What’s Your Number? Craig Talks Exits, Risk, and Financial Discipline with Chris Peace

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray is joined by Chris Peace, founder of Peace Recruitment and now independent business coach, for a frank and energising conversation about growing, exiting, and what really matters in business.

Chris talks candidly about starting a recruitment company in the depths of the 2009 recession, scaling it to 25 staff and £10 million turnover, and planning a successful exit with military-style precision. From risk-taking and frugality to cash flow discipline and strategic vision, this one’s full of insights every ambitious business owner needs to hear.

He also shares what he’s doing now... coaching other founders to build businesses with less stress, more time, and a whole lot more cash.

 

Key Topics Discussed:

✅ Why he launched a business in the middle of a recession
✅ The “dinghy and the tanker” approach to market change
✅ Building a self-financing temp model without invoice factoring
✅ How and why he planned his exit years in advance
✅ Creating a management team ready to take the reins
✅ The difference between good input, culture, and clear numbers
✅ Why authenticity is everything in business

 

Key Takeaways:

✅ Focus on cash - always!
✅ You don’t need to spend big to scale successfully
✅ Culture and clarity will drive loyalty and long-term results
✅ Be honest about your numbers, and your limitations
✅ You can’t delegate responsibility, but you can delegate tasks
✅ Exit doesn’t happen by accident... it needs a plan

 

Memorable Quotes:

📢 "I didn’t want to be on the big tanker when the tsunami hit. So I jumped off and paddled my little dinghy in the opposite direction."
📢 "Delayed gratification is a must. Don’t believe the hype."
📢 "If you get the culture right, your team will do the hard yards for you."
📢 "What’s your number, and what’s your timescale?"
📢 "Cash is king. Nothing else really matters."

 

Timestamps:

01:46 Starting Peace Recruitment

02:28 Navigating the 2008 Recession

03:21 Building a Successful Business

06:36 Focusing on Cash Flow

10:18 Operational and Financial Management

15:55 Planning for Exit

24:41 Becoming a Business Coach

27:37 Final Advice and Contact Information

 

Resources Mentioned:

📌 Chris Peace on LinkedIn - Independent strategic business coaching
📌 Know Your Numbers Website – Helping business owners grow with confidence