Consultancy Growth Podcast

Craig Herd
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Hosted by Craig Herd, this podcast is your ultimate guide to scaling your consultancy. Tune in for strategic insights, candid conversations with industry experts, and stories from seasoned consultancy founders. Uncover the real drivers of success and actionable advice to fast-track your growth. Subscribe now and take your consultancy to the next level.

  1. How Specialising Earned bpmd Long-Term Programmes with Multi-Billion-Pound Companies with Liam O’Neill & Sam Lewis

    JAN 30

    How Specialising Earned bpmd Long-Term Programmes with Multi-Billion-Pound Companies with Liam O’Neill & Sam Lewis

    Craig is joined by Liam O’Neill and Sam Lewis, senior leaders at bpmd, a consultancy that works with large, complex organisations to build lasting process, transformation, and change capability. Over the last decade, bpmd has grown from three people working out of a spare room with a single client into a specialist consultancy trusted to support enterprise-scale transformation programmes. Their work spans global organisations, complex operating models, and long-running change initiatives where process, data, and execution genuinely matter. They are particularly well known for helping organisations turn platforms like SAP Signavio into something that delivers real business value, rather than shelfware. In this episode, we cover: The journey from early-stage survival to leading complex, enterprise-level transformation workHow bpmd moved away from generalist, task-based delivery into a clearly defined specialismWhy producing high-quality outputs is not the same as creating meaningful business outcomesThe leadership discipline required to narrow focus before the pipeline fully supports itHow challenging client requests can strengthen trust rather than damage relationshipsWhy working with clients who already value the work changes the entire sales dynamicThe impact of specialisation on team quality, motivation, and retentionHow helping clients build their own capability leads to more strategic, higher-value engagementsWhat the rise of AI and automation means for consultancies operating in change and transformationThis is a practical, experience-led conversation with consultancy leaders who have operated inside complex organisations, navigated long sales cycles, and learned where real value is actually created. Host:  Craig Herd, Managing Director at Consultancy Growth Guest:  Liam O'Neill, Managing Director at bpmd Guest: Sam Lewis, Director at bpmd

    44 min
  2. How To Become The Firm Clients Call When Everything Is Going Wrong with Darryl Petticrew

    11/26/2025

    How To Become The Firm Clients Call When Everything Is Going Wrong with Darryl Petticrew

    In this episode Craig speaks with Darryl Petticrew, Director at Lancia Consult, a firm known for stepping into transformation programmes at the exact moment others step out. When projects stall, when plans unravel, when teams lose confidence, Lancia is the first call. This conversation explores why. Darryl spent more than fifteen years in major consulting firms before joining Lancia, drawn by its entrepreneurial culture and its obsession with real impact.  We explore the realities of transformation work in 2025. Darryl explains why co creation beats traditional delivery, why capability transfer is now a core differentiator and why the firms that win today are those willing to take ownership while working on the client’s side of the desk. Consultancy leaders will also hear a candid breakdown of the hidden fragility in growing consultancies and how to fix it. Darryl shares the warning signs inside firms that look successful on the surface but are operationally vulnerable. Over dependence on rainmakers. Decision making slowed by hierarchy. A small cluster of clients carrying the revenue. Teams stretched across delivery with no capacity for growth. These weaknesses tend to appear just as revenues rise. Craig and Darryl explore how resilience is built. How trust creates speed. How the boutique advantage becomes real. And what it actually looks like to lead when your client has run out of answers. In this episode you will learn Why boutique consultancies win transformation work the big firms loseHow to build trust quickly in high pressure environmentsWhat programme recovery teaches about leadership, ownership and clarityThe hidden fragility in growing consultancies and how to fix itHow co creation and capability transfer create long term client loyaltyWhy clients drop big four firms for smaller teams that can deliver fastHow to position your consultancy as the first call when a project turns redFor consultancy leaders facing a tougher market, this is a clear playbook for building a firm that clients trust with their hardest problems. Human. Fast. Under pressure. And impossible to replace. Host Craig Herd Guest Darryl Petticrew

    45 min
  3. How Passion & Purpose Shaped Blue Sky Into a Consultancy Clients Never Want to Leave with Sarah Lyons & Hannah Bradshaw

    11/12/2025

    How Passion & Purpose Shaped Blue Sky Into a Consultancy Clients Never Want to Leave with Sarah Lyons & Hannah Bradshaw

    In this episode Craig meets with Sarah Lyons and Hannah Bradshaw, co founders of Blue Sky, a consultancy that is fast becoming a top coaching partner for the UK's legal sector. Their client retention is exceptional. Their niche is clear. Their purpose is unmistakable. And their story is a powerful example of how passion and purpose can shape a consultancy that clients remain with for years. Sarah and Hannah both trained and practised as employment lawyers. When they became new mothers they expected to return to the firm and continue their career trajectory. Instead they came face to face with a structural issue that affects thousands of women across the legal profession. The perception gap. While they were at home with their children their post qualification experience continued to increase on paper. When they returned they were measured against peers with a full year of additional experience. It was a disadvantage created by the system itself. Rather than accept that as normal they decided to solve it. Blue Sky was born from personal frustration and a clear sense of purpose. Today their consultancy supports women through maternity leave, return to work and the long journey toward partnership in some of the most demanding firms in the world. The results are measurable and the loyalty they gain from clients reflects the depth of impact they create. In this episode you will hear: How passion and purpose became Blue Sky’s commercial advantage. Why great client retention is not luck but a direct outcome.How a narrow niche helped them win the trust of major law firms.The link between personal identity, leadership and client success.What senior consultancy leaders can learn from Blue Sky’s approach.This is a conversation about building a consultancy that solves a real problem, attracts committed clients and retains them through trust, consistency and purpose. It is a blueprint for founders and leaders who care about long term value, meaningful work and commercial strength. Host: Craig Herd Guest: Sarah Lyons Guest: Hannah Bradshaw

    30 min
  4. The Consultancy That Wins Clients by Standing Out, Not Chasing RFPs with Mark Green

    08/20/2025

    The Consultancy That Wins Clients by Standing Out, Not Chasing RFPs with Mark Green

    In this episode of The Consultancy Growth Podcast, Craig Herd speaks with Mark Green, founder and CEO of Change Rebellion. After a near-fatal battle with COVID that left him in a coma for months, Mark came back with a new philosophy: empathy over ego, and change that’s human first. We dig into why clients now value implementation over clever slides, how authenticity and humour can be powerful differentiators in a crowded market, and what it takes to build a consultancy that wins clients by standing out, not chasing RFPs. Mark also shares his view on the role of AI in change management, the upside and downside of bold positioning, and why he believes consultancies should leave clients better equipped than they found them. If you’ve ever wondered whether playing it safe is holding your firm back, this conversation will make you rethink how you grow. Chapters 0:00    Introduction to Change Rebellion 01:17     From Coma to Consultancy: A Life-Changing Reset 05:30   Why Authenticity and Humour Stand Out in Consulting 10:00   Family First: Defining Success on Your Own Terms 14:55    The Upsides and Downsides of Being Bold 19:55    Why Implementation Now Beats Intelligence 22:13    AI’s Role in the Future of Change Management 28:11     Empathy Over Ego: Consulting Without the Ego Trap 30:52   How to Ensure Clients Are Better Off After You Leave 35:13    The Future Vision for Change Rebellion

    37 min
  5. The Hiring Blueprint Behind Consultancies That Break £10M with Richard Longstreet

    08/18/2025

    The Hiring Blueprint Behind Consultancies That Break £10M with Richard Longstreet

    In this episode Craig is joined by Richard Longstreet, founder of Tarka Talent, to explore what really drives successful hiring in boutique consultancies. Too often, firms bring in senior hires with impressive CVs only to find they don’t deliver the growth expected. Richard explains why success in a Big Four doesn’t always translate into a boutique environment, the critical distinction between developing existing accounts and winning new logos, and how cultural fit can determine whether a hire creates lasting value. They also discuss the infrastructure required to support growth, why equity should be tied to performance, and how consultancies can create a culture where business development is a shared responsibility rather than resting solely on the founder. If you’re thinking about making senior commercial hires, this episode offers a clear framework to avoid costly missteps. 00:00    Introduction and Context 02:59     The Role of Senior Hires in Boutiques  07:53     Account Development vs New Business  10:23     How to Vet Candidates for Commercial Roles  14:04     Why Infrastructure Matters for Growth  16:30     Marketing’s Role in Enabling Success  20:28     Systems and Processes That Scale  25:15      Escaping Founder Dependency  30:10     Building a Sustainable Hiring Strategy  34:14      Balancing Equity in Hiring  38:37     The Importance of Cultural Fit  43:01     Curiosity as a Growth Mindset Host Craig Herd  Guest Richard Longstreet

    42 min
  6. Purpose, Peace, Profit: The Simple Framework to Scale Your Consultancy Without Burning Out with Deena Priest

    08/04/2025

    Purpose, Peace, Profit: The Simple Framework to Scale Your Consultancy Without Burning Out with Deena Priest

    In this episode, Craig sits down with executive coach Deena Priest to unpack the three pillars of sustainable Consultancy leadership: Purpose, Peace, Profit.  Along the way, they explore how to spot the early signs of unfulfillment, tackle the fear of selling, and break free from the micromanagement trap. Deena shares why emotional regulation is a non‑negotiable skill for leaders, and how to build a legacy that lasts through smart succession planning. 00:00 — Introductions & Why Founders Lose Their Spark  05:42 — From Consulting to Coaching: Finding Purpose Again  11:37 — The Hidden Signs You’re No Longer Fulfilled  17:41 — Why Most Consultancy Founders Struggle With Sales  20:25 — Breaking the Micromanagement Habit That’s Draining You  24:05 — How to Lead With Confidence (Even Under Pressure)  27:44 — Using NLP to Reframe Setbacks Into Wins  30:32 — Mastering Emotional Regulation for High‑Stakes Leadership  36:07 — Building a Consultancy Legacy That Outlives You Host Craig Herd  Guest Deena Priest

    34 min
  7. The Hidden Costs of Being the Boss: Mortgages, Mental Load, and The Family of Business with Mary Ewen

    07/31/2025

    The Hidden Costs of Being the Boss: Mortgages, Mental Load, and The Family of Business with Mary Ewen

    In this conversation, Mary Ewen shares her journey of founding MJV Consulting, the challenges and successes she has faced over the past decade, and the importance of family dynamics in running a consultancy. She discusses the significance of employee engagement, the necessity of having tough conversations, and the proactive strategies needed in HR to foster a healthy work environment. Mary emphasises the value of investing in people development and outlines her vision for the future of the consultancy as she transitions responsibilities to the next generation. 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:51 The Journey of MJV Consulting 05:47 Family Dynamics in Business 08:42 Defining Success in Consultancy 11:21 Navigating People Challenges 14:31 The Role of Social Media in Business Growth 23:08 Navigating Tough Conversations 26:59 The Value of HR in Business 29:20 Engagement and Performance in Teams 33:56 Emotional Aspects of Leadership 36:54 Proactive HR Strategies 40:30 Adapting to Legal Changes in Employment 47:47 Investing in Personal Development 49:36 Succession Planning and Future Goals Host: Craig Herd   Guest: Mary Ewen

    37 min
  8. He Turns Casual Conversations into £ Million Consultancy Clients with Leigh Adams

    07/21/2025

    He Turns Casual Conversations into £ Million Consultancy Clients with Leigh Adams

    In this episode, Leigh Adams breaks down how real business development happens through curiosity, consistency, and conversation. He shares how a pub chat led to a £2M deal, why being genuinely interested in people beats any sales script, and how most consultants underestimate the long-term power of relationship-first thinking. We talk about rejection, timing, trust, and what it really takes to build a pipeline without chasing — plus Leigh’s take on what most consultancies get wrong about growth. If you’re still relying on referrals or hoping people “just come back to you,” this one’s a must-listen. 00:00 Building Relationships in Business Development 06:22 The Importance of Authentic Communication 09:46 Overcoming Networking Challenges 13:03 Consistency in Relationship Building 15:36 Tools for Maintaining Connections 17:57 Building Authentic Relationships in Sales 19:08 The Importance of Listening and Patience 24:39 Overcoming Fear of Rejection in Networking 28:48 Effective Follow-Up Without Pestering 36:49 Long-Term Relationships vs. Short-Term Gains 40:30 Niche Focus and Strategic Business Development Host: Craig Herd  Guest: Leigh Adams

    43 min
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About

Hosted by Craig Herd, this podcast is your ultimate guide to scaling your consultancy. Tune in for strategic insights, candid conversations with industry experts, and stories from seasoned consultancy founders. Uncover the real drivers of success and actionable advice to fast-track your growth. Subscribe now and take your consultancy to the next level.

Information

  • Creator
    Craig Herd
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 @ 2025 Consultancy Growth Podcast
  • Show Website
    Consultancy Growth Podcast