Business Exit Strategy: How Howard Kosky Built and Sold His Company for Millions

How to sell your business for £50M? Howard Kosky built his specialist PR agencies over 32 years then sold it for £50M - and says leaving felt like grief. So, what is a business exit strategy really? Howard who is considered to be a broadcast PR pioneer sits down with James Burtt on Building The Brand to break down selling a business in the UK, how to value a business beyond EBITDA, and how private equity really buys companies. How much is my business worth? Howard's answer: Your value is not your profitability. Buyers pay for future-proofing, niche dominance, and runway. In this episode he reveals his first IPO windfall at 28, engineering a management buyout in 2001, buying Cue Sheet magazine to own the market, building 5 interconnected companies, and why he chose PE investment for his final exit. He also breaks down due diligence survival, vendor due diligence, why buyers chip price, and the emotional support gap no advisor warns you about.If you want a UK founder playbook for business valuation, exit planning, and life after selling a business — this is it. 🎙️ Guest: Howard Kosky — Founder, Markettiers4DC 🎙️ Host: James Burtt — Building The Brand 👇 KEY MOMENTS: Selling a Business & £50M Exit Strategy: 0:00 — How to sell your business for £50M? The day after the deal 0:54 — Why does selling a business feel like grief? 2:13 — Radiators vs drains: What founders get wrong after exit 8:02 — What is life after selling your company really like? 13:13 — Business exit strategy: What is your right to win? 15:50 — How did Marketeers for DC start in broadcast PR? 20:29 — What happens in your first IPO at 28? 24:46 — How does a management buyout from a PLC work 30:39 — How to spot digital opportunity early in business? 42:39 — Should you buy a competitor to own your niche? 54:34 — Where do you really make your fortune? Fame vs fortune 57:11 — When is the right time to sell your business to private equity? 01:04:50 — How do buyers value a business? Future-proofing vs profit 01:10:21 — How to survive due diligence when selling a business? 01:24:49 — Why is there no emotional support when you sell your company? ABOUT BUILDING THE BRAND:Building The Brand is the business podcast for people who don't just want inspiration - they want to understand how success is actually built. Hosted by James Burtt, each episode goes beyond the headline with in-depth conversations and signature pause moments that tactically break down strategy. FOLLOW for weekly interviews with UK founders on selling a business, scaling, and brand building.