Pegasus Radio

In this episode of Growing Consultancies, Paul Micallef is joined by Chris Jones, Founder of Echo Project Services.Chris discusses his journey into Quantity Surveying, from an unconventional start in government and tech roles, through major consultancies including Davis Langdon, EC Harris, Bollingbrook, Colliers and PBC, before launching his own consultancy business in 2025.They discuss the realities of starting a QS consultancy during a challenging market, building relationships in construction, hiring your first employee, networking, leadership, apprenticeships, AI in cost consultancy, and the future of the Quantity Surveying profession.This episode is packed with insight for Quantity Surveyors, Project Managers, Construction Consultants and anyone interested in growing a successful consultancy business within the built environment.Topics include:• Starting Echo Project Services• Growing a construction consultancy• Quantity Surveying careers and apprenticeships• Leadership in construction consultancy• AI and technology in cost consultancy• Skills shortages in UK construction• Networking and client relationships• Building a sustainable consultancy businessFollow Growing Consultancies for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of construction consultancy.Connect with Chris hereEcho Project Services Limited

What does it take to grow a 185-person consultancy while keeping your people genuinely engaged?In this episode of Growing Consultancies, Paul sits down with James Morgan of Heyne Tillett Steel (HTS), a structural engineering consultancy known for its strong growth and even stronger culture.From daily team lunches to company-wide trips, HTS has built a business that puts people first and sees the results in retention, performance and long-term success.James shares the story behind the growth of the business, the realities of scaling a consultancy in the construction industry, and why culture isn’t a “nice to have” but a critical part of building a successful firm.The conversation also explores structural engineering in the commercial sector, the growing focus on retrofit and reuse, and how technology and AI are beginning to shape the future of the built environment.If you work in construction, consultancy or engineering, there’s plenty here to take away.James MorganHeyne Tillott Steel

In this episode of Growing Consultancies, Paul Micallef is joined by Dan Whittingham, founder of Opera, a specialist project management consultancy delivering major commercial projects across London.Dan shares his views on what makes a great project manager, how Opera has grown into a high-performing construction consultancy, and why leadership, culture and standards are so important when building a successful business.A valuable listen for those in construction consultancies, quantity surveying, project management, commercial real estate, and construction companies looking to grow, hire well and maintain quality.Dan Whittingham Opera

In this special episode of Growing Consultancies, we’re joined by Melanie King of ADP Consulting.Mel’s career has taken an interesting path across recruitment, business ownership, and now into a unique business development role within a global engineering consultancy.She shares her journey from starting out in recruitment to running her own business for nearly eight years, before making a deliberate move into something new. From navigating COVID, to stepping into HR, and now helping drive growth at ADP, this is a conversation full of honest reflections and practical insight.We also explore the growing overlap between recruitment and business development, the power of personal branding, especially on LinkedIn, and why more consultancies should be thinking differently about how they win work and attract talent.This is a great episode for anyone building a consultancy, considering a career pivot, or looking to better understand how relationships and reputation drive long-term success in the built environment.In this episode, we discuss:• Mel’s journey from recruitment into business ownership• Why she stepped away from running her own business• Moving into HR and then into a business development role• The link between recruitment, relationships, and winning work• How LinkedIn can genuinely drive business growth• Why consultancies need to rethink business development• Growth plans for ADP in the UK• The increasing importance of MEP and sustainabilityIf you enjoy the episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe. It really helps us reach more people across the industry.Melani KingADP Consulting #growingconsultancies #constructionindustry #builtenvironment #businessgrowth #recruitment #businessdevelopment #leadership #consultancy #engineering #mep #sustainability #careersinconstruction #linkedintips #propertyindustry

In this episode of Growing Consultancies, Paul sits down with Matthew Jones, co-founder of Jones Hargreaves. Starting a business in 2009, right in the aftermath of the financial crash, wasn’t exactly perfect timing. But nearly 15 years on, Jones Hargreaves has grown into a 56-person, multi-disciplinary consultancy with seven offices across the UK.Matthew shares the journey from those uncertain early days, where cashflow was tight and the future unclear, through to building a stable, respected business grounded in good people, strong client relationships, and consistently doing the basics well.What stands out in this conversation is the approach. No hype, no aggressive growth targets, just a clear focus on delivering quality work, building trust, and evolving the business in line with what clients actually need.We also explore how the firm has expanded beyond traditional building surveying into M&E and energy, why that shift matters, and how it positions them for the future of the built environment.Along the way, Matthew gives an honest view on leadership, hiring, mistakes, and why giving people responsibility, rather than controlling everything, is key to sustainable growth.We discuss:- Building a consultancy from scratch during the 2008 to 2009 crash- Growing to 56 people across 7 offices organically- Expanding into M&E and energy to meet changing client demands- Why building surveying is entering a “golden era”- Creating a strong culture and empowering teams- Lessons learned from mistakes and missed opportunities- The real impact of AI and tech on the industryA thoughtful and grounded conversation for anyone building, or thinking about building, a consultancy.Matthew JonesJones Hargreaves🎙️ Full episode available now🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with leaders in construction and property#buildingsurveying #constructionindustry #propertyindustry #consultancy #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #leadership #ukconstruction #commercialproperty #builtenvironment

In this episode, I sit down with Peter Adeleye, Co-Founder of Vidos Solutions a consultancy building with real intention from the ground up.This one’s a proper “pause and think” conversation: tech, AI, the future of consultancies, and what happens when one brilliant person can do the work of five. Agree or disagree with Peter’s predictions, you’ll finish this episode with a few new questions rattling around your brain (in a good way).We discuss:Why now might actually be the best time to start a consultancy, not the worstThe “sleepwalking into disruption” problem in construction and consultancyWhy micro consultancies may outmanoeuvre big, traditional firms (speedboat vs oil tanker)How the classic “bums on seats” model could be heading for a reckoningPeter’s view on the future: AI-enabled QSs and planners (and what that might mean for jobs)The trust gap: why governance, standards and validation matter before AI scalesBuilding a consultancy with intention, not just headcount and turnoverSkill shortages, productivity, and why the industry needs changeAttracting young talent: why construction has a marketing problem (and how that can shift)What Vidos is developing: AI governance tools and AI training for QSs and planners How tech is already changing delivery, even before people admit it (hello, “shadow AI”) Books that shaped their thinking: The Psychology of Money, Traction, and ReworkVidos Solutions is an infrastructure-focused consultancy (with experience across buildings too), working largely with Tier 1 contractors on major UK programmes, and pushing into energy, data centres, and water as key growth areas.Peter Adeleye LinkedInVidos Soltions LtdIf you enjoyed this episode…Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders, founders, and operators shaping construction’s next chapter, and drop a comment:Is AI a genuine opportunity for our industry, or a storm people are still pretending isn’t coming?#construction #quantitysurveying #projectcontrols #planning #consultancy #ai #digitalconstruction #infrastructure #leadership #pegasusradio

In this episode, I speak to Colin Wood, founder of EthosEQ, a growing Quantity Surveying business just over a year old, focused primarily within the commercial space.Colin shares his journey from corporate consultancy life to launching his own partner-led business, and what he’s learned in the first year.We discuss:• The difference between working in a large corporate organisation versus a small, agile consultancy• Why Colin decided to leave a secure senior role and start from scratch• The story behind the name EthosEQ and the importance of emotional intelligence in modern consultancy• Building a distinctive brand in a crowded London market• The evolution of the QS profession and where it’s heading• AI, automation, and whether tech will really replace the traditional QS• The importance of fundamentals, cost certainty, and avoiding “buying a problem” at tender stage• Growing intentionally versus chasing growth for growth’s sake• Referrals, pipeline building, and winning work in the early days of a startupIf you’re a Quantity Surveyor, Project Manager, consultant, or founder building your own business, there are some honest and practical insights in this one.Colin WoodEthosEQ Construction AdvisersSubscribe for more conversations with consultancy founders and leaders.Let me know your biggest takeaway in the comments.#growingconsultancies #quantitysurveying #qs #consultancylife #constructionindustry #businessgrowth #commercialconstruction #leadership #entrepreneurship #builtenvironment #costmanagement #aiinconstruction

In this episode of Growing Consultancies, I’m joined by Jamie Hanson of CODA Studios.CODA are a small architectural practice headquartered in Sheffield, with a growing presence in Manchester, and this turned into a really honest and insightful conversation.Jamie and the team completed a management buyout, buying out the original founder just as Covid hit, which meant taking over the business during a period of real turmoil. We also talk openly about how tough 2024 and 2025 have been, including the difficult reality of having to make redundancies and the impact that has on a small consultancy.In this episode, we discuss:Completing a management buyout during Covid- Taking over a business in uncertain and high-pressure conditionsNavigating difficult years and making tough decisionsThe reality of redundancies and their impact on a consultancyManaging cash flow and profitability in a small practiceRebuilding confidence and momentum after a downturnLaying the foundations for future growthJamie is a genuinely great guy, this was a very open and honest conversation, and I think anyone running or working in a consultancy will get a lot out of this episode.#growingconsultancies #architecturepractice #constructionindustry#consultancylife #smallbusinessUK #architectsUK#quantitysurveying #pprojectmanagement #cashflowmanagement#businessleadership #constructioncareers #builtenvironment

In this episode of Growing Consultancies, I’m joined by David Green of Churchill Cost Consultants.Churchill is a consultancy originally formed in the US, and in 2022 David was approached by the founders to set up and grow their UK and European operations from scratch. Just a few years later, the business has already grown to 36 people, with ambitious plans for continued growth across the UK and Europe.This is a fascinating story of backing yourself and taking a calculated risk. David made the decision to leave one of the highest-performing teams in the consultancy world to join a smaller start-up and move into the data centre sector for the first time. Today, both his role and his team are entirely focused on data centres, an area of construction that continues to attract huge interest and investment.We discuss:- Setting up a consultancy from scratch in the UK- Scaling a business quickly while maintaining quality- Making the move from a large consultancy to a start-up- Breaking into the data centre market- Leadership, growth, and building specialist teamsThere’s often a lot of mystique around the data centre market, and if you’re a Quantity Surveyor, Project Manager, Cost Manager, or anyone working in construction, this episode will give you real insight into how that world works and what opportunities exist within it.👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you’re enjoying the Growing Consultancies series.#GrowingConsultancies #QuantitySurveying #ProjectManagement #CostConsultancy #ConstructionIndustry #DataCentres #DataCentreConstruction #ConsultancyLife #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #ConstructionCareers

Welcome to another episode of Growing Consultancies, the podcast exploring how modern construction consultancies are growing while staying true to the fundamentals of the industry.Today I’m joined by Matt Viall of Core Five. Core Five are one of a small number of cost consultancies who, in my view, are getting things right in the current market. They’re growing, evolving, and embracing new ways of working, while still respecting the core principles of the Quantity Surveying profession.This is a really thoughtful and balanced conversation about the future of cost consultancy and the importance of not losing sight of the traditional QS skill set.We discuss:Why the fundamentals of Quantity Surveying still matter more than everThe risk of becoming over-reliant on models and digital outputs without understanding the basicsThe importance of strong Learning & Development in construction consultancyHow to ensure people coming into the industry truly understand constructionThe growth of Core 5 and where the business is heading nextMatt is one of the industry’s good people, and this is an honest, insightful chat that will resonate with Quantity Surveyors, Cost Managers, Project Managers and anyone working in construction who cares about doing things properly.🎧 Watch now, subscribe, and join us on the journey of growing consultancies.#GrowingConsultancies #ConstructionConsultancy #QuantitySurveying #CostManagement #ProjectManagement #QSConsultancy #LearningAndDevelopment #ConstructionCareers #FutureOfConstruction #Core5 #ConsultancyLife #BusinessGrowth

Inside the Growth of a Fast-Scaling Engineering Consultancy | Dan Bradley - Ep 18Welcome to another episode of Growing Consultancies, the podcast sharing real stories from leaders building and shaping construction consultancies across the UK and Ireland.Today I am joined by Dan Bradley of Kennedy Redford, an engineering consultancy based in Manchester that has recently expanded into Dublin. Kennedy Redford work across multiple sectors and have experienced exceptional growth over the past few years.Dan joined the business in 2021, and since then the team has grown to almost 30 people, which is phenomenal progress for an independent consultancy. In this episode, Dan talks openly about how they are empowering future leaders and why succession planning is absolutely critical for long-term success in the construction consultancy world.If you follow my podcast, you will know this is something I feel strongly about. Too many consultancies are not developing the next generation of leaders early enough. Dan and the team at Kennedy Redford have this nailed.We also dive into Dan’s personal journey towards taking on the Managing Director role, how he developed into a leadership position, and what it takes to guide a fast-growing consultancy.We discuss:How Kennedy Redford grew to almost 30 peopleWhy empowering future leaders is essential for long-term successPractical succession planning and how to implement it properly Developing people early and giving them real responsibilityDan’s journey to becoming MD and what leadership looks like in a growing consultancyThis episode is extremely valuable for Quantity Surveyors, Project Managers, Engineers and anyone in construction who wants to understand how to scale a consultancy while building strong leadership foundations.Listen now, subscribe, and join us on the journey of growing consultancies.#GrowingConsultancies #ConstructionConsultancy #EngineeringConsultancy #QuantitySurveying #ProjectManagement #Leadership #SuccessionPlanning #FutureLeaders #ManchesterBusiness #DublinBusiness #KennedyRedford #ConstructionCareers #ConsultancyLife #BusinessGrowth

From humble beginnings to co-owner | Carolann Watson-Box - Cowburn Watson-Box Welcome to another episode of Growing Consultancies, the podcast sharing real stories from the people shaping the UK construction consultancy sector.Today, Paul Micallef is joined by Carolann Watson-Box, co-founder of Cowburn Watson Box, a Cost and Project Management consultancy based in the North West.Carolann’s story is one of determination and opportunity. She grew up on a council estate in Rochdale, worked her way into the construction industry, and went on to co-found a successful SME consultancy. Her journey shows how construction can open doors for anyone, no matter their background.In this episode, we discuss:How Carolann built her career from humble beginningsWhy construction is a career open to all walks of lifeThe growth and success of Cowburn Watson BoxThe dynamic between Carolann and her co-founder Matt, blending ambition with analytical thinking How to balance passion, people, and progress when running a consultancyCarolann is passionate about people, opportunity, and doing things the right way, this episode is inspiring for Quantity Surveyors, Project Managers, Cost Consultants, and anyone in construction looking to grow their career or business.👀Watch now, subscribe, and join us on the journey of growing consultancies. 📈Carolann's LinkedInCowburn Watson-Box Website#Growingconsultancies #Constructionconsultancy #Quantitysurveying #Projectmanagement #Costmanagement #Cowburnwatsonbox #Leadership #Constructioncareers #Womeninconstruction #Businessgrowth #Entrepreneurship #Consultancylife #Northwestconstruction

From Drummer to Director: Building Dream Homes | Dave Lawry (Fidus) - Growing Consultancies Ep14Welcome to Episode 14 of Growing Consultancies, the podcast sharing the real stories of leaders building successful consultancies across the UK.In this episode, Paul Micallef is joined by Dave Lawry, founder of Fidus, a highly specialised consultancy focused on the high-end residential market, building and refurbishing dream homes for high-net-worth individuals.It’s a fascinating space, and Dave’s story is even more extraordinary. Originally from New Zealand, he started out as a drummer in a band, came to the UK, and through opportunity, hard work, and sheer determination built his way to running a small, high-impact consultancy with a big reputation.We talk about:The world of high-end residential constructionBuilding a specialist, high-performing teamHow unexpected journeys can lead to incredible successWhy staying grounded and authentic matters mostDave is a genuinely inspiring and down-to-earth guy, and this conversation is full of lessons about passion, opportunity, and creating your own path in business.Dave's LinkedInFidus websiteWatch now, subscribe, and join us on the journey of growing consultancies.#GrowingConsultancies #ConstructionConsultancy #HighEndResidential #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #ConsultancyLife #Fidus #LuxuryHomes #ProjectManagement #Inspiration