Construction Disrupted Episode 104 - The 61-Year Renovation Project (25.02.26)

From signs of recovery in the building sector to the importance of prioritizing quality, and the ambitious restoration plans for the Palace of Westminster. Let's dive in!

Signs of a Building Recovery as Pipeline Begins to Stir

The construction sector is showing early signs of recovery, with tender price inflation forecasts improving and legacy projects re-emerging.

RIBA’s Workload Index indicates growing optimism, especially in private housing and infrastructure markets.

While challenges like financing and margin pressures persist, anticipated rate cuts in 2026 may stabilize the sector further.

Why Construction Needs to Think Differently About Quality

Dave Stitt highlights the need for a cultural shift in the construction industry to prioritize quality.

He emphasizes the importance of leadership in fostering accountability and integrating quality into every aspect of work. By doing so, the industry can improve outcomes for clients, workers, and the environment.

Could the Restoration of Parliament Really Take 61 Years?

The Palace of Westminster faces a massive restoration project, with options ranging from 19 to 61 years and costs up to £39.2 billion.

The "Full Decant" option, though controversial, is the fastest and most cost-effective, while the "Enhanced Maintenance and Improvement Plus" option minimizes disruption but extends the timeline significantly. A final decision is expected in 2030.

Bios

Ryan Jones - SLG Agency

For almost 20 years, Ryan’s focus has been on helping brands in the construction and manufacturing sectors tell their story.

His career began in PR, working for global businesses across a variety of sectors, before opting to focus on construction and the built environment.

In his role as Managing Director, Ryan works to ensure that SLG Agency continues to be one of the construction industry's leading specialist strategic and creative agencies, having seen its work recognised by the likes of Campaign, Marketing Week and The Drum in recent years.

Ryan is regularly asked to speak at trade shows and events, and to contribute thought leadership pieces to trade media. He is also a member of several industry advisory boards, including Constructing Excellence and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

His passion for the construction sector has seen him work with clients on CSR campaigns that tackle the sector’s public perception, culminating in him recently launching a not-for-profit called Deconstruction.

Peter Sumpton - buildDifferent

Peter is a construction–marketing strategist and co-host of Construction Disrupted. With two decades’ experience spanning manufacturers, contractors and agencies, he helps organisations swap scattergun activity for clear strategy, joined-up planning and measurable outcomes.

His approach is practical and plain-spoken: cut the noise, focus on what moves the numbers, and build repeatable systems that teams can actually use.

Having seen first-hand how unfocused tactics waste time and budget, Peter works with leaders to align commercial goals, customer insight and content so marketing supports delivery rather than distracting from it.

Peter's passion lies in diagnosing organisations' marketing functions' capabilities and existing market, assembling what’s required to create a functional strategy, fit for purpose and scalable.

Marketing should create value, not just cost, and Peter’s work is about making that the norm.