The Power of Construction

The real danger to U.K. construction isn’t that AI will replace people—it’s that poor design and lost expertise are costing billions before a single brick is laid. Mark Snell, Technical Director at Dalkia UK and a driving force at the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), explains why AI, regulatory change, and workforce shifts aren’t threats—they’re the tools to fix a system already u...

We call it “strategy,” but what if that word has lost its meaning in construction? Helen Gawor breaks down why construction strategies fail—and what real strategy looks like when it inspires your people, not just your boardroom. She calls out the industry’s addiction to lagging indicators, the dangers of blame culture, and why a "no bad news" mindset kills performance. You want transformation? Sta...

Futurist Nikolas Badminton challenges the industry to reimagine what’s possible when we move from “what is” to “what if.” He introduces the Four Futures reshaping construction: Design, Decision-Making, Productivity, and Workforce. These aren’t predictions—they’re invitations to explore how augmented intelligence, global labor shifts, and a renewed sense of purpose are already changing how we build...

Everyone says construction needs to innovate—but no one agrees on who’s actually responsible for making it happen. Is it the owner? The builders? The tech vendor? Or is innovation everyone’s job—and therefore no one’s? In this episode, Amy Marks, SVP of Innovation at Compass Datacenters, breaks down why innovation in construction gets stuck and what it really takes to move the needle. We dig into...

In a market where cost, speed, and quality are table stakes, owners are demanding more than projects delivered on time and on budget. They want trusted partners who bring strategy, intelligence, and collaboration to every phase. In this episode, Skanska's Regional Executive Officer, Anita Nelson, shares how owner–contractor relationships are evolving, why operating models must shift alongside stra...

Everyone’s talking about AI in construction — but are we asking the harder questions: Who owns the intelligence AI creates? Whose data powers it? And what happens when AI is wrong? In this episode of The Power of Construction, we look beyond the hype to explore what true data and AI readiness means for our industry. From subcontractor IP to data agreements, we unpack how governance, trust, and col...

In this episode of The Power of Construction, we explore how AI is reshaping not only construction but the way organizations everywhere think, decide, and lead. Joined by Fiona Wilhelm, Director of Artificial Intelligence at the Wilhelm Group, and Rochelle Tognetti, Co-founder of the Australian Centre for AI in Marketing and previous CMO of Deloitte, we explore the emotional, ethical, and operatio...

Behind every safety incident is a person — and behind that person is a story we rarely ask about. Were they already exhausted before they arrived on site? Did they skip breakfast to meet a deadline that was never realistic? Were they pushed to work faster than was safe? In construction, working conditions that overlook human factors shape unsafe behaviours long before a mistake is made. Heathrow’s...

On paper, construction has never looked safer. In reality, mental health claims are rising, workers are disengaged and the compliance playbook is broken. Garry Mansfield, co-founder of Scratchie, argues the answer isn’t more rules—it’s rewiring incentives so teams want to work safely. In this episode, we unpack the concept of “zero harm”, explore the gamification of safety and reveal how recogniti...

Construction doesn’t need more tech for tech’s sake—it needs tech that helps people build. In this episode, Dustin Burns, SVP of Technology & Business Solutions at McCownGordon, shares how relying on best-in-class SaaS tools—not in-house development—helps his teams focus on what they do best: building. We discuss how this approach reduces burnout, attracts next-gen talent, and scales with the...

For decades, construction decisions have often been made based on gut instinct. But the industry is on the cusp of a significant shift. In this episode, we talk with Paul Hedgepath, Director of Virtual Construction at MJ Harris Construction, who has over 25 years of experience navigating the evolution of construction technology. Paul shares his journey, from handing out early iPads to superintende...

Construction has long been seen as a low-margin industry. But what if the real problem isn’t the margins—it’s how decisions get made? In this episode, we sit down with Indra Gutiérrez, President of Gutier, who’s reimagining what’s possible when data isn’t just collected—it’s actually used. Starting her company with zero outside capital, Indra has led a bold transformation from a specialty contract...

How will construction look different in 2030? Could robots become as standard as hard hats and hammers? Might AI reshape your day-to-day tasks, making it possible to clock out on time—maybe even reclaim a bit more of your life outside work? In this episode, we talk with Hamzah Shanbari—Director of Innovation at Haskell and author of Paperless Builders: The Why, What, and How of Construction Techno...

Construction has poured billions into technology—but ask any owner, and you’ll hear the same thing: it still hasn’t solved their problems. In this episode, KP Reddy—CEO of Shadow Ventures and longtime tech leader in AEC—makes the case that BIM and automation have mostly failed the people who matter most: the owners footing the bill. We unpack why that happened, what went wrong in the handoff betwe...

Can an industry tasked with building our future truly meet the demand to double its growth by 2040? In this season, we explore insights from The Future State of Construction report—a global survey of industry leaders who employed “future-back” thinking to envision what lies ahead. You’ll hear how some of today’s most innovative leaders plan to tackle seemingly insurmountable challenges, and why th...

In season one of The Power of Construction, we asked a big question: What’s holding our industry back from boosting productivity? Across our conversations, we discovered that while the industry as a whole is fighting to overcome digital adoption, labor shortages, and other rapidly evolving challenges, there are leaders out there proving it can be done. In this special recap, we reflect on the insi...

In this special kickoff episode recorded live at Groundbreak, Fred Mills—Founder of The B1M and Get Construction Talking—joins us to explore the projects and people reshaping the construction landscape in 2024. Hear firsthand stories from Fred’s travels that have influenced his vision, along with the real challenges he’s encountered that highlight the grit behind industry innovations. We’ll discus...

Construction is facing a decades-long productivity gap, yet the solutions are right in front of us—if we know how to use them. In this episode, we sit down with Jit Kee Chin, Chief Technology Officer at Suffolk, to explore how applying scientific rigor to data could unlock the mindset shift the industry needs to drive lasting change. What happens when you prioritize trust and transparency over tra...

In the construction industry, your greatest asset is the talent you attract and retain. Building a future-ready workforce isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about driving real competitive advantages. Join Nancy Novak, CIO of Compass Datacenters, for an engaging conversation on what it takes to stay ahead of the industry—without leaving any talent or ideas on the sidelines.

This episode explores how construction does more than just build structures — it shapes the communities where we live, work, and learn. Advancing productivity in the industry isn’t just about improving efficiency and profitability; it’s about creating lasting, positive change. We sit down with Jennifer Downey, Director of Environmental Social Governance at Turner Construction, to discuss the chall...

Today, we’re spotlighting a leader who has reimagined what construction can be—not just by building a profitable business but building people who transform the communities where they live, work, and play. Cornelius Griggs, President and CEO of GMA Construction Group. So today, we’re asking some big questions: What is the missing link between solving the labor shortage and traditional recruitment p...

Are construction financial systems equipped to handle the demands of next-generation technology? In this episode, we’re joined by Samantha Cook, a leader in financial transformation within the construction industry, to explore whether current systems are truly ready for advancements in AI, automation, and integrated platforms—or if they’re still playing catch-up. Together, we’ll examine the struct...

Join us for a live episode with Mike Rowe as we explore workforce development and address the pressing question: Why won’t trade workers stick around? Are we doing enough to keep them engaged and satisfied?

In the construction industry, safety is the goal, but behind the scenes, a deeper crisis is unfolding—substance abuse, mental health struggles, safety incidents, and the pressure of overwork are pushing workers to the edge. What if the solution isn’t more safety rules or punitive measures, but a shift in how we care for our people? We'll explore how a culture of care—recovery-ready workplaces, emp...

In this episode, we’ll dive into ways technology has the potential to not only transform the way we build but also help to rebuild the industry’s image—increasing trust among consumers; positioning construction as a modern, tech-forward industry; and attracting a new generation of tech-savvy workers. However, if construction is transforming but the public isn’t seeing it, where are there opportuni...