In this episode, John is joined by Andrew Brown, founder of Acuity Business Solutions, a consultancy he built and led for almost 20 years before overseeing its sale to the Scandinavian group Lumera in December 2025.

Garwood had the privilege of advising Andrew through the transaction. With the deal only recently completed, this conversation offers a rare, real-time perspective on what it is actually like to sell a professional services firm.

Andrew did not set out to manufacture the perfect exit. He focused on building a disciplined, well-run business with deep client relationships, a strong team and minimal dependency on himself long before a sale was even under consideration. Over time, those choices translated into a business with strong buyer appeal.

They discuss:

• How the idea for Acuity was born on a car journey to a conference
• How the firm found its niche in public sector pensions
• Why Andrew chose to narrow the focus of the business
• How and why he stepped back from day-to-day operations
• What the due diligence process really feels like for a founder
• The critical role a firm's wider team plays in a successful deal
• The emotional reality of life after a deal closes

This is an honest and grounded discussion about building value in a consultancy and what it takes to convert that value into a successful transaction.

If you are thinking about making your firm sale-ready, whether in the near term or years from now, this episode is packed with practical lessons from someone who's just been through it.

If you enjoy conversations like this, follow the show so you do not miss future episodes with leaders who have built and realised real value in our industry.

Host: John Howard, Partner at Garwood Growth
Guest: Andrew Brown, Founder of Acuity Business Solutions