Site Story

Colin Tomlinson
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The People, Skills and Strategies that Bring Projects to Life. Site Story is where construction meets conversation. This podcast takes you beyond the technical plans and into the minds of the people behind them. Each episode dives into the diverse roles and relationships that make projects succeed—unpacking the blueprints of leadership, collaboration and craftsmanship that shape the industry. We explore the essential contributions of every role on a construction project and bridge the gap between the technical and the human side of construction.

  1. Jun 25

    Stop Telling Men To Talk About Mental Health

    What if the reason many men struggle to open up about mental health is because we're asking them in the wrong way? In this episode, host Colin Tomlinson speaks with Anthony Hutton, founder of the Never Throw In The Towel project, former Big Brother winner, barber, keynote speaker, and mental health advocate. Anthony shares how his own experiences with fame, adversity, and personal challenges inspired him to create practical, male-focused approaches to mental wellbeing. In this episode: Why traditional mental health campaigns often fail to engage menHow a barber chair can become a safe space for life-changing conversationsThe power of storytelling in creating trust and connectionSimple breathwork techniques to manage stress and anxietyWhy walking side-by-side often leads to deeper conversationsThe importance of environment, community, and daily habits for mental wellbeingPractical advice for leaders wanting to support mental health within their teamsThe story behind the Never Throw In The Towel movement and its growing impact A powerful conversation about resilience, vulnerability, leadership, and creating spaces where people feel safe enough to ask for help.

    Stop Telling Men To Talk About Mental Health

  2. May 21

    Returning to Work After Maternity

    What happens when a decade away from the workplace becomes your greatest leadership advantage? In this episode of Site Story, Colin Tomlinson sits down with Rachel Tomkins to explore her journey from the military to motherhood, and then back into the infrastructure industry through one of the UK’s first construction returnship programmes at Tideway. Rachel shares how transferable skills, curiosity, leadership and resilience helped her rebuild a meaningful career after a 10-year career break — and why the industry is missing out if it overlooks people returning to work. In this episode, we cover: Why returnship programmes can unlock hidden talent in infrastructure and engineeringHow Rachel transitioned from the Royal Engineers into major projectsThe reality of confidence, childcare and commuting after a long career breakWhy soft skills and leadership matter just as much as technical expertiseThe importance of mentoring and supportive workplace culturesWhat employers should look for beyond CVs and qualificationsWhy infrastructure projects offer a strong sense of purpose and fulfilmentHow diverse career experiences can strengthen project teamsLessons from Tideway’s pioneering returnship programmeWhy “taking the risk” on people often delivers the best long-term resultsA powerful conversation about careers, confidence, leadership and creating opportunities for people who thought their professional chapter had closed.

    Returning to Work After Maternity

  3. May 7

    Unlocking Mega Project Success

    What really causes billion-pound projects to fail - poor execution or poor leadership? In this episode of Site Story, Colin Tomlinson sits down with Tim McManus, a global authority on mega project delivery, to explore what truly drives success in the world’s most complex builds. From nuclear power plants to leading the delivery of the New England Patriots stadium, Tim shares practical insights from decades at the sharp end of construction, and why so many projects are set up to fail before they even begin. You’ll discover why the planning phase is often rushed (and the cost of that mistake), how treating a project like a business changes decision-making, and why collaboration, not competition, is the real key to delivering results. Tim also breaks down the four leadership mindsets every project leader must adopt, alongside the growing importance of digital transformation and developing the next generation of leaders in an industry under pressure. If you’re involved in major projects, or aspiring to step up, this episode offers a clear, honest perspective on what needs to change.

    Unlocking Mega Project Success

  4. Apr 23

    Design Doesn’t Come With A Playbook, and That’s The Job

    Ever worked on a project where the design keeps evolving, and wondered why there isn’t a clearer plan from the start?This episode brings a more honest perspective to that question. Colin Tomlinson sits down with Claire Dioszegi to explore what design work actually looks like in practice, especially in complex projects where not everything is known upfront. Because the reality is, design doesn’t always come fully formed. It develops over time. And the people managing it are often learning, adapting, and making decisions as things unfold. It's important to remember that’s not a flaw in the system, it is the system.  They talked about: Why not all design work starts with a complete plan, and why that’s expected How people grow into design management roles through experience What “figuring it out as you go” actually looks like in real projects The balance between moving forward and refining design at the same time Why evolving designs aren’t a sign something’s wrong How better understanding this process improves collaboration for everyone Whether you work alongside design teams or within one, this conversation offers a clearer lens on what’s really happening behind the scenes. It's a practical conversation that normalises the reality of design, and helps teams work with it, not against it. Resources About the Guest Claire Dioszegi is a design project management expert with experience across complex infrastructure projects, known for her practical approach to navigating evolving designs and real-world delivery challenges. Connect with her on LinkedIn: Linkedinlinkedin.com/in/claire-dioszegi-mba-ceng-fice-2069b425

    Design Doesn’t Come With A Playbook, and That’s The Job

  5. Apr 16

    Before You Buy Software, Answer This First

    Are you about to invest in new software… but not 100% clear on the problem you're solving? In this episode of Site Story, Colin Tomlinson sits down with James Dixon to unpack a common (and costly) mistake across construction and project delivery: buying technology before truly understanding the need. With over a decade of experience across tier one contractors, SMEs, and client-side roles, James shares why even the best platforms fail... and what leaders should be doing first. More importantly than tools, this conversation is about clarity, culture, and making better decisions before the investment is made. In this episode, we cover: Why most software fails before it’s even implemented What a “tech stack” actually means (without the jargon) The hidden cost of duplication and rekeying data across systems Why “show, don’t tell” should guide every software decision How unclear processes lead to poor tech outcomes The role of leadership in driving successful adoption Why fear of failure and culture matter more than the platform itself How to bring visibility and structure into the design phase Practical ways project managers can challenge and improve systems Why starting with the problem—not the software—is the only way to succeed If you’re considering new tools, platforms, or digital solutions, this episode will help you avoid expensive mistakes and make smarter decisions from the start. Because the wrong question isn’t “what software should we buy?”, it’s “what problem are we solving?” 🔗 About The Guest: James Dixon is a construction technology and process improvement specialist with experience across design, delivery, and client-side environments. He works with organisations to connect their systems, reduce inefficiencies, and ensure technology genuinely supports project delivery. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-dixon-mciob-63a22023/ Resources Mentioned – Common Data Environments (CDEs) – Workflow mapping and process design – Digital construction tools and system integration Want to make better decisions before your next tech investment? 👉 Discover how we help leaders and project teams improve performance at 150CLD—explore our training and resources today.

    Before You Buy Software, Answer This First

  6. Apr 2

    Judgment in Ground Engineering: Insights with Richard Croft

    What do you do when the ground beneath your project is uncertain, the programme is tight, and everyone is relying on your decision? In this episode, host Colin Tomlinson sits down with civil engineer Richard Croft to explore how professionals develop judgement in environments where perfect data simply doesn’t exist. From soil and groundwater engineering to leading teams in the Army and managing environmental remediation in Iraq, Richard shares lessons from a career built on navigating complexity. This conversation explores how technical expertise, leadership, and self-awareness come together when real-world decisions have real consequences. In this episode, we cover: Why engineering decisions often rely on judgement as much as calculations How military leadership training shaped Richard’s approach to decision-making and responsibility The fundamental differences between consulting and contracting business models Why projects fail when teams rely on assumptions instead of information The importance of investing in ground investigation early to avoid costly surprises later Lessons from managing environmental remediation on oil fields in Iraq How listening, coaching, and chaplaincy shaped Richard’s approach to leadership Why authentic careers are built around relationships, purpose, and curiosity Ultimately, this episode is about learning to think clearly under uncertainty, and why the best professionals combine technical skill with wisdom gained through experience.

    Judgment in Ground Engineering: Insights with Richard Croft

  7. Mar 26

    Harnessing Technology and AI for Construction Site Productivity

    Why do so many construction projects still run late and over budget—even with more technology than ever before? In this episode, Colin Tomlinson sits down with technology and construction productivity expert Harsh Singh to explore the real reasons productivity struggles on construction sites. Harsh shares lessons from his work across consulting, software engineering, and construction technology startups, explaining why the biggest problems aren’t always technical—they’re often about planning, communication, and fragmented information across teams. They also dive into the growing role of AI in construction. Where can it genuinely improve productivity? Where does it create risk? And how can project managers use it without losing the human judgement that keeps projects safe and buildable? You’ll learn: • Why small planning habits can dramatically improve site productivity • The hidden waste caused by poor coordination and design fragmentation • How AI could give top performers “superpowers” on construction projects • Why technology alone won’t fix construction without better leadership • Practical ways teams can start using AI today If you want to plan better, build smarter, and reduce project chaos, this episode is packed with insights you can apply immediately. Listen now.

    Harnessing Technology and AI for Construction Site Productivity

  8. Jan 13

    Why do so many mega-projects go sideways—and what can we actually do about it?

    Delivering mega-projects is never simple—but are we making it harder than it needs to be? In this episode of Site Story, host Colin Tomlinson is joined by Jim Weeden, a seasoned delivery director who's led major infrastructure initiatives for Network Rail and beyond. Together, they explore the universal truths of project success, no matter the industry. Jim shares powerful leadership lessons from his military background and how they apply in the high-stakes world of construction, engineering, and cross-sector projects. Expect insights that are practical, hard-won, and refreshingly human. Here's what we cover in this episode: What a 'project' really is—beyond the Gantt chart Why leadership isn't just a buzzword in delivery roles How military experience shaped Jim’s project philosophy Real stories of resilience, challenge, and wins Lessons from crossing industry lines that apply everywhere If you’re in the business of delivering anything—this one’s for you. Resources About the Guest Jim Weeden is a former British Army officer turned mega-project delivery director. With leadership roles across Network Rail and Bechtel, he's known for his calm under pressure, human-first leadership style, and ability to get results in complex environments. Guest Links LinkedIn Mentioned in the Episode Network Rail Bechtel Project delivery in public and private sectors

    Why do so many mega-projects go sideways—and what can we actually do about it?
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The People, Skills and Strategies that Bring Projects to Life. Site Story is where construction meets conversation. This podcast takes you beyond the technical plans and into the minds of the people behind them. Each episode dives into the diverse roles and relationships that make projects succeed—unpacking the blueprints of leadership, collaboration and craftsmanship that shape the industry. We explore the essential contributions of every role on a construction project and bridge the gap between the technical and the human side of construction.

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  • Creator
    Colin Tomlinson
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Colin Tomlinson
  • Show Website
    Site Story