Claim OwnershipConsultancy Growth Podcast
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Hosted by Craig Herd, this podcast is your ultimate guide to scaling your consultancy. Tune in for strategic insights, candid conversations with industry experts, and stories from seasoned consultancy founders. Uncover the real drivers of success and actionable advice to fast-track your growth. Subscribe now and take your consultancy to the next level.
35 Episodes
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Craig is joined by Liam O’Neill and Sam Lewis, senior leaders at bpmd, a consultancy that works with large, complex organisations to build lasting process, transformation, and change capability. Over the last decade, bpmd has grown from three people working out of a spare room with a single client into a specialist consultancy trusted to support enterprise-scale transformation programmes. Their work spans global organisations, complex operating models, and long-running change initiatives wher...
In this episode Craig speaks with Darryl Petticrew, Director at Lancia Consult, a firm known for stepping into transformation programmes at the exact moment others step out. When projects stall, when plans unravel, when teams lose confidence, Lancia is the first call. This conversation explores why. Darryl spent more than fifteen years in major consulting firms before joining Lancia, drawn by its entrepreneurial culture and its obsession with real impact. We explore the realities of tra...
In this episode Craig meets with Sarah Lyons and Hannah Bradshaw, co founders of Blue Sky, a consultancy that is fast becoming a top coaching partner for the UK's legal sector. Their client retention is exceptional. Their niche is clear. Their purpose is unmistakable. And their story is a powerful example of how passion and purpose can shape a consultancy that clients remain with for years. Sarah and Hannah both trained and practised as employment lawyers. When they became new mothers they ex...
In this episode of The Consultancy Growth Podcast, Craig Herd speaks with Mark Green, founder and CEO of Change Rebellion. After a near-fatal battle with COVID that left him in a coma for months, Mark came back with a new philosophy: empathy over ego, and change that’s human first. We dig into why clients now value implementation over clever slides, how authenticity and humour can be powerful differentiators in a crowded market, and what it takes to build a consultancy that wins clients by st...
In this episode Craig is joined by Richard Longstreet, founder of Tarka Talent, to explore what really drives successful hiring in boutique consultancies. Too often, firms bring in senior hires with impressive CVs only to find they don’t deliver the growth expected. Richard explains why success in a Big Four doesn’t always translate into a boutique environment, the critical distinction between developing existing accounts and winning new logos, and how cultural fit can determine whether a hir...
In this episode, Craig sits down with executive coach Deena Priest to unpack the three pillars of sustainable Consultancy leadership: Purpose, Peace, Profit. Along the way, they explore how to spot the early signs of unfulfillment, tackle the fear of selling, and break free from the micromanagement trap. Deena shares why emotional regulation is a non‑negotiable skill for leaders, and how to build a legacy that lasts through smart succession planning. 00:00 — Introductions & Why Fo...
In this conversation, Mary Ewen shares her journey of founding MJV Consulting, the challenges and successes she has faced over the past decade, and the importance of family dynamics in running a consultancy. She discusses the significance of employee engagement, the necessity of having tough conversations, and the proactive strategies needed in HR to foster a healthy work environment. Mary emphasises the value of investing in people development and outlines her vision for the future of the co...
In this episode, Leigh Adams breaks down how real business development happens through curiosity, consistency, and conversation. He shares how a pub chat led to a £2M deal, why being genuinely interested in people beats any sales script, and how most consultants underestimate the long-term power of relationship-first thinking. We talk about rejection, timing, trust, and what it really takes to build a pipeline without chasing — plus Leigh’s take on what most consultancies get wrong about grow...
In this conversation, Tim Kershaw reflects on 25 years of leading Libra Europe Consulting — including how the firm has retained clients for over two decades. Tim shares hard-won lessons on building long-term relationships, emphasising adaptability, team dynamics, and deeply understanding client needs. We explore recruitment strategies grounded in empathy and humility, the importance of knowing exactly where profit comes from, and the key metrics that drive sustainable growth. Tim also discuss...
In this conversation, James O'Sullivan discusses the importance of mental simulations and scenario planning in both sports and business. He shares insights on how these techniques have shaped his approach to decision-making and leadership in consultancy. The discussion covers the challenges of navigating client expectations, fostering team skills, and balancing innovation with risk. O'Sullivan emphasises the need for practical strategies in change management and the future of consultancy, hig...
For 20 years, John has helped consultancies win the kinds of high-stakes pitches where there’s only one winner and everything’s on the line—revenue, reputation, and momentum. In this episode, John breaks down the real mechanics behind successful consultancy pitches, sharing his 7 Ps framework and what the best teams do differently. We talk WhatsApp dealmaking, shifting client expectations, and why the pitch is won long before the presentation begins. If you’ve ever hit a losing streak, over-i...
Nick and Craig delve into the intricacies of sales and marketing within consultancies. They emphasise the importance of listening to clients, understanding their problems, and creating value through effective content strategies. Successful consultancies are characterised by their commitment to marketing as a journey, the involvement of leadership, and a structured approach to content. The discussion also highlights the evolving landscape of marketing, where depth and quality are becoming more...
Too many consultancies rely on senior heroics to grow. Richard Goold did the opposite. In this episode, he shares how Moorhouse scaled from £5M to £34M by building a strong, empowered middle layer—one that could win work, lead teams, and grow the business without waiting for permission. We explore what happens when you shift from control to capability, why developing internal successors beats relying on experienced hires, and the quiet signs that your operating model is slowing you down. 02:...
In this conversation, Mike shares his journey of building the Concerto Group into a £50 Million business through focusing on acquisitions. He discusses the challenges of leading a large team of 150 people, the importance of company culture, and the role of sales in business success. Mike also reflects on his 10 years in consultancy, emphasising the value of industry-specific knowledge and the common traits of successful founders. He concludes with thoughts on legacy and the lessons he w...
In this episode of the Consultancy Growth Podcast, I’m joined by Arun Dehiri as he reflects on his 30 years in the Industry, building his first consultancy which he then sold, and starting over anew founding Red Dawn Consulting which turns 15 years old, this month. But this isn’t just a story about business growth. It’s about what happens when a life-altering car crash forces you to stop, reflect and rethink everything. Arun opens up about the moment that changed his trajectory and how ...
In this episode I sit down with Guy Beresford, founding partner of ISP Leadership Advisors, to unpack what it takes to build a profitable, boutique consultancy without scaling headcount. We explore how Guy’s approach to growth differs from the traditional consultancy playbook, touching on the risks of recruitment, the nuance between cash and capital, and why sustainable growth demands a different kind of thinking. The conversation also dives into the realities of board leadership, the importa...
Adam and Joel from Practive join Craig to break down what great leadership actually looks like — and why most leaders miss it. They explain how culture is built (or broken) one conversation at a time, why roleplay is feared (and how they deal with that), and how they got 750 NHS leaders to embrace tough conversations during a strike. This episode covers: Why most leaders become transactional under pressureHow to spot (and fix) your communication blind spotsWhat “The Arc of Distortion” is and ...
In this episode of the Consultancy Growth Podcast, I’m joined by Campbell Fraser, telecoms consultant turned founder, turn chairman for an honest conversation about growing, systemising, and successfully exiting his consultancy. We unpack Campbell’s journey from working solo out of a client’s back office to leading a 40-person team and engineering a £ Multi-Million exit. He shares the unfiltered realities of delegation, firing a misaligned exec team, and why most founders wait too long to rem...
Mark Palmer shares how he transformed OEE Consulting from a £3 million business into a £24 million consultancy, earning recognition as one of the Sunday Times Top 100 Employers and winning the MCA Award for Client Service. Mark highlights key inflection points in the business's growth, the importance of recruitment and team dynamics, and the need for a strong value proposition. He emphasises the significance of understanding client needs and delivering value. 00:00 Transforming Company Cult...
Mark Ashton and Ingmar Elm are cofounders of MAD Business, a consultancy focused on delivering powerful experiential learning days to improve team cohesion and performance. MAD Business was founded in 2024 to provide MAD events in the UK and other countries outside Estonia. MAD itself was originally founded in Estonia in 2002 and has delivered more than 2,000 team learning days for over 500 client organisations of all sizes. Ingmar has been a lead coach for MAD since 2004. We unpack the neuro...
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