Finding purpose and profitability

For K2, success isn’t about chasing the biggest projects or the highest revenue. It’s about creating lasting impact

When Kevin Horton founded K2 in 2010, he had no money, no contacts, and no guarantee of success. What he did have was a vision: to build an architectural practice that focused on community-led, meaningful projects. Fifteen years later, K2 is one of Liverpool’s top ten architectural firms, a rare feat for a business that hasn’t been around for 50 years.

But success didn’t come easy. ‘By my mid-30s, I’d done everything I was going to do at my old firm. I wasn’t learning anything new, and I didn’t want to fall into the pattern of doing things other people’s way,’ Horton explains. ‘I burnt my bridges, went for it, and started delivering flyers door-to-door asking if people wanted an extension.’

Finding a business identity

The early years were about survival. ‘For the first two or three years, it was just about paying the bills. We were in full survival mode, figuring out who we were and who we needed to speak to.’ As the business grew, it started to take on more commercial projects, but something wasn’t right. ‘We were focused on growth and churn, get projects in, get them done, and get them out the door. But it wasn’t an inspirational space to be in.’

Despite having a team of 25, productivity was low. ‘We were only 70% productive, which might be industry standard, but we thought we could do better.’ It became clear that the business had no real processes, no systems, and no strong identity.

Horton made a business decision: he cut the workforce in half and re-evaluated the company’s purpose. ‘People you begin your journey with won’t necessarily be the ones you end it with. We had to reimagine the business.’

Leading with values

This period of change led Horton to the Help to Grow: Management Course, where he gained insights into strategic business management. ‘It validated what I was doing, helped us put systems in place, and showed me different ways of doing business.’

The real turning point came when Horton and his business partner started working with their Help to Grow: Management mentor. ‘He was from a smaller business than ours. We actually knew of him before signing up for the course and at first I thought, “What can he teach us?” But he helped us clarify our vision and values. People who knew us got us and trusted us, but we weren’t communicating our purpose properly to the wider market. We effectively turned our purpose into a brand.’

They refocused on public sector and regeneration projects, areas where they could have a real impact. ‘We wanted to problem-solve, particularly with local authorities. That’s how we found our niche in social infrastructure: libraries, town halls, churches. We went from being just another practice to becoming an influencer in this space.’

The power of purpose-driven work

Aligning the business with the values of its founders didn’t just make work more meaningful, it made it more profitable. ‘Clients want to work with firms that genuinely care about their projects. When you align your team with the business’s purpose, they work harder. They trust you, and you build consensus with clients and communities. It’s not just about architecture, it’s about creating spaces where people can thrive.’

K2’s biggest current project, the regeneration of Bootle Shopping Centre in North Liverpool, is a perfect example of this approach. ‘Developers wanted to tear it down and build something “palatable” for corporate retail. But we saw it differently. It’s an empty 1960s shopping centre, full of embedded carbon. Why demolish it when we can insulate and repurpose it?’

Instead of replacing it with high-end commercial units, K2 is working with the local community to repopulate the space with independent shops, digital incubators, a GP centre, and community-led initiatives. ‘We’re not just building structures; we’re rebuilding communities.’

Lessons for business leaders

Horton’s journey offers key lessons for business leaders looking to create a purpose-driven company:

1. Clarify your purpose – Identify what truly drives you and your business. ‘When we went back to our values, people valued us more because they valued what we stood for.’
2. Hire for values, not just skills – ‘Your workforce shapes your culture. If they don’t align with your values, they’ll pull the business in the wrong direction.’
3. Be willing to reinvent – ‘You have to reimagine your business sometimes. The people and structures that get you to one level won’t always take you to the next phase.’
4. Long-term trust equals profitability – ‘Clients don’t just buy services, they buy trust. If they believe in your mission, they’ll stick with you.’
5. Think beyond transactions – ‘We’re not engineers; we’re problem solvers. Success isn’t just about making money, it’s about making a difference.’

For Horton, success isn’t about chasing the biggest projects or the highest revenue. It’s about creating lasting impact. ‘We’re not interested in being just another architecture firm. We want to build places where people can connect, grow, and thrive. That’s what makes it all worthwhile.’

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