Guest Speaker of the Year Award at the 2025 Dealmaker Awards

Guest Speaker of the Year Award is not something I expected to receive. I attended the 2025 Dealmaker Awards in Richmond, London, on 12 December for a black-tie evening with peers from the Dealmakers community. I left with an award that reflects consistent contribution over time, not a single talk or appearance.

The award was presented at the Dealmaker Awards, organised by Dealmakers Academy. The Academy works with entrepreneurs and CEOs who grow businesses through acquisition. It is a community built around real operating experience, clear thinking, and informed decision-making.

I have worked with Jonathan Jay for a few years, speaking at Dealmakers events in the UK and overseas. That includes the Marbella Dealmakers Retreat, where the discussions are practical and direct. The focus is always on what actually happens when you are building, buying, or exiting a business.

Andrew Scott with Richard Farleigh and Jonathan Jay at the Dealmakers Marbella Retreat

Andrew Scott pictured with Richard Farleigh and Jonathan Jay at the Dealmakers Marbella Retreat. The event brings together senior entrepreneurs, investors, and speakers for focused discussion on business growth and acquisition.

The Dealmaker Awards brought together around 150 entrepreneurs for an evening centred on recognition and shared experience. It was a room full of people who understand growth because they are living it. That context matters. Recognition from peers carries weight when the audience knows the realities behind the decisions.

The Guest Speaker of the Year Award reflects the same practical, experience-led approach I bring to all my live sessions.

When my name was called, it came as a genuine surprise. I enjoy speaking because it gives me a chance to share what I have learned across different businesses, including the parts that are uncomfortable or rarely discussed. Growth is rarely smooth. Talking honestly about that is what creates value for the audience.

Over the years, I have built or acquired companies across manufacturing, retail, distribution, property, marketing, media and software. The business that consistently attracts the most interest is Business Leader, a media company for entrepreneurs that I grew and sold to Sir Richard Harpin in 2023 for 32× EBITDA. It is a clear example of building value properly and choosing the right moment to exit.

Jonathan Jay, CEO of Dealmakers, described my speaking in the following terms:

“Andrew speaks with authority and authenticity; his message resonates with our community and he genuinely wants to help other entrepreneurs. He’s the firm favourite in our network.”

I appreciated that comment because it reflects trust built over time, not stage performance. The aim has never been to impress a room, but to be useful to people who are making real decisions inside their businesses.

This award complements the broader work I do with founders, boards, and leadership teams. Speaking is simply another way of sharing lessons learned under pressure, with people who value clarity over noise.