Join Paul this week as he welcomes Len Bunton , the Founder of Bunton Consulting, Vice Chairman of Scottish Mediation, and Chairman of their Excellence in Mediation Committee. Len also currently chairs the Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV), Commercial and Procurement Group. In this episode, Paul and Len revisit the Conflict Avoidance Pledge (CAP), a vital initiative championed by the RICS, first discussed in Episode 130. Len shares the latest updates on the industry adoption of the p...
Jul 01, 2024•44 min•Ep. 174
In this episode, Paul reunites with Richard Brackstone , a former Quantity Surveyor turned Consultant renowned for his innovative approach to providing executive-level support to construction companies, specialising in Risk Management and Commercial Best Practices. Returning after his insightful episode 117 appearance, Richard delves into Mitigation Obligations within Construction Contracts, offering a deep exploration similar to our previous discussion on Provisional Sums. Together, we unravel ...
Jun 24, 2024•45 min•Ep. 173
In this episode, Paul is joined by Justin Fellows , the Founder of 53 Quantum, an Independent Quantity Surveying consultancy specialising in Expert Analysis for Construction Lawyers and Commercial Directors navigating complex claims and disputes. Justin, a skilled Data Analyst, takes centre stage in this discussion focused on Data Visualisation. Discover how Justin leverages Data Visualisation to bolster his clients’ success in winning contentious claims and disputes. Delve into Justin’s “3R Rul...
Jun 17, 2024•46 min•Ep. 172
In this episode, Paul is joined by Jonah Balmford , Associate Director at Henry Riley, Head of Carbon Advisory, Head of APC, and an RICS Matrics Committee Member. In today’s conversation, Paul and Jonah discuss the transition from QS to Project Manager that Jonah made, the differences and why Jonah recommends that any QS does it. In his new role as Head of Carbon Advisory, we discuss the state of play regarding Carbon comprehension and how to bridge that knowledge knowledge. Carbon is a fascinat...
Jun 10, 2024•39 min•Ep. 171
This episode features Paul and Chris Barber , the Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) at C-Link and Prosper . Together, they delve into the current state of supply chain management in the construction industry. For many main contractors, supply chain management often boils down to an outdated Excel spreadsheet listing subcontractors. This antiquated method offers little real-time information and exposes stakeholders to unnecessary risks. But why does this persist as the norm? Chris offers a compelling...
Jun 03, 2024•34 min•Ep. 170
In this episode, Paul is joined by William Doyle , CEO at Gather. William is an RICS chartered quantity surveyor who founded Gather in 2017 to capture and analyse site data. Gather aims to do what currently takes hours, days, and weeks in seconds. In today’s conversation, Paul and Wiiliam discuss the Office of National Statistics report that showed the UK Construction Industry was more productive in 1997 than today and how William believes Technology is set to revolutionise how we manage things,...
May 27, 2024•39 min•Ep. 169
This week, Paul is joined by Jon Watts , the Procurement and Supply Chain Director at Hayfield Homes. In this follow-up to Episode 147, where they laid the groundwork on the disparities between Buying and Subcontract Procurement, Paul and Jon take their discussion to new heights. Jon discusses in great detail today how he differentiates Strategic Procurement from General Buying and the art of negotiation, risk management, and much more. If you want to learn the best tactics to maximise procureme...
May 20, 2024•47 min•Ep. 168
In this episode, Paul is joined by Rob Hubbard , a QS and fellow of the RICS, an expert witness, adjudicator, arbitrator, and mediator. In today’s conversation, Paul and Rob delve into a treasure test of dispute experience, whether mediation, adjudication, or arbitration. Rob shares three contract clauses catching people out in today’s market and provides guidelines on managing the process effectively and maximising your chances of success. -- Your free OTB download I’ve shared a link to the eBo...
May 13, 2024•41 min•Ep. 167
This week, Paul is joined by his close friend and QS, Chris Barber . Chris is a Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) at C-Link . Any main contractor knows the importance of getting subcontracts signed ASAP. Yet, many rely on condition precedents around payment to get contracts signed or just accept them by commencement clauses. In today’s conversation, Chris explains his experiences as both Main and Subcontractor when it comes to contract execution and shares why he believes the Digital eSiganture will...
May 06, 2024•38 min•Ep. 166
In this episode, Paul is joined by Ray Mellor-Pike , a QS and Managing Director of his own Consultant QS practice. In today’s conversation, Paul and Ray discuss the final account process and share experiences of how they have both approached the meetings in the past and how Ray now approaches all kinds of negotiations inspired by a podcast he listened to on hostage negotiations. -- Your Free Ticket to our Live Event We are excited to announce that you can now sign up and reserve a seat to our fi...
Apr 29, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 165
In this episode, Paul is joined by Martin Burns , Head of ADR Research and Development at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Martin’s role is to develop tailored dispute avoidance and resolution strategies for governments and businesses in the UK and globally. In today’s conversation, Paul and Martin discuss low-value disputes and the model Adjudication Procedure (LVD MAP) launched in 2020. Martin explains why he believes it is a superior dispute resolution process to adjudicat...
Apr 22, 2024•42 min•Ep. 164
In this episode, Paul is joined by Brian Moone FCIOB MRICS , the Director of Mace Business School. Brian is a former Project Manager and Director of Supply Chain Management at Mace. In today’s conversation, Paul and Brian discuss the importance of an integrated Supply Chain, how Mace tries to tackle this in a totally unique way with its Business School and how the word collaboration can hold real meaning if both parties are serious about achieving it. If you don’t know about Mace Business School...
Apr 15, 2024•44 min•Ep. 163
This week, Paul is joined by his close friend and QS, Chris Barber . Chris is a Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) at C-Link and Prosper and a passionate advocate for subcontractors on his YouTube channel, School of Sub . For any Quantity Surveyor out there, whether you are a Trainee or now a Commercial Director, you will know the Tender Analysis process and likely won’t much enjoy the prospect of doing your next one. Today’s conversation centres on the old, analogue Tender Equalisation and Analysis ...
Apr 08, 2024•36 min•Ep. 162
In this episode, Paul is joined by two colleagues from Arup, Ian Gordon , a former QS who describes himself as “Doing some data stuff for the built & natural environment”, and Ola Gwozdz , who describes herself as a Data Philosopher. In today’s conversation, Ola and Ian explain the importance of Data in the Built Environment and share how Arup works towards a data revolution and what this means for construction professionals. Here is a link to the book Ola referenced - https://data-feminism....
Apr 01, 2024•41 min•Ep. 161
In this episode, Paul is joined by Ellie Carswell , Award Winning Construction Project Manager | Founder and Chair of G4C Kent Club | Constructing Excellence Kent Vice Chair. In this conversation, we discuss how Ellie sees the relationship between Project Managers and Quantity Surveyors and how this relationship can be improved to bring maximum value to the project. We also discuss Ellie’s article about how to attract the next generation of talent to the industry, what she is doing about it and ...
Mar 25, 2024•36 min•Ep. 160
In this episode, Paul is joined by Doug Johnson , founder and director at Mesh Energy, an independent and trusted services consultant focusing on providing innovative sustainable energy services to clients, architects, and the construction industry. In today’s conversation, we discussed the design process and how best to manage it, explicitly considering M & E and services design. So often, in my experience, clients pay less attention to service design than they should do in the early stages...
Mar 18, 2024•47 min•Ep. 159
This week, Paul is joined by his close friend and QS, Chris Barber . Chris is the Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) at C-Link and Prosper and a passionate advocate for subcontractors on his YouTube channel, School of Sub . This week's conversation centres on an article about construction procurement routes. Main Contracting, as we know it, had its origins in the 19th century, and aside from the introduction of D & B Contracts in the 1980s, not much has changed. In this episode, Paul and Chris ex...
Mar 11, 2024•41 min•Ep. 158
In this episode, Paul is joined by Sarah Fox , a construction contract expert and Director at 500 Words , who delivers simple digital trust-enhancing contracts to put construction companies in control. In today’s conversation, we discussed Sarah’s book - “How to Write Simple and Effective Subcontract Agreements in Just 500 Words”. Sarah was inspired to write this book for “all the talented construction companies frustrated with horrific one-sided contracts”. We discuss in today’s show how Main a...
Mar 04, 2024•46 min•Ep. 157
This week, Paul is joined by William Temperley , Managing Director at Fortis Foundations, Civil Engineering and Piling Specialists serving the Rail, Civils, Energy, Residential and Water sectors. Will is a fascinating individual who set up his own Specialist Contractor some years ago and has a fascination with company culture that stems from his experience of being an integral Rugby team member, so much so that he wrote a dissertation on company culture. Today’s show discusses how his focus on c...
Feb 26, 2024•34 min•Ep. 156
This week, Paul is joined by Tom Haley , Director and Founder at Quantik. Tom is a Construction Claims Specialist and Quantum Expert Witness Tom is a Commercial and procurement specialist with experience leading business units and significant projects in the UK, Australia and Hong Kong within main contractor, subcontractor and supplier businesses. He is an expert in commercial recovery, procuring for value and dispute resolution, with a track record of enhancing revenue, profit and cash. In toda...
Feb 19, 2024•47 min•Ep. 155
This week, Paul is joined by his close friend and QS, Chris Barber . Chris is a Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) at C-Link and Prosper and a passionate advocate for subcontractors on his YouTube channel, School of Sub . Today’s conversation centres on a piece of research and writing that Paul undertook for the RICS, reflecting on how construction labour and materials costs developed in 2023 and focusing on 2024 and 2025. The conversation turns to the growing concern that the construction labour sho...
Feb 12, 2024•36 min•Ep. 154
This week, Paul is joined by Anil Sawhney , Director of the Infrastructure Sector at the RICS. Anil leads the emerging RICS initiative and strategy on placing and positioning the Institution within the field of excellent commercial management of projects globally with a primary focus on the (economic) Infrastructure sector, defined by the RICS as transport, utilities, energy and similar fields. In today’s show, we discuss the data behind decarbonising construction, focusing on shifting our menta...
Feb 05, 2024•44 min•Ep. 153
This week, Paul is joined by Louise Stewart , CEO and Founder at ProjectPay, a tech company revolutionising global payments in building and construction. Louise argues that the construction industry’s payment landscape is riddled with inefficiencies, delays, and non-payments, especially for smaller players, and she wants to change this. We talk about how ProjectPay is disrupting the world of construction payments and her vision for the industry’s future. Your free OTB download Looking for an Inv...
Jan 29, 2024•40 min•Ep. 152
This week, Paul is joined in the studio by Noble Francis, Economics Director at the Construction Products Association, PhD in Applied Econometrics and Honorary Professor at the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, UCL. Noble has been making waves in the industry with his easily digestible insights into market indicators such as brick deliveries and mortgage approvals. His posts provide followers with invaluable perspectives, offering genuine insights into the trajectory of the constructi...
Jan 22, 2024•53 min•Ep. 151
This week, Paul is joined by his close friend and QS, Chris Barber . Chris is a Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) at C-Link and Prosper and a passionate advocate for subcontractors on his YouTube channel, School of Sub . In today’s conversation, Paul shares a recent conversation with a Tier 1 Main Contractor who explained all the “Pain Points” they had identified in their commercial department and how they wanted to remedy them. If you are a Director at a Contractor, manage Quantity Surveyors or jus...
Jan 15, 2024•39 min•Ep. 150
This week, Paul is joined by Rudi Klein , the Director at Klein Legal and former chief executive at the Specialist Engineering Contractors (SEC) Group. Rudi was involved in piloting the ‘Construction Act’ through the UK Parliament and originated Section 112 of the Act dealing with the right to suspend construction contracts for non-payment. Today’s show discusses payment abuse being the industry’s dominant business model and what we can all do to change this. We discuss 120-day payment cycles, t...
Jan 08, 2024•46 min•Ep. 149
This week, Paul is joined by Mike Wharton, Chief Executive Officer at Complete Roofing Systems , Allied Roofing and Roof Analytics . Mike is passionate about quality and standards in the delivery of construction and has had an exciting journey from Equity Analyst and Fund Manager to CEO at a roofing subcontractor. Today’s show discusses the current economic climate and how it impacts construction’s Supply Chain. As a Subcontractor, what is your process when a tender lands? Do you say, “Wahey, we...
Dec 18, 2023•47 min•Ep. 148
This week, Paul is joined by Jon Watts , the Procurement and Supply Chain Director at Hayfield Homes. In today’s conversation, Paul and Jon discuss the relationship between the Procurement and Commercial Departments, and Jon explains how he manages collaboration between the two at Hayfield Homes. Across the episode, we discuss Jon’s unique approach to Supply Chain relationships, how his experience in the RAF shapes his approach to work and most importantly, the best tactics to maximise procureme...
Dec 11, 2023•48 min•Ep. 147
This week, Paul is joined by his close friend and QS, Chris Barber . Chris is a Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) at C-Link and Prosper and a passionate advocate for subcontractors on his YouTube channel, School of Sub . In today’s conversation, Paul hosts the second episode of a new 4-weekly series titled The Future of Contracting. In today’s episode, we explore the topic of measuring QS performance and Chris shares why companies have to move away from only measuring QSs’ on financial performance. ...
Dec 04, 2023•34 min•Ep. 146
This week, Paul is joined by Gary Davies from SubPort , an Award-winning Quantity Surveying Consultancy supporting Sub-Contractors to increase profits, improve cash and eliminate risk. In today’s show, Paul and Gary discuss the art of the Application for Payment process, how to ensure you are always getting paid the right amount and on time and what to do if you are not. In today’s economic environment, never has there been a better time to focus on cash flow, and this episode gives you the grou...
Nov 27, 2023•36 min•Ep. 145
