Blog

In this episode, Paul is joined by Davin Dillon, founder of Clearnorth — known in the industry as “the QS people” — to unpack one of the most important career questions in construction: What does it really take to become a Commercial Director? Drawing on insights from more than 40 in-depth interviews with Commercial Directors,… Continue reading The Road to Commercial Director: What 40 Leaders Taught Us (EP 257)

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)

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 of Own the Build, Paul is joined by Mike Ashcroft (Co-Founder of EstimateOne) and Paddy Westbury (Estimating Director at Structure Tone) to explore the often misunderstood world of estimating – and its love/hate relationship with quantity surveying. They dive into Paddy’s 40-year journey from sleepy PQS firms to the intensity of fast-track… Continue reading Estimating vs. Quantity Surveying – Can We All Just Get Along? (EP 242)

In this episode, Paul is joined by George Lujans, Director at GoModular, for a masterclass on modular construction that breaks down everything you thought you knew. George’s message is clear: most developers, QSs, and even modular startups have misunderstood modular construction – and that’s why it hasn’t delivered on its promises. Together, Paul and George… Continue reading Why Modular Construction Fails in the UK – And How to Fix It (EP 243)

In this episode, Paul is joined by David Longman, Managing QS at Rendesco, a £15m M&E specialist contractor, for a frank and wide-ranging conversation about quantity surveying from the subcontractor’s perspective — an angle that is often misunderstood higher up the contracting chain. David’s career path is unusual and valuable: starting in main contracting, moving… Continue reading The Subcontractor’s Perspective: From Tender to Final Account – What a Main Contractor needs to know (EP 253)

In this episode, Paul is joined by Jordan Toman, QS recruitment specialist at ClearNorth — known by many as “the QS Insider”. Jordan sits at the centre of the UK QS market, speaking daily with quantity surveyors and commercial leaders across the country. Few people have a clearer view of what’s really happening behind the… Continue reading Inside the QS Market: Salaries, Burnout & Hiring Reality in 2026 (EP 251)

In this episode of Own the Build, Paul is joined by Katie Taylor, Managing Quantity Surveyor, to explore what it really takes to raise the bar for commercial professionals in construction. Katie shares how she entered the industry by chance as a receptionist, studied part-time to become a QS, and developed a deep passion for… Continue reading Curiosity, Communication, and Coaching: How to Build Better QSs (EP 241)

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)

In Episode 245 of Own the Build, Paul is joined by Faye Allen, a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, Quantum Expert Witness, and Fellow of the RICS, with over 30 years’ experience in construction. Faye is the author of Building Women — a powerful new book that examines why the industry continues to lose talented people, and… Continue reading Why We’re Losing Good People – What Every Leader in Construction Needs to Hear (EP 245)