Page 39 - Entrepreneur Prime

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Transforming Visions Into Reality: Exclusive property solutions, expert project management, and strategic consulting to propel businesses and investments into unparalleled growth.
As you work on high-value mergers and acquisiti- ons, what trends have you identified in the SME market that most business owners might not be aware of?
Most SME owners are not prepared for
an exit when they decide they want to sell. Many don’t know what buyers look for, what systems they need in place, or what affects their valuation. There are far more businesses for sale than there are buyers, and a large percentage never sell. Most owners only discover this when they go to market unprepared.
How do you manage to balance the demands of building multiple businesses with the focus and energy required for growth?
We grow through acquisitions, which is
a growth model in itself. Once acquired,
our main focus is building and integrating
a strong operating system. When that’s in place, we can scale the business internally
or continue acquiring more companies in the same sector and integrate them into the same system.
Lee, your remarkable fitness accomplishments, such as the 100km weighted vest run, are inspiring. How do you think maintaining physical discipline contributes to success in business?
Physical discipline keeps my mind and body sharp. I enjoy challenges that push
me mentally and physically—it builds resilience. That resilience translates directly into decision-making, leadership, and how I show up in business every day.
Toby, after stepping back from daily operations in multiple businesses, what lessons have you learned about delegating effectively and scaling sustainably?
Systems and people are key. Broken system is break great people, great systems build great teams. Moving from owner-op- erator to the first hire is a big move and huge mental shift, but once done you unlock leverage. People often think what they do can’t be done by someone else, with systems they can be.
What challenges do you think businesses are most likely to face as they transition to implementing AI and automation, and how can they navigate these obstacles effectively?
A major shift is coming across every industry. The biggest challenge for business owners will be failing to adapt fast enough. Every business should now be researching, testing, and implementing AI. Those who delay will be at a serious disadvantage.
The key is starting small, building internal awareness, and integrating AI into processes one system at a time.
Looking ahead, what are your shared aspirations and goals for the ventures you’re working on, and what legacy would you both like to leave in the business world?
Our goal is to grow in the vehicle hire and vehicle maintenance sector by acquir- ing strong independent businesses that are limited by weak systems. We’ll improve
the industry standard, build a lean operat- ing model across all acquisitions, and scale toward a £180M exit. Our legacy will be proving that disciplined systems, strong cul- ture, and modern automation can transform traditional industries.
The critical role of AI, automation, and lean sys-
tems in achieving business efficiency and scaling for exponential growth.
Challenges with SMEs struggling to prepare for successful exits and how
proper systems and plan- ning can unlock untapped opportunities.
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