Who Will Build The Future? | Tony Cave & Conall Reddin of Drumacross Ep62

Will AI replace Quantity Surveyors? How can construction tackle its skills shortage? In this episode of Growing Consultancies, Paul Micallef sits down with Tony Cave and Conall Reddin of Drumacross, an infrastructure and cost management consultancy formed through the merger of two established businesses.With 50 consultants and a combined turnover exceeding £5 million, Tony and Conall discuss the realities of merging businesses, sharing leadership and navigating the challenges of running a successful construction consultancy.They also explore some of the biggest issues facing the UK construction industry, including the impact of AI on Quantity Surveying, the growing skills shortage, apprenticeships and the importance of developing the next generation of construction professionals.In this episode:Will AI replace Quantity Surveyors?The growing skills shortage in UK construction.Recruiting, training and retaining future talent.The challenges and benefits of merging two consultancies.Why shared leadership can make running a business easier.Opportunities in rail, water, energy and highways.Why mentoring, experience and people skills still matter.Whether you're a Quantity Surveyor, Project Manager, Cost Consultant or construction business owner, this episode offers practical insights into the future of construction consultancy.Subscribe to Growing Consultancies for weekly conversations with the people shaping the UK construction industry.

How do you grow a construction consultancy from scratch to a business on track to exceed £2 million in turnover in just three years?In this episode of Growing Consultancies, Paul Micallef is joined by Adam Green, Founder of Ninety Four Group, to discuss the realities of building and scaling a successful project management consultancy in today's construction industry.From starting the business in 2023 to building a growing team and securing major public sector opportunities, Adam shares the decisions, challenges and lessons behind Ninety Four Group's rapid growth.They discuss the importance of hiring the right people, managing cash flow, winning work against larger consultancies and maintaining quality as a business expands.The conversation also explores company culture, the challenges of leadership and whether artificial intelligence will fundamentally change the future of construction project management.Key topics include:Growing a construction consultancy from startup to £2M turnoverWhy business owners can become barriers to their own growthRecruitment, leadership and building high-performing teamsWinning public sector construction contractsCash flow and sustainable business growthAI and the future of project managementMaintaining company culture while scalingAn insightful conversation for construction consultancy owners, directors, project managers and anyone looking to build a successful business in the built environment.Growing Consultancies is hosted by Paul Micallef, Managing Director of Pegasus Search & Selection.🎙️Follow the podcast on Spotify for weekly conversations with leaders shaping the construction consultancy industry🎙️

Why Do Construction Companies Lose Bids Even When They Score 80%?What does it really take to win major construction contracts? And could AI transform the future of bid writing and public sector tendering?In this episode of Growing Consultancies, host Paul Micallef sits down with Sam Nimmo from Kittle Group ,a specialist bid writing consultancy working with some of the UK's leading construction contractors, engineering firms and professional services businesses.With a reported 65% bid win rate, Sam shares the strategies behind successful construction tenders, why the smallest margins can make the biggest difference, and the common mistakes that cost businesses valuable contracts.Paul and Sam explore:Why construction companies lose tenders despite achieving high scoresThe importance of bid strategy, quality and competitive pricingHow AI is changing bid writing and public sector procurementWhy recycling previous tender responses can be a costly mistakeThe growing importance of social value in construction contractsHow to build and scale a successful specialist consultancyRecruitment, talent development and creating a high-performing teamFor Quantity Surveyors, Project Managers, Cost Consultants, construction contractors and consultancy leaders, this episode offers practical insights into winning more work, improving tender success rates and staying competitive in an evolving industry.Whether you're bidding for major public sector frameworks, growing your construction consultancy or exploring the impact of AI on procurement, this is a conversation worth listening to.🎙️ Growing Consultancies, hosted by Paul Micallef, Managing Director of Pegasus Search & Selection, brings you conversations with the people building and leading successful businesses across the construction and built environment sectors.Subscribe to the podcast for more insights into construction, business growth, leadership and the future of consultancy.Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0emUFacb0Os

Could your business survive without you?In this episode of Growing Consultancies, Paul Micallef sits down with Ben Wells of Mainer Associates for a powerful conversation about construction, sustainability, business growth and what happens when life suddenly changes everything.Ben shares the story of the cycling accident that left him in a coma and how a business continuity plan helped keep his consultancy running while he recovered.They also explore the future of the built environment, including sustainability, whole-life carbon, Design & Build, construction procurement, AI and technology, and why the traditional priorities of cost and programme are increasingly becoming carbon, cost and programme.Ben talks openly about growing Mainer Associates, building a business that doesn't depend entirely on its founder, employee ownership, EOTs and creating a consultancy that can continue long into the future.They also discuss Carbon Centric, the technology being developed to help track embodied carbon through design, procurement and construction.A fascinating episode for Quantity Surveyors, Project Managers, Cost Consultants, Sustainability Consultants, construction professionals and consultancy owners.🎙️ Growing Consultancies, conversations with the people growing, leading and shaping the construction consultancy sector.

How will AI change the consultancy world, and are businesses doing enough to prepare for it?Matthew Easton returns to Growing Consultancies for another conversation with Paul Micallef, and there’s plenty to unpack.They explore how leadership and management are changing, why businesses can fall into the trap of over-promoting people, the growing issue of succession planning and why consultancy leaders need to get better at letting go.The conversation also turns to AI and what it could mean for the future workforce. If technology takes over more technical and administrative work, what happens to graduate and entry-level roles? How do we develop the future leaders of the industry if the traditional route into consultancy begins to disappear?Paul and Matt discuss why communication, relationship building, adaptability, critical thinking and leadership could become some of the most valuable skills in the workplace, and why being technically brilliant may no longer be enough.They also look at the future structure of consultancy businesses, changing fee models and why firms that continue operating exactly as they do today could find themselves left behind.A fascinating conversation about people, leadership, AI and what the next five years could mean for construction consultancy.

What does it really take to build and grow a successful consultancy, and what does it cost you along the way?In this episode of Growing Consultancies, Paul Micallef is joined by Matthew Dixon of Enabl for a candid conversation about growth, leadership and the realities of running a consultancy.Matthew shares the story behind Enabl, its distinctive approach combining planning and cost consultancy, and the challenges facing the UK property and construction market, from viability and regeneration to the increasing pressures around delivering new development.They also explore the rapidly changing role of AI in consultancy, how Enabl is already using it to improve decision making and efficiency, why Matthew believes it will transform the industry and why human judgement and expertise will remain essential.But this episode goes beyond business strategy. Matthew talks openly about the personal side of entrepreneurship, the risks, the mistakes, building a team, learning from other business leaders and the reality that when you own a business, you never really switch off.A thoughtful and open conversation for consultancy owners, future leaders and anyone navigating growth in the construction and property sector.Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/RDay8jW8tEI

To celebrate 50 episodes of Growing Consultancies, we’re looking back at some of the standout moments, biggest ideas and most memorable advice shared by our guests so far.From AI and the future of Quantity Surveying, to leadership, business growth, recruitment, data centres, career progression, skills shortages and the changing face of UK construction, this special episode brings together some of the conversations that have shaped the series. It’s a snapshot of where the industry is now, where it could be heading next, and the lessons construction leaders are learning along the way.A huge thank you to every guest who has joined us for the first 50 episodes. Here’s to the next 50.

How far can a career in Quantity Surveying take you?In this episode of Growing Consultancies, Paul Micallef is joined by Lionel Dore of Portcullis LLC to talk about a career that has taken him from London to Dubai, Saudi Arabia and ultimately Orlando, Florida.Lionel shares his experience of becoming a Partner at Davis Langdon, working on major international construction and infrastructure projects, and building a life and career in the US.They discuss the opportunities available for Quantity Surveyors overseas, what it’s really like working in the US construction market, the earning potential in America and Saudi Arabia, and the practical realities of relocating from the UK.A fascinating conversation for anyone working in Quantity Surveying, construction consultancy or project management who has ever considered taking their career overseas.Connect with Lionel here

What makes someone truly stand out in construction consultancy?In this episode of Growing Consultancies, Paul Micallef is joined by Matthew Mackey of Contollo Group to talk about his 16 years in Australia, his return to the UK construction industry and the lessons he’s learned along the way.From building Arcadis’ cost management offering and developing high-performing teams, to winning work, nurturing client relationships and creating a strong personal brand, Matt shares what he believes really drives career progression in the built environment.They also explore the differences between the UK and Australian consultancy markets, the changing role of the Quantity Surveyor, why retaining great people matters, and why sometimes you have to put yourself out there and risk a little criticism to get noticed.A great listen for Quantity Surveyors, Project Managers and anyone looking to build a successful career or business in construction consultancy.

What does it take to build a construction consultancy that grows without losing sight of what matters?In this episode of Growing Consultancies, Paul Micallef is joined by Jamie Hillier of Akerlof to explore the realities of building a specialist consultancy, navigating a changing construction industry and preparing for what comes next.Jamie shares the story behind Akerlof, from launching just before the pandemic to developing a consultancy focused on social value and ESG, industrialised construction, and commercial management.They discuss sustainable business growth, the importance of protecting culture as a consultancy scales, collaboration across the industry and why Akerlof keeps six months' cash in the bank before taking on a new employee.The conversation also looks ahead to the future of construction, from the industry's productivity and skills challenges to AI and the opportunities presented by the current technology revolution. As knowledge becomes increasingly accessible, Jamie asks an important question for every consultancy: where does your real value lie?A fascinating conversation for anyone running, growing or working within a construction consultancy.Connect with Jamie hereAkerlofWatch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/RtwB-_0JhAQ