Own The Build

In the studio today, Paul is joined by Guy Jackson , who is the Founding Partner at Overford , a chartered quantity surveying practice that specialises in problem-solving complex construction and engineering matters. Guy is a Fellow of the RICS and the CIArb and holds a BSc in Construction Commercial Management, an MSc in Construction Law and Dispute Resolution, and a Graduate Diploma in Law. In t...

In the studio today, Paul is joined by Chirag Shah for something different a bit different. Chirag is a recruitment expert, founder, and principal consultant at PACE Global, a Project Controls Recruitment Expert ( View the Community Website Here ). Chirag is a construction recruiter with almost 20 years of experience in Project Control and Commercial roles. Chirag’s mission is to deliver clients t...

This week, Paul is joined by his close friend and QS, Chris Barber . Chris is a Co-Founder at Prosper , a platform helping subcontractors to scale their business and also a passionate advocate for subcontractors on his YouTube channel, School of Sub . In today’s conversation, Chris talks about his recent Open Letter to the Construction Minister backing Project Bank Accounts to protect against the...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Sarah Fox , a construction contract expert and Director at 500 Words , who deliver simple digital trust-enhancing contracts to put construction companies in control. In today’s conversation, we talk about Letters of Intent. Have you ever written a letter of intent in a hurry on a Friday afternoon because works HAVE to start on a Monday If you have, you need to li...

In the studio today, Paul is joined by Emma Stewart , MBE, Co-Founder at TimeWise . Emma is a social entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience working with people, policymakers and businesses to tackle inequalities, improve the world of work and deliver tangible social impact. Emma is passionate about inspiring social change and contributes to numerous government task forces, reports and initi...

In the studio today, I am joined by Connor Mennell . Connor is a Construction solicitor specialising in transactional and contentious dispute work at Gordons LLP . Connor has negotiated and advised on the terms of building contracts and knows the JCT and NEC standard forms. Connor also has experience resolving disputes through litigation, adjudication and mediation and providing commercial advice...

In the studio today, Paul is joined by Yosof Ewing . Yosof is Head Coach at The Contract Coach, who advises construction businesses that wish to work differently and avoid disputes before they happen. Yosof has a wealth of experience as an Expert Witness, Mediator, and Adjudication Party Representative and is a Fellow of the Institute of Construction Claims Practitioners. In today’s conversation,...

In the studio today, we have Lawrence Pearce , a construction solicitor at Holmes & Hills Solicitors . Lawrence is a Construction Lawyer who helps construction companies to avoid costly disputes and keep the money flowing within the industry. Lawrence is a contract law episode, and everyone should follow him on LinkedIn for fantastic insight. In today’s conversation, we focus on Entire Agreeme...

In the studio today, we have Richard Brackstone , CEO of RB Management and Consulting Ltd . Richard is a QS turned consultant who’s unique consultancy has an innovative approach providing specialist, executive-level support to companies in construction with a focus on Risk Management and Commercial Best Practices. In this focused episode on Provisional Sums, Richard explains what Provisional Sums...

In the studio today, we have Daniel Parker, the UK Country Manager for easyToolhire , a platform that simplifies the rental of tools, equipment and machinery. Daniel is a serial entrepreneur interested in blockchain and property and generally doing some good and is currently growing the easyToolhire here in the UK. In this fascinating episode, Daniel explains easyToolhire’s unique business model a...

This week, Paul is joined by Cian Brennan, Managing Director at Quantum Contract Solutions , a company giving “contractual superpowers to construction companies”. Cian helps contractors navigate the choppy waters of construction projects and contracts and provides expert advice. In this contractually focused conversation, we discuss two real-life examples of contractors who were either not being p...

This week, Paul is joined by Andrew Knight, Global Data & Tech Lead at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) , who I think everyone will have heard of. Andrew is a highly experienced technology specialist and is currently leading the program to develop, enhance and gain adoption of RICS’ Data Standards. In this episode, we again focus on the future of the Quantity Surveying role. W...

This week, Paul is joined by Mike Wharton, Chief Executive Officer at Complete Roofing Systems , Allied Roofing and Roof Analytics . Mike is passionate about quality and standards in the delivery of construction and has had an exciting journey from Equity Analyst and Fund Manager to CEO at a roofing subcontractor. I believe that often Main contractors consider subcontractors a commodity and then a...

This week, Paul is joined by Nicola Barden, Managing Director at BSF Solid Surfaces , a specialist subcontractor specialising in 3D Thermoforming and producing bespoke centrepiece designs since 1998. During today’s show, we talk about inflation and how this has affected Nicola’s business in the past few years. Nicola shares tactics on how she has managed her relationship with her suppliers and the...

This week, Paul is joined by Parag Prasad, a Business Coach, focusing heavily on construction. Managing Director at The Business Growth Agency . Parag was awarded London Business Coach of the Year 2019, 2020 and 2021 and focuses heavily on architecture and knows our sector well. The episode was designed as a follow-on to episode 104, which focused on whether a 4-day working week was possible in co...

This week, Paul is joined by Samantha Mepham, Partner - National Head of Health and Safety Services at Rider Levett Bucknall , a global Quantity Surveying and Construction consultancy. In this thought-provoking and informative episode, Samantha first explains how the Building Safety Act will impact contractors and what they should do to adapt to the legislation. Beyond this, the conversation turns...

This week, Paul is joined by his close friend and QS, Chris Barber. Chris is a Co-Founder at Prosper , a platform helping subcontractors to scale their business and also a passionate advocate for subcontractors on his YouTube channel, School of Sub .  In today’s conversation, Chris talks about how main contractors need to start managing subcontractors with empathy and, if they do not, why subcontr...

This week, Paul is joined by Dale Sinclair, the Head of Digital Innovation at WSP . Many of you will know WSP, but if you don’t, WSP is one of the world’s leading engineering professional services firms, with 42000 employees across 40+ countries. In today’s conversation, Dale explains the term ‘Kit-of-parts’ and its relevance to us in the construction sector. Across the conversation, Dale explains...

This week, Paul is joined by Chris Ritson, Senior Risk & Uncertainty Consultant at Safran , a software company building a unified project management solution to help organisations confidently tackle complex capital projects. Chris is an out-and-out risk expert, and Paul wanted to interview him to fully understand the difference between how a Risk Manager and a QS manage risks and what QS’ coul...

This week, Paul is joined by Ian Hepstinall , an Associate Professor in Project Management at the University of Birmingham, a coach, an advisor, and the Author of the Executive Guide to Breakthrough Project Management. Ian is a firm believer in changing the industry. In this conversation, he shares his slightly radical thoughts on changing the industry’s mentality and approach to project managemen...

This week, Paul is joined by Tim Danson, Technical Director of Sustainability at WSP in the UK. Many of you will know WSP, but if you don’t, WSP is one of the world’s leading engineering professional services firms, with over 60,000 employees across 40+ countries. In today’s conversation, Tim talks about how in 2022, humans used a year’s worth of the earth’s resources in just seven months and how...

This week, Paul is joined by Joe Ryle, Director of the 4 Day Week Campaign , Media and Comms Lead for the think tank Autonomy and former advisor to the Shadow Chancellor. Joe is leading the campaign for a four-day, 32-hour working week with no loss of pay, which he argues would benefit workers and employers. In this thought-provoking conversation, Joe lays out the benefits of the 4-day working wee...

This week, Paul is joined by Angela Mansell, Managing Director at Mansell Build , one of the UK’s longest-established and most experienced sub-contractors in the field of SFS, plastering, partitioning, dry-lining and rendering. In today’s conversation, Angela describes her experiences of how main contractors generally treat sub-contractors - what works, what doesn’t work and how she would change t...

This week, Paul is joined by Simon Robinson, a Quantity Surveyor and the Director at Subport , an Award Winning Quantity Surveying Consultancy Supporting Subcontractors to secure their profits. In today’s conversation, Simon and Paul debate how to improve the relationship between Main Contractors and Subcontractors. Across the episode, we discuss how Main Contractors can better manage Subcontracto...

This week, Paul is joined by Patricia Haywood , the Director and Commercial Lead at Haywood Consulting, a construction consultancy leveraging contracts to drive profits. Patricia is a lawyer, QS, adjudicator, mediator, and much more. In this highly insightful episode, Patricia and Paul debate what “getting the contract right” means for Main Contractors and how this is different for subcontractors....