Add millions in value.
I’ve helped 17 agencies prepare for sale, many at premium valuations — including exits at 8.5x and 12x multiples
As an agency growth, M&A and exit strategy Board Advisor and consultant, I work with founders of digital, creative and marketing agencies. Together we build significant enterprise value and implement succession teams that acquirers like Accenture, Croud and Gravity Global trust, and prepare for exits that reward years of work.
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![Chris Donnelly testimonial on how Felix Velarde helped change his business forever]()
“I worked with Felix for just over a year and it changed my career and business forever.”
Chris Donnelly, founder, Verb Brands
Acquired by Croud -
![Joanna Brasset, founder of Studio IntO, research agency for tech giant clients]()
“His ability to surface what truly matters has unlocked accelerated growth in an exceptionally short time.”
Joanna Brassett, founder, Studio IntO
Clients include Google, Meta, Waymo -
![Clair Nash testimonial referencing results]()
“The results speak for themselves.”
Claire Nash, MomentumABM
Acquired by Accenture
I work with a small number of founders to achieve extraordinary outcomes
8M to 40M value in three years
Creative agency, LA
92% increase in valuein 18 months
Marketing agency, Atlanta
8.5x multiple for sub-1M EBITDA
Digital agency, London
The roadmap to a premium multiple
Whether you’re building towards a significant exit, executing a roll-up or creating serious enterprise value for the long term, these are the kinds of results that come from board-level focus on what acquirers actually pay for.
I’ve led the exits, built the agencies (and agency groups), and I’ve sat in your chair.
I’ve been an agency CEO, chair and board advisor for over 25 years. I co-founded Head New Media, which became the world’s most awarded digital agency before I sold it to Lowe Group (then the world’s fourth-largest advertising network). I’ve founded and scaled six agencies, led management buyouts, and served as Non-Executive Chair and board advisor to more than 40 agencies worldwide.
I bring the operational scars and the strategic clarity that only comes from doing this successfully, repeatedly.
I’m also the founder of the 2Y3X agency accelerator programme and author of Scale at Speed, but my personal advisory work is reserved for a small number of founders who want the depth of experience that comes from having sat in the chair myself.
M&A advisory and acquisition vetting
I’ve built two agency groups. I develop buy-and-build strategies, define acquisition roadmaps, vet targets, and ensure you're building genuine enterprise value — not just tacking on revenue.
Exit strategy and succession planning
Succession is one of the biggest discount factors in agency M&A. I help you build a leadership team that acquirers trust to scale the business post-sale, fix discount factors, and command premium multiples when it's time to sell.
Scaling and strategic bandwidth
I help your leadership team take total responsibility for growth so you can focus on acquisitions, exit preparation, or whatever matters most.
I take on a small number of advisory clients each year. My clients expect to add millions in enterprise value, and they do. The investment is significant — but so are the outcomes.
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![Marko Milutinovic testimonial referencing Felix Velarde's effectiveness as a board advisor]()
“Felix has an exceptional ability to cut through complexity and bring clarity to both strategic and operational challenges. His methods are not theoretical, they are structured, practical, and deeply effective.”
Marko Milutinovic, Veza Agency Network
4 acquisitions in 12 months -
![Joanna Brasset, founder of Studio IntO, research agency for tech giant clients]()
“Felix brings a rare mix of vision, sharp pattern recognition, and deep empathy. Beyond his deep expertise in business expansion, he understands me as a founder, transforming leadership dynamics and human behaviours into forces that accelerate scale.”
Joanna Brassett, founder, Studio IntO
Clients include Google, Meta, Waymo -
![Stefano Marrone testimonial referencing turnover and profit growth]()
“I’ve been working with Felix for around 18 months. As a result, we’ve tripled our headcount, the turnover’s tripled and profit percentage doubled. I cannot recommend him enough if you’re looking to grow a solid agency fast.”
Stefano Marrone, founder, Nucco Brain
Acquired by Unit9
FAQ
Who do you work with?
I work with founders and leadership teams of creative, marketing, and digital agencies — typically between £2M and £20M in revenue — who are serious about scaling, building through acquisition, or preparing for exit. I also advise agency groups in the UK, US, and internationally.
What kind of results do your clients see?
Clients typically see higher valuations, stronger leadership teams, and faster sustainable growth. Several have achieved exits at 4–12x EBITDA. The value I add is usually measured in millions.
What's the investment?
My advisory retainers are significant — most clients invest six figures annually. They do so because the returns, measured in enterprise value created, are typically many times that.
Where are your clients based?
I work with agencies and groups in the UK, US, UAE, and Canada. Some operate in a single market, and others are expanding internationally or planning cross-border acquisitions.
What does a typical engagement look like?
Engagements start with a deep dive into your business, leadership, proposition, and financial goals. From there, we build a 6- to 24-month advisory plan with clear milestones tied to your M&A, exit, or growth objectives.
What if my team isn't ready?
That’s common and fixable. We identify gaps in leadership, structure, and accountability, then build the systems and confidence your team needs to take ownership of growth. The outcome is a team that can operate independently, so the business no longer depends on you to run and scale.
How can I get started?
Get in touch through the form below. If there’s a fit, I’ll respond personally to arrange an initial conversation.
What happens on the first call?
We’ll discuss where you are, where you want to be, and whether I can help. There’s no pitch, it’s a conversation to see if there’s a fit. If there is, we can discuss what working together could look like.
Let’s talk
If you’re serious about building significant value, preparing for an exit, or executing a roll-up strategy, get in touch here. I’ll respond personally.
Not ready to talk yet?
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