The Specialist View

The Specialist Group

The Specialist View - a podcast exploring the views of experts in various fields and delving into how they have become 'specialists.' Presented by Ciaran O'Hagan, MD of Specialist Group which has had over 35 years' experience in specialist joinery, metal and glass manufacturing and fit-out. Across the series, we'll introduce you to many of our own Specialist Team, to specialists from the world of business and sport as well as giants of the community and voluntary sector.

Episodes

  1. 19 FEB

    Colin Wood & Damien Clifford - Technology doesn’t build trust. People do.

    In the first episode of Season 2 of The Specialist View, we sit down with Colin Wood and Damian Clifford, Partners at Ethos EQ, to explore the intersection of AI, emotional intelligence and fair play in modern consultancy. With more than 40 years of combined industry experience, they came together to build an independent cost management and strategic advisory practice grounded in collaboration and trust. From the big question; Will AI take our jobs, to the realities of integrity and collaboration under pressure, this is a grounded conversation about what technology can’t replace: people. They discuss why EQ is becoming the real differentiator, how principled pricing builds lasting trust, what breaks collaboration fastest, and why doing good still matters in business. Sharp, honest and practical — this one will resonate with anyone leading teams, managing risk or navigating complexity in today’s built environment.

    1 hr
  2. Daniel Hill - “Designing for Corporate Offices.”

    24/04/2025

    Daniel Hill - “Designing for Corporate Offices.”

    This week, we’re joined by Daniel Hill, an experienced Associate Director who has dedicated the past 15 years to MCM. A great friend of Specialist, Dan has led multiple project and design teams and played a key role in delivering several award winning schemes. Known for always going the extra mile, he creates spaces that not only reflect his clients’ identities but consistently exceed their expectations. Today, we’ll be diving into the topic of “Designing for Corporate Offices.”

    53 min
  3. Adam Strudwick - Importance of Designing for Disassembly in the Industry

    06/03/2025

    Adam Strudwick - Importance of Designing for Disassembly in the Industry

    This week we are joined by Adam Strudwick, an experienced Design Principal at Perkins + Will.With over 20 years’ experience working in the global Architecture and Interior Design industry. Adam is skilled in Strategy, Design and Delivery for multi sector clients across the EMEA and is leading the way in voicing the actions the industry needs to make to ensure a more Sustainable world. With action needed now and a need for green washing to start we discuss what the industry needs to do and the “Importance of Designing for Disassembly in the Industry”.

    55 min
  4. Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week - Sean McAvoy & Karen Trainor

    06/02/2025

    Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week - Sean McAvoy & Karen Trainor

    Episode 6 of The Specialist View podcast touches on all things regarding apprenticeships. Featuring Sean McAvoy, Associate Partner at CoreFive and our very own Karen Trainor, Group Operations Director. Both Sean and Karen began their journeys as apprentices, between them they have 43 years in the industry and have progressed throughout to their senior roles today. As we are celebrating National Apprenticeship week, it is great to feature Sean and Karen and to find out what benefits have they got from the apprenticeship route and what benefits apprentices can bring to the industry.

    54 min
  5. “Interior Fit Out and How it has Changed over the Years”.

    09/01/2025

    “Interior Fit Out and How it has Changed over the Years”.

    In this weeks episode we’re joined by Laura Warholic, Senior Associate & Technical Director at @Gensler, as she shares her insights on the topic of “Interior Fit Out and How it has Changed over the Years”. With over 25 years of experience in Interior Design, Laura has worked on some of the industry’s biggest projects across the UK and America. Over the last 20 years she has been a key leader at Gensler, a world renowned design firm. Founded in 1965, Gensler has built a team of 6,000 professionals who collaborates with clients in over 100 countries each year. Everything they do is guided by their mission: ‘to create a better world through the power of design’. For more information on the Specialist Group story, contact us here: W: specialist-group.co.uk/contact-us Follow us on our social platforms here: Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/specialistgroup Facebook: facebook.com/specialistgroup88 Instagram: instagram.com/specialist_group88

    42 min
  6. “Interior Fit Out – The change from Design Side to Client Side”.

    04/12/2024

    “Interior Fit Out – The change from Design Side to Client Side”.

    This week, we gain an insight into the Specialist View of Fleur Peck, leading interior designer and artist. Fleur has over 20 years of experience in Interior Design beginning her journey in Australia before working with some of the top Interior Design and Architect practices in the industry ID:SR and HLW working on some of the biggest projects in the industry. We talk to Fleur about her career to date and how she has found the move from design side to client side. For more information on the Specialist Group story, contact us here: W: specialist-group.co.uk/contact-us Follow us on our social platforms here: Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/specialistgroup Facebook: facebook.com/specialistgroup88 Instagram: Instagram.com/specialist_group88

    44 min
  7. Brendan McGurgan - “Importance of people in building a business”.

    07/10/2024

    Brendan McGurgan - “Importance of people in building a business”.

    This week, we gain an insight into the Specialist View of Brendan McGurgan, co-founder of Simple Scaling.  Brendan has over 25 years of experience scaling businesses. Most recently Brendan spent 16 years as a global business leader with CDE, 12 of those as Group MD steering the company through the global financial crisis to considerable strategic growth success with offices on 6 continents employing almost 700 people across the world and 25X revenue growth.  We talk to Brendan about how important people are in scaling any business and what businesses can do to attract good people. For more information on the Specialist Group story, contact us here: W: specialist-group.co.uk/contact-us Follow us on our social platforms here: Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/specialistgroup Facebook: facebook.com/specialistgroup88 Instagram: Instagram.com/specialist_group88

    58 min
  8. “Importance of the link between Design Manager and Architect” - Charlotte Meeks

    24/07/2024

    “Importance of the link between Design Manager and Architect” - Charlotte Meeks

    This week, we gain an insight into the Specialist View of Charlotte Meeks, Divisional DesignManager for ISG Ltd. Charlotte has many years’ experience in Design. After qualifying as an Architect, Charlottespent 8 years working in practice before moving to contractor side as a Design Manager,working on some of the largest projects in the industry. We talk to Charlotte about the industry, the importance of the link between the designmanager and the architect and key tips for young people coming into the industry. For more information on the Specialist Group story, contact us here: W: specialist-group.co.uk/contact-us Follow us on our social platforms here: Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/specialistgroup Facebook: facebook.com/specialistgroup88Instagram: Instagram.com/specialist_group88

    31 min
  9. Our Aligned Vision to give back to the Communities - Dave Duffy

    25/06/2024

    Our Aligned Vision to give back to the Communities - Dave Duffy

    This week, we gain an insight into the Specialist View of Dave Duffy, Contracts Manager for Overbury Plc. Dave has had many years of experience in working in Construction including with Overbury where he has advanced from Project Manager to Senior Project Manager right up to Contracts Manager delivering some of the most beautiful projects in the industry.  As well as Dave’s impressive work portfolio, his efforts in giving to others are very commendable. Dave, alongside his counterpart Richard Goddard are dedicated to giving back to charity and to the communities they work in. In 2024, this team along has raised almost £300,000 for charities and it is not even halfway through the year yet. With the Overbury Quiz raising over £267,000 and the Charity cycle raising almost £30,000 this team has completed unbelievable work with Dave getting £25,000 alone as the top auction prize at the charity quiz night. We talk to Dave about the opportunities in the Construction sector for perfect delivery whilst giving back to those in need. For more information on the Specialist Group story, contact us here: W: specialist-group.co.uk/contact-us Follow us on our social platforms here: Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/specialistgroup Facebook: facebook.com/specialistgroup88 Instagram: Instagram.com/specialist_group88

    27 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

The Specialist View - a podcast exploring the views of experts in various fields and delving into how they have become 'specialists.' Presented by Ciaran O'Hagan, MD of Specialist Group which has had over 35 years' experience in specialist joinery, metal and glass manufacturing and fit-out. Across the series, we'll introduce you to many of our own Specialist Team, to specialists from the world of business and sport as well as giants of the community and voluntary sector.

Information

  • Creator
    The Specialist Group
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Specialist Group
  • Show Website
    The Specialist View