Own The Build

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 the way, he reflects on staying with one organisation while constantly evolving roles, building influence without chasing titles, and why long-term opportunity matters more than short-term gain.

The conversation also looks forward, exploring what great commercial leadership looks like in 2026, including:

• the difference between commercial management and commercialism;
• why freeing up QS time is the biggest untapped opportunity in construction;
• how imagination, not just process, drives better outcomes;
• moving the industry from cost-focused thinking to value-led decision making; and
• why relationships, trust and understanding the “why” matter more than ever.

This episode sets the tone for the series: honest, reflective and practical — aimed at QSs with ambitions to become Commercial Directors, and at existing CDs who want to benchmark what good really looks like in the next phase of the industry.

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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 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 remain the hardest role to hire in construction;
• the growing problem of burnout and overworked commercial teams;
• an ageing QS workforce and a lack of early-career exposure to the profession;
• fast-tracked promotions, “hollow titles”, and whether seniority is being earned or forced by necessity; and
• how QS salaries are shifting rapidly — and why traditional salary guides can’t keep up.

Jordan also breaks down realistic career progression and salary bands, from Assistant QS through to Senior QS, and explains where the real gaps are forming in the market.

The second half of the episode switches to the commercial leadership lens, covering:

• why job adverts no longer work for hiring QSs;
• how leading businesses are retaining talent through progression plans, one-to-ones, mentoring and freelance support;
• the truth about counteroffers — and why most QSs who accept them still leave within a year;
• what the best QSs do differently in interviews; and
• how commercial directors must rethink hiring if they want high-performing teams in 2026.

This is a practical, honest and timely conversation for QSs thinking about their next move — and for commercial leaders serious about building resilient, motivated teams in a market that has fundamentally changed.

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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

For our list of other eBooks on building your QS Career and AI, click here - Free eBook Downloads

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.

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 Project Data Analytics Task Force, and host of Project Flux.
• Chris de Gruben — Senior Director & Head of AI at Artefact; co-chair of the RICS AI Working Group.
• Matthew Lavy — Barrister at 4 Pump Court specialising in technology disputes and AI liability.

Across this wide-ranging, practical and occasionally provocative discussion, the panel explore:

• Why the RICS created this standard now

Member demand, regulatory pressure, industry lag, and a cultural shift from “AI as a threat” to “AI as a professional tool”.

• The core pillars of responsible AI use

Risk registers, explainability, transparency to clients, PI considerations, shadow AI, enterprise-grade tools, and why “professional judgement” remains non-negotiable.

• What AI will — and won’t — replace

From AVMs and automated cost analysis to complex valuation, negotiation, context, and human judgement.

• The difference between enabling and restricting innovation

Why the RICS guidance is intentionally light-touch and principle-based, and how it avoids the rigidity of the EU AI Act.

• What this means for QSs, valuers, employers, universities and software vendors

Future training, AI literacy, cultural change, documentation, and how practitioners can protect themselves while accelerating adoption.

• The future of surveying and construction in an AI-native world

Agentic workflows, robotics, quantum computing, and the real-world impact on productivity, risk, client expectations and professional identity.

This is a landmark conversation at a turning point for the profession. If you want clarity on how AI will shape surveying, cost management and construction over the next five years — and what you should do in 2026 — this is essential listening.

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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

For our list of other eBooks on building your QS Career and AI, click here - Free eBook Downloads.

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.

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 most important — and most dysfunctional — parts of the construction industry: procurement.

The first half of the show tackles a big question: What does world-class procurement look like in 2026?

The panel pull no punches. They discuss risk dumping, terrible contracts, poor communication, lack of early engagement, broken tender processes, and why subcontractors and main contractors keep repeating the same mistakes. But they also highlight where the industry is genuinely improving — from two-stage tenders to fairer scoring and stronger commercial leadership.

The second half is a lively audience Q&A where questions spark debate across the room. Topics include:

• how QSs can be braver, fairer and more commercially aware;
• how subcontractors should push back with confidence;
• the failure of institutions to prepare young QSs for real-world procurement;
• whether digital tools and AI can finally fix the industry’s inefficiencies;
• the tension between “best value” and “cheapest price”; and
• how relationships, trust and empathy still outperform everything else.

It’s candid, honest and full of real-world stories — exactly the kind of conversation the industry needs more of.

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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

For our list of other eBooks on building your QS Career and AI, click here - Free eBook Downloads.

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 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 message than the paperwork.

• How do commercial leaders shift the industry away from turnover obsession and back to sustainable profit?
From cash flow support to real partnerships with key trades, Paul and Chris explore practical, relationship-driven steps commercial directors can take in 2026.

• What should a QS team do when a client refuses to certify variations?
The pair discuss preventing the issue before it starts, how to regroup internally, how to push back professionally, and how to reset expectations without burning bridges.

• Are clients and consultants unintentionally driving inflation?
An honest look at over-specification, half-baked design, risk loading in D&B contracts, and why two-stage tendering might be the only sensible route forward.

Along the way, Paul and Chris reflect on their standout episodes of the year, the rise of two-stage procurement, the growing focus on goodwill, and why 2026 needs stronger industry-wide pushback on unrealistic commercial behaviours.

It’s insightful, candid, and the perfect way to close out the year before Own the Build returns on 12th January with Episode 249 — our first ever Own the Build Live recording.

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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

For our list of other eBooks on building your QS Career and AI, click here - Free eBook Downloads.

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 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 the second half, Paul and Trevor dive into the reality of retrofit — far removed from the glossy headlines of a “retrofit revolution”. Trevor gives a frank assessment of funding gaps, skills shortages, inconsistent standards, and the operational challenges that make large-scale retrofit so difficult today. He also offers practical guidance for contractors considering a pivot into the field.

Finally, Trevor discusses PAH’s commitment to developing the next generation of tradespeople, including hands-on partnerships with local colleges, mentoring new apprentices, and bringing students onto live sites.

This is a grounded, real-world conversation about leadership, resilience, retrofit, and what it actually takes to run a values-driven construction business in 2025.

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

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

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

For our list of other eBooks on building your QS Career and AI, click here - Free eBook Downloads.

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 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 spot market cycles and make data-driven decisions
 🧠 The danger of “groupthink” in construction leadership
 💥 Why construction professionals must stop waiting for others to represent the industry

This is a must-listen for any contractor, QS, or commercial leader who’s ever tried to make decisions in the dark. If you care about data, procurement, market confidence, or just want to understand the bigger picture — don’t miss this one.

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

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

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

For our list of other eBooks on building your QS Career and AI, click here - Free eBook Downloads.

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 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 role does culture — not just maternity — play in retention?

Faye shares stories, research, and practical steps for building inclusive teams — without falling into the “gender war” trap. The conversation covers:

• Why so many women drop out by age 46
• The hidden burnout from constant “fighting the system”
• How male allies can show up — and why most don’t know where to start
• What subcontractors and SMEs need from Tier 1s
• Why toilets, mental health, and procurement all matter more than you think

If you're a construction leader who wants to attract and retain better talent, this episode will challenge your assumptions — and give you the tools to lead better.

🔗 Find out more about Faye’s book: buildingwomen.co.uk

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

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

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

For our list of other eBooks on building your QS Career and AI, click here - Free eBook Downloads.

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 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 QS teams? (Paul wants to ban document dumps. Chris wants to go to the pub.)
• Is lowest-price-wins procurement still the norm in 2025 – and are we finally shifting to value-based tendering?
• Plus: Thoughts on the new RICS Responsible Use of AI Standard, and why episode 250 will be a must-listen.

👀 Stick around for anecdotes from Paul’s subbie days, and a refreshing reminder that construction doesn't always have to be a battle.

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

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

For our list of other eBooks on building your QS Career and AI, click here - Free eBook Downloads.

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 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, not technology, is the real blocker to scaling modular housing.
• What QSs and developers are getting wrong when procuring modular projects.
• How we shift from chasing megafactories to building smarter, leaner, scalable modular systems.

If you're in cost management, development, or just curious about why modular keeps “failing,” this episode reframes the entire conversation.

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

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

For our list of other eBooks on building your QS Career and AI, click here - Free eBook Downloads.

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.