Author Charles Skinner is an expert in entrepreneurship through acquisition.

As a CEO, he transformed one company from a value of £3 million to a £100 million sale and led another firm to a 30-fold share price increase, reaching £300 million and earning AIM Company of the Year in 2016. He chairs four private companies, was editor of Management Today, and is an honorary fellow at Oriel College, University of Oxford.

Buy, Run, Build is a journey of exploration into how entrepreneurs can often achieve greater financial and operational success by purchasing an established, growing business, rather than starting a company from scratch.

Buy, Run, Build is grounded in practical business experience and Charles Skinner’s own expertise as an industry specialist. With more than 30 years’ experience of managing listed companies and acquiring small businesses before transforming them into national leaders, Charles reveals the secrets behind his achievements, as well as the invaluable lessons he has gained from his setbacks.

Charles Skinner introduces readers to the concept of entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA), which is sometimes referred to as Acquisition Entrepreneurship. This approach provides entrepreneurs with the opportunity to use their existing skills, capabilities, and personal interests to acquire established businesses. Instead of commencing from the beginning, entrepreneurs can assume control of an existing enterprise and concentrate on its internal development and enhancement.

He describes the advantages of ETA compared to traditional start-ups. ETA is often considered a more accessible path to entrepreneurship when compared to launching a new start-up. By acquiring an established business, entrepreneurs can bypass many of the initial challenges associated with starting a business from the ground up. As a result, interest in ETA is growing exponentially, as more individuals recognise the potential benefits of this entrepreneurial route.

The book is written in a very conversational style, which I found easy to read, and gives many examples to illustrate the subject and leave the reader well informed.

I think the book has great value for the right audience. If you are a budding entrepreneur, I would describe this as essential reading.