Buy and Build

• Ep 99: The CEO Roundtable with Will Hunnam (Forza Doors) and Carl Lundberg (Gerald Edelman)

  What does it take to step into the CEO seat—whether by acquisition or promotion? In this special episode, Will Hunnam (Forza Doors) and Carl Lundberg (Gerald Edelman) return to share their personal leadership journeys, challenges of managing legacy teams, and how implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) transformed their approach to strategy and culture. We explore: The reality of becoming a first-time CEO Lessons from inheriting vs. building company culture How EOS creates clarity and drives accountability The hard conversations leaders must face Whether you’re scaling an acquired SME or navigating leadership within a partnership model, this candid discussion is packed with insight for anyone in the buy-and-build or search fund world. ------ For searchers looking to accelerate their acquisition journey, there are still a few seat left on the 17th June, in London. book your ticket here: https://www.buyandbuildaccelerator.com/  For those looking to learn more about EOS, Rob Liddiard, the implementor mentioned on this episode is offering the searcher community a free introductory session. Reach out to him on [email protected] 

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• Ep: 98 - Navigating Total Addressable Market (TAM) with £100M Operator and Investor Matthias Knaur

  In this episode, we sit down with Matthias Knaur—operator, investor, and seasoned voice in the European search fund and ETA community—to explore the real levers behind scaling small companies. From a billion-dollar transformation at listed company Solera, to hands-on leadership in niche B2B services.  Matthias Knaur—who’s led his own acquisitions to over £100M in revenue and invested across Europe’s search fund landscape—shares his deep experience on identifying, expanding, and leveraging total addressable markets. We dive into lessons from his billion-dollar corporate roles, personal acquisitions, and current investments, discussing adjacent TAMs, recurring revenue models, roll-ups, and why execution matters more than spreadsheets. Whether you're a searcher plotting your first acquisition or an investor scanning for red flags, this conversation is packed with candid insights and war stories on what it really takes to build enduring businesses.

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• EP 97: The Private Equity-Backed Journey to €200M: Brian Honan’s Fortus Playbook

  In today’s episode of Buy and Build, we dive deep into the incredible entrepreneurial journey of Brian Honan, founder and CEO of Fortus. Brian walks us through how he went from an "accidental entrepreneur" to leading a €200M turnover security distribution business across Europe. We explore his early days in business, executing a debt-funded MBO, partnering with private equity, building a recurring revenue engine, and navigating the challenges of integrating acquisitions. Brian also shares lessons learned on managing growth, staying passionate, and planning the next phase of Fortus' journey — including the possibility of an IPO. If you're interested in buy-and-build strategies, private equity partnerships, or scaling a business through acquisition, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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• Ep 96: In the Trenches- 7 Months Into Operating a £1M+ EBITDA SME (Fouzan Ali, MD of Combined Services)

  The next acquisition accelerator is going to be in London in June (date TBC). Book your spot now for a discounted rate. If you cannot make that date, you can roll your spot into the next cohort. Join here: https://www.buyandbuildaccelerator.com/  ------------- In this episode, we reconnect with Fouzan, seven months into owning and operating the 32-year-old building energy management systems business he acquired. After initially stepping into the role with humility and patience, Fouzan shares how he’s approached leadership, structured his team, and gradually introduced change—from hiring apprentices and outsourcing non-core functions to overhauling commercial performance and planning a new service division. We dive into the realities of making an acquisition from a retiring owner, managing legacy teams, implementing tracking and bonus systems, and how he uses his tech background to drive efficiency. This is a candid look at the transition from acquisition to active ownership, filled with insights for anyone stepping into a small business post-close. Enjoy! -------- For anyone interested in EOS, Rob Liddiard is offering the buy and build community a free introductory session. As you know, Paul uses Rob to help implement EOS at Amber Home Improvements and it has been a game changer. You can reach out to him at [email protected] 

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• Ep 95: American Searcher (and Stand-up Comic) Embarks on a Traditional UK Search Fund – Allison Stuckless, Vericor Capital

  In this episode, we speak with Allie Stuckless, a great friend and former JPMorgan colleague, about her transition from banking to launching a UK-based search fund. Allie has a fascinating background and has taken a unique path into the search/ETA world.  During the episode, we discuss the challenges of fundraising, her passion for lifecycle services (including the funeral industry), and the lessons she's learned along the way. Allie shares insights on navigating the UK search fund ecosystem, the key differences between US and European search models, and the importance of finding the right investors. Tune in for an engaging discussion packed with actionable advice for searchers, operators, and anyone considering the buy-and-build path! ------ The the next Buy and Build Acquisition Accelerator will be taking place in late spring and we have gone live with discounted tickets while we pick a date. Check out:  https://www.buyandbuildaccelerator.com/ to learn more.

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