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Bold Growth, Big Challenges: Craig Talks with John Hillis on Scaling a Business and the Energy Transition
In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with John Hillis, Managing Director of Blackhall & Powis, to discuss the journey from starting a business with little financial knowledge to scaling it into a key player in renewable energy and infrastructure.
John shares how he and his team have navigated the challenges of rapid growth, why cashflow is the one number he watches every day, and how having the right financial insights transformed his business. With Blackhall & Powis supporting multi-billion-pound energy projects across the UK and Europe, this is a must-listen for any business owner looking to scale with confidence.
Key Topics Discussed:
✅ The realities of scaling from startup to multi-million-pound business
✅ Why cashflow is the lifeblood of any business – and how to manage it
✅ The importance of forecasting and financial visibility for business growth
✅ Navigating the challenges of hiring and investing in people before the revenue comes
✅ The role of renewables and the energy transition in shaping future opportunities
✅ Why resilience and bold decision-making are key to success
Key Takeaways:
💡Business owners should focus on financial knowledge from day one. John believes that anyone starting a business should be directed towards financial education, as understanding the basics early on provides a strong foundation for growth.
💡Adversity fuels growth. Challenges in business are inevitable, but the ability to push through them helps entrepreneurs develop both professionally and personally.
💡Cashflow is the ultimate priority. John and his team monitor cash flow daily and weekly because it’s the lifeblood of the business and crucial for maintaining stability and funding growth.
Memorable Quotes:
📢 “If you've got the information, then you can use the information. Even if it's bad news, it kind of doesn't really matter because we know we've got the team that can work through it.”
📢 “You're not going to fall off a financial cliff tomorrow. The movements in the finance of the business are trend-based. And even if what is happening in the business financially is not a good thing, knowing that reasonably close to when it's happening enables you to take action.”
📢 “We were too pedestrian. The business was actually growing much faster than we had planned for it to grow. And that ultimately was the cause of our cash issues in mid-2023.”
Timestamps:
01:08 John Hillis' Background and Career
02:06 Challenges and Successes in Business
02:26 The Genesis of Blackhall Powis
03:03 Major Projects and Industry Impact
04:02 Early Career and Personal Insights
06:05 Transition to Corporate and Entrepreneurial Ventures
07:51 Building and Growing Blackhall Powis
10:48 Financial Management and Growth Strategies
12:40 The Importance of Cash Flow
25:17 Future Plans and Business Vision
29:51 Final Thoughts and Advice
Resources Mentioned:
📌 Blackhall & Powis – Learn more about John Hillis and his team’s work in renewable energy and infrastructure.
📌 Know Your Numbers Website – Discover how Craig helps business owners take control of their finances and drive sustainable growth. Visit here
View all episodes
By Craig Alexander RattrayIn this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with John Hillis, Managing Director of Blackhall & Powis, to discuss the journey from starting a business with little financial knowledge to scaling it into a key player in renewable energy and infrastructure.
John shares how he and his team have navigated the challenges of rapid growth, why cashflow is the one number he watches every day, and how having the right financial insights transformed his business. With Blackhall & Powis supporting multi-billion-pound energy projects across the UK and Europe, this is a must-listen for any business owner looking to scale with confidence.
Key Topics Discussed:
✅ The realities of scaling from startup to multi-million-pound business
✅ Why cashflow is the lifeblood of any business – and how to manage it
✅ The importance of forecasting and financial visibility for business growth
✅ Navigating the challenges of hiring and investing in people before the revenue comes
✅ The role of renewables and the energy transition in shaping future opportunities
✅ Why resilience and bold decision-making are key to success
Key Takeaways:
💡Business owners should focus on financial knowledge from day one. John believes that anyone starting a business should be directed towards financial education, as understanding the basics early on provides a strong foundation for growth.
💡Adversity fuels growth. Challenges in business are inevitable, but the ability to push through them helps entrepreneurs develop both professionally and personally.
💡Cashflow is the ultimate priority. John and his team monitor cash flow daily and weekly because it’s the lifeblood of the business and crucial for maintaining stability and funding growth.
Memorable Quotes:
📢 “If you've got the information, then you can use the information. Even if it's bad news, it kind of doesn't really matter because we know we've got the team that can work through it.”
📢 “You're not going to fall off a financial cliff tomorrow. The movements in the finance of the business are trend-based. And even if what is happening in the business financially is not a good thing, knowing that reasonably close to when it's happening enables you to take action.”
📢 “We were too pedestrian. The business was actually growing much faster than we had planned for it to grow. And that ultimately was the cause of our cash issues in mid-2023.”
Timestamps:
01:08 John Hillis' Background and Career
02:06 Challenges and Successes in Business
02:26 The Genesis of Blackhall Powis
03:03 Major Projects and Industry Impact
04:02 Early Career and Personal Insights
06:05 Transition to Corporate and Entrepreneurial Ventures
07:51 Building and Growing Blackhall Powis
10:48 Financial Management and Growth Strategies
12:40 The Importance of Cash Flow
25:17 Future Plans and Business Vision
29:51 Final Thoughts and Advice
Resources Mentioned:
📌 Blackhall & Powis – Learn more about John Hillis and his team’s work in renewable energy and infrastructure.
📌 Know Your Numbers Website – Discover how Craig helps business owners take control of their finances and drive sustainable growth. Visit here