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In this episode, Paul is joined by Kelvin Maye, Group Commercial Director at Guildmore Ltd, a £100m+ main contractor with an impressive growth trajectory. Kelvin shares the story of his journey from graduate QS to group leadership and how Guildmore is actively reshaping its commercial and procurement strategies. They explore how Kelvin’s team is unlocking… Continue reading Procurement Reimagined: Building Better Supply Chain Relationships at Guildmore (EP 234)

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… Continue reading Own the Build Live: What World-Class Procurement Really Looks Like in 2026 (EP 249)

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… Continue reading Inside the Defence Estate, Retrofit Reality & Leading a Modern Contractor (EP 247)

Question Time is back — and it’s better than ever. After a brief baby-related break (sorry about skipping 224.1 and 228.1), Paul and Chris are back to answer your burning questions about quantity surveying, procurement, contracts, and even… sport. In this episode, we cover: 🧠 How to build a standout QS career — including which… Continue reading Question Time Returns: The QS Career Clinic – From Roy Keane to Red Flags in Procurement (EP 232)

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… Continue reading The Christmas Question Time Special: Notices, Variations & 2026 Reality Checks (EP 248)

In episode 233, Paul welcomes Alice Graham, a chartered Quantity Surveyor turned Solution Specialist at Procore Technologies. Together, they unpack Alice’s career journey — from studying QS at Heriot-Watt University to working in consultancy, and eventually pivoting into construction technology. Alice shares how her “skills inventory” helped her redefine her path, the case for becoming… Continue reading The QS Career Isn’t Linear — And That’s a Good Thing (EP 233)

In this special episode of Own the Build, Paul is a guest on Ross Griffin's Inventing Construction podcast. The conversation dives deep into Paul’s journey from subcontractor QS to co-founder of C-Link, a software platform built to overhaul procurement and supply chain management in construction. Paul shares raw and honest reflections on why QSs are… Continue reading QS to Software Founder: Why Construction Needs to Work Smarter, Not Harder (EP 231)

In this episode, Paul is joined by Amy Connor from Clear North — a QS-focused recruitment specialist who supports freelance quantity surveyors across the UK. Amy describes herself as “the QS agent”, helping QSs stay off job boards, understand the freelance market, and make informed, sustainable career decisions. This is a practical, no-hype conversation about… Continue reading Freelance QS in 2026: The Real Numbers, Risks and Rewards (EP 254)

Question Time is back for 2026! 🎉 In this episode, Paul is joined once again by regular co-host Chris Barber for a lively and candid discussion driven entirely by listener questions. Together, they cover a broad range of topics—from fantasy fixes for the construction industry, to spotting the next generation of commercial leaders, and the… Continue reading Question Time: Commercially Astute or Commercially Difficult? Let’s Discuss…

In this episode, Paul is joined by Simon Rubinsohn, Chief Economist at the RICS, for a deep dive into one of the most pressing and under-discussed challenges facing the industry: the critical shortage of quantity surveyors — and what it means for productivity, cost, innovation and delivery across UK construction. Drawing on the RICS 2025… Continue reading What RICS Data Tells Us About the Future of UK Construction: Insights from the RICS Chief Economist (EP 252)