Karan & Co

06/10/2026

100 EPISODES
93 COUNTRIES
12,839 DOWNLOADS
ALMOST FOUR YEARS OF BUILDING DOORS

Today marks a pretty special milestone — Building Doors with Lauren Karan has officially reached 100 episodes.

What began almost four years ago as an idea to create a space for honest and meaningful conversations has grown into a podcast reaching listeners across 93 countries around the world.

Across 100 episodes, Lauren has sat down with an incredible mix of leaders, changemakers and industry professionals to have conversations about the things that really matter — leadership, resilience, innovation, inclusion, culture, careers and the future of construction, engineering and infrastructure.

There have been stories of success, but also stories about setbacks, difficult decisions, lessons learned and the experiences that have shaped people into the leaders they are today.

And that was always what Building Doors was intended to be about — real people, real experiences and conversations that might challenge our thinking or open a door for someone else.

For our 100th episode, we’re celebrating the journey by looking back at some of the insights, ideas and people who have helped shape Building Doors along the way.

A huge thank you to every guest who has trusted us with their story, every listener who has tuned in and everyone who has shared, supported and been part of Building Doors over the past four years.

100 episodes. 93 countries. 12,839 downloads. And so many conversations still to come.

Here’s to continuing to have courageous conversations, challenge assumptions and open doors for others.

🎧 Listen to Episode 100: Celebrating 100 Episodes – The Insights, Ideas and People Shaping Construction

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/100-celebrating-100-episodes-the-insights-ideas/id1650233110?i=1000793495723

Podcast Episode · Building Doors with Lauren Karan · 6 October · 29min

02/10/2026

After 20 years, I have learnt that hiring a leader is never simply about filling a role.
It is about understanding the business problem, the environment, the people and the future that person will help create.

The right appointment can strengthen a culture, build capability, unlock growth and leave a positive impact that reaches far beyond one individual. The wrong appointment can be costly, not only commercially, but for the confidence and careers of the people around them.

That is why executive search deserves depth, curiosity, honesty and care.
The longer I work in recruitment, the less interested I am in finding the person who looks perfect on paper. I am far more interested in finding the person whose character, capability and leadership are right for the organisation, and creating the conditions for both to succeed together.

Perhaps that is the greatest lesson of all. We are not simply hiring leaders for the business as it stands today. We are choosing the people who will help shape what it becomes next.

Read our latest article “What 20 Years in Recruitment Has Taught Me About Hiring Leaders” on Linkedin.

As my career in recruitment has evolved from those early days mobilising projects into strategic search and finding the right role fit I really have been reflecting recently about what it’s taught me about hiring leaders. Earlier in my career I would often pay more attention to resumes and speed w...

29/09/2026

Well this was an episode we can’t wait to release on the Building Doors Podcast with the incredible Bec Wilson founder of Epic Retirement Pro

Hosting this episode, I learnt that just 30% of our workforce go into retirement voluntarily.

I also learnt that in our late 40’s as discussed in Bec’s book “Prime Time” is when we can start to lay the foundations for our ideal retirement too.

This episode is going to be so impactful for our network and I can’t wait to share it with you and so many of Bec’s valuable insights.

Watch this space.

28/09/2026

We’re recruiting an Estimating Manager for JF Hull in Brisbane.

This is an opportunity for an experienced civil estimator who wants more than simply managing tenders. JF Hull is growing its civil capability and is looking for someone who can help shape how the estimating function, team and systems develop as the business moves into its next phase.

The role offers:
Real opportunity to shape the estimating function: Genuine influence over how the civil estimating capability and team develops.
Exposure to major infrastructure opportunities: Work across significant Queensland road and civil tenders, including sophisticated JV and alliance environments.
A smaller, relationship-focused business where your contribution is visible: Direct access to senior leadership, less corporate bureaucracy and the opportunity to work on major infrastructure without feeling like a small part of a huge organisation.
Reporting to the Pre Contracts Manager, you’ll lead civil estimating across a growing pipeline of road, earthworks, pavement and broader transport infrastructure opportunities, including major civil packages and collaborative pursuits with JV partners.

For the right person, there is also a genuine longer-term pathway into broader Pre Contracts leadership.

Brisbane, QLD
Permanent | JF Hull
Karan & Co is managing this appointment exclusively. For a confidential conversation, contact Lauren Karan on 0429 009 034 or [email protected]

25/09/2026

Before asking whether you’ve found the right person, ask whether you’ve created the right role.

In recruitment, we often spend a lot of time assessing whether a candidate has the capability and experience to succeed.

But capability alone isn’t enough.

As Lauren Karan explains, there are three important elements that help people succeed and stay engaged in a role: role clarity, autonomy and competency.

A title and position description don’t necessarily create clarity.

Before recruitment begins, leaders should be able to clearly articulate:

• Why does this role exist?
• What needs to change or be achieved?
• What outcomes is this person responsible for?
• What decisions can they make?
• What will success actually look like?

Without that clarity, even a highly capable person can enter a business without a clear understanding of what they are there to deliver.

A strong hiring brief gives both the organisation and the candidate a much clearer foundation from the beginning.

At Karan & Co, this is why we place so much importance on defining the role before we begin searching for the person.

The right hire starts with the right brief.

22/09/2026

Shout out to Timothy Clough at Clearshot Digital | Brisbane Digital Agency for the great work not only recording our podcast Building Doors Podcast but also helping us with professional quality videos for the business.

As we head to our 100th episode it’s not lost on me how much work goes into a small business bringing together these podcasts in such a professional and organised process.

17/09/2026

Yesterday, Karan & Co Senior Recruiter Jolein Jeursen attended the IAQ (Infrastructure Association of Queensland Inc) Sunshine Coast Infrastructure Insights Luncheon at Maroochy Surf Club.

It was a valuable afternoon of discussion around the future of infrastructure, transport and the legacy of the 2032 Games for the Sunshine Coast.

One of the strongest themes from the afternoon was the importance of intentional growth.

As the Sunshine Coast continues to grow, the challenge is not simply delivering more infrastructure. It is about connecting communities, creating housing and economic opportunities and ensuring the region has the skilled people and capability needed to deliver what comes next, while protecting the lifestyle and character that make the Coast such a great place to live and work.

The discussion around transport, including The Wave, highlighted the role infrastructure can play in shaping more connected and accessible communities. And with the 2032 Games approaching, the real legacy will be measured by what remains long after the Games are over.

Better transport. Stronger communities. Housing. Economic opportunity. Health and education. And infrastructure that supports the Sunshine Coast well into the future.

Thank you to IAQ and event supporters Arup and EY-Parthenon, along with Mayor Rosanna Natoli, Peter Saba, Penny Ford, Seija Wellington and Isaac Bromley for sharing their perspectives.

It is an exciting time for the Sunshine Coast and for the people and organisations helping shape what comes next.

15/09/2026

Happy 10th birthday Helix Legal!!! What a massive achievement worth celebrating and was so great to see so many familiar faces

14/09/2026

When a role has been vacant for too long, the pressure starts to build.

Teams become stretched. Work slows down. Clients start asking questions. And naturally, the focus can quickly become: **how fast can we fill this role?**

But the fastest appointment isn’t always the right one.

At an executive level, one person can influence decisions, culture, client trust and the performance of an entire team.

So perhaps the better question isn’t *how quickly can we fill this role?*

It’s **who can carry the weight of what comes next?**

Because recruitment isn’t simply about solving today’s problem. It’s about building tomorrow’s capability.

Lauren Karan shares more in this short video.

11/09/2026

We’re recruiting an Estimating Manager – Brisbane for an established Queensland civil infrastructure contractor entering an exciting phase of growth.

With a strong reputation in bridges and structures, the business is expanding its capability across roads, earthworks, pavements and broader civil infrastructure and is looking for an experienced Estimating Manager to help lead that next chapter. An exceptional Senior Estimator ready to step into leadership will also be considered.

This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for someone with strong first-principles civil estimating experience who can lead and develop a team while remaining close to major tenders.

You’ll work across significant Queensland infrastructure opportunities, collaborate with JV and alliance partners and play a key role in strengthening the organisation’s civil estimating capability.

We’re looking for someone who combines technical estimating strength with strong people skills – commercially astute, collaborative and confident presenting and defending estimates with senior stakeholders, clients and project partners.

For the right person, there is also genuine potential to progress into broader pre-contracts leadership as the business continues to grow.

📍 Brendale, Brisbane
📞 Lauren Karan | 0429 009 034
📧 [email protected]

For a confidential discussion about the opportunity, contact Lauren Karan at Karan & Co.