Unlocking Value
Unlocking Value is designed to give founders and owners of professional services firms more confidence when they're working toward an exit or thinking about taking on investment.
Across six episodes, our host John Howard speaks with founders, investors and advisors about the moments that define the transaction journey - how to get ready, what to expect and how to succeed.
We cover everything from value drivers and team alignment to investor expectations and life after the deal. You’ll hear from people who’ve sold their firms, taken minority investments, stayed on, exited and started again – and from those who advise or invest in firms like yours every day.
Podcasting since 2025 • 22 episodes
Unlocking Value
Latest Episodes
Episode 22: Dan Figueiredo - A Microsoft Insider’s View on AI in Consulting
AI is firmly on the agenda for professional services firms, but many leaders are still working out what it really means in practice – for delivery, governance, people, and trust with clients. In this episode of Unlocking Value, Joh...
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Episode 22
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45:26
Episode 21: Lizzie Meadowcroft – Professional Services Deals from Both Sides of the Table
Lizzie Meadowcroft is part of the value creation team at LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group. She works closely with management teams across the LDC portfolio, supporting growth, integration and development.Before joining...
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Episode 21
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44:43
Episode 20: Claire Simm – Leadership Lessons from Growing Professional Services Firms
Claire Simm is Managing Director and Global Head of Regulatory Consulting at Kroll. She has built her entire career in professional services, moving between Big Four firms, entrepr...
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51:12
Episode 19: Unlocking Christmas – Reflections on our 2025 conversations and what comes next
To round off the year, the show takes a slightly different shape.In this brief episode, John reflects on some of the common themes from conversations in 2025 and says thank you to the guests and listeners who’ve shaped the series. He als...
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4:29
Episode 18: Olly Purnell – The Anti-Exit Strategy: Building a Consultancy Designed for Long-Term Independence
In a sector where scaling often leads to external investment or an eventual sale, what does it look like to build a consultancy that grows, stays independent and develops a long-term ownership model for its people?
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1:01:40