Climb In Consulting

What does it take to lead transformation in today’s fast-moving, tech-fuelled world? In this episode of Climb in Consulting, Nick chats with Chris Tomlinson - or ‘Tommo’, as most people know him - a seasoned transformation leader and Managing Director of Muuto Consulting. With two decades of experience navigating complex change and helping organisations evolve, Tommo brings a refreshing, no-nonsense take on what real transformation looks like. They dive deep into everything from starting Muuto and scaling it through different growth stages, to the future of consulting and how AI is rewriting the rules. Tommo also shares insights from his current Master’s in AI at Oxford and how it has shaped the way he thinks about everything, from business models to ethics. Whether you're curious about AI in consulting or building a boutique firm of your own, this one’s packed with fresh thinking and hard-earned lessons. This episode covers: ✅ What scaling a boutique consultancy really feels like ✅ The evolving consulting model from traditional hierarchies to consortium-style collaboration ✅ AI as an enterprise re-engineering tool, not just another tech fad ✅ How small firms can experiment and lead the way with AI adoption ✅ The human side of AI, where consultants still shine Enjoy the show!

What separates consultancies that tick along from those that thrive? According to this episode’s guest, it’s all about one thing: profit on purpose. In this episode, Nick sits down with Peter Czapp - Co-Founder of the Wow Company, The Consultancy Growth Network and the brains behind BenchPress, the consultancy benchmark report - to dig into the financial side of consulting that too many firms overlook. Peter shares the seven profitability levers that top-performing firms use to boost their margins, stand out in the market, and build businesses that are both sustainable and saleable. From smart pricing and niche positioning to real-time metrics and resource management, this episode is packed with takeaways you can put into action straight away. We cover: ✅ Why only 37% of consultancies hit 50% gross margin, and how to make sure you're one of them ✅ The power of positioning and why niche isn’t a dirty word ✅ Pricing strategies that reflect value, not just time ✅ How to build a culture that embraces profitability without killing your vibe ✅ The reporting metrics that actually matter and the one predictive stat Peter swears by ✅ Why real growth starts with intentionality Whether you’re leading a consultancy, thinking about profitability, or just tired of vague advice and want practical tools, this one’s for you. Enjoy the show!

What happens when you step into the CEO seat of a small consultancy in a niche market, with big ambitions, PE backing, and a bold growth target? In this episode of Climb in Consulting, Nick Synnott chats to Stu Packham, Group CEO of Alchemist, about how he led the business from a modest $2M learning consultancy to a $20M global challenger brand. Before stepping into consulting, Stu spent years in the world of recruitment - building teams, scaling businesses, and getting under the skin of what makes people tick. It was that deep experience, paired with a well-timed chat with a close friend, that led to him being put forward for the CEO role at Alchemist in 2019. What followed was nothing short of a whirlwind. Stu stepped into a six-person business without meeting any of the team beforehand, not exactly your textbook onboarding. From that uncertain start came a high-speed journey of transformation: expanding into the US, building out UK operations, and laying the groundwork for a global presence. Stu didn’t just steer the ship, he helped it grow new engines mid-flight. This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to lead a PE-backed consultancy through rapid growth. Stu shares: - How fractional leadership became a secret weapon for scale - What a People function looks like when growth is the goal - How to prepare (mentally and practically) for due diligence - The biggest lessons he’s taking into Alchemist’s next chapter Whether you're running a consultancy, thinking about working with private equity, or just love a gritty transformation story, this one’s worth your time. Enjoy the show!

What does it take to scale a consultancy fourfold, while keeping culture, autonomy, and team spirit at the centre? In this episode of Climb in Consulting, Nick Synnott sits down with Tobias Robinson, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Cross 8, to explore exactly that. Tobias’ story is anything but typical. From starting as a contractor to co-founding a consultancy that’s grown from £2M to £8M in just three years, he shares his unfiltered take on entrepreneurship, leadership, and how to grow a values-driven business that still delivers commercially. This episode covers: - Why Tobias believes schools need to teach entrepreneurship early - Cross 8’s journey to £8M and the systems that made it happen - Why Toby prioritised hiring experienced consultants over the traditional pyramid - Cross 8’s global fire engine expedition and why it says everything about their culture - The power of practical skills, risk appetite, and building a business that works for life, not just the exit - How Tobias manages multiple ventures without burning out, and why Oliver Burkman’s philosophy changed how he works Whether you’re growing your consulting firm, thinking about your next move, or just love a good entrepreneurial story, this episode is packed with lessons. Enjoy the show!

How do you turn a good consulting firm into a great one - and what role does Private Equity really play in that journey? In this episode of Climb in Consulting, Nick Synnott sits down with Alex Thomson, Partner at Growth Capital Partners (GCP), to unpack everything you need to know as a consulting leader about scaling, selling, and thriving in today’s market. With nearly 20 years of experience supporting high-growth consulting and tech firms - including Hippo Digital, Infinity Works, and Chaucer - Alex brings a rare investor's perspective on what it takes to build a firm that truly stands out. In this conversation, they explore: * The real reasons consulting firms stall their growth - and how to break through those barriers * The essential leadership and hiring moves for scaling firms * How firms should approach Private Equity - and what investors like Alex look for in a partner * Why expanding to the U.S. might not be the silver bullet for value creation - and what to consider before you do it * Lessons from firms that tripled EBITDA and created transformational growth If you’re a consulting leader thinking about scaling, selling, or simply building a better business - this is one not to miss. We hope you enjoy the show!

James Constable, CEO of Albany Beck returns to Climb in Consulting to share insights on leadership, scaling a consulting firm, and international expansion. Tune in for real-world lessons on growth, strategy, and building a winning team.

Scaling up in a competitive sector, integrating new tech capabilities and responding to the continual push on fees, are all challenges that you’re probably wrestling with for your consultancy right now. And that’s why we invited today’s guest on to share his insights on how to solve these problems, having faced these challenges head on for both his own business and his clients. Jonathan Corrie has helped numerous consultancy firms navigate their way through these tricky waters and seize revenue-growing opportunities as CEO of Precursive, a professional services automation platform that helps turn services into repeatable products. In this episode of Climb in Consulting, Nick and Jonathan dive into the nitty gritty of productisation, discussing how consulting firms can make the leap from delivering one-off projects to providing a subscription-based service that drives up the value of your business. Nick and Jonathan explore the key elements to successfully productising all or part of your service, and some pitfalls to watch out for, including: - How to move from time and materials (TNM) to re-occurring to recurring revenue. - Why providing a repeatable service doesn’t mean you can’t charge premium fees. - How to design a product that harnesses the power of AI to accelerate and scale your service but doesn’t decimate the fees you can charge. - And why it’s so important that consultants stop talking like consultants. If you’re looking for new ways to grow your consultancy and want to harness the power of technology, Jonathan is the person to listen to. We hope you enjoy the show! Reach out to Jonathan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanfcorrie/ Learn more about Precursive: https://www.precursive.com/

For our milestone 150th episode of Climb in Consulting, we’re bringing back some of our top all-time guests—the individuals whose insights have resonated most with our listeners. Here’s who you’ll be hearing from in alphabetical order: - Adrian Bettridge - Keith Burgess - Mark Campbell - John Howard They’ll be answering five carefully chosen questions that dive deep into leadership, overcoming failure, setting goals, and personal growth. Here's a sneak peek at what they'll be sharing: 1. A Career-Defining Moment: What was the pivotal moment that shaped their leadership approach, and what did they learn from it? 2. Lessons from Failure: They'll reflect on how a failure—or what seemed like one—ultimately set them up for success. Expect some real-life “favorite failures” and the key lessons that came from them. 3. Evolving Goal Setting: From their early career days to now, how has their approach to setting and achieving goals changed? We’ll get the inside scoop on big goals and how they made them happen. 4. What Sets the Best Apart: After working with countless consultants, our guests share the traits that separate the best from the rest. What behaviors and mindsets consistently lead to success? 5. Books That Made an Impact: Since their last appearance, what books have influenced their thinking or leadership style? And how have they applied those insights in their work? Packed with the wisdom and practical advice that’s made these guests listener favorites, this episode is full of golden insights. Whether you’re new to consulting or a seasoned pro, there’s something for everyone. You won’t want to miss it!

How do you take a boutique doing a healthy $2m a year and transform it into an industry leader at $40m. In this episode of Climb In Consulting, Nick is joined by Mark Palmer, former Managing Director of OEE Consulting, to share his story of having done just that. Mark’s journey is a fascinating one, but also one that nearly didn’t happen. Had it not been for a chance meeting at a dinner party, Mark would have been on his way to McKinsey, and his story with OEE would never have begun. Fortunately for Mark, and for you listening, that chance meeting did happen and it led him on a journey to building OEE. A journey that he shares all of his advice, lessons, and learnings from in today’s episode. This conversation is packed with value, from the importance of client focus and collaboration to fostering a culture where successes and failures are shared by the whole team. Get ready to unlock the secrets to building – and scaling - a client-centric boutique consultancy, as we explore: How Mark's unique background equipped him for success in consulting. The strategies Mark and his team used to achieve phenomenal growth. Mark's approach to building a thriving team environment as well as strong client connections. This episode has so much in it to equip you to build a thriving consulting career - be that within a consultancy or leading your own. Reach out to Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markpalmeroee/ Books, magazines, and websites mentioned in the show: Create Space: How to Manage Time and Find Focus, Productivity and Success by Derek Draper I'm Ok, You're Ok: A Practical Approach to Human Psychology, by Thomas Harris The Strategy of the Dolphin: Winning Elegantly by Coping Powerfully in a World of Turbulent Change, by Dudley Lynch and Paul L. Kordis Blackbox Thinking by Matthew Syed