Create and Construct

In this episode of Create & Construct: The Podcast, we explore the critical role manufacturing plays in the built environment and why construction starts long before anything reaches site.   Michelle McNeill is joined by Stephen Kelly, Chief Executive of Manufacturing NI, to discuss how manufacturers underpin every stage of construction, from materials and systems through to innovation and del...

What actually makes paving perform long term? In this episode of Create & Construct: The Podcast, Technical Expert. Sam McBride answers the questions specifiers and contractors deal with every day - BS 7533:101, traffic categories, subgrade strength, block thickness and laying patterns. If you’re working on driveways, car parks, public realm or housing developments, this episode gives a clear,...

After a recent webinar sparked hundreds of questions across the industry, we’re continuing the conversation. In the latest episode of Create & Construct: The Podcast, we sit down with Michael McIvor-New to explore the growing role of SuDS in modern housing developments and why traditional drainage approaches are no longer keeping pace with today’s rainfall. The discussion focuses on real quest...

In this episode of Create & Construct: The Podcast, host Michelle is joined by Grant Henshaw, Building Physicist and Research Fellow at the University of Salford, and Tom Greening, Strategic Account Manager at Tobermore, to discuss how homes perform past the design stage in the real world.   The discussion explores energy efficiency, heat pumps, insulation and retrofitting, along with occupant...

In this episode of Create & Construct: The Podcast, Michelle is joined by Martha Penney, Senior Quantity Surveyor at Taylor Wimpey, for an honest conversation about women in construction, career progression and the reality of working in a commercially influential role.   Together, they discuss how the construction industry is evolving, the importance of visibility, mentorship and male allies,...

Is landscape a finishing touch… or essential infrastructure? In this episode of Create & Construct: The Podcast, we’re joined by award-winning landscape architect Jane McCorkell, who brings over 25 years of experience shaping public realm and private developments across the UK & Ireland. From planning visuals to construction realities, Jane shares an honest look at what happens when budget...

Housebuilders are under more pressure than ever to deliver homes on time, with little margin for error. In this episode, Michelle speaks with Krisa, Housebuilding Team Manager at Tobermore, about the real challenges facing housing developments today - from supply uncertainty to programme pressure. They explore why early engagement with suppliers is critical, how reliable delivery keeps sites movin...

Flooding is no longer a seasonal issue - it’s a design failure. In this episode, we explore why traditional drainage systems are struggling under extreme rainfall and how SuDS-compliant permeable paving reduces flood risk by slowing water at source. Tobermore specialist Michael McIvor-New debunks maintenance myths, explains real-world performance during heavy rainfall, and shares what designers mu...

In our debut episode, Michelle sits down with Alex Walther, Head of Retaining Walls at Tobermore, to explore why retaining walls are becoming a common feature on more and more projects. We unpack the mistakes that can quietly cost projects time and budget, and what customers really want from a retaining wall solution -beyond just strength and structure. Alex also shares insights into longevity and...