Season 8 | Ep35 How Levy Global is scaling post-MBO with a clear vision for growth and legacy

From recruiter to CEO and majority shareholder, Matt Murphy’s journey at Levy Global is nothing short of remarkable. Now, with Rory McGowan joining from Opus as COO, the business is entering what they call "Levy 2.0" - a new chapter focused on scale, structure, and serious wealth creation.

On this week's episode of The RAG Podcast, I’m joined by Matt and Rory, who now lead a 50-person business headquartered in the UK with offices in Amsterdam and Belgium.

Matt shares how he joined Levy as a recruiter 22 years ago, led two management buyouts, and transitioned from top biller to CEO. Rory explains why he left a global leadership role managing 150+ people to join a high-margin, high-growth business with a clear trajectory and massive opportunity ahead.

In this episode, we discuss

• How Matt took ownership through phased MBOs to lead Levy into its next phase
• Rory’s decision to downsize the team size but upscale in ambition
• What it really takes to scale a recruitment business for exit
• How they’re building a leadership team and operational engine to match their vision
• Why clarity, culture, and autonomy are key to navigating the AI era

If you're thinking about scale, succession, and what comes after strong performance, this episode is full of lived experience and strategy.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Levy Global and Its Growth Journey

03:03 Matt Murphy's Transition from Recruiter to CEO

06:05 Rory McGowan's Move to Levy Global

08:54 The Management Buyout Experience

12:03 Challenges and Lessons from the First MBO

14:49 Building a Leadership Team and Managing Growth

18:00 Navigating COVID-19 and Its Impact on Business

21:12 Cultural Differences in Professional Environments

25:11 Transitioning Leadership and Team Dynamics

28:41 The Drive for Growth and Legacy

36:36 The Role of a COO in Scaling Business

41:27 Navigating Change and Building a Strong Team

49:09 Financial Strategies and Preparing for Growth

50:57 Navigating Unique Deal Structures

52:05 Personal Reflections on Career Transitions

54:51 Exploring Business Opportunities and Challenges

57:58 Initial Impressions and Early Contributions

01:00:23 Gathering Insights from Team Members

01:02:22 Combining Business Models for Growth

01:05:08 Strategic Changes in Client Management

01:10:59 Future Vision for Recruitment and Growth

01:17:25 Advice for Future Leaders

01:23:49 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

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