7. From Builder to Co-Founder: James Coulsey on Developing Differently

In this episode of Development Diaries, host John Guest sits down with James Coulsey, co-founder and director of Trigon DM - a B Corp-certified development management consultancy helping clients cut through complexity and deliver projects with clarity, precision, and confidence.James' journey into real estate is anything but conventional. Starting out as a civil engineer on site, he spent a decade building offices, residential schemes, and more before making a pivotal transition into development - taking a chance, asking bold questions, and learning to understand not just how buildings are built, but why they exist in the first place.In this conversation, James and John explore:- The sliding doors moment that took James from site engineer to development professional, and the developer who took a chance on a builder with a lot to learn- What sets great development managers apart, and why curiosity and holistic thinking matter more than asset class experience- The Trigon story, how James and co-founder Andy combined their backgrounds in construction, development, and ESG to build a business that works across sectors from logistics to co-living- The regulatory challenge, why layering regulation on top of regulation is stifling innovation, and what a simpler, outcomes-focused approach could unlock for UK development- Public vs. private sector collaboration, and why the industry needs to get better at telling a positive story about what development actually delivers for communities- What excites James most, from partnership models and GLA policy shifts to regenerative building materials like mycelium, hempcrete, and self-healing concreteIf you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and pass it on to a friend or colleague in the industry.