Own The Build

Today's guest is Samuel Bawden , Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution at Holmes & Hills. Sam returns to the show to unpack key legal cases from 2024 and explore their impact on construction professionals, including Quantity Surveyors and Contract Managers. 🔹 Collateral Warranties and Construction Contracts: Sam explains the Abbey Healthcare case and its debate on whether collateral war...

Today, Paul is joined by Scott Coulton , Founding Director of Nexus Consult, a boutique construction consultancy with offices in Manchester and London. Nexus Consult supports subcontractors, contractors, employers, and law firms across the UK and Middle East. Master the Construction Act: Scott explains how to navigate payment provisions and avoid costly mistakes with payment notices and applicatio...

In our latest listener-driven Question Time episode, Paul Heming and Chris Barber delve into the most pressing challenges faced by QSs and construction professionals. Covering topics from variations to supply chain fairness, this is your go-to resource for practical advice and expert insights. 📅 Reminder: We’ll be hosting this Q&A episode once a month – send your questions to paul@c-link.com...

In this episode, Paul Heming and Chris Barber reflect on their Quantity Surveying careers, the origins of C-Link, and the evolution of Own the Build . What You’ll Learn: Defining the Role of a Commercial Director What sets a Commercial Director apart from senior commercial managers, and how have the expectations of this role evolved over the years? Lessons from Role Models What behaviours and trai...

Today, Paul meets Rob Dean , a leading expert at the intersection of construction, arbitration, and technology. Rob shares his insights on how AI and blockchain might transform dispute resolution and what this means for the industry's future. Decentralised Arbitration : Rob introduces Kleros, a decentralised arbitration platform, and explains its innovative role in resolving disputes. The Tec...

Scaling a construction business is no small feat, but Greg Wilkes , Founder of Develop Coaching , has the blueprint to help you succeed.  In this episode, Greg shares his story of rebuilding after failure and reveals his proven framework to help businesses grow sustainably while maintaining profitability. Discover the Five Pillars of Success: Plan, Attract, Convert, Deliver, and Scale. Boost Your...

Procurement is one of construction’s biggest challenges, but Chris Mackenzie-Grieve has spent his career redefining how it’s done. From M&A to transforming delivery rates at the Ministry of Justice, Chris shares key lessons and innovations in procurement and value creation. Career Transformation: Chris discusses how his journey from trades to M&A reshaped his approach to procurement. The V...

In our first-ever listener-driven Question Time episode, Paul Heming and Chris Barber tackle your most pressing questions on Quantity Surveying, contract management, variations, and lessons learned. 📅 Reminder: We’ll be hosting this Q&A episode once a month – send your questions to paul@c-link.com to have them featured! What You’ll Learn: 🔹 What Makes a Great QS? What skills are essential fo...

In this milestone episode, Paul Heming and Chris Barber reflect on their Quantity Surveying careers, the origins of C-Link, and the evolution of Own the Build . What You’ll Learn: 🔹 Lessons in Quantity Surveying Paul shares career-defining moments: managing teams in his 20s, seminal moments and how certain projects shaped his outlook. 🔹 The C-Link Story The challenges, milestones, and vision beh...

In this unique episode, the tables are turned as Paul takes on questions from a listener-turned-interviewer, Matt , diving into both career advice and technical QS topics. From breaking down his career journey to offering insights into commercial management, Paul provides practical answers to questions submitted by listeners. 🔍 Key Topics: Career Progression : Paul shares how he achieved rapid ca...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Damian James , Director and Practicing Expert at Damian James Delay and Quantum Experts, to explore the dynamics of delay, disruption, and the importance of assertiveness in managing construction disputes. 🔍 Key Topics: Challenges in Construction Culture : Damian discusses the cultural issues in construction, such as the reluctance to deliver bad news and the im...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Marcus Siddons , Director of Baker Wilkins & Smith, an international firm of construction consultants with a long history of working in the Middle East. Marcus shares insights from his family business, founded in 1955 and has grown significantly across the Gulf region, including Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Key Topics: Challenges in the Middle East Market : Marc...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Ali Mafi , a project management expert with over 200 construction projects. Ali shares his insights on how adopting a continuous flow approach and rethinking time management can revolutionise construction project delivery. 🔍 Key Topics: Batch Processing vs. Continuous Flow : Why traditional batch processing causes inefficiencies and how a flow-based system can a...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Ryan , Chair of Deconstruction, an initiative to rebrand the construction industry to tackle its image problem. With insights from his career and a revealing YouGov survey, Ryan explains why 68% of the public wouldn’t consider a career in construction and what can be done to change that. 🔍 Key Topics: Industry Perception Problems : Why construction is associated...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Parm Bhangal , QS, an Entrepreneur, Construction Expert, Business Coach, Keynote Speaker, and founder of Bhangals Construction Consultants, to discuss the challenges of low tendering in construction. Pitfalls of Low Tenders : Parm explains why low tenders can be problematic, leading to inaccurate pricing, compromised quality, and hidden costs. Real-Life Example :...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Hilan Shah , a QS and Founder of Construction Mastery a company whose mission is to create as many World Class Construction pros as possible that go on to uplift, influence and impact the construction industry.  Together, Paul and Hilan discuss how quantity surveyors (QSs) can advance their careers and become indispensable. Evolving Role of QSs : We explore how t...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Ali M Saad , an academic researcher and scholar on innovation, modernisation, digitalisation, and improvement in the UK construction industry. An advocate of change in an industry of traditionalists. We explore the concept of 'innovation negativism'—how past failures in construction innovation have led stakeholders to be cautious about adopting new appr...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Matthew Greenhalgh , Director at ICRS Consult, to explore the world of construction claims management and dispute resolution. Matthew shares his journey in the construction industry, reflecting on the complexities of managing claims and why there is a lack of resources like books on this topic. He discusses the essential skills he developed to navigate this chall...

This episode features Paul and Chris Barber , Chief Visionary Officer at C-Link, to tackle the challenges of managing Provisional Sums in construction projects. Provisional Sums in Focus: Chris explains what Provisional Sums are, their purpose in contracts, and the risks they pose if not properly managed. Realistic Scenario – Landscaping Provisional Sum: Imagine managing a high-rise project where...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Eric Anderton , an expert in construction leadership and author of 'Construction Genius.’ Since 2004, Eric has been instrumental in helping construction companies boost profits, reduce overheads, and build effective teams. Paul shares his experience leading a team of quantity surveyors at a young age without formal training—a scenario all too common in the i...

Catch up on C-Link's Digital Maturity Event here - GET MY SEAT . In this episode, Paul is joined by Iain McIlwee , the CEO of the Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS), an organisation uniting the supply chain to raise standards and drive quality in the Finishes, Fit-out, and Interiors Sector. Paul and Iain discuss the FIS Manifesto, drafted before the 2024 UK elections, and the often-overlooke...

Register for your seat at the Digital Maturity Event for Free here - GET MY SEAT . In this episode, Paul is joined by James Garner , Global Head of Data, Insights, and Analytics at Gleeds, to discuss the state of digital maturity in construction and the future of AI and data-driven technologies. Market Sentiment and Digital Maturity : James shares his reflections on current tendering trends, capac...

Register for your seat at the Digital Maturity Event for Free here - GET MY SEAT . This episode features Paul and Chris Barber , Chief Visionary Officer at C-Link, to break down the complexities of procuring a groundworks package. Defining Groundworks : Chris explains what groundworks involve—excavation, foundations, drainage, and site preparation—and why they are critical to project success. Impa...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Rob Valenta , the Inventor of Claim Movies & Forensic Graphics used in Construction Disputes worldwide. Rob has 15 years of experience utilising this unique approach. Paul and his guest explore the fascinating journey from no interest in construction to creating claim movies. Background and Transition : From art and design to construction claim movies. Innova...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Patrick Carroll , QS and Founder of Carroll Estimating. This business provides a team of Contractor Quantity Surveyors and Estimators for less cost than one QS employee. Paul and Patrick explore the intricacies of on-account payments and their critical role in maintaining smooth cash flow within construction projects. Challenges and Solutions : Common issues with...