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

Martyn Evans LandsecU+I “The pandemic highlighted the nexus between work and humanity.” 11.07.2024 38:51

In this episode, Louise and Rachel catch up with Martyn Evans of LandsecU+I. Martyn was the first guest to join the virtual couch in June 2020 and almost exactly four years on we discuss some of the changes and learning in the context of leadership and post-pandemic workplace. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design...

Jo Wright, Perkins&Will ““I have always enjoyed developing people and for me that is the draw of a leadership role.” 23.05.2024 34:18

In this episode, Louise and Rachel chat with Jo Wright, Managing Director of global practice Perkins&Will (and Step Up client), about her role and the changes she is making in the London studio. 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 architec...

Lisa Drake, Elliott Wood “We wanted to reclaim the impact that an engineer can have on the built environment, and on society.” 02.05.2024 25:09

Welcome to series 8! In this first episode of the new series, Rachel and Louise talk to Elliott Wood director, Lisa Drake. Lisa talks about the importance and power of defining a strong organisational purpose, and recalls what her teenage job with the Body Shop taught her about social impact. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coach...

Tom Larsson, Founder of Grow Places "As the business grows, imparting our values and principles onto the team and selecting the right people is an interesting transition." 28.03.2024 28:03

Louise and Rachel are joined by Tom Larsson, of developer Grow Places. Tom established Grow Places in 2023 and in this conversation he reflects on the drivers behind this, and what he wants to do differently. https://growplaces.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 leadership development pro...

Louise Wyman, Executive Director Strategic Development at CBRE “The thought of networking used to fill me with dread but I've stepped out of my comfort zone throughout my career and learned from it.” 15.03.2024 38:41

Louise Wyman of CBRE joins Rachel and Louise to talk about how she developed her ‘career of many hats’ across the public and private sectors, and the importance of leading with authenticity. https://cbre.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 leadership development programmes and coaching for...

Clarissa Bromelle, Head of Social Imagination at Human Nature “There are many elements of regenerative leadership that are embedded into what we’re doing at Human Nature.” 22.02.2024 37:22

Louise and Rachel explore regenerative leadership and how this impacts on Human Nature and the places it is seeking to create. https://humannature-places.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 leadership development programmes and coaching for architects, engineers and other consultancies acr...

Dinah Bornat, director of ZCD Architects “They (Gen Z) want what the rest of us want. They want to be taken seriously and their ideas to be heard.” 08.02.2024 36:58

Dinah Bornat of ZCD Architects joins Rachel and Louise to talk about what she has learned about building trust and connection with young people from running wild camping adventures in the countryside with young people. https://zcdarchitects.co.uk 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...

Keir Regan-Alexander, principal of Arka Works “Generative Design and AI tools will fundamentally change how we practice, and how we design things.” 25.01.2024 27:22

Rachel and Louise delve into the world of Generative Design and AI with Keir Regan-Alexander of Arka Works. https://arka.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 architects, engineers and other consultancies across the built environment. For...

Leanne Tritton, founder of ING Media “I have the style and energy that gets the plane off the ground. Damian has the style and energy for long-haul flights.” 11.01.2024 34:02

A totally joyous conversation about a successful transition. Louise and Rachel kick off the New Year with a conversation with, and between, Leanne Tritton, founder of ING Media, and her successor as MD, Damian Wild. https://ing-media.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 leadership developme...

Jennifer De Vere-Hopkins, Jestico + Whiles “It is important for people to see that architecture, and the people who make up the profession, is very broad.” 21.12.2023 35:28

Jennifer De Vere-Hopkins and Ben Marston of Jestico + Whiles, discuss some of the initiatives the practice is taking to support the next generation of architects and designers. https://jesticowhiles.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 leadership development programmes and coaching for arch...

Holly Lewis, We Made That “I have personally come to embrace that word ‘leadership’ more.” 23.11.2023 35:42

Holly Lewis, co-founder of We Made That, joins Louise and Rachel to talk about the studio’s experience of becoming a Certified B Corporation and the impact of that on projects, practice, people and leadership. https://wemadethat.co.uk 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...

Susan David, psychologist and author “Emotional agility is about loosening up, calming down and living with more intention. It’s about choosing how you’ll respond to your emotional warning system.” 19.10.2023 32:51

Rachel and Louise share their summer reading list and bring you insightful chat about four of the books that have inspired, provoked and even irritated them over the last few months. https://stepuplondon.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 leadership development programmes and coaching for...

Emma Keyte, brand strategist and writer “Glue can also be born out of things going a bit wrong. Out of trouble.” 07.09.2023 39:36

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 environment. For more information, please visit www. StepUpLondon.com Louise, Rachel and Emma Keyte reflect on the event they co-hosted during J...

Tina Norden, Conran and Partners ‘’I try to lead from the front. I'm very involved and very passionate about what I do. And I'm very hands on, or as much as I can be.’’ 20.07.2023 30:42

Tina Norden, partner and principal at Conran and Partners, joins Rachel and Louise on the virtual couch to talk about the legacy of Sir Terence Conran and the challenges and opportunities of leading business hubs in London and Hong Kong. https://conranandpartners.com Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and delive...

Linda Thiel, Partner, White Arkitekter “Within the Swedish culture, it's about the group effort. That’s embedded in many Swedes’, or Scandinavians’, upbringing.” 06.07.2023 33:32

Louise and Rachel are joined by Linda Thiel, Partner of White Arkitekter and Director of the London Studio, about the challenges of leadership in a flat, non-hierarchical, structure; and the cultural impact of White’s Scandinavian heritage. https://whitearkitekter.com Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliv...

Eric Bull, SEW “We need to remember that sustainable design is just about the same thing as good design.” 25.05.2023 24:09

Part two of our sustainability podcast with Rose Bard from Orms, Laura Baron from Purcell, Eric Bull of SEW, Stephanie Crombie from Morrow + Lorraine and Ruth Oates of Buro Four. In this episode the focus is on collaboration; sharing best practice; and safeguarding mental health. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They desi...

Ruth Oates, Buro Four “Part of the sustainability journey is about empowering us as individuals to do the right thing.” 22.05.2023 25:57

A couch full of sustainability leads - Rosie Bard from Orms, Laura Baron from Purcell, Eric Bull of SEW, Stephanie Crombie from Morrow + Lorraine and Ruth Oates of Buro Four - come together to discuss their roles and the influence they have within their organisations. The first of two podcasts with these guests. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec...

Andrew Lerpiniere, Director of Webb Yates Engineers “We’re consciously thinking about what we do, and how we do it, and how we can make a positive difference to society.” 06.04.2023 33:34

Rachel and Louise are joined by Andrew Lerpiniere and Tom Webster to talk about what being an ‘ethical engineer’ means at Webb Yates Engineers, and how they are managing ‘stepping up’ and ‘stepping back’. https://webbyates.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 leadership development programm...

Natalia Uribe, Director of AFK Studios, “You need to understand not only the skillsets of your team but their passions and how they want to grow as designers.” 16.03.2023 30:42

Colombian-born Natalia Uribe, Director of AFK Studios, chats to Louise and Rachel about how her placemaking work is informed by her own background and how this influences her leadership style. https://afkstudios.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 leadership development programmes and coac...

Hanif Kara, Founding partner, AKT II. “I think that idea of a genius engineer is gone. We’re in a post-genius world. The product of the practice is more important.” 16.02.2023 32:40

Hanif Kara OBE joins Rachel and Louise to talk about how AKT II developed a reputation for design and innovation and how they inspire the next generation. 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...

Martyn Evans, Creative Director, U+I “If you've got an opportunity to rethink, then you've got an opportunity to rethink better.” 08.12.2022 46:20

Rachel & Louise are joined by a panel of built environment leaders for a special COTC event to discuss social capital. What is it? And how do you build, or rebuild, it? 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 co...

Denise Bennetts, Founder of Bennetts Associates. “What EOTs are about is common purpose. It’s much more than the financial bottom line.” 24.11.2022 34:57

Founders and next-gen leaders of ING Media and Bennetts Associates join Louise and Rachel to discuss what is often seen as the thorny topic of succession and the challenges and benefits of moving towards an employee-owned structure. 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 pr...

Damien Sharkey, Managing Director of HUB. “It's been said to me a lot in my career that you need to be old and have grey hair, to sit on a board or to have an opinion or voice. I disagree with that.” 10.11.2022 28:45

Damien Sharkey, Managing Director of build-to-rent developer HUB Residential, talks to Rachel and Louise about his transition from architecture to development and shares his thoughts on making space for future leaders. https://hubresidential.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 leadership d...

Simon Henley, Director of Henley Halebrown “People have been saying recently that there's a real clarity to our work, now more than ever." 12.10.2022 37:46

Louise and Rachel are joined by Simon Henley and Gavin Hale Brown, directors of Henley Halebrown, to talk about the importance of consistency in their work, both as leaders and as architects. https://henleyhalebrown.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 leadership development programmes and...

Jas Bhalla, Jas Bhalla Architects “Leaders need to be flexible and adaptable because times are uncertain. We are all going to have to learn to adapt.” 29.09.2022 38:34

Rachel and Louise discuss some of the key themes made by guests at the Coaches On The Couch summer party, when they were asked “What do we need from leaders today” as well as which COTC pod they liked best, and why. https://stepuplondon.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 leadership develo...