Jeff Cronkshaw, Founder & CEO at Lancia Consult: How to Build a 100-Person Consultancy from Scratch

Check out Lancia Consult

https://www.lanciaconsult.com/

Episode Guest

Jeff Cronkshaw is the CEO and co-founder of Lancia Consult, a global consultancy launched in Singapore in 2012. With a background in pharmaceuticals and consulting at Accenture, Jeff has led Lancia’s expansion across Asia, Europe, and South Africa. He also serves as Deputy Chair of the University of Brighton Board, is a Global Scot business advisor, and co-founded The Gateway Project to support disadvantaged youth.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 - Intro: Why Jeff's story matters

00:24 - Meet Jeff Kroshaw, CEO of Lancia Consult

01:12 - What gets Jeff out of bed every morning

01:40 - His first job: 15-mile paper rounds in rural Scotland

02:53 - From disco DJ to coding gigs early entrepreneurship

03:38 - First proper job at Eli Lilly & how it shaped him

05:15 - Why discipline still matters in today’s workplace

06:46 - Employment contracts vs. mortgages

08:13 - Joining a culture that fit & how it clicked

09:53 - The #1 thing Jeff looks for in new hires

11:00 - Why consulting is one of the most unique careers

13:16 - What a day in consultancy really looks like

14:45 - Why consultants don’t need to have all the answers

16:20 - The life skill every consultant needs: self-resilience

17:44 - The loneliness of consultancy & how to fight it

20:06 - Why Jeff treats company culture like a compass

21:33 - Building a support network like a garden

24:25 - Your network is your future

26:02 - Failing 6 interviews before landing his career break

27:14 - How to bounce back from rejection

29:04 - Co-founding a business with his wife (and surviving it!)

31:30 - Why Lancia was bootstrapped—and stayed that way

33:07 - Global growth: the vision behind their multi-office strategy

35:01 - Lessons from 14 years of entrepreneurship

37:10 - Where most entrepreneurs go wrong

39:40 - It’s not a business until an invoice is paid

41:16 - The secret to why clients choose LanciaConsult

42:51 - Why commercial flexibility wins deals

44:20 - Life lesson: when a boss tore up his work

46:06 - Jeff’s final Duvet Flip why this business has to work

Episode Partner

Lancia Consult is a global management and technology consultancy helping brands, governments, and scale-ups tackle complex challenges and achieve strategic goals. With nearly 100 people across seven offices, Lancia delivers practical, people-first consulting—from strategy to execution—driving real impact through a deeply experienced and entrepreneurial team.

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-adviceIf you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/