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 struggles to attract young talent despite the impact it has on society; 
•  the importance of working on the business, not just in the business; 
•  how BAM shifted from project-by-project thinking to a disciplined long-term strategy focused on margin, selectivity and client partnerships; 
•  why culture and communication matter more than PowerPoint strategies; and 
•  how technology, AI and workforce planning will shape the next decade of construction leadership. 

Prabhat also reflects on the habits that separate future leaders from the rest — including visibility, consistency, curiosity and taking ownership when opportunities arise.

The episode closes on a powerful leadership message:
 don’t chase titles — chase difficult challenges, build trust, and let leadership emerge organically.

A fascinating conversation for QSs, commercial professionals and future leaders looking to understand how strategic thinking, innovation and long-term relationships are reshaping construction in 2026 and beyond.

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📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:

Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success

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Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. 

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

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 the way they show up every day.

Paul and Dave discuss:

•  why leadership in construction is still largely learned “by accident”; 
•  the hidden beliefs that shape how leaders behave under pressure; 
•  how micromanagement, stress and burnout often stem from limiting belief systems; 
•  the difference between management and genuine leadership influence; and 
•  why inspiration, trust and self-awareness are critical to building high-performing teams. 

The episode also introduces Dave’s powerful “Be, Do, Have” framework — exploring how who you are as a person ultimately shapes your actions, your influence and your long-term results.

The message is clear:
great leadership is not just about what you know — it’s about who you are when people experience you.

A fascinating episode for QSs, Commercial Directors and aspiring leaders looking to better understand themselves, influence people more effectively, and lead with greater clarity and purpose.

---------------------------------

📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:

Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success

Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. 

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

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 over 42,000 QS job adverts live in the UK market; 
•  how the industry created a shortage of experienced Senior QSs; 
•  why many contractors still misunderstand IR35 and the freelance market; 
•  the recent tax and liability changes that could reshape contractor hiring strategies; and 
•  why more experienced QSs are choosing freelance work over traditional career paths. 

Paul and Matt also discuss the wider implications for the industry — from burnout and retention issues to the growing tension between short-term project pressures and long-term talent development.

The episode closes with a clear message:
 contractors that adapt fastest to flexible commercial resourcing will gain access to the strongest talent in the market.

A practical, honest discussion for Commercial Directors, QSs and business leaders trying to navigate the reality of construction’s commercial talent crisis in 2026.

---------------------------------

📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:

Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success

Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. 

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

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 difficult projects early in your career; 
•  how mentors and advocates often shape progression more than qualifications; 
•  why good commercial leaders create clear frameworks and guardrails for their teams; and 
•  how culture, payment practices and communication directly impact supply chain relationships. 

The episode also tackles:

•  simplifying contract administration at project level; 
•  how to reduce adversarial behaviours between contractors and subcontractors; and 
•  managing relationships on projects where commercial pressure is intense. 

The underlying message is clear:
great commercial leadership is built through consistency, ownership, empathy and experience under pressure.

A practical and honest conversation for QSs, Commercial Managers and aspiring leaders looking to accelerate their development and build stronger teams.

---------------------------------

📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:

Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success

Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. 

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

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 design never truly stops evolving, driven by fast-moving technology; 
•  the impact of global procurement on programme, risk and delivery; and 
•  why traditional assumptions around fixed scope, price and responsibility simply don’t hold. 

Paul and Alex also explore the consequences of getting it wrong — from endless variations and programme delays to misallocated risk that no party can realistically control.

Most importantly, the episode looks forward:

•  how contracts must adapt to allow for design evolution and uncertainty; 
•  why commissioning should sit at the centre of contract structure; and 
•  the growing need for new, fit-for-purpose contract models tailored to data centre delivery. 

The message is clear:
 data centres aren’t just bigger projects — they’re fundamentally different projects, and the contracts need to catch up.

A timely and insightful episode for QSs, Commercial Directors and anyone involved in complex, high-value infrastructure — particularly as demand for data centres continues to accelerate globally.

---------------------------------

📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:

Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success

Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. 

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

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 progression; 
•  the value of staying in a business long enough to earn opportunity, rather than moving for short-term gain; 
•  how taking on difficult projects and responsibility early builds long-term capability; 
•  the shift from commercial leadership to full business leadership, including operations, people and risk; and 
•  why people management becomes the primary role at senior level. 

Justin also shares how Structure Tone has grown from £90m to £400m+ by focusing on simple but powerful principles — particularly fair risk management and paying the supply chain on time.

The episode closes with a clear message for aspiring leaders:
 work hard, stay consistent, build trust, and be a good person — the rest follows.

A grounded, experience-led conversation for QSs and commercial professionals aiming to step into senior leadership — and for those already there looking to sense-check what strong leadership looks like in 2026.

---------------------------------

📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:

Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success

Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. 

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

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, copy-and-paste specifications, and a lack of joined-up thinking between legal, commercial and design teams.

The conversation explores:

•  why most contracts are badly coordinated and full of contradictions; 
•  how starting with overly aggressive (“brutal”) clauses slows everything down; 
•  why the industry almost always ends up at the same deal anyway — just with wasted time and cost; 
•  how poor upfront drafting leads to letters of intent and commercial risk later; and 
•  why lawyers don’t argue clauses — they unpick the mess created between documents. 

More importantly, David outlines a better way forward:

•  start with a standard contract as a foundation, not something to overhaul; 
•  focus only on project-specific risks that actually matter; and 
•  replace endless email chains with direct conversations between decision-makers. 

The message is clear:
 contracts don’t need to be this painful — but the industry needs to change how it starts.

A sharp, insightful episode for Commercial Directors, QSs and anyone involved in procurement — and a timely reminder that better contracts lead to better projects.

---------------------------------

📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:

Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success

Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. 

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

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 where margin is won or lost — and how to think differently about it; 
•  how to move from constant firefighting to leadership, by addressing root causes and carving out time for strategic thinking; 
•  the step change from being a competent QS to an influential one, including time on site, understanding operations, and building relationships; and 
•  what “delivering value” actually looks like day-to-day, from turning data into insight to taking ownership of project outcomes. 

The episode also touches on wider industry themes, including contract simplification and the importance of collective action to drive meaningful change.

The underlying message is clear: the best QSs don’t just report what’s happening — they shape what happens next.

A practical, experience-led discussion for QSs at every stage of their career looking to step up, think differently, and lead with impact.

---------------------------------

📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:

Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success

Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. 

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

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 for purpose clauses can quietly introduce uninsurable, business-ending risk; 
•  the realities of time bars and condition precedents — and why clarity from day one matters; and 
•  how aggressive contract “step-down” creates complexity that many supply chains simply cannot manage. 

But beyond the clauses, the discussion tackles a bigger issue:

the industry’s default to overly aggressive contracts — and whether it’s actually counterproductive.

From “brutal vs middle vs soft” contract strategies to the unintended consequences of pushing risk down the chain, Paul and Ray explore whether current practices are protecting businesses — or slowly weakening the supply chain they depend on.

The conclusion is clear:
better dialogue, more balanced risk allocation, and stronger leadership at main contractor level are essential to building a sustainable construction industry.

A candid, practical conversation for Commercial Directors, QSs and anyone involved in negotiating contracts — and a timely reminder that what’s written on paper has real consequences on site.

---------------------------------

📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:

Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success

Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. 

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

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;
• creating alignment between commercial, operational and client objectives;
• leading with accountability while empowering others to take ownership; and
• navigating the scale and complexity that comes with major frameworks and long-term programmes.

Anil also reflects on the mindset shift required to step into a Commercial Director role — moving beyond individual performance to driving outcomes through people, structure and culture.

A practical and grounded discussion for QSs aiming for senior leadership — and for Commercial Directors operating in large, multi-project environments.

---------------------------------

📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:

Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success

Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. 

C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.

Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.