The first of Harpin’s eight secrets for entrepreneurs calls for patience. “Everyone is in a rush to be first,” he observes. “Second movers have the advantages. Watch, correct and adapt.” HomeServe, a provider of emergency repairs and other services for homeowners he founded in 1993, was certainly no overnight success. But providing plumbing insurance for South Staffordshire Water in time proved to be a game changer. In 2023 HomeServe was sold for £4.1bn to Brookfield. Harpin stepped down as chairman at the end of 2024 but remains involved in the company as chairman of its Checkatrade business. Through his Growth Partner fund and Business Leader, which he owns, Harpin is now trying to foster the next generation of entrepreneurs intent on creating billion-pound companies.