UK Construction Podcast

Public and private sector construction often gets talked about as two very different worlds. But when it comes to building homes, regenerating communities and delivering major projects, the two need each other more than you might think.

Jimmy Webb sits down with Margaret Burrell MRICS, Founder, Critical Path Construction Podcast, to explore what happens when these two worlds meet.

This episode of the UK Construction Podcast navigates affordable housing and commercial viability as well as planning delays and political pressures. We get into the realities of getting projects off the ground, and why public sector developments can take years to progress, where private developers have the advantage, and how joint ventures can help bridge the gap. We also discuss how building safety regulations add another layer of complexity to an industry already working under considerable pressure.

With different priorities, processes and expectations to navigate, collaboration isn't always straightforward. But with housing demand growing and communities in need of investment, finding common ground between the two sectors has never been more important, as Margaret shares with us.

Learn more about Critical Path Podcast:
https://www.instagram.com/criticalpathconstructionpod/
https://www.tiktok.com/@critical_path_podcast
Margaret Burrell MRICS: LinkedIn Profile

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https://web-motion.co.uk/

Special shoutout to our dynamic host Jimmy Webb of Construction Cogs: https://constructioncogs.com

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AI is already changing the way construction and engineering work gets done. The question is no longer whether the technology is coming, but how the industry uses it without losing the experience and judgement that still sit with the people doing the work.

On the UK Construction Podcast, host Jimmy Webb speaks with Nathan Marsh about where AI is making a difference across complex projects — from analysing huge volumes of project data to spotting risks, supply-chain problems and missed connections before they become expensive issues.

Nathan Marsh is Regional Executive for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Bentley Systems. With engineering and contractor shortages putting more pressure on an already stretched industry, he explains why he sees AI as an assistant rather than a replacement for people.

He also looks at digital twins, systems-based thinking and the need to treat roads, rail, water and power as connected parts of the same system.

The discussion moves into real-world examples, including the Everton Stadium and Elizabeth Line, and how technology helped teams rehearse construction, manage logistics and bring different organisations together around a shared project.

For Nathan, the real opportunity isn't simply having better technology. It's making that technology easier for people to use, giving teams better information when they need it, and making sure human judgement remains at the heart of important decisions.

The result is a fascinating look at where construction technology is heading — and what that could mean for the people delivering the industry's biggest and most complex projects.

🌐 Learn more about Bentley Systems: https://www.bentley.com/
Nathan Marsh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-marsh-6320539/

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https://web-motion.co.uk/

Special shoutout to our dynamic host Jimmy Webb of Construction Cogs: https://constructioncogs.com

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The crane industry can offer exceptional earning potential, yet many people don't realise the opportunities it presents—or how to break into the profession.

Tim Milligan, founder of Lift Tec Academy, shares how a chance move from labouring into lifting operations transformed his career, eventually leading him to build a training academy dedicated to helping others follow the same path.

Speaking with Jimmy Webb, Tim discusses why crane operations remain one of construction's most rewarding career routes, what separates great operators from average ones, and why attitude often matters more than experience when employers are hiring. He also offers practical advice for anyone looking to secure their first role in the industry, explains the differences between crane training in the UK and the US, and reflects on the challenges of building a business from the ground up.

Whether you're considering a career in lifting operations, looking to upskill, or simply interested in the people behind the industry's success stories, this episode of the UK Construction Podcast offers valuable insight into a career that many overlook.

Topics covered:

• Why crane operations can be such a rewarding career
• Tim's journey from labourer to Lift Tec Academy founder
• How to get started as a crane operator
• The mindset employers look for
• Crane training in the UK vs the US
• Building a successful training business
• Supporting students beyond qualification

🌐 Connect with Tim Milligan:
https://www.instagram.com/thecranemanuk https://www.tiktok.com/@thecranemanuk

🌐 Lift Tec Academy website:
https://www.lifttecacademy.co.uk/

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Thank you to our sponsor for this episode, WebMotion Media:

https://web-motion.co.uk/

Special shoutout to our dynamic host Jimmy Webb of Construction Cogs: https://constructioncogs.com

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Most discussions around IR35 focus on tax. But the real impact is being felt in the way construction businesses hire, retain and work with contractors.

Matt Williams from Clear North joins us on the UK Construction Podcast to unpack why so many firms are still getting IR35 wrong, how recent changes have shifted the conversation again, and why blanket bans may no longer be the safest option they once seemed.

Along the way, they discuss the ongoing shortage of quantity surveyors, why some sectors are thriving while others continue to wait on planning approvals, and how businesses can build more resilient commercial teams without limiting their hiring options.

Whether you're responsible for recruitment, commercial management or you're working as a contractor yourself, this conversation offers a practical look at what the latest changes could mean for you.

Topics covered:

• Why IR35 is still widely misunderstood
• The latest changes affecting contractors and employers
• Why blanket bans became common—and whether they still make sense
• The growing demand for quantity surveyors
• How infrastructure, utilities and data centres are shaping the market
• Practical advice for businesses engaging freelance professionals

🌐 Learn more about Clear North: https://www.clearnorth.co.uk/

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Thank you to our sponsor for this episode, WebMotion Media:

https://web-motion.co.uk/

Special shoutout to our dynamic host Jimmy Webb of Construction Cogs: https://constructioncogs.com

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The Middle East has become one of the world's most ambitious construction markets, attracting global contractors, consultants, and investors with its mega projects, rapid growth, and long-term infrastructure plans. But behind the headlines is a market where success depends on far more than simply winning work.

Marcus Siddons, Group Director at Baker Wilkins & Smith, joins Jimmy Webb to discuss the realities of delivering projects across Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC. Drawing on nearly 60 years of the company's experience in the region, Marcus explains why British construction professionals continue to be highly regarded, how long-term relationships shape opportunities, and why patience, trust, and disciplined risk management matter just as much as technical expertise.

The conversation explores Saudi Arabia's giga projects, construction across the GCC, cost and risk management, procurement, cash flow, material price volatility, and the impact of regional conflict on project delivery. Marcus also shares what the UK construction industry can learn from the speed, ambition, and scale of development across the Middle East, while highlighting the challenges that often go unnoticed.

Whether you're planning to expand into Saudi Arabia, already working in the GCC, or simply interested in the future of global construction, this episode of the UK Construction Podcast offers practical insights into one of the industry's most active and influential regions.

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Thank you to our sponsor for this episode, WebMotion Media:

https://web-motion.co.uk/

Special shoutout to our dynamic host Jimmy Webb of Construction Cogs: https://constructioncogs.com

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1.8 homes per minute.

That's how many homes need retrofitting between now and 2050 if the UK is going to meet its energy efficiency goals.

The challenge isn't just carrying out the work. It's knowing where to start, which homes need attention first, and whether retrofit projects are actually delivering the results they're supposed to.

Lucy Lyons, Co-Founder and CEO of Kestrix and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree in 2024, joins us on the UK Construction Podcast to explain how her company is using drones, thermal imaging, and AI to create what she describes as the "Google Maps of heat loss". By turning aerial data into detailed 3D models, the platform helps housing providers identify heat loss, prioritise investment, assess retrofit opportunities, and measure outcomes across thousands of properties.

The conversation explores social housing, EPC assessments, retrofit funding, AI in construction, energy efficiency, and the role technology could play in helping the UK tackle one of its biggest infrastructure challenges.

Connect with Lucy Lyons:
Kestrix Website: https://www.kestrix.io/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-lyons/

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Thank you to our sponsor for this episode, WebMotion Media:

https://web-motion.co.uk/

Special shoutout to our dynamic host Jimmy Webb of Construction Cogs: https://constructioncogs.com

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Jane Middleton and Charity Rose join the UK Construction Podcast to discuss the realities of inclusive PPE in construction, from oversized clothing and unsuitable footwear to pregnancy PPE, menopause, neurodiversity, and the wider issue of “standard” PPE not fitting the workforce it’s designed to protect.

Recommended Inclusive PPE Products & Resources:

• Inclusive Hard Hats (smaller head sizes & braided hair compatibility)
  MSA Safety V-Gard range
• Women’s Safety Boots
  Amblers Safety Women’s Footwear Collection
• Women’s Safety Wellington Boots
  Muck Boot Company – Women’s Muck Grit S5 Tall Boots
• Safety Footwear for Challenging Site Conditions
  Rock Fall – Hurricane Safety Boots
• Smaller Gloves & Safety Glasses
  uvex Women’s PPE Range
• Hijab-Compatible & Maternity PPE Accessories
  Leo Workwear Accessories & Jacket Expanders
• Women’s Stretch Cargo Trousers
  Leo EcoViz Stretch Cargo Trousers
• Stretch Jogger-Style PPE Trousers
  Hawkridge Class 1 EcoViz Jog Trousers
• Women’s Waterproof Hi-Vis Coat
  Leo Rosemoor Women’s Orange Waterproof Hi-Vis Coat
• Inclusive PPE Supplier Directory
  PPE That Fits – Supplier Directory
• Further Reading / Industry Initiative
  AtkinsRéalis Inclusive PPE Release

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Thank you to our sponsor for this episode, WebMotion Media:

https://web-motion.co.uk/

Special shoutout to our host Jimmy Webb of Construction Cogs: https://constructioncogs.com

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Mental health on-site is often acknowledged, but rarely understood in practice.

This episode looks beyond policies to explore what is actually happening across construction sites, and why many of the warning signs go unnoticed. From long hours and pressure to conversations that rarely go beyond football, work, or a quick “you alright, mate?”, the discussion examines how many men in construction avoid speaking openly about what they’re really struggling with. It highlights how humour, banter, and carrying on as normal can often mask deeper issues, allowing addiction and mental health struggles to develop unnoticed over time.

Craig Paton, Health, Safety and Wellbeing Director, MHFA specialist, and founder of Paton Safety Solutions Ltd, brings over 20 years of experience in construction. Having started as a labourer and later moving into health and safety following a fatal accident involving a close friend, Craig also speaks openly about his own experiences with addiction, recovery, and mental health. His perspective comes from both years spent in the industry and lived experience outside of it.

Our conversation explores why many individuals struggle to speak up, how issues can develop unnoticed on site, and the role leadership plays in creating safer, more supportive environments.

Craig also shares insight from his work delivering mental health training and keynote talks across the UK and Europe, highlighting practical ways to improve communication, recognise early signs, and better support people across all levels of the workforce.

This episode of the UK Construction Podcast is a relevant watch for anyone working in construction, particularly those responsible for teams, safety, and site culture.

Connect with Craig Paton:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigpaton1982/
Podcast: https://youtube.com/@constructivecomedypresents?si=IDNtscDd_CZoxVg9

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Thank you to our sponsor for this episode, WebMotion Media:

https://web-motion.co.uk/

Special shoutout to our dynamic host Jimmy Webb of Construction Cogs: https://constructioncogs.com

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Construction doesn’t fail because of process alone — it fails when the people behind it are overlooked. This episode looks at how a People First approach to leadership is reshaping the way projects are delivered and teams are managed on site.

Jonathan Cinelli brings decades of experience from within the construction industry, having worked as an electrician, led teams, and managed large-scale electrical projects. That experience now informs his approach to People First Leadership, a system built specifically for construction environments where performance, safety, and culture are closely linked.

His discussion with host Jimmy Webb explores how leadership decisions on site influence trust, communication, and team dynamics, and why many of the challenges seen across projects can be traced back to how people are managed. It also looks at the impact of generational differences, the pressures placed on site leaders, and the role leadership plays in addressing mental health and retention across the workforce.

Rather than relying on theory, the ideas shared are grounded in real site experience, with a focus on practical changes that can be applied across different levels of responsibility, from foremen and supervisors through to senior leadership.

This episode of the UK Construction Podcast also touches on how structured support, coaching, and leadership development can help create more resilient teams, reduce unnecessary friction, and improve overall project outcomes without adding complexity to already demanding roles.

Connect with Jonathan Cinelli:
People First Leadership website: https://www.peoplefirstleadership.ca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-cinelli-pmp-acc-103b841ba/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanacinelli/ 

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Thank you to our sponsor for this episode, WebMotion Media:

https://web-motion.co.uk/

Special shoutout to our dynamic host Jimmy Webb of Construction Cogs: https://constructioncogs.com

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Most people on-site won't read a lift plan. Gheorghe Busuioc built an AI to fix that.

In this episode of the UK Construction Podcast, Jimmy Webb sits down with Gheorghe Busuioc, founder of Construct Tech, to explore how technology is transforming lifting operations in the UK construction industry.

Gheorghe shares his journey from gate man and slinger signaller to building one of the most innovative lifting solutions in the UK — combining AI-generated lift plans, 3D visuals, training videos, QR codes, and a digital daily checks app into one powerful system.

They dive into why traditional lift plans are often ignored on site, how Construct Tech is working directly with manufacturers to revolutionise access to lifting equipment, and what the future looks like for lifting operations — including VR safety training and 4D building simulations.

Whether you're an AP, site manager, crane operator or just curious about where construction tech is heading — this one is not to be missed.

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Thank you to our sponsor for this episode, WebMotion Media:

https://web-motion.co.uk/

Special shoutout to our dynamic host Jimmy Webb of Construction Cogs: https://constructioncogs.com

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