As part of our ongoing Commercial Leadership Team series, we’re checking back in with the people helping shape what’s next for Showcase Commercial – one year into their leadership roles.
Following conversations with Will Pearce and Lina Olsson, we now catch up with Peter Yarnold, Head of Strategic Accounts. With more than a decade at Showcase, Peter brings a broad, cross‑sector perspective to client delivery. His role focuses on building long‑term partnerships, supporting complex, multi‑site portfolios, and ensuring clients experience consistency as they grow and evolve.
Hi, Peter! One year into building Strategic Accounts, what feels like the biggest step forward?
“The biggest step forward so far has been empowering others.
Sharing the knowledge and experience I’ve built up over the years has helped people grow, develop, and take on more responsibility. Seeing that progression across the team has been a real marker of how far we’ve come in our first year. It shows that the foundations we’re putting in place are working.”
What’s changed most in how you work with larger or multi‑site clients now?
“Our approach hasn’t really changed, but our execution definitely has.
We invest much more time at the start of the relationship understanding a client’s values and expectations. That allows us to shape a service model that genuinely aligns with their business, rather than reacting as things unfold.
That early clarity leads to smoother delivery, stronger consistency across their portfolio, and ultimately better commercial outcomes for both sides.”
What’s one strategic decision from the past year that’s helped shape this function?
“One of the most impactful decisions has been how we partner with suppliers.
Taking the time to really understand supplier strengths and limitations means we can align capability with the right projects and clients. That’s strengthened delivery, reduced risk, and helped us build a supply chain that genuinely supports our clients’ expectations.”
How has collaborating more closely with the Commercial Leadership Team influenced how you deliver projects?
“Working more closely with the CLT has genuinely strengthened the way I deliver projects.
Between the four of us, there’s over 50 years of industry experience, and tapping into that level of insight brings new perspectives and sharper decision‑making. It means I’m making full use of the expertise in the room and taking a more rounded, informed approach to every project.”
How have clients responded to a more consultative, early‑stage approach?
“Clients have responded really positively.
That more consultative, early‑stage approach gives us the time to shape the brief properly, align expectations, and de‑risk delivery. That upfront investment leads to stronger decisions, fewer changes later on, and final outcomes our clients are genuinely proud of.”
From a client perspective, how has the CLT made Showcase stronger or more consistent?
“It comes back to the range of experience within the team.
Between the four of us, we’ve worked with a hugely diverse client base – from organisations like Clean & Dirty to Bouclé, and many others across different sectors and scales. That breadth of experience means clients can feel confident that whatever their challenge, they’re in safe hands!”
What’s the next evolution you’re keen to bring into Strategic Accounts?
“For me, the next step is applying what we already know works on a wider scale.
We’ve built a strong blueprint, and I’m excited about taking that approach across EMEA. We’re in a really good position to help both new and existing clients create functional, design‑led spaces, while maintaining brand consistency across every location.”
Finally, in a sentence – how would you describe this chapter of Showcase, one year on?
“Back to basics. The CLT has focused heavily on office culture, thoughtful recruitment, and internal knowledge‑sharing – and that’s made us seen us go from strength to strength.”
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