Own The Build

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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 how the best commercial teams deliver profit, performance, and project certainty in a changing industry. If you’re serious about mastering the commercial side of construction — this is where you build your advantage.

  1. The Road to Commercial Director: What 40 Leaders Taught Us (EP 257)

    6 DAYS AGO

    The Road to Commercial Director: What 40 Leaders Taught Us (EP 257)

    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, Davin shares the patterns, pitfalls and turning points that consistently shape the journey from graduate QS to commercial leadership. The conversation explores three critical phases of the journey: 1️⃣ The Early Years — Accidental Beginnings & the Power of Mentorship Most Commercial Directors never set out to become QSs. They fell into it. What separated those who progressed was strong mentorship, deliberate development and early exposure to responsibility. The message is clear: don’t drift — take ownership of your career. 2️⃣ The Middle Years — The “Glass Ceiling” Moment Many technically excellent QSs stall at senior level. Why? Because the next step isn’t about technical competence — it’s about leadership. Delegation, emotional intelligence and developing others become the defining skills. As Davin puts it: Delegation is the major career unlock. 3️⃣ The Final Step — Readiness, Not Recklessness Chasing the title too early can damage credibility. Commercial Directorship requires strategic thinking, people leadership and self-awareness. The best leaders didn’t force the move — they built capability until someone else saw they were ready. The episode also covers: why curiosity consistently stands out in future leaders;what Commercial Directors really look for in interviews;the difference between managing projects and leading teams;how to know when you’re genuinely ready for the step up; andwhy honesty, humility and cultural fit often matter more than technical brilliance.If you’re a QS aiming for the top seat — or a Commercial Director developing the next generation — this is a grounded, experience-led conversation on building a credible, resilient leadership career in construction. You can find the ClearNorth Road to Commercial Director eBook here. --------------------------------- 📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below: Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success For our list of other eBooks on building your QS Career and AI, click here - Free eBook Downloads. Send a text Want to connect with Paul? Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at paul@c-link.com or through, C-Link. C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient. Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

    45 min
  2. Estimators vs QSs: Can We Finally Work as One Team? (EP 220)

    02/06/2025

    Estimators vs QSs: Can We Finally Work as One Team? (EP 220)

    Register your interest for the Strategy Summit Event at the Churchill War Rooms on June 26th here - https://c-link.com/C-Link-Churchill-War-Rooms-Event --------------------- Today, Paul’s guest is Mike Ashcroft, Estimator, Co-Founder of EstimateOne, and now Merger Partner at C-Link. This episode is a conversation years in the making — one driven by too many busted Excel sheets, missing elevations, and the gap between Estimators and QSs. Mike and I talk through how two different companies, built on opposite sides of the world, came together with a shared vision: connecting pre- and post-award teams on one integrated platform. We discuss: What Estimating and Quantity Surveying looks like in Australia (yes, they really do things differently down there). Why so many UK QSs are heading to Aus — and what both countries can learn from each other. The real handover issues between Estimators and QSs — and where the friction lies. The story of how EstimateOne and C-Link met, merged, and are building the future of procurement. Why our shared goal is simple: to help construction teams win better work and deliver it more profitably.You’ll also hear war stories about coffee machines that cost £40k more than expected, pricing off verbal quotes, and why sales skills are underestimated in construction. This episode is a must-listen for anyone working in estimating, QSing, or commercial management — and especially for those frustrated with how disconnected the tendering and delivery phases of construction can be. 🎧 For the full C-Link x E1 backstory with all four co-founders, check out the Merger Special in the feed. 📩 Have a question for Paul? Email paul@c-link.com to have it answered in an upcoming episode! 📩 If you'd like to read the two Own the Build eBooks based on 200+ episodes — Mastering Your Career in Quantity Surveying and The AI Revolution in Quantity Surveying — head to the show notes to download your free copy. Download them here - Free eBook Downloads. Send a text Want to connect with Paul? Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at paul@c-link.com or through, C-Link. C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient. Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

    1h 8m
  3. Episode 54 - Growing a pipeline of site deals

    14/02/2022

    Episode 54 - Growing a pipeline of site deals

    In this episode, Paul is joined by Jack Jiggens, who is both a developer and an investor at award-winning property developer XP Property. Paul and Jack talk about the art of sales and focus on Jack’s expertise in cultivating a pipeline of the best property deals. Head to www.get.c-link.com/podcast to learn how you can save a minimum of 5% against budget construction costs on your next project. You can also subscribe to our blog to stay up to date with the latest resources, articles, videos, and audio from C-Link. The Own The Build podcast is brought to you by C-Link and is hosted by; Liam Curley and Paul Heming. Would you like to learn tactics that other professionals are using to get to PC quicker, reduce costs, and all whilst meeting specification and building standards? Join our LinkedIn Group, The Site Office, to ask for advice, share your knowledge, and connect with people that might have a different perspective on construction that you've not yet considered. Send a text Want to connect with Paul? Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at paul@c-link.com or through, C-Link. C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient. Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

    32 min
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About

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 how the best commercial teams deliver profit, performance, and project certainty in a changing industry. If you’re serious about mastering the commercial side of construction — this is where you build your advantage.

Information

  • Creator
    C-Link
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    266
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Own The Build
  • Show Website
    Own The Build

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