Own The Build

Επεισόδια

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  Practice the Contract, Protect the Relationship: The Art of Commercial Leadership (EP 276) 20.07.2026 34λ

  In this episode, Paul is joined by Mark Holden-Smith, Chartered Quantity Surveyor, Registered Adjudicator, Registered Arbitrator and Director of Holden Smith Consultancy, for a deep dive into one of construction's most misunderstood topics: Why do so many final accounts end in dispute? Having progressed from labourer and plasterer to Managing Director before specialising in claims, dispute resolution and adjudication, Mark brings a unique perspective from every corner of the industry. The con...
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  Commercial Director or Freelance? The Career Choice More QSs Are Making (EP 275) 13.07.2026 51λ

  In this episode, Paul is joined by Bernie Keens, freelance Commercial Manager and Managing QS, to explore a growing trend in the construction industry: Why are experienced QSs choosing freelance over the traditional climb to Commercial Director? Having spent 13 years progressing from Junior QS to Commercial Manager within the same contractor, Bernie recently made the move into freelance commercial management. The conversation explores what drove that decision, what he's learned so far, and wh...
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  Question Time: Is there actually a QS Shortage & Finding the Right Mentor (EP 274) 06.07.2026 26λ

  In this Own the Build Question Time episode, Paul is joined once again by Chris Barber, COO and Co-Founder of C-Link, to tackle two candid listener questions about career progression, mentorship and the realities of building a successful quantity surveying career. The first question comes from a construction professional with over 15 years of site experience who is struggling to transition into quantity surveying despite completing an MSc and making hundreds of applications. Paul and Ch...
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  Own the Build Leadership Series #6: Prabhat Shikotra, Strategy Lead at BAM UK & Ireland (£3.5bn Contractor) 29.06.2026 1ώ

  In the sixth episode of the Own the Build Leadership Series, Paul is joined by Prabhat Shikotra, Strategy Lead at BAM UK & Ireland, to explore a very different path into senior leadership — and why the future of construction will belong to businesses that think long term. Starting his career in architecture before moving into construction through digital planning and innovation, Prabhat shares how curiosity, creativity and consistently putting his hand up for difficult challenges sh...
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  Advanced Influence: The Leadership Skill Construction Never Teaches (EP 272) 22.06.2026 43λ

  In this episode, Paul is joined once again by Dave Stitt, leadership coach and former construction director, for a deep and thought-provoking conversation about one of the most misunderstood skills in construction leadership: Influence. Drawing on 50 years in the industry and decades coaching senior leaders across major contractors and infrastructure projects, Dave introduces the core ideas behind his upcoming book, Advanced Influencing for Leaders. The conversation explores why technical com...
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  Why Good QSs Are Walking Away from Permanent Jobs (EP 271) 15.06.2026 39λ

  In this episode, Paul is joined by Matthew Williams, Senior Consultant at Clear North, for a practical and timely discussion about one of the construction industry’s biggest hidden challenges: How do contractors attract and retain commercial talent when the QS shortage is getting worse — and freelance working is rapidly evolving? Matt works exclusively with quantity surveyors across the freelance market and brings a front-line perspective on what commercial directors, contractors and QSs need...
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  From Gun QS to Commercial Leader: The Habits That Matter Most - Question Time (EP 270) 08.06.2026 29λ

  In this Own the Build Question Time episode, Paul is joined once again by Chris Barber, COO and Co-Founder of C-Link, to answer listener questions sparked by the recent Leadership Series featuring some of the UK construction industry’s leading Commercial Directors. The conversation explores the consistent themes emerging from those leadership interviews — and what they reveal about how strong commercial leaders are actually built. Paul and Chris discuss: why becoming a “gun QS” st...
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  Why Standard Contracts Fail on Data Centres (And What Needs to Change) (EP 269) 01.06.2026 37λ

  In this episode, Paul is joined by Alex Kozikowska, solicitor at Vinci, to explore a fast-growing but often misunderstood area of construction: Why data centre projects break traditional contract thinking. With experience across contractors, consultants and in-house legal teams, Alex brings a practical perspective on how these highly complex, MEP-driven projects are exposing the limitations of standard forms like JCT, NEC and even FIDIC. The conversation unpacks what actually makes data centr...
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  Own the Build Leadership Series #5: Justin Fahy, Managing Director at Structure Tone UK (£400m+ Fit Out Contractor) 25.05.2026 53λ

  In the fifth episode of the Own the Build Leadership Series, Paul is joined by Justin Fahy, Managing Director at Structure Tone UK, to explore the journey from QS to leading a £400m+ fit-out business. Justin’s career is a strong example of steady progression built on experience, longevity and advocacy — rising through the ranks from trainee surveyor to Commercial Director, before stepping into Managing Director. The conversation focuses on what effective leadership really looks like at ...
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  Why Construction Contracts Are Broken (And What No One Tells You) (EP 267) 18.05.2026 47λ

  In this episode, Paul is joined by David Bebb, Partner at Fenwick Elliott, a construction lawyer with over 20 years’ experience working across the entire supply chain — from Canary Wharf and Network Rail to private practice. Together, they unpack one of the most frustrating — and costly — realities in construction: Why do contract negotiations take so long, feel so combative, and often start in the wrong place? David brings a rare perspective, having seen contracts from every angle, and...
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  Question Time: Cost Engineer to Commercial Leader: The QS Career Shift Explained (EP 266) 11.05.2026 33λ

  In this Own the Build Question Time episode, Paul is joined once again by Chris Barber, COO and Co-Founder of C-Link, to answer listener questions shaped by recent episodes and the Leadership Series. The conversation focuses on the real challenges QSs face as they progress through their careers — from transitioning into the role, to stepping up into leadership and delivering meaningful value on projects. Paul and Chris cover: how to transition from cost engineer to high-performing...
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  Who Should Carry the Risk? The Subcontract Debate Commercial Directors Must Have (EP 265) 04.05.2026 53λ

  In this episode, Paul is joined by Ray Mellor-Pike, Managing Director at RMP Consulting, for a deep dive into one of construction’s most uncomfortable — and important — questions: Are we allocating risk in a way that actually works? Drawing on experience across PQS, main contracting and subcontracting, Ray brings a rare, balanced perspective on how contracts are written, negotiated and — often — misunderstood. The conversation focuses on the clauses that matter most: why limitatio...
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  Own the Build Leadership Series #4: Anil Rai, Commercial Director at M Group Water (£900m+ Contractor, part of £2.5bn Group) 27.04.2026 1ώ 6λ

  In the fourth episode of the Own the Build Leadership Series, Paul is joined by Anil Rai, Commercial Director at M Group Water, a £900m+ business within the wider £2.5bn M Group. Anil’s journey offers a clear view of what it takes to build a leadership career in a large, complex Tier 1 environment — from early progression through commercial roles to leading at scale across a major infrastructure business. The conversation focuses on what effective commercial leadership really looks like...
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  Tendering from Both Sides of the Fence: What Main Contractors and Subcontractors Miss (EP 263) 20.04.2026 49λ

  In this episode, Paul is joined by Pamela Cunningham, consultant at Growth & Performance Solutions, to unpack one of the biggest inefficiencies in construction: The disconnect between main contractors and subcontractors during tendering. Having worked on both sides of the fence, Pamela brings a rare perspective — combining Tier 1 procurement experience with hands-on support for SMEs trying to win work in today’s market. The conversation explores what each side consistently gets wron...
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  Why Tough Projects Make the Best QSs: Question Time is Back (EP 262) 13.04.2026 31λ

  In this Own the Build Question Time episode, Paul is joined once again by Chris Barber, COO and Co-Founder of C-Link, to answer listener questions sparked by the recent Leadership Series with leading Commercial Directors across the UK construction industry. The discussion dives into some of the most practical leadership challenges facing QSs and commercial managers today — from when to step in and when to let team members learn through mistakes, to how difficult projects can become the ...
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  Acceleration and Risk: How to Read the Contract Before it Bites (EP 261) 06.04.2026 48λ

  In this episode, Paul is joined by Cian Brennan, founder of Quantum Contract Solutions and author of The Subcontractor’s Edge, for a candid conversation about one uncomfortable truth: Most subcontractors don’t lose money on site — they lose it in the paperwork. From four-hour “favours” that quietly erode margin, to delayed variations that become interest-free loans to main contractors, Paul and Kian unpack how small commercial decisions in Q1 of a project often come back to bite in Q4 — what ...
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  Own the Build Leadership Series #3: Mark Walker, Managing Director at Seddon Housing Partnerships (£250m+ Group) 30.03.2026 1ώ 8λ

  In the third episode of the Own the Build Leadership Series, Paul is joined by Mark Walker, Managing Director of Seddon Housing Partnerships, an £85m social housing contractor operating across the North West and Midlands, part of the wider Seddon Group. Mark’s journey is a powerful example of progression through ownership, resilience and long-term thinking. Starting in construction at 16 as a trainee QS, he worked his way through Assistant QS, QS, Senior QS, Managing QS and Commercial Directo...
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  Rewriting the Rules: How Laing O’Rourke is Transforming Construction Contracts (EP 259) 23.03.2026 48λ

  In this episode, Paul is joined by Kate Kennedy, Head of Legal Bids and Contract Transformation at Laing O’Rourke, to explore a bold idea: what if construction contracts were actually easy to understand? Kate is leading an industry-first initiative to rethink how construction contracts are written, used and negotiated — starting with a simple premise: most people working on projects don’t understand the contracts they’re expected to deliver. Drawing on global research and collaboration ...
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  Main Contractor QS vs Subcontractor QS: What Really Matters (EP 258) 16.03.2026 52λ

  In this episode, Paul is joined once again by Simon Robinson, former main contractor Managing QS turned founder of Subport, to unpack a question that sits at the heart of construction delivery: What actually makes a “good” subcontractor — and a “good” main contractor — from a commercial perspective? Using results from a live poll of 100+ main contractor QSs, Paul and Simon explore the four traits most valued in subcontractors — including timely applications, real-time variation submissions, a...
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  The Road to Commercial Director: What 40 Leaders Taught Us (EP 257) 09.03.2026 44λ

  In this episode, Paul is joined by Davin Dillon, founder of Clearnorth — known in the industry as “the QS people” — to unpack one of the most important career questions in construction: What does it really take to become a Commercial Director? Drawing on insights from more than 40 in-depth interviews with Commercial Directors, Davin shares the patterns, pitfalls and turning points that consistently shape the journey from graduate QS to commercial leadership. The conversation explores three cr...