CNBC International Live

Richard Harpin: How the UK Can Foster Entrepreneurs and Attract Talent

In a recent interview, Richard Harpin, founder of HomeServe and author of “How to Make a Billion in Nine Steps,” laid out his view on the United Kingdom’s entrepreneurial environment amid rising costs, tax pressures and geopolitical uncertainty. Harpin highlighted that despite “challenging conditions,” the Business Leader summit attracted 800 midsize entrepreneurs—double the previous year—who remain optimistic about growth. He argued that the UK’s 7,500 large firms and 80,000 medium‑sized companies need targeted support, cheaper capital, and regulatory tweaks such as lower capital‑adequacy requirements to unlock scaling potential. Citing concrete examples, Harpin noted HomeServe’s automation of over 60% of call‑center interactions and praised Checker Trade’s world‑class tech team in London. He also stressed the cultural gap, observing that the US celebrates failure as a stepping stone, whereas the UK often stigmatizes it. The implications are clear: investors and policymakers must prioritize funding mechanisms for midsize firms, foster a risk‑tolerant culture, and accelerate AI adoption to offset cost pressures. Doing so could keep talent in the UK and position the country as a global hub for consumer, retail, leisure, health and tech enterprises.