Own The Build
Own the Build is the podcast for Quantity Surveyors and Commercial Directors who want to sharpen their commercial edge and lead with confidence.Hosted by Paul Heming, former Commercial leader and now co-founder of C-Link, each week’s conversation dives into the realities of modern commercial management — from procurement and contracts to digital transformation and leadership in construction.Through honest discussions with industry leaders, forensic planners, and forward-thinking QSs, Paul explores how the best commercial teams deliver profit, performance, and project certainty in a changing industry.If you’re serious about mastering the commercial side of construction — this is where you buil...
Own the Build Leadership Series #6: Prabhat Shikotra, Strategy Lead at BAM UK & Ireland (£3.5bn Contractor)
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 shaped his progression into one of the UK’s largest contractors.
The conversation explores:
why construction strugg...Advanced Influence: The Leadership Skill Construction Never Teaches (EP 272)
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 competence alone is not enough to lead effectively — and why the best leaders influence through character, beliefs, values and th...
Why Good QSs Are Walking Away from Permanent Jobs (EP 271)
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 to understand about the changing landscape.
The conversation explores:
why there are now o...From Gun QS to Commercial Leader: The Habits That Matter Most - Question Time (EP 270)
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” still matters before stepping into leadership; the importance of exposure, reps and difficul...Why Standard Contracts Fail on Data Centres (And What Needs to Change) (EP 269)
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 centres different:
why they are engineering-led, not building-led, with MEP dominating the scope; how des...Own the Build Leadership Series #5: Justin Fahy, Managing Director at Structure Tone UK (£400m+ Fit Out Contractor)
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 scale, including:
why advocacy and trust are critical to career...Why Construction Contracts Are Broken (And What No One Tells You) (EP 267)
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 explains how the industry repeatedly creates its own problems — through poorly coordinated documents...
Question Time: Cost Engineer to Commercial Leader: The QS Career Shift Explained (EP 266)
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 QS, shifting from analysis to commercial strategy; why procurement is whe...Who Should Carry the Risk? The Subcontract Debate Commercial Directors Must Have (EP 265)
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 limitation of liability is the first and most critical line of defence for subcontractors; how fitness...Own the Build Leadership Series #4: Anil Rai, Commercial Director at M Group Water (£900m+ Contractor, part of £2.5bn Group)
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 in 2026, including:
building consistency and standards across large teams;c...Tendering from Both Sides of the Fence: What Main Contractors and Subcontractors Miss (EP 263)
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 wrong.
From the main contractor side:
why poor tender packs and missing pricing documents create...Why Tough Projects Make the Best QSs: Question Time is Back (EP 262)
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 most valuable learning experiences of a career.
Pau...
Acceleration and Risk: How to Read the Contract Before it Bites (EP 261)
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 Kian calls “squeaky bum time.”
They cover:
why early variat...Own the Build Leadership Series #3: Mark Walker, Managing Director at Seddon Housing Partnerships (£250m+ Group)
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 Director — before recently stepping into the Managing Director role.
This conversation explores what that...
Rewriting the Rules: How Laing O’Rourke is Transforming Construction Contracts (EP 259)
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 with the not-for-profit World Commerce & Contracting, Laing O’Rourke is piloting a simplifie...
Main Contractor QS vs Subcontractor QS: What Really Matters (EP 258)
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, and the surprise winner: strong records and audit trail.
The discussion then flips perspective.<...
The Road to Commercial Director: What 40 Leaders Taught Us (EP 257)
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 critical phases of the journey:
1️⃣ The Early Years — Accidental Beginnings & t...
Question Time: Commercially Astute or Commercially Difficult? Let’s Discuss…
Question Time is back for 2026! 🎉
In this episode, Paul is joined once again by regular co-host Chris Barber for a lively and candid discussion driven entirely by listener questions. Together, they cover a broad range of topics—from fantasy fixes for the construction industry, to spotting the next generation of commercial leaders, and the fine line between being “commercially astute” and just plain difficult.
Expect strong opinions, industry war stories, and the usual dose of friendly disagreement.
🧠 Topics Discussed:
If you had a government mandate, how would you fix construction?Are we being...Own the Build Leadership Series #2:Chris Hartley, Former Commercial Director at McLaren Construction (£1bn+ Contractor)
In the second episode of the Own the Build Leadership Series, Paul is joined by Chris Hartley, former Commercial Director at McLaren Construction, a £1bn+ main contractor, and now a business change consultant and quantum expert.
Chris shares a deeply reflective account of his journey from early career QS to leading commercial teams of more than 50 people — and what that experience taught him about trust, detail, leadership and decision-making at scale.
Rather than a linear career story, this conversation focuses on the realities of commercial leadership: earning trust through technical credibility, kno...
Termination, Delay & Contract Chaos — What Main Contractors Get Wrong (EP 255)
In this episode, Paul is joined by Brandon Silver, construction solicitor at Bexley Beaumont, for a deep, practical conversation on where construction contracts most often unravel — and how QSs and commercial leaders can protect themselves before problems escalate.
Brandon works daily on adjudications, payment disputes, termination claims and delay arguments, acting for contractors and subcontractors across the UK. In this episode, he shares real-world insights into the contractual mistakes he sees repeatedly — many of which are entirely avoidable.
The conversation covers:
why most construction professionals fundamentally misunderstand their contracts — particularly JCT;ho...Freelance QS in 2026: The Real Numbers, Risks and Rewards (EP 254)
In this episode, Paul is joined by Amy Connor from Clear North — a QS-focused recruitment specialist who supports freelance quantity surveyors across the UK. Amy describes herself as “the QS agent”, helping QSs stay off job boards, understand the freelance market, and make informed, sustainable career decisions.
This is a practical, no-hype conversation about what freelance life really looks like in 2026.
Paul and Amy explore why more QSs are considering freelancing — from burnout and lack of control in permanent roles to the appeal of higher day rates, flexibility and autonomy. But they also unpack t...
The Subcontractor’s Perspective: From Tender to Final Account - What a Main Contractor needs to know (EP 253)
In this episode, Paul is joined by David Longman, Managing QS at Rendesco, a £15m M&E specialist contractor, for a frank and wide-ranging conversation about quantity surveying from the subcontractor’s perspective — an angle that is often misunderstood higher up the contracting chain.
David’s career path is unusual and valuable: starting in main contracting, moving into PQS work, and ultimately landing in subcontracting, where he now leads and has helped grow the business from £4m to £15m in under three years. That breadth of experience allows him to speak candidly...
What RICS Data Tells Us About the Future of UK Construction: Insights from the RICS Chief Economist (EP 252)
In this episode, Paul is joined by Simon Rubinsohn, Chief Economist at the RICS, for a deep dive into one of the most pressing and under-discussed challenges facing the industry: the critical shortage of quantity surveyors — and what it means for productivity, cost, innovation and delivery across UK construction.
Drawing on the RICS 2025 Skills Survey and the latest Construction Monitor data, Simon explains why the QS shortage is no longer a future risk but a current constraint, with over a third of respondents describing it as critical — even in a flat market.
To...
Own the Build Leadership Series #1: Mark Sheridan, Commercial Director at BAM (£3.5bn Contractor)
We’re launching a new monthly Leadership Series on Own the Build — spotlighting the journeys, mindsets and behaviours behind world-class Commercial Directorship in construction.
For the first episode, Paul is joined by Mark Sheridan, Commercial Director of Commercial Services at BAM UK & Ireland, one of the UK’s largest Tier 1 contractors.
Mark shares his 25-year journey from graduate QS to Commercial Director — not as a linear career plan, but as a series of small, deliberate steps driven by curiosity, imagination and a desire to make things better. Along th...
Inside the QS Market: Salaries, Burnout & Hiring Reality in 2026 (EP 251)
In this episode, Paul is joined by Jordan Toman, QS recruitment specialist at ClearNorth — known by many as “the QS Insider”. Jordan sits at the centre of the UK QS market, speaking daily with quantity surveyors and commercial leaders across the country. Few people have a clearer view of what’s really happening behind the scenes.
With 2026 underway, this conversation tackles some of the most pressing issues facing the profession today.
In the first half of the episode, Paul and Jordan explore the current state of the QS market, including:
why QSs...The RICS AI Standard: What It Means for QSs and the Future of Professional Practice (EP 250)
For our 250th episode, we mark a major milestone for Own the Build with a special collaboration with the RICS and the Project Flux podcast. This conversation arrives at a pivotal moment: the RICS has just published its first-ever global professional standard for the responsible use of AI in surveying, coming into effect in March 2026.
To unpack what this means for QSs, valuers, project professionals, software vendors and construction leaders, Paul is joined by three people who helped shape the standard:
James Garner — Head of AI & Data at Gleeds, Chair of the Pr...Own the Build Live: What World-Class Procurement Really Looks Like in 2026 (EP 249)
We’re kicking off 2026 with something special — a full replay of Own the Build Live, recorded in front of a packed audience in October 2025. If you were there, you’ll know the energy in the room was electric. If you weren’t, you’re in for a treat.
In this live session, Paul sits down with a formidable panel:
Sarah Fox (legal consultant),
Mike Wharton (Complete Roofing Systems),
Kelvin Maye (Group Commercial Director, Guildmore), and
Chris Barber (Co-Founder, C-Link).
Together they explore one of the mos...
The Christmas Question Time Special: Notices, Variations & 2026 Reality Checks (EP 248)
In our final episode of 2025, we wrap up the year with a Christmas Question Time special — and as ever, Paul is joined by C-Link co-founder and former QS, Chris Barber, for an honest and entertaining look at the issues commercial teams are grappling with right now.
This episode is built entirely from listener questions, including:
• Have you ever received (or issued) a notice on Christmas Eve?
Paul shares the story of the year he unwrapped a “festive” million-pound claim instead of a bottle of wine — and why timing sends a louder mes...
Inside the Defence Estate, Retrofit Reality & Leading a Modern Contractor (EP 247)
In this episode of Own the Build, Paul is joined by Trevor Wilkins, Managing Director of PAH Building & Construction — a contractor working deep inside one of the UK’s most complex and least-understood built environments: the defence estate.
Trevor shares the unique story of PAH’s evolution from a one-client refurb contractor to a £15m business operating across the UK, including the landmark MOD housing portfolio recently brought back into government ownership. He opens up about the early days, the risks he took, and the leadership principles that have helped him build a loyal, long-serving team.
In th...
Can We Trust the Data? Construction Metrics That Actually Matter (EP 246)
In Episode 246, Paul is joined by Mike Rigby, Managing Director of MRA Research and architect of the Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI). With 35+ years in the industry and a mission to bring clarity to construction data, Mike pulls back the curtain on how our sector is being misrepresented — and why it matters.
Together, they explore:
📉 Why you can’t always trust official statistics — and what the ONS isn’t telling you
🏗️ What the Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) is, and why Tier 1s, banks, and government rely on it
📊 How to...
Why We’re Losing Good People – What Every Leader in Construction Needs to Hear (EP 245)
In Episode 245 of Own the Build, Paul is joined by Faye Allen, a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, Quantum Expert Witness, and Fellow of the RICS, with over 30 years’ experience in construction. Faye is the author of Building Women
— a powerful new book that examines why the industry continues to lose talented people, and what leaders can do to change that.
This episode is essential listening for any QS, PM, or director who’s ever asked:
Why are experienced professionals walking away from the industry?Why don’t we see more women in senior roles?What rol...Question Time Returns: Adjudication or Relationship – Where’s the Line? (EP 244)
In Episode 244, Question Time is back – and Paul is joined by recurring co-host Chris Barber to answer another round of listener questions from quantity surveyors and commercial professionals across the UK construction industry.
This month, we tackle:
Should I switch from Main Contractor to Subcontractor? Chris shares real insight from his own experience and a surprising comparison to his wife’s retail-to-supplier career path.When is the right time to consider adjudication for delayed payments – and how do you protect the relationship?What behaviour would you change across...Why Modular Construction Fails in the UK – And How to Fix It (EP 243)
In this episode, Paul is joined by George Lujans, Director at GoModular, for a masterclass on modular construction that breaks down everything you thought you knew.
George’s message is clear: most developers, QSs, and even modular startups have misunderstood modular construction – and that’s why it hasn’t delivered on its promises.
Together, Paul and George unpack:
Why modular is a verb, not a noun – and how that changes everything.The biggest myths in modular: standardisation, site access, and planning restrictions.Why finance<...Estimating vs. Quantity Surveying – Can We All Just Get Along? (EP 242)
In this episode of Own the Build, Paul is joined by Mike Ashcroft (Co-Founder of EstimateOne) and Paddy Westbury (Estimating Director at Structure Tone) to explore the often misunderstood world of estimating – and its love/hate relationship with quantity surveying.
They dive into Paddy’s 40-year journey from sleepy PQS firms to the intensity of fast-track fit out, his reflections on Structure Tone’s explosive growth, and how modern estimators are evolving from number-pushers to project strategists. The trio unpack the cultural shift in tendering, what great QS–Estimator relationships look like, and why curi...
Curiosity, Communication, and Coaching: How to Build Better QSs (EP 241)
In this episode of Own the Build, Paul is joined by Katie Taylor, Managing Quantity Surveyor, to explore what it really takes to raise the bar for commercial professionals in construction.
Katie shares how she entered the industry by chance as a receptionist, studied part-time to become a QS, and developed a deep passion for coaching and communication. Together, Paul and Katie discuss:
Why coaching is critical for QSs and subcontractors alikeThe underestimated importance of soft skills and psychological safetyHow to handle difficult conversations with confidenceWhat truly makes a “great” QS in today’s market...Question Time: Bonuses, Burnout, and the QS Brain Drain – What's Going On? (Ep 240)
!!!Get your free OTB Live Tickets here - Own The Build Live, October 23rd!!!
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In this episode of Own the Build, Paul is joined once again by his co-founder and sidekick, Chris Barber, for another round of Question Time. This time, the duo dives deep into one of the most shocking industry stats of 2025: the QS workforce has dropped by over 30% in just 12 months.
Together, they unpack why so many quantity surveyors are leaving the industry and discuss the knock-on effects on teams, projects...
Why Do We Keep Defaulting to Scaffold? (EP 239)
!!!Get your free OTB Live Tickets here - Own The Build Live, October 23rd!!!
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In this episode, Paul is joined by Rob Munns, Head of Sales at BFT Mast Climbing Ltd — the UK’s leading provider of mast climbers.
You might think access equipment isn’t the most exciting topic in the world, but this conversation is a wake-up call for QSs, PMs, and operational teams. Paul and Rob unpack why the UK construction industry still defaults to scaffold — despite the cost, time, social impact...
Trust is Earned: Building Better Leadership in Construction (EP 238)
!!!Get your free OTB Live Tickets here - Own The Build Live, October 23rd!!!
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This week on Own the Build, Paul is joined by Dave Stitt, a leadership team coach with 25+ years of experience working with boards and senior project teams across the UK construction industry.
In this episode, Paul and Dave deep-dive into a subject that every QS, PM, and Director talks about—but few know how to actively build: Trust.
Together, they unpack:
🔍 Why trust...
Why Competence is Now a Procurement Risk – What Every QS Needs to Know (EP 237)
!!!Get your free OTB Live Tickets here - Own The Build Live, October 23rd!!!
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In this episode of Own the Build, Paul is joined by James Filus, Director at both the National Association of Shopfitters (NAS) and the Institute of Carpenters (IOC), to unpack what competence really means in the context of construction today.
James shares the view from the front line of trade associations helping their members navigate the aftermath of Grenfell, the implications of the Building Safety Act, and the critical role...
Question Time Returns: The QS Career Clinic (EP 236)
In this lively episode, Chris joins Paul again to tackle YOUR questions in the return of Question Time. From the realities of AI in construction to the headaches of back-to-back contracts, we dive into the heart of what QSs are really facing on site.
Highlights include:
How AI is transforming tender analysis and improving subcontractor engagement.NEC vs JCT – which contract is most improperly administered?Back-to-back contracts: Are they practical or just punishment?The most misunderstood part of the QS role.And… what happens when a QS, a planner, and an architect get stuck in a lift...