Dan Whittingham of Opera on Project Management, Leadership and Growing a Construction Consultancy Ep33

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

Welcome back to Growing ConsultanciesIn this episode, I sit down with Annie Buckley, Co-Founder of Fourth Wall Building Consultancy, a growing building surveying practice operating across the UK.What makes this conversation different is Annie’s journey.She did not come from a building surveying background. Instead, she started her career in PR and corporate affairs before stepping into the construction world to co-build a consultancy alongside her partner.And that is where it gets interesting.While the technical team focuses on delivery, Annie has built the engine behind the business through marketing, business development, systems, and strategy.In this episode, we cover:- How Fourth Wall was built from scratch during COVID- The role of non-technical leadership in construction consultancies- Why marketing and business development are often overlooked in the built environment- Building systems, processes, and using AI to gain an edge- The realities of starting a consultancy at a young age- Navigating the industry as a female leader in construction- Lessons learned from early mistakes and scaling a businessThis is a must watch for:- Quantity Surveyors, Project Managers and Building Surveyors- Anyone thinking about starting their own consultancy- Leaders looking to grow and modernise their businessAnnie brings a fresh perspective to an industry that often does things the same way it always has.If you are building a consultancy, or thinking about it, there is a lot to take from this one.🔔 Subscribe for more episodesAnnie BuckleyFourth Wall Building Consultancy#constructionindustry #buildingsurveying #consultancy #entrepreneurship #builtenvironment #property #businessgrowth #womeninconstruction #startupjourney #ukconstruction #growingconsultancies

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 Rianne Scott from Atlas Facilities.This one’s a little different.Recorded in Cannes at MIPIM, this episode focuses on something that many people in the industry think about, but don’t always feel confident tackling… how to actually make the most of events.Rianne brings over 20 years of experience across the built environment, from running her own asbestos consultancy to now helping grow Atlas Facilities. But what really stands out is her reputation in the industry, particularly around events like MIPIM and UKREiiF.If you’ve ever felt unsure about attending industry events, struggled to know where to start, or wondered whether they’re really worth it, this is a conversation worth listening to.We discuss:How to approach MIPIM and similar events with confidenceWhy networking events are a marathon, not a sprintThe importance of leaving space for organic conversationsBuilding visibility and relationships through LinkedInWhether you need a ticket or can succeed through fringe eventsAttending events without drinking and still getting valuePractical tips to make events cost-effective and worthwhileA really honest and practical conversation that takes the mystery out of industry events and shows how to get real value from them.Rianne ScottAtlas Facilities🎙️ Full episode available now🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with leaders in construction and property#growingconsultancies #mipim #ukreiif #networkingtips #constructionindustry #propertyindustry #businessgrowth #consultancy #builtenvironment #pegasussearch

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 Ross Hamilton of Dome PM.Dome are a growing small business in the Northeast, led by Ross and his business partner Andy, specialising in project management and cost management. This is a really honest conversation about building a consultancy the right way, learning as you go, and staying grounded through the ups and downs of growth.We discuss:- The early growth of Dome PM and how the business has evolved since launching in 2022- Why 2025 was a more challenging year, and how that has helped sharpen their focus for 2026 and beyond- The importance of recruitment, timing, and getting the right people into a growing business- Building a five-year plan to 2030 and what sustainable success looks like for a small consultancy- How Ross and Andy are thinking about systems, technology, and the future shape of the businessRoss is thoughtful, honest, and refreshingly open about what it really takes to grow a small consultancy. If you are building a business of your own, or thinking about it, there is a lot to take from this one.Subscribe for more conversations with consultancy founders and leaders, and let me know your biggest takeaway in the comments.Ross HamiltonDome PM#growingconsultancies #projectmanagement #costmanagement #constructionconsultancy #businessgrowth #leadership #builtenvironment #consultancylife #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship

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 of the Growing Consultancies podcast, I speak to Shaun Harris of Harris Associates. Shaun is a proper “been there, done it” business owner, there are plenty of pearls of wisdom in this conversation. We talk about doing things the traditional way for a long time, then recognising when it’s time to modernise. We also get into leadership, wearing multiple hats as a business owner, and why compliance and building safety is one of the biggest opportunities in the market right now.It’s also a refreshing one for the podcast, because we’ve not had many guests so far from the building surveying and compliance space, and Shaun brings a really grounded, practical perspective.We discuss:• What Harris Associates actually does and how the business is structured (multi-disciplinary, multi-office)• Why compliance is a huge growth area and where the real opportunity sits (especially with existing buildings)• Growing headcount from the low 30s towards 40 and the challenge of finding quality people• How PI insurance has changed and why it matters so much for higher-risk work• How the business pivoted post-2019 and why speed of decision-making is a competitive advantage• Modernising the “traditional way” by working smarter, improving systems, and using tech without losing expertise• AI, digital tools, and the risk of losing future senior talent if juniors don’t learn the fundamentals• Leadership, time management, and how Shaun prioritises in a week where everything changes daily• Taking risks, getting comfortable with failure, and why attitude matters as much as technical ability• What success really looks like beyond money, turnover, and titlesIf you’re a consultant, surveyor, business owner, or anyone navigating change in the built environment, you’ll take something from this one.Shaun HarrisHarris AssociatesSubscribe for more episodes.#growingconsultancies #buildingsurveying #compliance #buildingsafety #firesafety #builtenvironment #consultancylife #leadership #businessgrowth #constructionindustry #propertyconsultancy #retrofit #netzero #professionalservices

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 week’s episode of Growing Consultancies, I sit down with David Watts, Managing Director of Childerstone Project Management.David shares his view on how a modern consultancy should be built and led. Childerstone have grown quickly, and it is not by accident. It comes down to leadership, culture and doing the simple things properly.We discuss:Developing people properly and investing in future leadersWhy it is healthy to be comfortable with people moving onBuilding a senior leadership team you genuinely trustCreating a consultancy culture that attracts high-quality professionals Why hiring good people and looking after them still winsDelivering consistently for clients in a competitive construction marketWhat stands out in this conversation is David’s calm confidence. He understands that not everyone will stay with a business forever, and he is comfortable with that. Instead of trying to hold people back, he focuses on creating an environment where his talented team can thrive while they are there.Childerstone’s growth reflects that approach. They work on strong projects, employ strong people, and keep the model simple. It is amazing how many consultancies forget that the fundamentals still matter.If you are working in construction project management, cost consultancy, or thinking about leadership in the built environment, there are some real lessons in this episode.David Watts LinkedIn Childerstone Project Management#GrowingConsultancies #QuantitySurveyor #ProjectManagement #ConstructionIndustry #CostConsultancy #BuiltEnvironment #ConstructionCareers #ConsultancyLeadership #ProjectManager #UKConstruction