Southside Stories

About Southside Stories

Ever wondered what it really takes to build a successful business in London? Southside Stories, hosted by Matt Whittingham, pulls back the curtain with intimate conversations featuring the city's top entrepreneurs and innovators. Discover the pivotal moments, the hard-won wisdom, and the leadership philosophies that have shaped their journeys. Whether you're a budding founder or an established leader, find inspiration and actionable takeaways to elevate your own success.

Publisher

Matt Whittingham

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Jul 2026

Latest episode

22 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 Oct 2026

   The architect who won the Stirling Prize with social housing

   Southside Stories sits down with award-winning architect Alex Ely of Mae Architects to explore how architecture can do more than look good - it can improve health, reduce carbon, and strengthen communities. The conversation centers on two major projects, Agar Grove and the John Morden Centre, and the principles that connect them. We discuss why Ely’s practice starts with purpose before design, how social housing can uplift lives, and why the Sterling Prize-winning John Morden Centre represents a shift toward smaller buildings with outsized social value. You can discover more about Mae Architects here - https://mae.co.uk/ (https://mae.co.uk/) #architecture #stirling prize #mae Key topics Why Mae Architects defines its purpose before drawing buildings, with a focus on uplifting the spirit and reducing environmental harm. The scale of the climate challenge in construction, which accounts for about 40% of carbon emissions, and how the practice tries to go beyond baseline sustainability. Why social and affordable housing matter as a public health issue, not just a planning issue, especially for people facing overcrowding, fuel poverty, and isolation. How good housing can improve school performance, reduce stress, and support stronger communities through better public realm and neighbourhood design. The difference between talking about sustainability and actually living it through projects such as passive house homes at Agar Grove, circular economy materials at Sands End, and timber-led construction at John Morden Centre. The tension and balance between innovation and cost, and how long-term value can justify higher upfront investment. How affordable housing is delivered through both planning gain and direct commissioning by local authorities, charities, and housing associations. What went wrong with many post-war estates. How Agar Grove was shaped through resident engagement, ballots, phased regeneration, and a strong commitment to keep residents on site.

2. 

   16 Oct 2026

   From 747 Jumbos to Nando's: Upcycling in Architecture

   Waste Is Only Waste Until You Reimagine It Architect Paul Thrush of STAC Architecture joins me to explore how his South African upbringing shaped a design philosophy rooted in reuse, creativity, and sustainability. From turning discarded chopsticks into restaurant interiors to transforming car panels and parts of a decommissioned Boeing 747, Paul shows how waste can become a valuable design resource. He shares stories from award-winning hospitality projects for Nando’s and Virgin Atlantic, and explains why sustainable choices can be difficult when cost and speed dominate the conversation. Paul also discusses the impact of COVID on his business and his vision for modular housing: flexible homes designed to adapt as people’s needs change, while reducing waste along the way. A thoughtful conversation about architecture, hospitality, circular design, and finding opportunity in materials, and ideas, that others overlook. #architecture #london #interiordesign #STAC

3. 

   17 Sept 2026

   What Happens When Founders Hand the Reins to the Next Generation (Part 2)

   In part two of my conversation with FORMstudio, a leading architecture practice based in Bermondsey in London, I sit down with Paul Lower, who is now stepping into the leadership role following a carefully planned transition from founders Malcolm and Jeremy. What happens when an architect succession stops being a plan on paper and becomes your reality? Paul talks candidly about the pressure and responsibility of taking the reins, the financial and emotional realities of an Employee Ownership Trust, and the challenge of moving from hands-on architect to business leader, while still drawing on the experience of those who built the practice. Discover some of FORMstudio's architecture projects here (https://www.formstudio.co.uk/) We explore how FORMstudio has protected its culture and design identity through the transition, why its flat and open approach has helped bring the next generation into decision-making, and how the practice is thinking differently about business development and reducing its reliance on referrals and individual clients. Paul also shares some fascinating insights into FORMstudio's approach to design, including how constraints can become opportunities — illustrated through the studio's work on the Alaska apartment and other residential projects. A candid conversation about succession, leadership, culture, growth and the future of a creative business, with lessons for founders, architects and anyone preparing to take the next generation of their business forward. #architecture podcast, #business podcast, #leadership podcast, #succession planning, #business succession, #employee ownership, #leadership transition, #architecture firm, #architecture business

4. 

   1 Sept 2026

   Future Proof Your Architectural Practice

   What happens when two founders decide not to sell out, but to hand their 30-year architecture practice to the people who helped build it? Matt Whittingham sits down with Malcolm, co-founder of Form Studios, for a candid look at the employee ownership trust route and why it may be the smartest succession plan many business owners never consider. Malcolm shares how a business he and Jeremy have run since the late 90s evolved into a team-led studio, and why stepping back has felt less like loss and more like a new chapter. From the first spark of interest in EOTs to the real-world process of valuations, HMRC clearance, vendor loans, and legal paperwork, he breaks down what the transition actually looks like for a small professional practice. Why a sale to another firm was never the right fit for a founder who wanted to keep the culture intact How an employee ownership trust works in practice, including the tax advantages for sellers and staff What it takes to fund the deal through vendor loans and quarterly repayments How Form Studios is bringing in new leaders while protecting the collaborative culture that made it successful Why giving Paul, their long-time director, a meaningful stake was central to the plan Malcolm also opens up about the emotional side of letting go, how leadership changes when founders shift into a lighter mentoring role, and why the business still feels energetic rather than diminished. If you’re a business owner thinking about succession, a partner wondering how to extract value without sacrificing what you’ve built, or an architect curious about the EOT model, this conversation is packed with practical insight. Perfect for founders, architects, and anyone planning the future of a business they care deeply about.

5. 

   25 Aug 2026

   The City of London Office Market Is Not Dead - It’s Booming

   The City of London is not dead - commercial space is at a premium and in short supply. If you need office space in London, this conversation reveals why the smartest companies are racing to secure quality space before the supply crunch hits. Matt Hall, a chartered commercial surveyor working deep in the City market, breaks down the reality behind the headlines: office demand is back, AI firms are arriving in force, and premium buildings are getting snapped up years before completion. The result? A market where the best space is disappearing fast, landlords are retrofitting older stock, and rents are rising sharply. To contact Matt check his LinkedIn profile here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-hall-83a256161/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-hall-83a256161/) In this episode you’ll discover: Why the “office is dead” narrative misses what’s actually happening in London How AI companies are reshaping demand in the City What “flight to quality” really means Why grade A space is set to hit zero availability in the near term How off-market deals are giving bigger tenants an edge Why flexibility and design matter as much as square footage Matt also explains how a boutique tenant-side consultancy helps businesses avoid costly lease mistakes, unlock hidden opportunities, and move before growth stalls. Whether you’re a founder, operator, landlord, or just curious about what’s really happening in London’s commercial property market, this episode gives you a sharp, inside view of where the City is heading next. Essential listening if you want to understand why London’s office market is being transformed by talent, technology, and a shortage of top-tier space.

6. 

   18 Aug 2026

   The Relationship First Strategy That Wins Architecture Work

   Most architects try to sound polished. Andy Matthews does something much smarter: he turns his practice’s values into a filter for better clients, better projects, and a business that actually fits how he wants to work. If you care about running a creative business without losing the creative part, this conversation is for you. Matt and Andy Matthews unpack how Andy Matthews Studio built a clear identity around values like "go together," "seek joy," and "do good" - and why putting those ideas front and center has helped the studio attract the right people while confidently saying no to the wrong fit. Andy also explains why he believes meaningful principles should cost you something, and how that clarity shows up in everything from team culture to client selection.You (http://selection.You)’ll discover: How Andy and his team shaped their values through workshops, post-it notes, and copywriting - not corporate fluff Why the best business development in architecture still comes from relationships, referrals, and serendipity How a cricket pavilion, a retail store on Chiltern Street, and a low-carbon Camberwell retrofit helped define the studio’s reputation What a genuinely collaborative client relationship looks like when both sides keep pushing ideas How Andy uses automation, open-source tools, and AI selectively - while refusing formulaic AI-generated writing This episode also gets into the bigger picture for young people trying to break into architecture, the value of drawing by hand, why LinkedIn is not a magic answer, and how studio culture changes when everyone is expected to own the work. Andy’s take on AI is especially sharp: use it to remove repetitive admin, not to replace thinking, writing, or the human judgment that makes good architecture matter. Essential listening if you run a creative business, work in architecture, or want a more honest take on growth, leadership, and what it takes to build something distinctive without becoming generic.

7. 

   12 Aug 2026

   30 Years in Architecture & What AI Can't Replace

   Architects are being pushed to move faster, prove more, and stay creative under tougher rules than ever. Karl from GTH Architects joins Matt Whittingham to unpack how 30 years of change, from tracing paper and drawing boards to BIM and AI, is reshaping the profession in real time. They explore why AI is already speeding up workflows, how it could transform planning, specifications, and compliance, and why the best practices will still be the ones that pair technology with human judgement, relationships, and taste. Karl also explains why drawing remains a vital skill, even in a digital-first http://studio.You’ll (http://studio.You’ll) discover: * How architecture moved from one office computer to virtual building models * Why AI is likely to become a game changer for planning, outputs, and fees * The case for "AI for the mechanical, humans for the meaningful" * How stricter fire, safety, and sustainability rules are changing design decisions * Why retrofit is becoming essential, not optional * What "joyful places" and "enduring value" really mean in practice

8. 

   4 Aug 2026

   The Boutique Agency Advantage with Sally Tarbit

   Most agencies assume growth comes from more clients or bigger campaigns. Sally from The Team reveals a different secret: how a 40-year-old agency with a purpose-driven mindset builds trust, long-term partnerships, and sustainable success, all without chasing superficial expansion. Discover the mindset shifts and strategic moves that keep this London-based agency not just relevant but thriving in one of the most competitive markets. On this episode, we dive into the challenges and opportunities of running a creative agency in 2026, from managing client expectations around AI to embedding purpose through B Corp certification.

9. 

   25 Jul 2026

   China Built His Metro Station in 12 Months. Here's What the UK Can Learn

   Ali Mowahed's architecture WW+P firm won a concept commission for Guangzhou Metro Line 11 last spring. By the time UK planners would still be filing paperwork, construction was finishing. Twelve months. And the quality, Ali says, is genuinely good. That's the conversation that stopped me in my tracks. Ali is CEO of WW+P Architects — a practice that was 35 people in a rundown street near London Bridge when he joined 15 years ago. Ali's practice, WW+P (Weston Williamson + Partners), specialises in city-shaping transport infrastructure — stations, metros, and the urban regeneration that follows. 🎧 This is Southside Stories — real London business conversations with founders, entrepreneurs, and leaders. Today it's 275 architects across nine studios on four continents, part of an architecture group of 1,500.

10. 

    24 Jul 2026

    How Orbit Architects Grew 20% Year on Year for 20 Years

    Philip Atkinson, Managing Director of Orbit Architects, reveals how he built a 20-person architecture practice that's grown 20% year on year — with 85% of work coming from repeat clients. In this episode of Southside Stories, Matt Whittingham sits down with Philip to explore the business of architecture in London: from multi-million-pound hotel refurbishments at Grosvenor House and The BoTree London, to the fast-paced world of office fit-outs.

11. 

    24 Jul 2026

    Ferrari Made Him Redesign 28 Times — What Davide Learned About High-Stakes Architecture

    Davide runs Design International, the architecture practice behind Ferrari's styling centre in Maranello. But Ferrari made him redesign it 28 times. Every line had to be justified. Every detail checked for copyright. They even projected the building life-size onto a 6-metre video wall normally used for car chassis. That's the standard Davide brings to every project. From mega mixed-use developments in Shanghai, Delhi, Cairo, and Casablanca to a new-generation technical school right here in the UK.

12. 

    24 Jul 2026

    Inside London's Housing Crisis: An Architect's Blueprint for 1.5M New Homes

    Colin Veitch, founder and director of GRID Architects, joins Matt Whittingham on Southside Stories to talk about the reality behind London's housing crisis — and what it actually takes to get homes built. From a 100% women-only social housing project in Ealing to 738-home build-to-rent towers in Canary Wharf, Colin unpacks the full spectrum of residential architecture: masterplans that span decades, the policy bottlenecks stalling 1.5 million new homes, and how a 50-person practice consistently punches above its weight alongside the biggest developers in the city.

13. 

    24 Jul 2026

    The Squeezed Middle: Why 25-40 Staff Is the Hardest Place to Be in Architecture

    Matt Chamberlain knows the "squeezed middle" better than most. His architecture practice grew to 50 staff in 2019, then the pandemic hit, projects stalled, and they had to think differently. Now running a leaner team of 30 with a network of subcontractors and overseas drafting support, Matt's found agility in the chaos — and he's using AI to win more bids while staying competitive. In this episode we cover: → Why the 25–40 person architecture practice is the hardest space to exist in → How Matt's team uses Claude AI to analyse client briefs, surface pain points, and sharpen pitch responses → The Tamworth projec, turning a derelict department store into a further education college at the heart of a market town → The 10-year Haringey housing project: when your contractor goes into receivership mid-build → Whether the era of the "starchitect" died with Frank Gehry — and what replaces it Based in Basingstoke with a satellite office in Fitzrovia, they specialise in education and residential projects across the UK. 🎧 This is Southside Stories — real London business conversations with founders, entrepreneurs, and leaders. Subscribe for new episodes every fortnight. #Architecture #BusinessLeadership #AIinArchitecture #SouthsideStories #UKArchitecture #FounderMindset #BuiltEnvironment #ArchitecturalPractice #ClaudeAI

14. 

    21 Jul 2026

    The Secrets to Scaling an Event Business from London to Global

    Most entrepreneurs face a defining moment when chaos turns into opportunity. Mark from Event Concept shares how a redundancy sparked his 30-year journey, scaling his London event agency to work with Vogue, Dior, and beyond—and then expanding into the US via strategic acquisition. His story reveals how resilience, smart vertical integration, and deliberate leadership choices can turn crises into growth, how Mark transformed early setbacks like the Gulf War and the 2008 financial crisis into lessons on control, innovation, and agility. You'll learn the key decisions that allowed him to bring production entirely in-house, gain more control over projects, and eliminate costly dependencies on external contractors—vital strategies for any ambitious business. Mark also shares how embracing technological complexity and high-end content has driven his company's evolution and client engagement.We break down the power of integrating creative and technical expertise, the importance of self-awareness in leadership, and why long-term relationships matter more than quick wins in event standout. From managing a 30-event weekly operation to navigating post-COVID recovery, Mark highlights the importance of strategic delegation and balancing operational excellence with visionary growth. Plus, hear why acquiring a US agency was a deliberate move for scale—embracing partnerships to accelerate global reach rather than exhausting internal resources.This episode is essential listening for founders seeking resilience, operational mastery, and smart expansion. Perfect for leaders looking to future-proof their agencies, or anyone curious about turning industry upheavals into unstoppable momentum—Mark's insights will forever reshape how you see growth amid chaos.

15. 

    7 Jul 2026

    Commando Mindset - Turning military tenacity into business success

    Most entrepreneurs hit rock bottom at some point — Ed Hill’s story takes resilience to a whole new level. After losing his lucrative Russian client base overnight due to geopolitical upheaval, he faced the reality of being nearly broke and starting from zero. Yet, his unwavering tenacity transformed that crushing moment into a new opportunity that would redefine his entire career.From elite Marine commando training to navigating the shadowy world of private security, Ed shares how his military background forged a mindset of relentless perseverance. His journey highlights the power of adaptability, cultural intelligence, and a refusal to be beaten by circumstance. Whether it was navigating piracy in the Gulf of Aden or rebuilding his business after a dramatic market shift, Ed proves that resilience isn’t just about persistence — it’s about strategic resilience: the ability to innovate in the face of crisis. (http://crises.You) You’ll discover insights on building trust in high-stakes environments, the importance of cultural immersion for client relationships, and how to leverage adversity as a catalyst for growth. Ed breaks down pivotal moments, including his sharp pivot during the Somali piracy boom, how to maintain sanity and focus during downturns, and the mindset shift required to turn near ruin into success. This is crucial listening for anyone facing setbacks, entrepreneurs who need a boost to keep fighting, or professionals looking to understand how high-pressure resilience can fuel long-term success. Ed’s story is a masterclass in refusing to give up, learning from failure, and turning obstacles into opportunities — all rooted in a lifelong discipline of tenacity and action. Perfect for business owners, military veterans, or anyone inspired by real grit, this episode equips you with the mindset to keep moving forward, no matter how tough the terrain gets. Because when it looks like there’s nowhere to go, that’s often where the real opportunity starts.

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