The Specialist View

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.

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.”

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”.

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.

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’.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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