Season 8 | Ep11 The road to a successful MBO: Lessons from Chris Peace’s £Million exit

The RAG Podcast - Recruitment Agency Growth Podcast

What does life look like on the first day after selling your business?

In this week’s episode of The RAG Podcast, I’m joined by Chris Peace, founder of Peace Recruitment, a specialist construction and engineering recruitment agency based in Scotland.

Chris recently exited his business through a vendor-initiated management buyout (VIMBO) – a unique process that allows founders to sell their companies to their teams without the need for external financing or debt.

In this candid conversation, Chris shares:

💡 How he structured the VIMBO process to ensure a smooth transition for the business.

⚙️ The key considerations founders need to plan for when preparing to sell.

📈 The benefits of this approach for boutique agencies looking to empower their teams.

💪 The impact of coaching on leadership, team happiness, and business growth.

🔑 Insights into his leadership journey, the challenges of letting go, and his plans for life beyond Peace Recruitment.

Whether you’re dreaming of your next chapter or seeking a stress-free exit strategy, this episode offers actionable advice and real-life inspiration for boutique recruitment owners.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chris Peace and his journey

02:51 The vendor-initiated management buyout process

06:05 Early career and entry into recruitment

12:13 Launching Peace Recruitment

21:02 Growth and challenges in business

29:03 Coaching and personal development

33:52 Translating personal skills online

34:21 The journey of building a brand

35:19 Evolving leadership styles

36:15 Authenticity in leadership

37:38 Coaching and empowering teams

39:02 Vision and business growth

40:58 Navigating business offers

42:51 Leadership structure for exit

45:18 Impact of COVID on business

48:40 Personal struggles during crisis

49:36 Management buyout process

52:29 Structuring the buyout

55:15 Tax implications of selling a business

57:40 Future plans and new ventures

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