illustrated by cold-calling Nigel Morris and flying to DC the next day to secure a meeting.Other interview mentioned with Jeremy Middleton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q59RqI1GgxE&t=15s- - - - - -I'd LOVE to know, what resonated most with you here? Leave a comment!Get involved in the conversation:🤍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia/🤍 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephmelodia-keynotespeaker/
What this episode covers
Want Steph to mentor you? Apply for 1:1 founder coaching here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSchRTqGNNhrN8xph4Gh4RuVJNU_mc31cT8bl08nXRQeM6rd8Q/viewform- - - - - - From running out of money to building a business worth billions, Sir Richard Harpin is the co-founder of HomeServe, the home repairs and insurance business he started in 1993 before scaling it to a multinational serving millions of customers, listing on the London Stock Exchange, and becoming a FTSE 100 company before being taken private in a multibillion-pound deal.A passionate advocate for entrepreneurship, Richard is the author of 'How to Make a Billion in 9 Steps' - sharing lessons from his journey building one of Britain’s most successful companies.He is also the founder of Business Leader, a growth programme that supports founders of £3m+ businesses, combining CEO coaching and peer forums, powered by the proven 9-Step framework in Richard's book, alongside practical content, masterclasses and company visits so you can focus on what matters and scale with confidence. Richard also invests in founder-led companies.In this episode, Steph and Richard discuss:- Co-founder relationships Richard and Jeremy Middleton's 30+ year partnership worked because of clear role division and mutual honesty, even when Jeremy once told Richard to give up entirely.- Near-bankruptcy to breakthroughDown to their last £10,000, a direct mail campaign with a 3.8% conversion rate saved the business and sparked the HomeServe home insurance model.- Entrepreneurial mindset Copy and improve proven models, bootstrap where possible, avoid growing too fast, and embrace persistence and optimism when your back is against the wall.- Knowing when to step aside as CEOBring in an experienced CEO at the right growth stage, recruit slowly, and let the founder focus on their true strengths (vision, BD, international growth).- Mentorship and persistence pay Richard didn't find his first mentor until 2009, but swears by it — illustrated by cold-calling Nigel Morris and flying to DC the next day to secure a meeting.Other interview mentioned with Jeremy Middleton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q59RqI1GgxE&t=15s- - - - - -I'd LOVE to know, what resonated most with you here? Leave a comment!Get involved in the conversation:🤍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia/🤍 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephmelodia-keynotespeaker/
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From the brink of bankruptcy to BILLIONS: Sir Richard Harpin
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