Garriock & Co.

In conversation with Glenn Garriock and Mike Sullivan.

In conversation

The process.

In conversation

The process.

In conversation

The process.

Date

22.05.2026

Words

Glenn & Mike

Made by Folk

So what do you actually do?

We help teams get design sorted when they don’t have the people or the setup to do it themselves. They might be moving too fast to wait on hiring or they need someone senior to lead design but don’t want a full-time hire.

Yes, the key bit is we’re not just matching people up. We’re figuring out what the actual problem is first, then bringing in the right folk and making sure it actually gets done properly.

So what do you actually do?

Yes, the key bit is we’re not just matching people up. We’re figuring out what the actual problem is first, then bringing in the right folk and making sure it actually gets done properly.

So what do you actually do?

Yes, the key bit is we’re not just matching people up. We’re figuring out what the actual problem is first, then bringing in the right folk and making sure it actually gets done properly.

You’re not an agency though? Or one of those staffing platforms?

God, no. Agencies have account managers, layers of people, juniors filling time sheets. Platforms give you access to talent but you’re still doing all the work—briefs, vetting, managing everything.

We’re more like your design partner. We write the brief, find the right people, stay involved to make sure it goes well. Senior people only. No overhead, no nonsense.

You’re not an agency though? Or one of those staffing platforms?

We’re more like your design partner. We write the brief, find the right people, stay involved to make sure it goes well. Senior people only. No overhead, no nonsense.

You’re not an agency though? Or one of those staffing platforms?

We’re more like your design partner. We write the brief, find the right people, stay involved to make sure it goes well. Senior people only. No overhead, no nonsense.

“

Most

projects

off-track

because

the

brief

isn’t

clear.

fix

that

first.

Glenn

Walk me through how it works.

Right, so it always starts with understanding. We spend proper time upfront because most projects go sideways when the brief’s unclear.

Work starts. Talent’s working directly with you, but we’re reviewing work, in the important meetings, steering things when needed.

We help teams get design sorted when they don’t have the people or the setup to do it themselves. Could be they’re moving too fast to wait on hiring. Could be they need someone senior to lead design but don’t want a full-time hire.

And if you’re building your own team eventually, we help you do that properly too.

Walk me through how it works.

Right, so it always starts with understanding. We spend proper time upfront because most projects go sideways when the brief’s unclear.

Work starts. Talent’s working directly with you, but we’re reviewing work, in the important meetings, steering things when needed.

And if you’re building your own team eventually, we help you do that properly too.

Walk me through how it works.

Right, so it always starts with understanding. We spend proper time upfront because most projects go sideways when the brief’s unclear.

Work starts. Talent’s working directly with you, but we’re reviewing work, in the important meetings, steering things when needed.

And if you’re building your own team eventually, we help you do that properly too.

“

Everyone

bring

someone

know.

rolling

the

dice.

Glenn

How do you make sure the work’s actually good?

Personal vetting, mainly. Everyone in our network is someone we know. We’re not scrolling through portfolios hoping for the best.

And we don’t disappear after introductions. We’re reviewing work, we’re in the room for big decisions, and if something’s not working, we sort it.

Plus there’s accountability. Client pays us, we pay the talent. If someone’s not performing, we handle it. You’re not stuck managing that.

We also won’t bring in someone who’s not right just to fill a slot. If we can’t find someone great, we’ll tell you straight.

How do you make sure the work’s actually good?

Personal vetting, mainly. Everyone in our network is someone we know. We’re not scrolling through portfolios hoping for the best.

And we don’t disappear after introductions. We’re reviewing work, we’re in the room for big decisions, and if something’s not working, we sort it.

Plus there’s accountability. Client pays us, we pay the talent. If someone’s not performing, we handle it. You’re not stuck managing that.

We also won’t bring in someone who’s not right just to fill a slot. If we can’t find someone great, we’ll tell you straight.

How do you make sure the work’s actually good?

Personal vetting, mainly. Everyone in our network is someone we know. We’re not scrolling through portfolios hoping for the best.

And we don’t disappear after introductions. We’re reviewing work, we’re in the room for big decisions, and if something’s not working, we sort it.

Plus there’s accountability. Client pays us, we pay the talent. If someone’s not performing, we handle it. You’re not stuck managing that.

We also won’t bring in someone who’s not right just to fill a slot. If we can’t find someone great, we’ll tell you straight.

“

can’t

find

someone

great,

we’ll

tell

you

straight.

filler.

Mike

What are the different ways you work with people?

Three main ways. First is "bridge to in-house"—you need design now while you’re hiring. We get things moving, then help with the handoff. Usually 3–6 months.

Second is fractional leadership. You need someone senior running design but don’t want the full-time commitment. We’re your ongoing partner.

Third is project-based. Rebrand, product launch, campaign—we scope it, build the team, deliver it.

What are the different ways you work with people?

Three main ways. First is "bridge to in-house"—you need design now while you’re hiring. We get things moving, then help with the handoff. Usually 3–6 months.

Second is fractional leadership. You need someone senior running design but don’t want the full-time commitment. We’re your ongoing partner.

Third is project-based. Rebrand, product launch, campaign—we scope it, build the team, deliver it.

What are the different ways you work with people?

Three main ways. First is "bridge to in-house"—you need design now while you’re hiring. We get things moving, then help with the handoff. Usually 3–6 months.

Second is fractional leadership. You need someone senior running design but don’t want the full-time commitment. We’re your ongoing partner.

Third is project-based. Rebrand, product launch, campaign—we scope it, build the team, deliver it.

Let’s talk money. How’s it work?

Dead simple. One invoice from us. We handle all the payments and admin. Our fee’s a transparent markup on the talent costs.

Rough ranges: small projects, £20-30k. Medium stuff, £25-60k. Big projects, £60k to £150k+. Fractional leadership’s usually £6-12k a month.

We’ll give you a fixed quote once we understand what you’re after. No surprises.

Let’s talk money. How’s it work?

Dead simple. One invoice from us. We handle all the payments and admin. Our fee’s a transparent markup on the talent costs.

Rough ranges: small projects, £20-30k. Medium stuff, £25-60k. Big projects, £60k to £150k+. Fractional leadership’s usually £6-12k a month.

We’ll give you a fixed quote once we understand what you’re after. No surprises.

Let’s talk money. How’s it work?

Dead simple. One invoice from us. We handle all the payments and admin. Our fee’s a transparent markup on the talent costs.

Rough ranges: small projects, £20-30k. Medium stuff, £25-60k. Big projects, £60k to £150k+. Fractional leadership’s usually £6-12k a month.

We’ll give you a fixed quote once we understand what you’re after. No surprises.

How fast can you move?

Pretty fast. Week one we’re getting the brief sorted. Week two we’re assembling people and contracts. Week three, work starts.

Sometimes faster. Sometimes a bit longer if we're hunting for someone really specific. But fast’s how we’re set up.

How fast can you move?

Pretty fast. Week one we’re getting the brief sorted. Week two we’re assembling people and contracts. Week three, work starts.

Sometimes faster. Sometimes a bit longer if we're hunting for someone really specific. But fast’s how we’re set up.

How fast can you move?

Pretty fast. Week one we’re getting the brief sorted. Week two we’re assembling people and contracts. Week three, work starts.

Sometimes faster. Sometimes a bit longer if we're hunting for someone really specific. But fast’s how we’re set up.

“

Our

default

fast.

That’s

how

we’re

built.

Mike

What’s the minimum project size?

Generally around £20k. Below that, doing it properly doesn't make sense for anyone.

What’s the minimum project size?

Generally around £20k. Below that, doing it properly doesn't make sense for anyone.

What’s the minimum project size?

Generally around £20k. Below that, doing it properly doesn't make sense for anyone.

Any final thoughts for teams thinking about working with you?

If you're moving fast and can't wait months to hire, or you need senior design direction without the full-time commitment, we should talk.

And if you're not sure what you need, that's alright. We're good at figuring that out.

Just don't wait until you're properly stuck. Earlier's always easier.

Any final thoughts for teams thinking about working with you?

If you're moving fast and can't wait months to hire, or you need senior design direction without the full-time commitment, we should talk.

And if you're not sure what you need, that's alright. We're good at figuring that out.

Just don't wait until you're properly stuck. Earlier's always easier.

Any final thoughts for teams thinking about working with you?

If you're moving fast and can't wait months to hire, or you need senior design direction without the full-time commitment, we should talk.

And if you're not sure what you need, that's alright. We're good at figuring that out.

Just don't wait until you're properly stuck. Earlier's always easier.