On this episode of Your Partner In Success Radio, host Denise Griffitts sits down with Gary Beckwith, entrepreneur, author, and founder of City Cruises, the family-run business that transformed tourism on the River Thames. Gary shares insights from his best-selling series How to Make a Million in Business, including the four proven ways to grow a company, lessons from running family businesses, and strategies for knowing when—and how—to sell. He also reflects on remarkable moments, from meeting the Queen to celebrating his wife Rita’s OBE, and offers practical advice for entrepreneurs who want to overcome fear, scale sustainably, and create businesses that stand the test of time. Whether you’re building your first company or preparing to exit, Gary’s wisdom will give you tools, inspiration, and clarity to make your next bold move.
How to Make a Million in Business: Gary Beckwith on Building, Growing & Selling Family-Run Enterprises
My guest today is Gary Beckwith, visionary entrepreneur, best-selling author, and founder of City Cruises—one of the most successful family-run businesses in the UK, transporting over four million passengers a year on the River Thames. His book, How to Make a Million in Business, shares the lessons he learned from building a pioneering tourism and hospitality brand, growing Gillingham Marina, and ultimately selling a thriving company.
He also reflects on remarkable moments, from meeting the Queen (Queen Elizabeth II) and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, to celebrating his wife Rita’s OBE, and offers practical advice for entrepreneurs who want to overcome fear, scale sustainably, and create businesses that stand the test of time. Whether you’re building your first company or preparing to exit, Gary’s wisdom will give you tools, inspiration, and clarity to make your next bold move.
Connect with Gary: Website | Linkedin | Amazon
SPONSORED BY: This episode of Your Partner In Success Radio is sponsored by Frederick J. Fisher, a true pioneer in professional liability insurance with over 50 years of experience. As president of Fisher Consulting Group and founder of ELM Insurance Brokers, Fred Fisher has reshaped the industry with sharp insight and a deep commitment to protecting clients. He’s also the author of Claims-Made Insurance: The Policy That Changed the Industry and a founding member and past president of the Professional Liability Underwriting Society, where he earned the prestigious PLUS Founders Award. For expert guidance on liability and risk, Frederick J. Fisher is the trusted name—helping professionals secure their financial future and navigate complex insurance challenges. You can find Frederick online at Fisher Consulting Group and on LinkedIn.