Own The Build

In this episode, Paul meets Stuart Green , a Professor of Construction Management at the University of Reading.  Stuart researches construction sector policy and has just authored Making Sense of Construction Improvement. This book critically evaluates the construction improvement debate from 1945 to the modern era. Across the episode, Paul and Stuart discuss the business models of Main Contractor...

Join Paul this week as he welcomes Len Bunton , the Founder of Bunton Consulting, Vice Chairman of Scottish Mediation, and Chairman of their Excellence in Mediation Committee. Len also currently chairs the Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV), Commercial and Procurement Group. In this episode, Paul and Len revisit the Conflict Avoidance Pledge (CAP), a vital initiative championed by the R...

In this episode, Paul reunites with Richard Brackstone , a former Quantity Surveyor turned Consultant renowned for his innovative approach to providing executive-level support to construction companies, specialising in Risk Management and Commercial Best Practices. Returning after his insightful episode 117 appearance, Richard delves into Mitigation Obligations within Construction Contracts, offer...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Justin Fellows , the Founder of 53 Quantum, an Independent Quantity Surveying consultancy specialising in Expert Analysis for Construction Lawyers and Commercial Directors navigating complex claims and disputes.  Justin, a skilled Data Analyst, takes centre stage in this discussion focused on Data Visualisation. Discover how Justin leverages Data Visualisation to...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Jonah Balmford , Associate Director at Henry Riley, Head of Carbon Advisory, Head of APC, and an RICS Matrics Committee Member. In today’s conversation, Paul and Jonah discuss the transition from QS to Project Manager that Jonah made, the differences and why Jonah recommends that any QS does it.  In his new role as Head of Carbon Advisory, we discuss the state of...

This episode features Paul and Chris Barber , the Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) at C-Link and Prosper .  Together, they delve into the current state of supply chain management in the construction industry.  For many main contractors, supply chain management often boils down to an outdated Excel spreadsheet listing subcontractors. This antiquated method offers little real-time information and expos...

In this episode, Paul is joined by William Doyle , CEO at Gather. William is an RICS chartered quantity surveyor who founded Gather in 2017 to capture and analyse site data. Gather aims to do what currently takes hours, days, and weeks in seconds. In today’s conversation, Paul and Wiiliam discuss the Office of National Statistics report that showed the UK Construction Industry was more productive...

This week, Paul is joined by Jon Watts , the Procurement and Supply Chain Director at Hayfield Homes. In this follow-up to Episode 147, where they laid the groundwork on the disparities between Buying and Subcontract Procurement, Paul and Jon take their discussion to new heights. Jon discusses in great detail today how he differentiates Strategic Procurement from General Buying and the art of nego...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Rob Hubbard , a QS and fellow of the RICS, an expert witness, adjudicator, arbitrator, and mediator. In today’s conversation, Paul and Rob delve into a treasure test of dispute experience, whether mediation, adjudication, or arbitration. Rob shares three contract clauses catching people out in today’s market and provides guidelines on managing the process effecti...

This week, Paul is joined by his close friend and QS, Chris Barber . Chris is a Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) at C-Link . Any main contractor knows the importance of getting subcontracts signed ASAP. Yet, many rely on condition precedents around payment to get contracts signed or just accept them by commencement clauses. In today’s conversation, Chris explains his experiences as both Main and Subc...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Ray Mellor-Pike , a QS and Managing Director of his own Consultant QS practice. In today’s conversation, Paul and Ray discuss the final account process and share experiences of how they have both approached the meetings in the past and how Ray now approaches all kinds of negotiations inspired by a podcast he listened to on hostage negotiations. -- Your Free Ticke...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Martin Burns , Head of ADR Research and Development at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Martin’s role is to develop tailored dispute avoidance and resolution strategies for governments and businesses in the UK and globally. In today’s conversation, Paul and Martin discuss low-value disputes and the model Adjudication Procedure (LVD MAP) launch...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Brian Moone FCIOB MRICS , the Director of Mace Business School. Brian is a former Project Manager and Director of Supply Chain Management at Mace. In today’s conversation, Paul and Brian discuss the importance of an integrated Supply Chain, how Mace tries to tackle this in a totally unique way with its Business School and how the word collaboration can hold real...

This week, Paul is joined by his close friend and QS, Chris Barber . Chris is a Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) at C-Link and Prosper and a passionate advocate for subcontractors on his YouTube channel, School of Sub . For any Quantity Surveyor out there, whether you are a Trainee or now a Commercial Director, you will know the Tender Analysis process and likely won’t much enjoy the prospect of doin...

In this episode, Paul is joined by two colleagues from Arup, Ian Gordon , a former QS who describes himself as “Doing some data stuff for the built & natural environment”, and Ola Gwozdz , who describes herself as a Data Philosopher. In today’s conversation, Ola and Ian explain the importance of Data in the Built Environment and share how Arup works towards a data revolution and what this mean...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Ellie Carswell , Award Winning Construction Project Manager | Founder and Chair of G4C Kent Club | Constructing Excellence Kent Vice Chair. In this conversation, we discuss how Ellie sees the relationship between Project Managers and Quantity Surveyors and how this relationship can be improved to bring maximum value to the project. We also discuss Ellie’s article...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Doug Johnson , founder and director at Mesh Energy, an independent and trusted services consultant focusing on providing innovative sustainable energy services to clients, architects, and the construction industry. In today’s conversation, we discussed the design process and how best to manage it, explicitly considering M & E and services design. So often, in...

This week, Paul is joined by his close friend and QS, Chris Barber . Chris is the Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) at C-Link and Prosper and a passionate advocate for subcontractors on his YouTube channel, School of Sub . This week's conversation centres on an article about construction procurement routes. Main Contracting, as we know it, had its origins in the 19th century, and aside from the i...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Sarah Fox , a construction contract expert and Director at 500 Words , who delivers simple digital trust-enhancing contracts to put construction companies in control. In today’s conversation, we discussed Sarah’s book - “How to Write Simple and Effective Subcontract Agreements in Just 500 Words”. Sarah was inspired to write this book for “all the talented constru...

This week, Paul is joined by William Temperley , Managing Director at Fortis Foundations, Civil Engineering and Piling Specialists serving the Rail, Civils, Energy, Residential and Water sectors. Will is a fascinating individual who set up his own Specialist Contractor some years ago and has a fascination with company culture that stems from his experience of being an integral Rugby team member, s...

 This week, Paul is joined by Tom Haley , Director and Founder at Quantik. Tom is a Construction Claims Specialist and Quantum Expert Witness Tom is a Commercial and procurement specialist with experience leading business units and significant projects in the UK, Australia and Hong Kong within main contractor, subcontractor and supplier businesses. He is an expert in commercial recovery, procuring...

This week, Paul is joined by his close friend and QS, Chris Barber . Chris is a Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) at C-Link and Prosper and a passionate advocate for subcontractors on his YouTube channel, School of Sub .  Today’s conversation centres on a piece of research and writing that Paul undertook for the RICS, reflecting on how construction labour and materials costs developed in 2023 and focu...

This week, Paul is joined by Anil Sawhney , Director of the Infrastructure Sector at the RICS.  Anil leads the emerging RICS initiative and strategy on placing and positioning the Institution within the field of excellent commercial management of projects globally with a primary focus on the (economic) Infrastructure sector, defined by the RICS as transport, utilities, energy and similar fields. I...

This week, Paul is joined by Louise Stewart , CEO and Founder at ProjectPay, a tech company revolutionising global payments in building and construction. Louise argues that the construction industry’s payment landscape is riddled with inefficiencies, delays, and non-payments, especially for smaller players, and she wants to change this. We talk about how ProjectPay is disrupting the world of const...

This week, Paul is joined in the studio by Noble Francis, Economics Director at the Construction Products Association, PhD in Applied Econometrics and Honorary Professor at the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, UCL. Noble has been making waves in the industry with his easily digestible insights into market indicators such as brick deliveries and mortgage approvals. His posts provide fol...