The Year of the Snake...

Five years ago, I moved back to the UK from the United States

With zero local business connections

When I arrived in Devon, I didn’t know anyone in the business community

Zero…..Nada, None

No network No introductions

I’d spend hours sitting in the John Lewis café in Exeter, later Carluccio's in Princesshay

Back then, it was just me, my coffee, and the determination to build something from scratch

Most people assume that seasoned professionals have it all figured out and are always well-connected

The truth?

Many of aren’t

Especially when starting a fresh in a new place

I'd been gone from the UK nearly 22 years

Most of my contacts had either moved, retired or had died!

But you have to create your own opportunities

For me, that meant stepping out of my comfort zone, attending networking events

Lots of them!

Introducing myself to strangers, and slowly weaving my way into Exeter’s business community

At first, it felt awkward, like I was an outsider (which I was!) Trying to fit into a well-established circle

But sometimes, small steps led to big wins

A chance meeting here, a recommendation there

People like Richard Carpenter, John Harvey, Patrick Tigwell and Anna Lake

Over time, those early introductions blossomed into meaningful relationships and remain so today

I started working with ambitious local SMEs as a CFO, Board Advisor, and Non-Executive Director

Helping them grow sales, margins, profits, and create value

It wasn’t easy But every coffee meeting, handshake, and conversation built momentum

I’m not saying this approach works overnight, it doesn't

But I am saying this… When you’re committed to helping people

You’ll find ways to make it happen…

Success doesn’t come when everything is laid out for you

It comes when you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and build from the ground up

So, take the first step Introduce yourself Go to that event Start the conversation

You might be surprised where it takes you....

Nvidia's CEO in his keynote at CES this month outlined the forces shaping tomorrow and it’s clear…

Trillion-dollar industries are emerging before our eyes

Here’s what caught my attention and why businesses must act NOW:

Generative AI is redefining industries.

From content creation to drug discovery, we’re seeing tools that don’t just support, but actively create

Entire markets will form around AI-driven innovation

Edge computing is unlocking real-time intelligence

The ability to analyse data at the source will transform logistics, retail, healthcare, and more

Digital twins are reshaping physical industries

Expect massive growth in manufacturing, construction, and automotive as businesses embrace virtual simulations for efficiency and innovation

Autonomous systems are no longer the future—they’re here

Self-driving cars, delivery drones, and warehouse robotics are creating industries around infrastructure and optimization

The fusion of AI and gaming technology is creating hyper-realistic virtual worlds

This convergence will power not just entertainment but also training, education, and even governance

The result?

An explosion of new trillion-dollar market opportunities

Fields like AI-powered healthcare, autonomous mobility, advanced simulation, and immersive experiences

So what’s next?

For entrepreneurs: Focus on niche markets within these broader trends

The first movers will own the future

For investors: Double down on enabling technologies like AI chips, data infrastructure, and energy systems

For SMEs: Consider partnerships and platforms to access these transformative tools without building from scratch

As businesses, leaders, and innovators, the time to position ourselves is NOW

Are you ready to ride the tsunami

Or will you be caught by the wave?

As we hurtle into 2025…

I see the biggest public to private buyout in history coming into view…

We haven't seen anything like what's going to happen!

Mergers & acquisitions (M&A) are going to happen bigtime

Companies have record profits, growth will stall and they need to bulk-up…

With an incoming 'compliant' US administration the DoJ (Department of Justice) & FTC (Federal Trade Commission) are largely sidelined

One or more of these 'big boys' is, in my opinion, going to get taken out….

-Boeing

-Intel

-Nike

-Target

Private equity and Investment firms are loaded with cash… $3tn+ of it..!

Cash has got to be deployed and here's where to do it…

?? Boeing: Turbulence in the aerospace industry continues, with government contracts and commercial demand at odds. A private equity consortium will likely look to take it private to focus on R&D and streamline operations away from quarterly pressures A sale to SpaceX could happen!

Price $120-$150bn…

?? Intel: With fierce competition from AMD and NVIDIA, and the AI revolution reshaping tech, Intel could finally find agility in private hands, repositioning for dominance in chip innovation after splitting off the fabs!

Price $80 - $120bn

?? Nike: As the retail landscape evolves, a buyout by a brand-focused private investor could propel Nike into uncharted territories, expanding its D2C (direct-to-consumer) empire while trimming underperforming global segments

Price $100-$125bn

And finally…

?? Target: The most likely, battling for market share against Amazon and Walmart, Target might find a private equity-backed deal attractive, allowing reinvention of its supply chain and urban market strategies and a swift exit for a poor CEO

Price $60-$80bn

Private capital is hungry, and with trillions in dry powder…

2025 could redefine corporate ownership for some

Which company do you think will be the one to make history?

The Power of Networking…

From Strangers to Friends!

Some peeps advise 'Building' over 'Networking'

I can't see why, you wouldn't do both!

For me it's about relationships and building them!

Andy Lopata talks about creating 'Strategic Relationships'

I'm with him and more…

Have you ever noticed how strangers can become acquaintances, acquaintances can turn into friends, and friends can even become like family?

It might sound far-fetched

Now, I know you might be thinking "Family'??Really?

Well, here's the interesting part - even renowned entrepreneur Gary V agrees!

This progression of relationships holds true not just in our personal lives but also in the professional world

In fact, relationships are the true return on investment (ROI) in life

They open doors, foster collaboration, and create meaningful connections

They create value!

However, I understand that networking and making new connections can be a daunting task for many business leaders

Whether it's professionally or personally, networking is often seen as a challenge

But here's an exciting proposition: let's flip your perspective and discover a new approach The only way to conquer the fears that hold you back in life is through practice

Embrace the idea of stepping out of your comfort zone If meeting new people gives you butterflies, start small Introduce yourself to five new individuals at your next event

Alternatively, leave a thoughtful comment on someone's LinkedIn or Instagram post, or even drop them a direct message saying a simple "hello"

You'd be amazed at the doors that can open with a genuine connection

Believe me when I say that embracing this framework can bring immeasurable happiness to your life

All it takes is a willingness to be vulnerable and take that first step

I know this because I took that leap myself (the inner INTJ)

So, if you're a business owner reluctant to network, I'd invite you to embark on this journey

You can unlock the power of networking -Turning strangers into acquaintances-acquaintances into friends-friends into a supportive network, that feels like family

It's about building RELATIONSHIPS….

The UK’s “Golden Triangle” of startup hubs

London, Oxford, and Cambridge...

Long dominant in tech funding!

But a new contender is steadily rising

Bristol

While London raised an astounding $84.7bn since 2020

Bristol has carved its place as the next emerging leader with over $2bn raised by its startups, according to data from Sifted and Dealroom

This total surpasses many cities and is hot on the heels of Oxford's $3.6bn

Bristol’s growth is driven by a unique blend of ambition and pedigree in pioneering fields like semiconductors and quantum technology

Take Graphcore, for example

This Bristol-based chipmaker, spun out of Xmos, secured $682m in funding and caught the eye of SoftBank for a headline-making acquisition

Even Silicon Valley-based PsiQuantum considered the world’s best-funded quantum startup owes its roots to Bristol before crossing the Atlantic to raise $1.6bn

But Bristol’s innovation isn’t limited to deep tech alone

There’s also the clean energy champion Ovo Energy, with $569m in funding since 2008

Huboo, a rising star in warehouse logistics, which raised ￡45m this year, pushing its total funding to nearly $200m

So, what does this all mean for the future?

What’s holding the UK back?

After 20+ years living and working in the USA, the contrasts are clear

And they’ve forever changed how I think about life, business, and growth

Here are 10 brutal truths about US vs UK culture, lessons we can’t ignore:

1?? The Enthusiasm Gap: Americans dream bigger, driven by relentless optimism. Here in the UK, we tend to think smaller and more inward

2?? The University Paradox: We boast 4 of the world’s top 10 universities. Yet US graduates are 5x more likely to start businesses

3?? Confidence Is Key: In America, you learn to move fast, adapt, and believe in yourself, Change is constant

4?? Risk-Taking: In the US, failure is a badge of honour. You dust yourself off and start again. In the UK? We hide it. We shouldn’t!

5?? Creation vs Service: Silicon Valley invents the future. London? It still services old money

6?? Millionaire Migration: The UK will lose 9,500 millionaires in 2024. The US will gain 4,000. A warning sign

7?? London’s Potential: It has the ingredients of an innovation hub: European talent, free healthcare, reasonable taxes. Yet our culture stifles growth

8?? Global Impact: We overestimate our influence, but underestimate how much the world reveres the UK

9?? Entrepreneurship Crisis: Without it, we’ll shrink. We’re not investing enough in business creation

?? Thinking Small: The UK’s mindset is our biggest barrier

We must think bigger, bolder, and faster—or risk decline

I’m British

Proudly so!

But what I saw across the Atlantic That American energy, the hunger to innovate, build, and believe

Really needs to make its way over here

What do you think?

Is the UK too comfortable thinking small?

Let’s bring back ambition ...

Let’s think bigger!