Own The Build

This week, Paul is joined by Peter Searle , Founder of Searle Management Consulting , a consultancy focused on making Contracting businesses more and more profitable. In today’s show, Paul and Peter discuss project delays - the Delay and Disruption Protocol drafted by the Society of Construction Law, As-Planned vs. As-Built and how to submit a successful extension of time claim. If you are on a pr...

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 today’s show, Paul and Andrew discuss how a Quantity Surveyor’s skillset is...

This week, Paul is joined by an experienced Construction Solicitor, Samuel Bawden , Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution at Holmes & Hills . Samuel is also the Chair at Constructing Excellence Essex, and like the rest of us, he is highly passionate about construction. In today’s show, Paul and Samuel discuss common legal and commercial issues in construction contracts and the mistakes contra...

This week, Paul is joined by Len Bunton , the Founder of Bunton Consulting, Vice Chairman of Scottish Mediation, and Chairman of their Excellence in Mediation Committee. Len is also currently the Chairman of the Construction Industry Collective Voice , Commercial and Procurement Group. In today’s show, Len talks passionately about the Conflict Avoidance Pledge , a pledge championed by the RICS and...

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 getting into a pickle. One...

In the studio today, Paul is joined by Owen Drury , a QS and now the Co-Founder of Bilt Renovation , a contractor bringing Residential Home Construction into The 21st Century. In today’s conversation, Owen and I discuss the future of construction. Owen hosts the Bricks & Bytes Podcast interviewing construction technology founders and understands what it takes for technology to break through an...

In the studio today, Paul is joined by Sean Bradley , Contract & Commercial Management Consultant at SB Consultancy . Sean is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, a Fellow of the RICS and has over 30 years of project & commercial management experience on major Civils & Building projects. In today’s conversation, Sean and I discuss claim strategy. What do I mean by this? We have talked about...

In the studio today, Paul is joined by Michelle Hands , a Construction Engineer👷‍♀️Public speaker 📣 Filmmaker & Content Creator and the Director of She who dares, WINS.  Michelle has spent the last 16 years as a Construction Engineer/land Surveyor and, in addition to that, is now dedicating her time to help empower and inspire women who work in traditionally male-dominated fields with her Sh...

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...