Leading 52 Quantity Surveyors, Women in Construction & The Future of AI | Gemma Prior, AtkinsRéalis - Ep 43

What does it take to go from leaving school at 16 to leading a team of more than 50 construction professionals across one of the UK's largest regions?In this episode of Growing Consultancies, Paul Micallef is joined by Gemma Prior, Head of Cost Management at AtkinsRéalis, for an honest and inspiring conversation about leadership, career progression and the future of the construction industry.Gemma shares her journey from entering the industry at a young age to leading major cost management teams across London and the South East. She discusses the importance of saying yes to opportunities, building strong professional networks, mentoring future talent, and navigating a successful career in construction consultancy.The conversation also explores women in construction, the impact of AI on quantity surveying, skills shortages, attracting the next generation into the industry, and the leadership lessons Gemma has learned throughout her career.Whether you're a Quantity Surveyor, Project Manager, Cost Consultant, Graduate, Apprentice or Construction Leader, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration.Topics covered:• Career progression in construction• Quantity surveying and cost management• Women in construction leadership• Mentoring and professional development• Leadership and team growth• AI and the future of the built environment• Skills shortages and talent attraction• Major projects including Battersea Power StationFollow Pegasus Radio for weekly conversations with the people shaping the future of construction.Gemma PriorAtkinsRéalis

Nick Wdowczyk, Director of GWB Consultants, joins Paul Micallef to discuss how the business grew to £1 million turnover within two years of launching.The conversation covers Quantity Surveying, Project Management, consultancy growth, leadership, recruitment, company culture, AI in construction, modern methods of construction and the future of the industry.Nick also shares lessons from starting a consultancy, winning work across multiple sectors, managing growth and creating a business where people enjoy coming to work.A valuable listen for Quantity Surveyors, Project Managers, construction consultants and anyone interested in building a successful consultancy business.Connect with Nick Wdowczyk GWB Consultants

In this episode of Growing Consultancies, Paul Micallef is joined by Ben Elsey, founder of Macen, to discuss his journey from Chartered Quantity Surveyor to consultancy owner.Ben shares how he made the leap into self-employment in 2020, building Macen from a one-man operation into a growing consultancy supporting both clients and contractors across the construction industry. The conversation explores the benefits of working on both sides of the fence, the opportunities presented by construction management delivery models, and why developing the next generation of Quantity Surveyors is so important for the future of the profession.Paul and Ben also discuss leadership, company culture, technology, AI, recruitment, and the challenges facing construction consultancies in an increasingly complex market.Whether you're a Quantity Surveyor, Project Manager, construction professional, or consultancy leader, this episode is packed with practical insights and honest reflections on growing a business in the built environment.Topics covered:• Building a consultancy during COVID• Growing Mason from freelancer to employer• Construction management vs traditional contracting• Training and mentoring future Chartered Surveyors• AI and technology in construction consultancy• Leadership, culture and flexible working• The future of the construction industryBen ElseyMacen GroupSubscribe to Growing Consultancies for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of construction.

In this episode of the Growing Consultancies Podcast, Paul Micallef is joined by Josh Hanson and Liam Clarke, founders of Validity.The conversation dives into the world of 4D planning, digital construction and project delivery, exploring how better visualisation, programme sequencing and collaboration can dramatically improve outcomes across construction projects.Josh and Liam explain what 4D planning actually is, how it helps reduce delays and clashes on site, and why clearer communication between planners, project managers, commercial teams and subcontractors is critical for successful project delivery.The episode also explores their journey from working within Tier 1 construction environments to launching their own consultancy, the realities of entrepreneurship in the construction industry, and why authenticity and strong relationships still matter more than ever.A brilliant conversation for anyone involved in construction, project management, planning, BIM, quantity surveying or consultancy leadership.Connect with Josh Hanson and Liam Clarke from Validity

What does the future of Quantity Surveying and construction consultancy really look like?In this thought provoking episode of Growing Consultancies, Paul Micallef sits down with Sunny Ahonsi, founder of FiveThirds Construction Consultancy and Five Thirds Living, for one of the most fascinating conversations yet on the future of the construction industry, AI, consultancy growth and modern business leadership.Sunny shares his journey from trainee QS to building a rapidly growing consultancy serving Tier 1 and Tier 2 contractors, alongside a £6m+ Build-to-Rent property portfolio all before the age of 33.But this episode goes far deeper than business growth.Paul and Sunny explore:• How AI could reshape Quantity Surveying and consultancy businesses• Why smaller, AI-enabled firms may outperform larger consultancies• The future of Commercial Management roles• LinkedIn, personal branding and winning clients in construction• The mindset shift from technician to business owner• Why traditional consultancy models may need to evolve• Recruitment, leadership and scaling a construction business• The future of careers in the built environmentSunny also gives a very honest view on whether he would still recommend Quantity Surveying as a career for young people entering the industry today.A brilliant episode for anyone working in:Construction ConsultancyQuantity SurveyingProject ManagementCommercial ManagementProperty DevelopmentRecruitmentThe Built EnvironmentWhether you find this episode exciting or slightly terrifying… it’s a conversation the construction industry needs to be having.Connect with Sunny hereFiveThirds Construction Consultants

In this episode of Growing Consultancies, Paul Micallef is joined by Nathan Spencer, Managing Director of UKREiiF, the UK’s largest real estate, investment and infrastructure event.What started as an ambitious idea during COVID has grown into one of the most influential events in the UK built environment, bringing together investors, developers, councils, government, consultants, contractors and the wider construction supply chain.Nathan shares the story behind UKREiiF’s incredible rise from around 4,000 attendees in 2022 to approximately 16,000 today, and explains how the event has become a major hub for investment, regeneration, networking and economic growth across the UK.This conversation goes far beyond the event itself. Nathan talks openly about scaling a business, building a strong personal brand, leadership, succession planning, AI, continuous improvement and what it takes to grow an organisation at pace.Topics covered include:• The origins and growth of UKREiiF• How the event disrupted the market• Leadership and scaling a fast-growing business• Why personal brand matters in construction• The future of UKREiiF and international expansion• AI, automation and continuous improvement• How to get the most value from UKREiiFWhether you work in construction, real estate, infrastructure, quantity surveying, project management, consultancy or development, this episode is packed with valuable insight and practical takeaways.Subscribe to Growing Consultancies for more conversations with the people shaping the future of the built environment.Follow Nathan SpencerUKREiiF

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

Want to win more work in construction?This episode breaks down how to improve your bid success rate, win better clients, and grow a profitable construction consultancy.Most consultancies don’t have a bidding problem.They have a focus problem.In this episode of Growing Consultancies, Paul sits down with Jeremy Brim, founder of Growth Ignition, to unpack what actually drives growth in a consultancy business and why so many firms are stuck chasing the wrong work.Drawing on experience across EC Harris, Mace, and advising consultancies from 10 to 1,000+ people, Jeremy shares a clear, practical view of how to win better clients, improve your win rate, and build a more profitable, sustainable business.This isn’t theory. It’s a grounded look at what’s really happening inside the industry and what the best firms are doing differently.Why your bid win rate is low (and it’s not what you think)The truth behind the 80/20 rule in consultancy profitWhy most firms are bidding for work they’ll never winHow to identify and target your ideal clientsThe concept of “capture” and winning work before it goes to tenderWhy you should bid less but win moreThe hidden cost of “one-hit wonder” clientsHow to build a pipeline that actually convertsThe role of relationships vs bids in winning workWhat smaller consultancies can do to compete with larger firmsConsultancy owners and directorsQuantity Surveyors & Project ManagersBusiness development and bid leadersAnyone looking to grow a consultancy the right wayIf you’re constantly bidding, chasing, and not winning enough…you’re probably solving the wrong problem.Connect with Jeremy Brim at Growth Ignition

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 sits down with Mike Lally, founder of Cadence Projects, to discuss what it really takes to grow a construction consultancy.From launching during COVID to scaling a team across Birmingham, Manchester and London, Mike shares honest lessons on cash flow, decision-making, hiring and building a business that doesn’t rely on one person.A practical conversation for anyone in project management, quantity surveying or the wider construction industry.Mike LallyCadence Projects