Industry Leaders EP24 with James Kelly

Episode Overview Host Seton Walsh-Rose is joined by James Kelly, Co-Managing Partner at CHC (ClarkeHopkinsClarke) and leader of its national Seniors Living & Care team. James grew up just outside Geelong, spent almost a decade under pioneering architect Yvonne von Hartel, then joined CHC to help build its aged care practice, becoming a partner just after 30. Together they explore why CHC believes business isn't just for business, from B Corp certification and measuring impact to how AI will reshape design fees and graduate training. James also makes the case for designing against ageism, and explains why older Australians are central to solving the housing crisis. Chapters: 00:10 Welcome 00:34 About CHC 02:35 Early love of architecture 03:05 Peck von Hartel and Yvonne von Hartel 03:40 Joining CHC 04:20 Partner after 30 04:52 Co-managing partner 05:20 Growing to 210 people 06:45 You have to believe in something 07:39 Medium-scale projects, long-term people 08:22 Talent across states 10:42 Giving back 12:31 Measuring impact 13:43 B Corp is not a stamp 14:57 Purpose in the interview room 15:54 AI and sustainability 17:30 Cash is king 18:32 Design rationalisation 20:33 No ego in design 21:50 Good passive design costs no more 23:00 Design business in 2036 23:53 Where AI will change the fee 24:51 Paper to CAD to BIM to AI 25:59 Toilet partitions for five years 27:08 Hiring for aptitude and values 27:50 AI and the graduate QA problem 28:16 Learning from peers 29:12 From diamond to square 30:37 Victoria's resilience 31:25 Sydney and feasibility 32:29 State by state 34:41 Lessons from the 1990s recession 35:12 Choosing sectors you believe in 36:27 Strategy isn't set and forget 38:57 Why seniors living 39:37 Find what you're passionate about 40:05 Fighting ageism through design 40:44 Ageing and the housing crisis 44:31 An ageing nation 45:44 Dementia and brain health 46:40 A national conversation on ageing 49:04 No single solution 49:56 Intergenerational models 51:04 Aged care front and centre 52:42 Wrap-up 53:07 Seton's reflection Key Takeaways 1. Business isn't just for business 2. Prove your purpose. 3. Purpose attracts talent. 4. Stability is a strategy 5. Leave your ego at the door. 6. Good design needn't cost more 7. AI will move the fee forward. 8. Graduates still learn from people. 9. Diversify by sector and region 10. Strategy needs constant work. 11. Ageing is a housing issue. 12. Design against ageism. Soundbites: “Business is not just for business. You're not here to make just money. You are here to actually do something better for the world.” — James Kelly, ~06:45 Connect and Follow James Kelly LinkedIn:   / james-edward-kelly   Website: https://www.chc.com.au/people/james-k... References & Resources: Peckvonhartel — where James worked for almost ten years: https://www.pvh.com.au/ Yvonne von Hartel AM — pioneering Victorian architect: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvonne_... Robert Goodliffe — CHC partner who mentored James and led the B Corp process: https://chc.com.au/people/robert-good... -One Heart Foundation — Kenya charity founded by Dean Landy: https://oneheart.co/ Run from Poverty with Dean Landy (Architecture & Design): https://www.architectureanddesign.com... Eltham College — co-founded by CHC founding partner Les Clarke: https://www.elthamcollege.vic.edu.au/ Balibo House Trust — Timor-Leste: https://balibohouse.com/ B Corp Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand (B Lab): https://bcorporation.com.au/ Hassell — B Corp certified practice: https://www.hassellstudio.com/news-ev... HammondCare: https://www.hammond.com.au/ 2023 Intergenerational Report — Australian Treasury: https://treasury.gov.au/publication/2... Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety: https://www.royalcommission.gov.au/ag... SunSmart — Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide (Cancer Council): https://www.sunsmart.com.au/ LET’S BE Inspired 📸   / beinspiredcommunity   📱  / beinspiredpodcast   📸  / beconnected_podcast   🎧 https://open.spotify.com/show/5DbuoR8... 🔗   / @beinspiredpodcast   🎵   / beconnectedpodcast   🌍My website - https://be-inspired.net