Rachel Birchmore and Louise Rodgers

Coaches On The Couch

Business EN ↓ 97 episodes

Coaches On The Couch is the podcast from the coaches behind Step Up (stepuplondon.com) the leadership development programme for architects and built environment consultancies. Co-hosts Rachel Birchmore and Louise Rodgers bring their experience and knowledge of the sector and coaching insights to explore the world of work and progressive leadership through conversations with special guests. Our publication 'Learning from Lockdown' marking 12 months of the podcast is available at http://www.stepuplondon.com/shop/cotc-the-bookProduced by Aral Sea Sounds https://www.aralseaproductions.com/

Author

Rachel Birchmore and Louise Rodgers

Episodes

Russell Curtis, director of RCKa "There are obvious problems, that we all know about, and they need to be called out, and we need to do something about them." 09.07.2026 33:07

Rachel, Louise and Russell talk about the power of being provocative, weathering a ‘lumpy’ market, and finding joy in challenging times. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership development programmes and coaching for architects, engineers and other consultancies across the built environ...

Jonny Wong, director of dMFK. “"Self-awareness in leadership is not about introspection, it is about understanding the effect you have on others in the room." 04.06.2026 35:24

Louise and Rachel chat self-awareness with Jonny Wong of dMFK and he shares how learning more about himself, his immediate colleagues and the role they each play in the team, supports the business to grow itself and its people. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership development program...

Pauline Blanchet, founder of Aral Sea Productions, Cumberland Lodge Fellow and producer of COTC. “I have always been interested in built environment megaprojects and how they impact communities.” 07.05.2026 30:44

As Rachel and Louise approach the 100th episode of the podcast, they talk to its producer Pauline Blanchet about the intersection of film-making and built environment leadership as explored through Coaches On The Couch. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership development programmes and...

Sean Hatcher, creative director of MCM "Part of my role is to develop and propagate not only creativity and ideas but also our people." 16.04.2026 29:47

Sean Hatcher of MCM talks to Louise and Rachel about the ‘sliding door’ moments of his early career and how creativity is faring in a world of major disruptors, such as AI and globalisation. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership development programmes and coaching for architects, engi...

Rachel Birchmore, coach and co-host "These four new services… are all to do with the way we coach and the theme that links them together is ‘humanity’.” 26.03.2026 31:18

Louise and Rachel introduce the four new strands of specialist coaching they are now offering, aimed at tackling the barriers to people not just surviving, but thriving, at work.

Chris Bryant, co-founder of Alma-nac “Behavioural change is the missing piece in the architects’ toolkit. It should be the starting point, rather than an afterthought." 13.03.2026 31:15

Chris Bryant of alma-nac explains to Rachel and Louise what the practice discovered about behavioural change when it applied architectural thinking to a project aimed at making schools more energy-efficient. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership development programmes and coaching for...

Nathan Spencer, MD of UKREiif “The culture we have created makes people want to remain in the business for the long term. We are proud to have a team that is sticking together.” 19.02.2026 27:26

The first episode of 2026 features Louise and Rachel in conversation with Nathan Spencer, Managing Director of UKREiif. They chat about his leadership journey; the values that underpin the culture of the organisation, including its commitment to D&I; and what’s next for this rapidly growing brand. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leaders...

Seb Wood "The core of reflection is to have a form of honesty with yourself, and honesty about the situation you are in". 11.12.2025 32:39

For the last podcast of the year, Rachel and Louise are joined by Seb Wood, of international engineering firm Whitby Wood, for a chat about the importance of reflection for leadership, and for life. There is also a Christmas book recommendation! Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership d...

Sarah Wigglesworth, Architect. “I felt that architecture had crowded out so many other things in my life and I was eager to try to explore all the things I had pushed away.” 27.11.2025 35:17

In conversation with Rachel and Louise is Sarah Wigglesworth, MBE, who reflects on the 2023 closure of her eponymous practice and shares how she continues to build on that legacy, including through her work with Part W. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership development programmes and...

Rachel Birchmore, AreBe and Step Up. “Changing the way we plan meetings so that people get a moment between them can give the brain time to reset. There is no reason why meetings need to be an hour.” 07.11.2025 25:29

Louise and Rachel talk books! Some nuggets from books they have been reading (on their respective couches of course); from the neuroscience of resting the brain, to the benefit of talking to horses, via the Let Them theory. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership development programmes...

Chloe Phelps, founder of Grounded Architects and director of BPTW. "It was an opportunity to still be a small, nimble, female-led practice, but with some clout behind us." 16.10.2025 26:56

Chloe Phelps, director of BPTW, discusses her journey to this role, via her own practice, Grounded. She tells Rachel and Louise why she made the decision to become part of BPTW, what difference being part of a larger practice makes and how she feels this is something we will see more of. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. T...

Ken Shuttleworth, founder and director of Make Architects. “I wanted people to benefit from the profitability of the company from the start.” 02.10.2025 33:57

Ken Shuttleworth of Make Architects reflects on his 50 year (and counting) career in architecture and chats with Louise and Rachel about not having his name above the door; founding one of the first EOTs in the sector; and leading a multi-generational practice. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver besp...

Carl Turner, founding director of Turner Works. “Growing the practice and bringing in more people was part of a strategy for me to be less involved in the day-to-day." 11.09.2025 33:55

Carl Turner, founder of Turner Works, talks to Rachel and Louise about the thinking behind his year-long sabbatical. How did he prepare for it, what did he do with it, and what’s next for Turner Works? Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership development programmes and coaching for archi...

Binki Taylor, community activator and placemaker. “Belonging for me is an important topic...indeed it's been a life-long enquiry.” 07.08.2025 29:47

Louise and Rachel chat with Binki Taylor, community activator and placemaker, about the importance of belonging and the role it plays in all our lives. Binki shares her personal quest for belonging and how it has shaped who she is and what she does. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadersh...

Amandeep Singh Kalra, Greenflip “I was wedded to the idea of solving a problem, not fixated on a particular solution.” 24.07.2025 32:55

Rachel picks up the theme of starting something new in this conversation with architect Amandeep Singh Kalra, founder of Greenflip Homes. The two discuss how Amandeep’s commitment to fighting climate change fuelled his energy to have an idea and then run with it. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver be...

Gareth Atkinson, Civic “There was a strategic approach but also some happy coincidences, based on exploring who would be a good fit and aligned with our values.” 20.03.2025 34:17

In this episode Rachel and Louise discuss with three directors of Civic (Gareth Atkinson, Katrina Davis and Rob Harris) how they are using collaboration and diversification to make a bigger and better contribution to our built environment system. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership...

Andy Puncher, design director "It was about identifying what I wanted to do and where I wanted to be and there was no role out there on any of the job sites for that, so I had to invent it." 27.02.2025 27:21

Another in a series of conversations with guests who have moved away from a practice they founded, or co-founded, and onto something new. Andy Puncher formerly of pH+ talks to Rachel about reinvention and conviction. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership development programmes and coa...

Aga Szedzianis, DSDHA “Since 2016, the mid-level career or associate salaries dropped by 25%... quite a big drop!” 13.02.2025 43:18

Rachel and Louise are joined by a couchful of architects from DSDHA, nimtim architects, Morris + Company and Ackroyd Lowrie to explore architects’ pay and fees and the implications for practice leaders. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership development programmes and coaching for arch...

Miranda MacLaren, Director of Orms “When you first arrive, you just have to really listen” 30.01.2025 32:50

John McRae, Director of Orms, rejoins the virtual couch four years on from his first visit and this time with new Orms Director, Miranda MacLaren. The conversation with Rachel and Louise explores practice resilience and diversification and the decision as part of those aims to bring in new directors from other practices. www.orms.co.uk Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel...

Hari Phillips, co-founder of Bell Phillips Architects. "It doesn't seem like the really big names in the profession want to rock the boat and speak out about these important issues." 19.12.2024 37:11

A second conversation with a founder who has taken the decision to step away. Hari Phillips discusses his new found freedom to speak up, including about the state of the profession and the communications barrier between architects and their clients. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadersh...

Nicholas Barrows, Director of Marketing, Trowers & Hamlins “We can't afford to build a culture that upholds our values unless we are commercially successful." 12.12.2024 37:46

Rachel and Louise’s guest is Nicholas Barrows, Director of Marketing with law firm Trowers & Hamlins. They talk mental health,neurodiversity and the challenges and opportunities of managing a multigenerational workforce. https://www.trowers.com Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadersh...

Christophe Egret, co-founder of Studio Egret West. “I am letting in a little oxygen to allow the hierarchy and dynamics of the studio to develop in a different way.” 21.11.2024 27:06

A soulful conversation. Louise and Rachel talk to Christophe Egret about his decision to step away from his role as a director of Studio Egret West. What does ‘letting go’ mean to Christophe? Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership development programmes and coaching for architects, eng...

Neil Pinder, educator and activist “The power of the word can shatter or enhance someone’s ability to do great things.” 31.10.2024 43:30

The importance of enthusiasm in leadership. Neil Pinder and Emily Foster explore the role of enthusiasm, in life and in work, with Rachel and Louise. Entries for the 2024 Inspire Future Generations Awards are open for developers, organisations and practitioners engaging with young people and children in the built environment. Enter until 15th November here: https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org/i...

Louise Rodgers, “The energy of humiliation is powerful and universal and gives rise to many painful situations in life.” 17.10.2024 37:40

Rachel and Louise chat about four books that caught their interest over the summer finding links between them and lessons to share with listeners. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership development programmes and coaching for architects, engineers and other consultancies across the bui...

Jo Bacon, Allies and Morrison “We have been better at making time to reflect; and to listen, engage and consult with our wider team.” 25.07.2024 34:17

Another returning guest. This time, Jo Bacon of Allies and Morrison. Rachel and Louise use this time with Jo to reflect on what has changed, and what has stayed the same, since we first spoke in Feb 2021. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership development programmes and coaching for ar...