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PODCAST

Own The Build

Own the Build is the podcast for Quantity Surveyors and Commercial Directors who want to sharpen their commercial edge and lead with confidence.Hosted by Paul Heming, former Commercial leader and now co-founder of C-Link, each week’s conversation dives into the realities of modern commercial management — from procurement and contracts to digital transformation and leadership in construction.Through honest discussions with industry leaders, forensic planners, and forward-thinking QSs, Paul explores

business management

All Episodes

29:50

Would You Pay £100k More for a Subcontractor You...

Own The Build ·

2026/10/05

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 four real-world commercial dilemmas faced by Quantity Surveyors and Commercial Managers. First up: would you pay £100,000 more for a subcontractor you already know and trust? Paul and Chris debate the value of certainty, relationships and proven performance against the very real pressure to protect project margin. They explore how work references, site visits, supply...

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56:16

Own the Build Leadership Series #9: Jon Solly, Cost...

Own The Build ·

2026/09/28

In the ninth episode of the Own the Build Leadership Series, Paul is joined by Jonathan Solly, Cost Management Partner at Ridge, to explore the consultancy-side journey from Assistant QS to Partner — and what it takes to make the transition from being a technically strong QS to becoming a business leader. Jon started his career in accountancy before moving into construction as an M&E subcontractor QS. After joining Ridge as an Assistant QS, he progressed through the business over th...

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50:11

What Do You Notice After 16 Years Away From UK...

Own The Build ·

2026/09/21

In this episode, Paul is joined by Matt Mackey, Director at Contollo, who has recently returned to UK construction after spending 16 years working in Australia. Having left the UK during the aftermath of the financial crisis, Matt went on to build and lead cost and commercial management teams in Australia before returning to Manchester in 2026. So, after 16 years away, what does someone coming back into UK construction notice? The conversation explores: why many of the problems Matt remembers...

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33:01

How Quantity Surveyors Should Actually Be Using AI...

Own The Build ·

2026/09/14

In this episode, Paul is joined by James Pearson, a freelance Quantity Surveyor with nearly 20 years' experience across UK construction, to explore the commercial habits that keep projects under control — and how AI is beginning to change the way QSs work. James shares his approach to managing projects through a structured commercial calendar, explaining why reporting what happened last month isn't the same as actively managing what happens next. The conversation explores: why projects rarely...

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44:25

The Hidden Complexity of Tier 1 Procurement (EP 283)

Own The Build ·

2026/09/07

In this episode, Paul is joined by Kevin Horner, Procurement Operations Leader at Laing O'Rourke, Board Director at SSIP, and a member of several Build UK working groups, for an in-depth look at what procurement really looks like inside one of the UK's largest contractors. While procurement is often viewed as simply "buying subcontractors", Kevin reveals that modern Tier 1 procurement is far more strategic—balancing supply chain capability, governance, compliance, commercial risk and lo...

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33:34

Commercial Cock-Ups, Nightmare Meetings & Lessons...

Own The Build ·

2026/08/31

In this Own the Build Question Time episode, Paul is joined by Chris Barber, COO and Co-Founder of C-Link, to answer listener questions on the realities of working commercially in construction — including the mistakes, difficult meetings and relationships that shape you as a QS. This episode gets particularly candid, with Paul and Chris looking back on their own careers and sharing some of the lessons they learned the hard way. The conversation explores: the toughest meetings they...

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61:44

Own the Build Leadership Series #8: David Taylor,...

Own The Build ·

2026/08/24

In the eighth episode of the Own the Build Leadership Series, Paul is joined by David Taylor, former Group Commercial Director at Costain, where he spent over a decade on the Executive Board helping lead one of the UK's largest infrastructure contractors. From starting his career as a trainee estimator at Taylor Woodrow to leading complex PFI programmes, resolving some of the industry's most challenging projects, and ultimately becoming Group Commercial Director, David shares the experi...

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48:22

Why Better Contracts Could Save Lives in Construction...

Own The Build ·

2026/08/17

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...

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37:10

Why QSs and Design Managers Need to Talk About Money...

Own The Build ·

2026/08/10

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 pro...

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27:52

Leadership Question Time: How the Best Commercial...

Own The Build ·

2026/08/03

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...

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60:21

Own the Build Leadership Series #7: Genna Rourke,...

Own The Build ·

2026/07/27

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 Dire...

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34:48

Practice the Contract, Protect the Relationship: The...

Own The Build ·

2026/07/20

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 con...

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51:13

Commercial Director or Freelance? The Career Choice...

Own The Build ·

2026/07/13

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 wh...

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26:34

Question Time: Is there actually a QS Shortage &...

Own The Build ·

2026/07/06

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 Ch...

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60:25

Own the Build Leadership Series #6: Prabhat Shikotra,...

Own The Build ·

2026/06/29

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 sh...

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43:00

Advanced Influence: The Leadership Skill Construction...

Own The Build ·

2026/06/22

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 com...

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39:26

Why Good QSs Are Walking Away from Permanent Jobs (EP...

Own The Build ·

2026/06/15

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...

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29:37

From Gun QS to Commercial Leader: The Habits That...

Own The Build ·

2026/06/08

In this Own the Build Question Time episode, Paul is joined once again by Chris Barber, COO and Co-Founder of C-Link, to answer listener questions sparked by the recent Leadership Series featuring some of the UK construction industry’s leading Commercial Directors. The conversation explores the consistent themes emerging from those leadership interviews — and what they reveal about how strong commercial leaders are actually built. Paul and Chris discuss: why becoming a “gun QS” st...

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37:14

Why Standard Contracts Fail on Data Centres (And What...

Own The Build ·

2026/06/01

In this episode, Paul is joined by Alex Kozikowska, solicitor at Vinci, to explore a fast-growing but often misunderstood area of construction: Why data centre projects break traditional contract thinking. With experience across contractors, consultants and in-house legal teams, Alex brings a practical perspective on how these highly complex, MEP-driven projects are exposing the limitations of standard forms like JCT, NEC and even FIDIC. The conversation unpacks what actually makes data centr...

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53:06

Own the Build Leadership Series #5: Justin Fahy,...

Own The Build ·

2026/05/25

In the fifth episode of the Own the Build Leadership Series, Paul is joined by Justin Fahy, Managing Director at Structure Tone UK, to explore the journey from QS to leading a £400m+ fit-out business. Justin’s career is a strong example of steady progression built on experience, longevity and advocacy — rising through the ranks from trainee surveyor to Commercial Director, before stepping into Managing Director. The conversation focuses on what effective leadership really looks like at ...

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