Episode 11 - Neil Sweeney - What is life after exit?

In this episode of Entrepreneur Conversations, James Martin sits down with Neil Sweeney, the security-sector entrepreneur who scaled and sold his UK security firm, Sicuro, for approximately £4.5 million—and has since pivoted into school photography.

Neil co-founded and led Sicuro (UK) Ltd from 2012 until exiting in March 2021, growing it into a leader in construction-site and vacant-property security. In February 2024 he became Managing Director of Carmel Jane Photography, leveraging his experience to steer a school photography business with a strong emphasis on culture and team cohesion.

But this wasn’t just a change of industry—it was a strategic transformation. Neil explains how:

• 🔐 Growing Sicuro through operational discipline, an EOS-driven culture, and customer trust made it exit-ready

• 📸 Transferring strengths like systems, values, and leadership to build a photography business founded on transparency and team-first ethos

He shares insights on:

• The moment he recognised that culture and process could power a creative, service-oriented enterprise

• How EOS clarity and cohesive values shaped both Sicuro and now Carmel Jane Photography

• Balancing the emotional journey of selling a business and launching anew in a completely different sector

• Leadership lessons learned in security that perfectly translate into running a photography company

This episode is essential listening for entrepreneurs exploring how to:

• 💡 Harness existing business infrastructure for new ventures

• 🔄 Navigate exits with strategic vision and culture intact

• 🛠️ Reinvent themselves by applying proven systems to fresh challenges

Tune in to discover:

• How exit-ready systems can fuel post-sale ventures

• The mindset behind transforming one business into the springboard for another

• Authentic, culture-led leadership in action

If you're an entrepreneur aiming to scale, sell, and transition with purpose—and want to build your next venture on solid foundations—Neil's journey offers both inspiration and practical guidance.

🔗 Subscribe, review, and hit the bell to stay updated—and let us know which part of Neil’s pivot from security to school photography resonated most with you!