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 simplified subcontract designed to be clearer, shorter and far more practical for the people actually using it on site.

In this conversation, Paul and Kate explore:

• why construction contracts have become so complex over the last 40 years;
• the surprising statistic that 88% of business users struggle to understand their contracts;
• how redesigning contracts with diagrams, timelines and clearer structure can transform how projects operate;
• why simplification must come before the bigger challenge of fairer risk allocation; and
• how industry-wide collaboration between contractors could finally drive meaningful contract reform.

The goal isn’t just shorter contracts — it’s better outcomes for clients, contractors and supply chains alike.

A fascinating look at how one Tier 1 contractor is attempting to shift the industry towards simpler, more collaborative and outcome-focused contracting.

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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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