HomeServe

Richard Harpin is one of Britain’s most successful entrepreneurs, having founded HomeServe in 1993 with the goal of offering households reliable protection against unexpected home emergencies. What began as a modest idea — providing plumbing, heating and repair cover — grew into an international business listed on the FTSE 100, with millions of customers across the UK, North America and Europe. Under Harpin’s leadership, HomeServe combined operational excellence with customer-centric innovation, pioneering new models in home assistance and utility services.

The company’s steady expansion and strong culture of entrepreneurship helped it weather economic cycles and maintain consistent growth for nearly 30 years. In 2022, Harpin led the successful sale of HomeServe to Brookfield Infrastructure Partners for £4.1bn, marking one of the largest private equity transactions of the year. The deal closed a remarkable chapter in his entrepreneurial journey — from start-up founder to FTSE leader — while freeing him to focus on new ventures.

Today, through his investment vehicle Growth Partner, Harpin supports ambitious founders and scale-ups across the UK, sharing insights from his own experience of scaling, succession planning, and exit strategy. He is also the owner of Business Leader, helping other founders of mid-size companies scale faster through content, events and membership.