Unlocking Value Podcast, episode thirty

In this episode, John is joined by Jonathan Peachey, founder of Factory X and former board member at Next 15, where he spent several years leading M&A and transformation across a group of more than 20 businesses spanning consulting, marketing and professional services.

Jonathan has spent much of his career at the intersection of new technology and established business models. Having worked through multiple waves of disruption – from the early internet to big data – he brings a practical, grounded perspective on what makes AI different and why this moment matters for leaders facing deeply unfamiliar territory.

As Jonathan sees it, leaders may be fundamentally underestimating AI’s potential impact. That’s because AI is not just another tool to help consultants work faster. It’s a tool that changes what clients can do for themselves. And that raises some big questions about where firms add value and how they will compete in the future.

Jonathan and John discuss:

  • Why AI is different from previous technology waves and why it poses a more direct challenge to traditional consulting services and operating models
  • Which parts of professional services work are most exposed and why execution-heavy work is likely to be hardest hit
  • How firms should respond in practice, including where to start and Jonathan’s framework covering commercial, operational and governance priorities
  • Why intellectual property matters more than ever and how firms can start turning what they know into something more scalable
  • How AI is likely to reshape pricing, business models and valuations and what that means for leaders and investors

If you lead a consulting or professional services firm and are trying to work out what AI really means beyond the noise, this conversation offers a clear, practical way to think about where to focus and what to do next.

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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: Jonathan Peachey, Founder of Factory X

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