Best Rachel Birchmore and Louise Rodgers Podcasts (2025)

1
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.” 34:17

1M ago34:17

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 co…

1
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." 27:21

2M ago27:21

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…

1
Aga Szedzianis, DSDHA “Since 2016, the mid-level career or associate salaries dropped by 25%... quite a big drop!” 43:18

3M ago43:18

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 leade…

1
Miranda MacLaren, Director of Orms “When you first arrive, you just have to really listen” 32:50

3M ago32:50

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 T…

1
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." 37:11

5M ago37:11

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…

1
Nicholas Barrows, Director of Marketing, Trowers & Hamlins “" We can't afford to build a culture that upholds our values unless we are commercially successful." 37:46

5M ago37:46

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 coac…

1
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.” 27:06

5M ago27:06

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 devel…

1
Neil Pinder, educator and activist “The power of the word can shatter or enhance someone’s ability to do great things.” 43:30

6M ago43:30

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 Novem…

1
Louise Rodgers, “The energy of humiliation is powerful and universal and gives rise to many painful situations in life.” 37:40

7M ago37:40

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…

1
Jo Bacon, Allies and Morrison “We have been better at making time to reflect; and to listen, engage and consult with our wider team.” 34:17

9M ago34:17

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 lea…

1
Martyn Evans LandsecU+I “The pandemic highlighted the nexus between work and humanity.” 38:51

10M ago38:51

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 …

1
Jo Wright, Perkins&Will ““I have always enjoyed developing people and for me that is the draw of a leadership role.” 34:18

12M ago34:18

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 de…

1
Lisa Drake, Elliott Wood “We wanted to reclaim the impact that an engineer can have on the built environment, and on society.” 25:09

1y ago25:09

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 …

1
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

1y ago28:03

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.comCoaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They desi…

1
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.” 38:41

1y ago38:41

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 …

1
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.” 37:22

1y ago37:22

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…

1
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.” 36:58

1y ago36:58

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.ukCoaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coac…

1
Keir Regan-Alexander, principal of Arka Works “Generative Design and AI tools will fundamentally change how we practice, and how we design things.” 27:22

1+ y ago27:22

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 othe…

1
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.” 34:02

1+ y ago34:02

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. Th…

1
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.” 35:28

1+ y ago35:28

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 leade…

1
Holly Lewis, We Made That “I have personally come to embrace that word ‘leadership’ more.” 35:42

1+ y ago35:42

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 …

1
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.” 32:51

1+ y ago32:51

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 …

1
Emma Keyte, brand strategist and writer “Glue can also be born out of things going a bit wrong. Out of trouble.” 39:36

1+ y ago39:36

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 K…

1
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.’’ 30:42

2y ago30:42

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 e…

1
Linda Thiel, Partner, White Arkitekter “Within the Swedish culture, it's about the group effort. That’s embedded in many Swedes’, or Scandinavians’, upbringing.” 33:32

2y ago33:32

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 …

1
Eric Bull, SEW “We need to remember that sustainable design is just about the same thing as good design.” 24:09

2y ago24:09

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 Birchm…

1
Ruth Oates, Buro Four “Part of the sustainability journey is about empowering us as individuals to do the right thing.” 25:57

2y ago25:57

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…

1
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.” 33:34

2y ago33:34

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 a…

1
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.” 30:42

2y ago30:42

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 …

1
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.” 32:40

2y ago32:40

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 ar…

1
Martyn Evans, Creative Director, U+I “If you've got an opportunity to rethink, then you've got an opportunity to rethink better.” 46:20

2+ y ago46:20

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 c…

1
Denise Bennetts, Founder of Bennetts Associates. “What EOTs are about is common purpose. It’s much more than the financial bottom line.” 34:57

2+ y ago34:57

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 de…

1
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.” 28:45

2+ y ago28:45

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 coa…

1
Simon Henley, Director of Henley Halebrown “People have been saying recently that there's a real clarity to our work, now more than ever." 37:46

2+ y ago37:46

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 deli…

1
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.” 38:34

2+ y ago38:34

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.…

1
Chris Williamson, Chairman of WW+P Board “We are keeping our name, our identity, our brand. We will keep on doing what we’re doing.” 30:42

3y ago30:42

30:42

Chris Williamson of Weston Williamson joins Rachel and Louise to talk about the practice’s new partnership with engineering company Egis and describes how the success of his long working relationship with Andrew Weston relies partly on playing to each others’ strengths. https://westonwilliamson.com Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodger…

1
Jon Ackroyd, Ackroyd Lowrie “As soon as you start to build a team, you realise the power of the team.” 30:40

3y ago30:40

30:40

Rachel and Louise chat with Oliver Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd of Ackroyd Lowrie about the power of teams and how to harness it; their use of external consultants; and why they think thought-leadership is an important part of their role. https://ackroydlowrie.com Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and l…

1
Karen Mosley, HLM “I learnt early on that there are certain things in life that are really important. That sense of belonging, feeling respected, having opportunities. Money isn't everything.” 36:35

3y ago36:35

36:35

Karen Mosley of HLM Architects is Rachel and Louise’s guest. She tells the story of her 36-year journey with HLM, from fresh-faced school leaver to MD. There are many lessons here including about how the encouragement of life-long learning, which plays to people’s strengths and is linked to purpose, helps to create a culture of belonging. https://h…

1
Emily Slupek, Buro Four “You need to be able to listen and observe and sift through a lot of information and identify opportunities that you feel that you can bring into the company”. 31:34

3y ago31:34

31:34

Rachel and Louise talk to Emily Stupek of Buro Four about how she has carved out a niche for herself within Buro Four; developing her own career, leading the company’s activity in science and innovation and opening a new office in Oxford. https://burofour.com Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and …

1
Andy Matthews, Roach Matthews “Getting to know yourself - how you react, how you respond, how you think - is, I believe, a really important part of leadership.” 27:44

3y ago27:44

27:44

Andy Matthews, co-founder (with James Roach) of newly-established practice Roach Matthews, joins Rachel and Louise on the virtual couch to talk about setting up a studio, inclusive leadership, and what it was like to receive an ADHD diagnosis at the age of forty-two-and-a-half. https://www.roachmatthews.com Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Loui…

1
Jenni Montgomery, Barton Willmore “There are a whole range of different ways to participate in business development and you need to find a way that you’re most comfortable with.” 35:49

3y ago35:49

35:49

Kristofer Adelaide of KA-A and Jenni Montgomery of Barton Willmore talk business development with Louise and Rachel. What is the legacy of the Pandemic and how can we open up conversations that may lead to new opportunities? https://ka-a.co.uk https://bartonwillmore.co.uk Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who …

1
Carl Turner, Turner Works “We felt the term ‘architect’ was holding back the practice and limited people’s perception of what we can do.” 31:30

3y ago31:30

31:30

Carl Turner and Suzi Winstanley of Turner Works join Rachel and Louise to discuss what it takes to be ‘future fit’; which for them means being prepared for whatever problem they are going to solve next. https://turner.works Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and …

1
Scott Grady, Haptic Architects “Collaboration has been within the Haptic DNA from the very first few months of the practice.” 30:36

3y ago30:36

30:36

Louise and Rachel chat with Timo Haedrich, Scott Grady and Geraldine Molia of Haptic Architects about culture, collaboration, communication and the Nordic influence on their ways of working. https://hapticarchitects.com Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deli…

1
Annalie Riches, Mikhail Riches “We have turned down work…and it drives our decisions on whether to take projects on or go for bids.” 21:27

3y ago21:27

21:27

In this episode we talk with Annalie Riches, co-founder of Stirling Prize-winning architects Mikhail Riches, about purpose, morals and ethics, and how the decision to work only on net zero projects has impacted the studio. http://www.mikhailriches.com Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadersh…

1
“A year on from our first ‘Made Visible’ event, we explore, with special guests, how leaders and business are adapting to the new reality of flexible working patterns.” 29:17

3y ago29:17

29:17

Welcome back! Series 5 of Coaches On The Couch kicks off with an edited version of our second ‘Made Visible’ web event, held on 13th January. Rachel and Louise check-in with a panel of built environment leaders to see how hybrid working is working, and the adaptations being made to ensure that new patterns deliver stronger and more resilient busine…

1
Louise Rodgers, Step Up - At EOT and BCorps with their newer structures of ownership they are about a less literal and more emotional ownership over an organisation’s purpose’ 26:01

3+ y ago26:01

26:01

To close series four, Louise and Rachel reflect on the rich use of metaphor through these seven episodes and its importance in coaching. Also having been in conversation with leaders and future leaders from both EOTs and BCorps in this series, we discuss how these newer company structures seem to support a more emotional sense of ownership, enablin…

1
Connie Ivanova, Stride Treglown “If you approach leadership in a more collaborative way and look out for people’s interests and inspiration, and connect with them..this helps to build future leaders." 30:04

3+ y ago30:04

30:04

In the second of our two-part podcast on motivation to lead, we are joined by four younger professionals from the consultancies we featured last week - Fathom Architects and Stride Treglown, Core Five and LDA Design. What do they see, feel, experience and think about leadership, and what do they have to offer those that lead them? https://corefive.…

1
David Gabe, Core Five “Growing and leading our team through a period of rapid growth has been far harder than delivering on a technical level.” 35:52

3+ y ago35:52

35:52

Four leaders from four different consultancies - architects Stride Treglown and Fathom, quantity surveyors Core Five, and landscape designers LDA - share their perspectives on leadership. The first of a two-parter on motivation to lead. How can we encourage more people to aspire to leadership roles? https://corefive.co.uk https://fathomarchitects.c…

1
Neal Shasore, London School of Architecture “The worst thing one could try to do would be to emulate one’s predecessor, when they are a founder.” 20:16

3+ y ago20:16

20:16

Neal Shasore, head of school and CEO at The London School of Architecture, takes his seat on the virtual couch to chat about his route to leadership, what it’s like taking over from a founder and the lessons he learned from his family role models. https://the-lsa.org Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are e…

1
Pete Swift, Planit-IE “To achieve continuous improvement it is absolutely vital to hold yourself accountable to the B Corp framework.” 33:05

3+ y ago33:05

33:05

On the first day of COP 26, Rachel and Louise talk to Pete Swift and Naomi Burl, Founding Director and Practice Manager of Planit-IE (Planit Intelligent Environments), landscape designers and architects, about their B Corp journey and how it has shaped not only what their business does, but how it is. https://planit-ie.com Coaches On The Couch is c…

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Rachel Birchmore And Louise Rodgers Podcasts

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