Unlocking Value Podcast: Episode thirty-six

In this episode, John is joined by Stephen Johnson, founder and CEO of Roq, a consultancy focused on helping organisations deliver large-scale technology change.

Stephen founded Roq in 2009 and has since grown the business into a 120-person firm working with major enterprise clients. In the conversation, he reflects openly on the realities of scaling a people business over nearly two decades, including the pressures that come with growth, leadership evolution and navigating difficult market conditions.

Stephen shares a practical perspective on what drives long-term success in consulting businesses. He talks candidly about the operational disciplines, leadership behaviours and cultural decisions that have shaped Roq’s growth.

John and Stephen discuss:

  • How Roq grew from a start-up launched during the financial crisis into a 120-person consultancy – and the key inflection points that shaped that journey.
  • Why culture doesn’t happen by accident, and how leaders need to actively shape it as their businesses grow and evolve.
  • What Stephen learned from a sudden post-Covid downturn in client demand, including why strong growth can sometimes hide risks that are already building beneath the surface.
  • Why trust, honesty and a willingness to challenge clients are central to building long-term relationships and winning repeat business.
  • The challenges of scaling leadership teams, including why some people thrive as a business grows while others struggle to make the transition.
  • How Roq uses EOS and Traction to create accountability, maintain focus and turn good intentions into consistent action.
  • How AI is changing consulting and technology delivery, and why Stephen believes developing junior talent remains critical despite advances in automation.

If you lead a consulting or professional services firm, this episode offers a practical look at what it takes to build, grow and sustain a consultancy over the long term – through growth, pressure, leadership change and shifting market conditions. 

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🎧 This episode is available to stream below or on any of your usual podcast platforms (such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts)

Host: John Howard, Partner at Garwood Growth
Guest: Stephen Johnson, Founder and CEO of Roq

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And if you’d like to explore how Garwood Growth helps firms build value in practice, get in touch with the Garwood team for a conversation.