Build & Thrive

Jennie Armstrong

Build & Thrive is the podcast transforming occupational health and wellbeing in the construction industry. Hosted by Jennie Armstrong, founder of Construction Health & Wellbeing, each episode features inspiring conversations with experts and change-makers dedicated to creating a healthier, happier workforce. Hear interviews with inspirational individuals and experts who are leading the way in tackling the industry’s toughest challenges, from staggering health statistics to skills shortages and talent retention. Did you know construction workers are nearly 4 times more likely to take their own lives through suicide than workers in other industries? Or that they’re 100 times more likely to die from work-related health issues than safety incidents? It’s clear we need to do more. Built to Thrive is here to spark change, celebrate innovation, and inspire action for a brighter future in construction. Join us for real stories, practical advice, and the latest in health and wellbeing strategies for the construction sector. Subscribe now on your favourite podcast platform, and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube to stay updated. Together, we can make construction a place where everyone can thrive.

  1. Turning Standards into Culture: The Balfour Beatty Story with Natalie Harvey

    4d ago

    Turning Standards into Culture: The Balfour Beatty Story with Natalie Harvey

    What does it take to turn psychological health from a wellbeing initiative into a business-wide operating framework? In this episode of Build and Thrive, Stuart Mace is joined by Natalie Harvey, Health Specialist at Balfour Beatty, to explore the organisation's journey to achieving and embedding ISO 45003 - the world's first international standard for managing psychosocial risks in the workplace. Natalie shares how Balfour Beatty approached ISO 45003 not as a compliance exercise or badge of honour, but as an opportunity to create consistency across hundreds of projects, thousands of employees, and countless teams working in different environments across the UK. Together, they discuss what psychosocial risk really means in construction, why language matters, and how organisations can move beyond reactive wellbeing initiatives to proactively identify and manage the factors that influence psychological health. Key topics include: ISO 45003 and managing psychosocial risk in constructionCreating consistency across large and complex organisationsEmbedding wellbeing into project planning and mobilisationLeadership's role in psychological health and safetyMoving beyond awareness campaigns towards preventionPractical lessons from implementing a global wellbeing standardWhy meaningful conversations matter on every construction siteListen now and discover how psychological health can become part of everyday project delivery. 🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app) 📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B  🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction. Episode Links: Stuart Mace: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartmace/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Natalie Harvey: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-harvey-34bb6368/Balfour Beatty: Website: https://www.balfourbeatty.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balfourbeattyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/balfourbeattyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/balfour-beatty-plc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BalfourBeattyPlcX: https://twitter.com/balfourbeattyGKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/  Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path.  Email support@constructionhealth.co.uk

    56 min
  2. From Awareness to Action: How Balfour Beatty Is Rethinking Health at Work

    Jun 23

    From Awareness to Action: How Balfour Beatty Is Rethinking Health at Work

    In this episode of Build and Thrive, Jennie Armstrong is joined by Rob Cheeseman, Head of Health at Balfour Beatty, for a practical conversation about what health, hygiene and wellbeing look like inside one of the UK’s largest construction organisations. Rob shares his journey from sport, rehabilitation and occupational health into construction, and explains how Balfour Beatty is working to make health risk management more integrated, consistent and tangible across the business. From occupational hygiene and health exposure reporting to flexible working, ISO 45003 and workplace wellbeing, this episode explores how the industry can move from good intentions to practical delivery. What we cover: Why health in construction needs to be treated with the same confidence as safety.How Balfour Beatty integrates health, hygiene and wellbeing under one approach.Why wellbeing needs to be made simple, tangible and deliverable on site.The “create, manage, support” model Balfour Beatty uses to explain workplace wellbeing.The importance of reporting health exposure incidents and learning from them.Balfour Beatty’s ISO 45003 journey and what it taught them about consistency.Why flexible working, better industry standards and shared learning could shape the future of construction health.Rob also reflects on the need for the industry to be braver, more collaborative and more consistent in how it manages health. His message is clear: construction already knows how to manage risk, but it needs to stop treating health as something separate, specialist or too difficult to tackle. 🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app) 📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B  🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction. Plan, Do, Check, Act - Assess your systematic approach to Psychosocial Hazard Management with 12 quick questions:  https://psychsafety.scoreapp.com Episode Links: Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/ Rob Cheeseman: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-cheeseman-1a915a79/Balfour Beatty: Website: https://www.balfourbeatty.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balfourbeattyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/balfourbeattyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/balfour-beatty-plc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BalfourBeattyPlcX: https://twitter.com/balfourbeattyGKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/  Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path.  Email support@constructionhealth.co.uk

    46 min
  3. From Reactive to Proactive: Transforming Wellbeing in Construction with Davy Daly

    May 21

    From Reactive to Proactive: Transforming Wellbeing in Construction with Davy Daly

    What does it really take to create a wellbeing culture that works across thousands of workers, hundreds of projects, and an extensive supply chain? In this episode of Build and Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong sits down with Davy Daly to explore how GRAHAM Group is transforming wellbeing across its workforce and why the industry needs to move beyond reactive support towards proactive, personalised wellbeing strategies. Drawing on his own lived experience from a military career and recovery from complex PTSD, Davy shares how that journey shaped his passion for wellbeing leadership and helped drive the development of GRAHAM’s award-winning wellbeing approach. The conversation explores: How the “Renew You” programme delivers personalised wellbeing support across construction projectsWhy engagement, follow-up and flexibility are critical for successful wellbeing programmesThe importance of leadership buy-in and embedding wellbeing from project mobilisation onwardsSupporting line managers to create psychologically safe workplacesWhy the construction industry still needs to do more around mental health and suicide preventionUsing data, dashboards and live insights to shape wellbeing campaigns and interventionsThe growing role of technology, digital wellbeing tools and AI in workforce wellbeingWhy supporting the supply chain is essential for meaningful industry-wide changeListen now and follow Build and Thrive for more conversations focused on improving the health, wellbeing and happiness of the construction industry 🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app) 📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B  🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction. Plan, Do, Check, Act - Assess your systematic approach to Psychosocial Hazard Management with 12 quick questions:  https://psychsafety.scoreapp.com Episode Links: Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/  Davy Daly: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-davy-daly-aa8278156/GRAHAM Group: Website: https://www.graham.co.uk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GRAHAMGroupUK/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grahamgroup_uk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/graham-group-uk/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu0IdUuVUSipbtroCb29aSAX: https://x.com/GRAHAMGroupUKGKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/  Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path.  Email support@constructionhealth.co.uk

    45 min
  4. Inside Sizewell C: Building a People-First Construction Culture with Keith Prince

    Apr 15

    Inside Sizewell C: Building a People-First Construction Culture with Keith Prince

    In this episode of the Build and Thrive Podcast, host Stuart Mace is joined by Keith Prince, Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing for Sizewell C Site Delivery, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of health, safety and wellbeing in construction. Together, Stuart and Keith explore the evolving role of health and safety professionals - moving away from the stereotype of “clipboard warriors” towards what Keith describes as “risk Jedi”: professionals who enable work to happen safely through practical, engineered solutions. The conversation dives into some of the biggest challenges facing the industry today, including: Why wellbeing is not a bolt-on to safety - it’s fundamental to itThe role leadership plays in creating healthier, safer workplacesHow major projects like Sizewell C are rethinking welfare, culture and workforce engagementWhy construction still has a long way to go in addressing occupational health risksThe importance of genuinely involving the workforce in how work is planned and deliveredIf you care about the future of construction health, safety and wellbeing, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. 🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app) 📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B  🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction. Plan, Do, Check, Act - Assess your systematic approach to Psychosocial Hazard Management with 12 quick questions:  https://psychsafety.scoreapp.com Episode Links: Stuart Mace: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartmace/ Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/  Keith Prince: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-prince-b862621/Sizewell C: Website: https://www.sizewellc.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sizewellcInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sizewellc/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sizewellc/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sizewellcX: https://x.com/sizewellcGKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/  Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path.  Email support@constructionhealth.co.uk

    57 min
  5. A Real-Life Approach to Tackling Silica in Construction with Martin Wilshire

    Mar 20

    A Real-Life Approach to Tackling Silica in Construction with Martin Wilshire

    In this episode of Build and Thrive, Jennie Armstrong is joined by Martin Wilshire, Health, Safety and Wellbeing Director at Multiplex, for a practical and honest conversation about one of construction’s biggest health risks: dust. This episode goes beyond awareness and looks at what real action can look like in practice. Martin shares his career journey from the Royal Air Force into construction, how his understanding of occupational health developed over time, and why Multiplex decided to take a strong position on silica risk through its Silica 25 campaign. Together, Jennie and Martin explore the realities of managing dust exposure on site, the challenges around respiratory protection and health surveillance, and why the way the industry is structured still makes long-term health protection harder than it should be. They also touch on psychosocial risk, what the UK can learn from Australia, and why leadership commitment is essential if we want to create healthier, safer places to work. In this episode, we cover: Why occupational health can no longer be seen as secondary to safety The realities of silica exposure and why Multiplex launched Silica 25The dangers of accelerated silicosis and why this issue needs urgent attentionThe importance of using the right respiratory protective equipmentWhy close-fitting masks and facial hair remain such a common issue on siteWhy leadership data and health intervention tours are helping identify the biggest risksHow innovation, robotics and new technology could help reduce future health risksThis is a really valuable episode for anyone who wants to move from talking about occupational health to actually doing something about it. 🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app) 📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B  🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction. Plan, Do, Check, Act - Assess your systematic approach to Psychosocial Hazard Management with 12 quick questions:  https://psychsafety.scoreapp.com Episode Links: Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/  Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/  Martin Wilshire: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-wilshire-5b120254/Multiplex: Website: https://www.multiplex.global/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/multiplexconstruction__au/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/multiplex/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MultiplexconstructionGKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/  Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path.  Email support@constructionhealth.co.uk

    47 min
  6. Why Sport Works: Community as a Mental Health Intervention with Steve Kerslake

    Mar 5

    Why Sport Works: Community as a Mental Health Intervention with Steve Kerslake

    In this powerful episode of Build & Thrive, Jennie Armstrong sits down with Steve Kerslake, founder of Construction Sport and long-time construction worker turned mental health campaigner. Recorded inside the Construction Sport studio, this is an honest, unfiltered conversation about trauma, pressure, suicide, sport, leadership and why the industry must go beyond awareness and into accountability. Steve shares his deeply personal journey - from surviving a violent attack early in his career, to navigating serious health challenges, to founding a charity that’s now influencing national conversations around mental health and workplace legislation. But this isn’t just about raising awareness. It’s about asking harder questions. In this episode, we cover: How a charity walk across Crossrail sparked the birth of Construction SportWhy community - not just sport - is the real interventionThe hidden cost of long hours, pressure and financial instability in constructionWhy many mental health initiatives fail on siteThe case for making suicide reportable under RIDDORWhat accountability could mean for the future of workplace mental healthHow trauma shows up physically and why “the body keeps the score”What real success looks like for the next five yearsIf you work in construction - whether on site, in leadership, in safety, HR, or policy - this conversation matters. 🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app) 📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B  🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction. Plan, Do, Check, Act - Assess your systematic approach to Psychosocial Hazard Management with 12 quick questions:  https://psychsafety.scoreapp.com Episode Links: Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/  Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/  Steve Kerslake: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-kerslake-650183174/Construction Sport Contracts Ltd: Website: https://www.constructionsport.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/constructionsportInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/constructionsport/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/constructionsportcontracts/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ConSpoTVGKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/  Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path.  Email support@constructionhealth.co.uk

    1h 4m
  7. Psychosocial Risk in Construction: Tackling the Real Causes of Stress at Work with Stuart Mace

    Feb 18

    Psychosocial Risk in Construction: Tackling the Real Causes of Stress at Work with Stuart Mace

    In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong introduces a very special guest and a new voice you’ll be hearing a lot more from - Stuart Mace, the newest team member at Construction Health & Wellbeing. The conversation challenges the idea that organisations are responsible for “managing” employees’ mental health. Instead, it reframes the responsibility: managing the work environment, reducing avoidable stressors, and acting on data before issues escalate. Stuart explains that good wellbeing practice is not about eliminating all stress. It’s about managing risk - just as construction already does so effectively in physical safety. This episode covers: Why most organisations are still stuck at “awareness”The misunderstandings around stress and psychosocial riskWhy stress risk assessments feel daunting but don’t need to beThe real opportunity behind ISO 45003The evolving role of Mental Health First AidersWhy listening to your workforce is the most powerful intervention you haveIf you’re a senior leader, health and safety professional, HR lead or project manager wondering what “good” really looks like in workplace wellbeing, this episode provides a grounded and realistic starting point. 🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app) 📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B  🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction. Plan, Do, Check, Act - Assess your systematic approach to Psychosocial Hazard Management with 12 quick questions:  https://psychsafety.scoreapp.com Episode Links: Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/  Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/  Stuart Mace: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartmace/GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/  Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path.  Email support@constructionhealth.co.uk

    50 min
  8. What If Your Near Miss Data Is Actually Mental Health Data with Colin Whiteley

    Feb 6

    What If Your Near Miss Data Is Actually Mental Health Data with Colin Whiteley

    In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong is joined by Colin Whiteley, Senior SHEQ Advisor at National Grid who is a construction professional with over 22 years’ experience and a doctoral researcher examining the overlooked link between mental health and safety in construction. Colin reflects on his journey from working on the tools to senior site and client-side roles, and why his research now focuses on whether risk-taking behaviour and near misses can be early warning signs of mental health distress, not just “human error”. What we cover: Colin’s journey through construction and into researchWhy “lack of concentration” shouldn’t end an investigationHow minor incidents may signal mental health distressThe impact of long hours, fatigue and job insecurityWhy some wellbeing initiatives don’t reach site levelThe role of managers, culture and stigmaSmall, practical changes that can improve safety and wellbeingIt’s a thoughtful conversation about prevention, responsibility and why mental health needs to be treated as a core safety issue in construction. 🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app) 📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B  🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction. Plan, Do, Check, Act - Assess your systematic approach to Psychosocial Hazard Management with 12 quick questions:  https://psychsafety.scoreapp.com Episode Links: Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/  Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/  National Grid: Website: https://www.nationalgrid.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-grid/Facebook: https://facebook.com/nationalgridukYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/uknationalgridInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalgriduk/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/nationalgridColin Whiteley: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-whiteley-msc-5550b5137/GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/  Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Want a free 30 minute strategy call to ensure you're on the right path.  Email support@constructionhealth.co.uk

    52 min
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About

Build & Thrive is the podcast transforming occupational health and wellbeing in the construction industry. Hosted by Jennie Armstrong, founder of Construction Health & Wellbeing, each episode features inspiring conversations with experts and change-makers dedicated to creating a healthier, happier workforce. Hear interviews with inspirational individuals and experts who are leading the way in tackling the industry’s toughest challenges, from staggering health statistics to skills shortages and talent retention. Did you know construction workers are nearly 4 times more likely to take their own lives through suicide than workers in other industries? Or that they’re 100 times more likely to die from work-related health issues than safety incidents? It’s clear we need to do more. Built to Thrive is here to spark change, celebrate innovation, and inspire action for a brighter future in construction. Join us for real stories, practical advice, and the latest in health and wellbeing strategies for the construction sector. Subscribe now on your favourite podcast platform, and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube to stay updated. Together, we can make construction a place where everyone can thrive.

Information

  • Creator
    Jennie Armstrong
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Build & Thrive
  • Show Website
    Build & Thrive