Own The Build

In this episode, Paul is joined by Marc Preston —Quantity Surveyor, dispute resolution specialist, registered counsellor and CEO of New Foundation Counselling—to discuss one of the construction industry's biggest challenges:

Why are we still losing so many people to poor mental health?

Drawing on decades of experience across Tier 1 contracting, development, dispute resolution and counselling, Mark shares a unique perspective on the commercial and cultural changes needed to make construction a healthier place to work.

The conversation explores:

•  why mental health should be treated with the same importance as physical health; 
•  how poor payment practices, inappropriate risk transfer and adversarial procurement contribute to unnecessary stress across the supply chain; 
•  why collaboration must become more than a contractual buzzword; 
•  the practical changes contractors can make—from welfare facilities to better leadership—to improve wellbeing on site; and 
•  why Mark believes the industry needs structural change, not just greater awareness. 

Paul and Mark also debate whether contracts should play a bigger role in driving better behaviours, the commercial case for investing in mental health, and why improving working environments isn't just the right thing to do—it's good business.

The episode closes with a simple message:

if we want better projects, we need to build a better industry for the people delivering them.

A thought-provoking conversation for QSs, Commercial Managers, Project Directors and construction leaders who believe commercial success and looking after people should go hand in hand.

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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

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 Nitesh Rupalia, Technical Project Manager at Taylor Wimpey South Wales, for a fascinating discussion on one of the most overlooked relationships in construction:

The link between commercial, technical and operational teams.

Drawing on experience across developers, architects, Tier 1 contractors and national housebuilders, Nitesh shares why projects perform best when design managers, QSs and site teams stop operating in silos and start working as a single project team.

The conversation explores:

•  why the traditional separation between design, commercial and operations creates unnecessary risk; 
•  how involving specialist subcontractors earlier leads to better design, greater cost certainty and fewer variations; 
•  the impact of the Building Safety Act on procurement, design development and contractor collaboration; 
•  why design managers should be commercially focused—not just technically focused; and 
•  how aligning project incentives around time, cost and quality leads to better outcomes for everyone. 

Paul and Nitesh also discuss the importance of attending each other's meetings, sharing responsibility for decisions, and creating an audit trail that makes final accounts far less contentious.

The episode closes with a powerful reminder:

the most successful construction projects aren't delivered by brilliant departments—they're delivered by brilliant project teams.

A practical and thought-provoking conversation for QSs, Design Managers, Project Managers and Commercial Directors looking to improve collaboration, reduce risk and deliver better projects.

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📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free 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 special Leadership Series Question Time episode, Paul is joined once again by Chris Barber, Co-Founder and COO of C-Link, to answer questions submitted by listeners following recent Leadership Series interviews. 

Drawing on themes from conversations with Prabhat Shikotra, Genna Rourke, Anil Rai and other senior commercial leaders, Paul and Chris explore how commercial professionals can apply those lessons in the real world.

The discussion explores:

•  how leaders can find time to improve the business instead of constantly firefighting; 
•  why delegation is one of the biggest mindset shifts required to move into leadership; 
•  how to balance protecting commercial margins while maintaining strong relationships; 
•  why solving difficult problems is often the fastest route to career progression; and 
•  the importance of taking ownership before waiting for a promotion. 

Paul and Chris also share practical advice on analysing where your time is spent, building trust with clients and supply chains, creating high-performing teams, and why leadership is ultimately about making the business better—not simply managing projects.

The message is clear:

the best commercial leaders don't wait for more authority—they create more value.

A practical episode for Quantity Surveyors, Commercial Managers and aspiring Commercial Directors looking to accelerate their careers and become more effective leaders.

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

📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free 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 seventh episode of the Own the Build Leadership Series, Paul is joined by Genna Rourke, former Commercial Director at Costain and now Industry Engagement Director at Built Intelligence, to explore an unconventional route into commercial leadership and the lessons she learned along the way.

After falling into quantity surveying by chance, Jenna built her career through curiosity, continuous learning and a willingness to take on problems others avoided. From trainee QS to Commercial Director, she reflects on the relationships, mentors and mindset shifts that shaped her leadership journey.

The conversation explores:

• why trust and relationships are the foundation of great commercial leadership;
• the importance of delegation and why "what got you here won't get you there";
• how succession planning starts with developing the people around you;
• why collaboration consistently delivers better commercial outcomes than hierarchy; and
• the role of mentoring, feedback and continuous professional development in building high-performing commercial teams.

Jenna also shares her thoughts on the evolving culture of construction, the importance of embracing different perspectives across generations, and why today's leaders should focus less on having all the answers and more on creating environments where their teams can thrive.

The episode closes with a simple but powerful message:

great commercial leaders don't create followers—they create future leaders.

A practical and refreshingly honest conversation for QSs, Commercial Managers and aspiring Commercial Directors looking to build stronger teams, earn trust and lead with confidence.

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

📥 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 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 conversation explores why difficult final accounts are rarely caused by the final account itself. Instead, the root cause is often found months or even years earlier — in misunderstood contract terms, ambiguous documentation, and a failure to properly administer the contract from day one.

Paul and Mark discuss:

•  why most disputes originate during procurement and contract formation; 
•  the importance of understanding what you've actually signed up to; 
•  why "being contractual" shouldn't be viewed as a negative; 
•  the delicate balance between practising the contract and maintaining relationships; 
•  how leverage is created through strong contractual positioning; and 
•  the habits that separate commercial professionals who resolve disputes from those who create them. 

The discussion also challenges common industry behaviours, including the tendency to leave difficult issues unresolved until project closeout — often turning manageable disagreements into major disputes.

The message is clear:

the best way to resolve a difficult final account is to stop it becoming a difficult final account in the first place.

A practical and insightful conversation for QSs, Commercial Managers, Commercial Directors and anyone responsible for protecting commercial outcomes on construction 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 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 whether the industry's traditional career ladder still appeals to experienced commercial professionals.

Paul and Bernie discuss:

•  the realities of moving from QS to people manager and commercial leader; 
•  why mentorship and continuous learning remain critical throughout your career; 
•  the challenge of retaining ambitious Senior QSs in a competitive market; 
•  why some of the industry's best commercial professionals don't actually want management roles; and 
•  how flexibility, autonomy and lifestyle are changing career decisions for a new generation of QSs. 

The discussion also tackles a broader industry challenge: how contractors attract and retain the commercial talent needed to become the next generation of leadership.

The message is clear:

career success isn't always about the next job title — it's about finding the role, lifestyle and opportunities that are right for you.

A thoughtful conversation for QSs, Commercial Managers and business leaders looking to understand how career aspirations in construction are evolving.

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

📥 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 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 Chris explore whether the industry's widely discussed QS shortage really applies to trainees, why site experience is often undervalued, and what practical steps people can take to break into commercial roles.

The second question comes from an experienced Senior QS who moved companies for better pay and progression, only to find themselves without the mentors and support network they previously relied on. The discussion focuses on the importance of mentorship at every stage of your career, taking ownership of your development, and how to approach senior leaders when you need more guidance.

The conversation covers:

•  whether construction genuinely invests in developing new QS talent; 
•  the value of operational and site experience in commercial roles; 
•  why mentorship never stops being important; 
•  how to take control of your own career progression; and 
•  the difficult but necessary conversations that often unlock growth. 

The message throughout is simple:

the best careers are rarely built by waiting for opportunities — they're built by actively creating them.

A thoughtful episode for aspiring QSs, experienced commercial professionals, and anyone looking to take the next step in their career.

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

📥 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 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.

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

📥 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 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.