When Champions Speakers acquired SpeakOut in September 2025, I wanted its founder, Kenny Donaldson, to stay. SpeakOut had its own name in the market, particularly in Scotland, and long-standing relationships across the events industry. After completion, we had to decide what to integrate, what to leave alone and what Kenny’s responsibilities would be inside a business he no longer owned. SpeakOut must retain the clients and knowledge that made it attractive as its work through the Champions network grows. Read moreThe best way to grow your small business is to buy another company – With a small amount of effort, you could triple or quadruple the size of your business, writes Gez McGuireWhat can business owners learn from failed mergers?