Scaling with purpose: an interview with Signable’s CEO, Olly Culverhouse
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We caught up with our CEO and leader, Olly Culverhouse, to talk growth, culture, community, and what’s next for Signable.
Hi Olly, first off, congratulations to Team Signable on winning Scale-Up of the Year at the 2025 SPARKies Awards! How did it feel for you to take home the win?
Thank you! Honestly, it felt amazing. Scaling a business isn’t glamorous most of the time, sometimes it involves long hours, big decisions, and plenty of trial and error. So to have our journey recognised by people who really understand what it takes…that’s pretty special. For me, it was also a huge “well done” to the team. They’re the ones pushing Signable forward every day, and this win was for all of us.
From your perspective, what do you think made Signable stand out to the judges this year?
I think we’ve managed to strike a balance that’s not easy to pull off. We’ve grown quickly, but we’ve stayed true to who we are. We’re building something that lasts, something we’re proud of. We’ve made smart product decisions, really listened to our customers, and kept our culture front and centre. I think that mix of strong results and clear values is what caught the judges’ attention.
Looking back, what do you think were some of the key turning points in our growth journey that helped get us here?
A few really stand out. Bringing in brilliant people and giving them the trust and freedom to run with things. Saying “no” to opportunities that didn’t feel right for us, even when they looked tempting on paper. And doubling down on the product – especially our integrations – which opened the door to new markets. Each of those moments helped shape the business we are today.
What have been the biggest challenges of scaling Signable, and how have we tackled them?
If I had to sum it up in one word, it’s balance. As you grow, you need more structure, but too much of it and you lose the agility that made you successful in the first place. In the early days, you can fix things with a quick chat; now we need systems that still let us move fast. We’ve kept processes simple, hired people who share our values, and made sure everyone understands the bigger picture so they can make great decisions without waiting for me.
How do you think we’ve managed to stay agile while continuing to grow at pace?
For me, it’s about keeping decision-making close to the people doing the work. The bigger you get, the easier it is for things to slow down under layers of approval. We work hard to avoid that by empowering teams to make the right calls and by keeping communication open and direct. We also review our processes regularly, if something’s slowing us down without adding real value, we change it. That mindset keeps us nimble, even as we scale.
Culture is a huge part of who we are, how have we kept it strong as we’ve grown?
For us, it starts with trusting people to be adults. It should go without saying, but you’d be surprised by some of the stories we hear from new joiners about how things were run in their previous roles. We trust our teams to do the work, manage their time, and make the right calls without being micromanaged. That trust builds respect and ownership. We also hire people who share our values, not just the right skill set, and we make sure everyone feels connected to our purpose. And we don’t lose sight of what makes us us, which is our people. As we grow, that mix of trust, shared values, and clear communication helps our culture stay strong.
So, what does the next chapter of growth look like for us?
We’re focused on sustainable and thoughtful growth, continuing to expand our customer base while making sure we never lose sight of what makes Signable special. That means investing in the product so it stays ahead of customer needs, exploring new markets where we can add real value, and strengthening the partnerships that help us grow. It also means continuing to engage in our tech community, sharing ideas, collaborating with others, and staying connected to the people and businesses that inspire us. We have a lot of exciting plans ahead, and we’re ready to take them on in a way that stays true to who we are.
And finally, what advice would you give to others trying to scale their business with purpose?
Know your “why” and keep it front and centre. Growth that pulls you away from your purpose isn’t worth it. Build a team you trust, look after them, and remember that scaling takes time, it’s not a race. Stay true to your values, even when the tempting shortcuts appear, because the way you grow matters just as much as the results you achieve.
Thank you, Olly.
You can read more about Signable’s SPARKies win here. For more insights on scaling with purpose, or to be part of our upcoming collaboration project spotlighting brilliant businesses in the South West and beyond, get in touch with our PR Team. We’d love to hear your story.