Ian Dutch

Managing Director

After 25 years in the industry, I set up Inside the Box Consultancy to work more closely with clients, cut through the complexity and focus on what really matters – delivering great projects with care and precision. I’ve always been passionate about finding smarter ways to do things – spotting gaps in the market, championing new ideas and supporting innovative products that solve real problems and move the industry forward.

I built my career from the ground up, starting as an apprentice and learning every side of the business. At Richmond’s of London, I was instrumental in setting up their projects division – an experience that gave me a solid grounding in the realities of delivery, beyond just design and specification. I went on to found project supplier Utopia Projects, leading and growing the business over seven years.

I then joined C.P. Hart, where I became Projects Director and played a key role in revitalising the division. During my time there, I grew turnover from £2 million to £12 million and oversaw a wide range of hotel and residential schemes – from major developments to smaller bespoke projects built on long-term trust. The role involved close collaboration with leading developers, architects and designers to deliver some of the UK’s most high-profile projects.

Over the years, I’ve been lucky to work with some brilliant people – and their feedback says more than I ever could – read more here

Of course, Inside the Box Consultancy isn’t just me – it’s a team effort. They’re not just part of the business, they’re at the heart of it. Behind every well-run project is a team like this: widely respected, deeply capable and essential to the standard we’re known for. Here’s who’s who.