Challenge
In 2023, two long-standing friends in their 30s launched a new venture with the goal of building the UK’s leading vegetation management business. Backed by experienced SME investors, their strategy was to acquire and grow a core business and expand through further acquisitions.
While both founders brought strong experience from management consulting and financial services, the lead investor had a concern: despite their close friendship, they had never actually worked together. Would their relationship survive the pressures of business? Who would lead? How would they navigate conflict and division of roles?
The partners themselves were open to exploring these questions. They recognised they had different styles and motivations and were keen to build a working relationship that would endure and support the business vision.
Solution
Gadby was engaged to design and facilitate a structured process to help the founders establish a strong, collaborative partnership. Each partner completed a suite of personality and type assessments, followed by individual feedback. This laid the foundation for a full-day face-to-face session focused on:
- Understanding each other’s strengths, working styles, potential risks and derailers
- Identifying where the most effective ways of working, shared values, areas of difference, and how those differences could be leveraged
- Reaching agreement on leadership roles, responsibilities, and a set of working principles
The session surfaced important conversations around leadership, communication, and mutual expectations. It wasn’t always easy—but it was honest, constructive, and grounded in shared commitment.
Impact
Twelve months later, the business had made its first successful acquisition and was beginning to grow sustainably. The relationship between the founders had remained intact, though not without challenge. Friction points had emerged, highlighting the value of continued reflection and intentional investment in their partnership.
With the next phase of growth ahead, the founders agreed to run a follow-up session—evidence of their maturity as leaders and belief that maintaining a strong partnership was central to their success.