Beyond the Blackbook

Linda reflects on how AI is enhancing operational efficiency while amplifying the importance of human judgment. She also shares how her hybrid role—bridging client delivery with operational leadership—represents a new consulting model that tightly connects strategy, execution, and real-world impact.Linda is Head of Strategy & Operations at GCS. We also explore the firm’s transformation (formerly GRAPH Strategy), which reflects a sharper focus on helping founder-led businesses and investors turn insight into advantage.Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/project-blackbook Website: https://www.projectblackbook.co/ Linda Wei LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindaelwei/GCS Insight Website: https://www.gcsinsight.com/

We get an inside look at sustainability consulting with Dima and Julia, Co-Founders of Tidal Impact. They share how their global advisory firm helps organisations turn responsible practices into a strategic advantage.Founded at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tidal Impact emerged in response to growing demand for ethical and transparent corporate behaviour. Dima and Julia share how they guide organisations through complex sustainability challenges and show how sustainability can serve as a powerful driver of business intelligence and resilience.From navigating shifting regulations to embedding ESG into commercial strategy, they reveal why real impact starts with relationships, purpose, and systems thinking.Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/project-blackbook Website: https://www.projectblackbook.co/ Dima Alashram LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimaalashram/ Julia Zhou LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-zhou-3a94a5b3/ Tidal Impact Website: https://www.tidalimpact.io/ 

In this special episode featuring Ben Edwards from CMap, we unpack how boutique consultancies can streamline operations and drive sustainable growth.From ditching spreadsheets to optimising pricing and clearer staff utilisation, Ben shares how CMap helps firms boost profitability and bring structure to the chaos of scaling. CMap is an industry-tailored, cloud-based CRM, and project & resource management platform.    We also explore key trends shaping the UK boutique consulting landscape, the impact of AI on the industry, and evolving models in independent consulting and smarter resourcing.For growing consultancies looking to have the right systems in place to scale effectively, or more mature firms seeking to reevaluate their internal workflows - this might be just what you need.Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/project-blackbook Website: https://www.projectblackbook.co/ Ben Edwards LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmedwards/ CMap Website: https://www.cmap.io/cmap-for-consulting-firms 

We’re joined by Rebecca Ferguson, Co-Founder of Kindred and an organisational design specialist with experience at Deloitte, PwC, and in-house at Cancer Research UK.We explore the foundations that continue to shape Kindred, her approach to sustainable growth as your proposition and USP evolves, and navigating potential tensions between designing a business for personal autonomy versus positioning it for exit. If you’re building or driving a professional services firm, there’s plenty in here you’ll take away! Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/project-blackbook Website: https://www.projectblackbook.co/ Rebecca Ferguson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-ferguson-89a1298/ Kindred Website: https://wearekindred.co.uk/ 

We had the pleasure of speaking with Roland Giles, Director and Co-Founder at Principeo, to explore the driving forces behind Principeo and his journey from consulting at Accenture to co-founding a management consultancy specialising in delivering tailored digital strategy and transformation solutions for Defence. He is also a Director at Warner McCall due to Principeo recently acquiring the firm, expanding their capabilities for increasingly higher-level work in Defense. We discuss the challenges facing defense leaders, the accelerating technological and geopolitical landscape, and how Principeo differentiates itself by providing small teams of senior experts to tackle complex, systemic problems. Roland also shares insights on the evolving consulting industry, the shift towards specialist firms, and the balance between purpose, impact, and enjoyment in building a business. Whether you're interested in defense, consulting, or entrepreneurship, he offers valuable insights on navigating an ever-changing world.Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/project-blackbook Website: https://www.projectblackbook.co/ Roland Lyle LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roland-lyle/ Principeo Website: https://www.principeo.com/ Warner McCall Website: https://www.warnermccall.co.uk/