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. 9 hr ago

    Commercial Cock-Ups, Nightmare Meetings & Lessons Learned the Hard Way (EP 282)

    In this Own the Build Question Time episode, Paul is joined by Chris Barber, COO and Co-Founder of C-Link, to answer listener questions on the realities of working commercially in construction — including the mistakes, difficult meetings and relationships that shape you as a QS.  This episode gets particularly candid, with Paul and Chris looking back on their own careers and sharing some of the lessons they learned the hard way. The conversation explores:  the toughest meetings they experienced as young QSs and why preparation matters;  their biggest commercial mistakes and what they changed as a result;  when new technology and ERP systems can actually make commercial teams less efficient rather than more efficient;  why understanding the workflow before implementing technology is critical;  the importance of keeping your emotions — and your poker face — under control during negotiations; and  what separates the best commercial counterparts from the people you never want to work with again. Paul and Chris also discuss why fairness and pragmatism in variation management can completely change the dynamic between main contractors, subcontractors and consultants. The underlying message is simple: some of the most valuable lessons in commercial management come from getting things wrong, learning quickly and making sure you don't make the same mistake twice. A candid and practical Question Time episode for QSs and commercial professionals at every stage of their careers. --------------------------------- 📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below: Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success Send us Fan Mail 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.

    Commercial Cock-Ups, Nightmare Meetings & Lessons Learned the Hard Way (EP 282)

  2. 24 Aug

    Own the Build Leadership Series #8: David Taylor, Former Group Commercial Director at Costain (£1bn+ Contractor)

    In the eighth episode of the Own the Build Leadership Series, Paul is joined by David Taylor, former Group Commercial Director at Costain, where he spent over a decade on the Executive Board helping lead one of the UK's largest infrastructure contractors.  From starting his career as a trainee estimator at Taylor Woodrow to leading complex PFI programmes, resolving some of the industry's most challenging projects, and ultimately becoming Group Commercial Director, David shares the experiences, decisions and leadership principles that shaped a remarkable 43-year career. The conversation explores:  why putting your hand up for difficult projects is often the biggest accelerator of a career;  how becoming known as a problem solver opened doors throughout his leadership journey;  why preparation, stakeholder management and strategic thinking separate good commercial professionals from great leaders;  how to build influence across clients, supply chains and executive teams; and  why succession planning is one of the most important responsibilities of any leader. David also reflects on leading through major industry change, his philosophy of "commercial foresight", and the importance of leaving organisations stronger than you found them—including the carefully planned succession that saw him hand over the Group Commercial Director role before retiring. The episode closes with a powerful message: don't chase job titles—chase opportunities to solve difficult problems, earn trust and create value. The leadership opportunities will follow. A fascinating conversation for QSs, Commercial Managers, Commercial Directors and anyone with ambitions of leading at the very highest level in construction. --------------------------------- 📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below: Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success Send us Fan Mail 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.

    Own the Build Leadership Series #8: David Taylor, Former Group Commercial Director at Costain (£1bn+ Contractor)

  3. 17 Aug

    Why Better Contracts Could Save Lives in Construction (EP 280)

    In this episode, Paul is joined by Marc Preston —Quantity Surveyor, dispute resolution specialist, registered counsellor and CEO of New Foundation Counselling—to discuss one of the construction industry's biggest challenges: Why are we still losing so many people to poor mental health? Drawing on decades of experience across Tier 1 contracting, development, dispute resolution and counselling, Mark shares a unique perspective on the commercial and cultural changes needed to make construction a healthier place to work. The conversation explores:  why mental health should be treated with the same importance as physical health;  how poor payment practices, inappropriate risk transfer and adversarial procurement contribute to unnecessary stress across the supply chain;  why collaboration must become more than a contractual buzzword;  the practical changes contractors can make—from welfare facilities to better leadership—to improve wellbeing on site; and  why Mark believes the industry needs structural change, not just greater awareness. Paul and Mark also debate whether contracts should play a bigger role in driving better behaviours, the commercial case for investing in mental health, and why improving working environments isn't just the right thing to do—it's good business. The episode closes with a simple message: if we want better projects, we need to build a better industry for the people delivering them. A thought-provoking conversation for QSs, Commercial Managers, Project Directors and construction leaders who believe commercial success and looking after people should go hand in hand. --------------------------------- 📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below: Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success Send us Fan Mail 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.

    Why Better Contracts Could Save Lives in Construction (EP 280)

  4. 10 Aug

    Why QSs and Design Managers Need to Talk About Money (EP 279)

    In this episode, Paul is joined by Nitesh Rupalia, Technical Project Manager at Taylor Wimpey South Wales, for a fascinating discussion on one of the most overlooked relationships in construction: The link between commercial, technical and operational teams. Drawing on experience across developers, architects, Tier 1 contractors and national housebuilders, Nitesh shares why projects perform best when design managers, QSs and site teams stop operating in silos and start working as a single project team. The conversation explores:  why the traditional separation between design, commercial and operations creates unnecessary risk;  how involving specialist subcontractors earlier leads to better design, greater cost certainty and fewer variations;  the impact of the Building Safety Act on procurement, design development and contractor collaboration;  why design managers should be commercially focused—not just technically focused; and  how aligning project incentives around time, cost and quality leads to better outcomes for everyone. Paul and Nitesh also discuss the importance of attending each other's meetings, sharing responsibility for decisions, and creating an audit trail that makes final accounts far less contentious. The episode closes with a powerful reminder: the most successful construction projects aren't delivered by brilliant departments—they're delivered by brilliant project teams. A practical and thought-provoking conversation for QSs, Design Managers, Project Managers and Commercial Directors looking to improve collaboration, reduce risk and deliver better projects. --------------------------------- 📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below: Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success Send us Fan Mail 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.

    Why QSs and Design Managers Need to Talk About Money (EP 279)

  5. 3 Aug

    Leadership Question Time: How the Best Commercial Leaders Think (EP 278)

    In this special Leadership Series Question Time episode, Paul is joined once again by Chris Barber, Co-Founder and COO of C-Link, to answer questions submitted by listeners following recent Leadership Series interviews.  Drawing on themes from conversations with Prabhat Shikotra, Genna Rourke, Anil Rai and other senior commercial leaders, Paul and Chris explore how commercial professionals can apply those lessons in the real world. The discussion explores:  how leaders can find time to improve the business instead of constantly firefighting;  why delegation is one of the biggest mindset shifts required to move into leadership;  how to balance protecting commercial margins while maintaining strong relationships;  why solving difficult problems is often the fastest route to career progression; and  the importance of taking ownership before waiting for a promotion. Paul and Chris also share practical advice on analysing where your time is spent, building trust with clients and supply chains, creating high-performing teams, and why leadership is ultimately about making the business better—not simply managing projects. The message is clear: the best commercial leaders don't wait for more authority—they create more value. A practical episode for Quantity Surveyors, Commercial Managers and aspiring Commercial Directors looking to accelerate their careers and become more effective leaders. --------------------------------- 📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below: Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success Send us Fan Mail 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.

    Leadership Question Time: How the Best Commercial Leaders Think (EP 278)

  6. 27 Jul

    Own the Build Leadership Series #7: Genna Rourke, Former Commercial Director at Costain (£1bn+ Contractor)

    In the seventh episode of the Own the Build Leadership Series, Paul is joined by Genna Rourke, former Commercial Director at Costain and now Industry Engagement Director at Built Intelligence, to explore an unconventional route into commercial leadership and the lessons she learned along the way. After falling into quantity surveying by chance, Jenna built her career through curiosity, continuous learning and a willingness to take on problems others avoided. From trainee QS to Commercial Director, she reflects on the relationships, mentors and mindset shifts that shaped her leadership journey. The conversation explores: why trust and relationships are the foundation of great commercial leadership;the importance of delegation and why "what got you here won't get you there";how succession planning starts with developing the people around you;why collaboration consistently delivers better commercial outcomes than hierarchy; andthe role of mentoring, feedback and continuous professional development in building high-performing commercial teams.Jenna also shares her thoughts on the evolving culture of construction, the importance of embracing different perspectives across generations, and why today's leaders should focus less on having all the answers and more on creating environments where their teams can thrive. The episode closes with a simple but powerful message: great commercial leaders don't create followers—they create future leaders. A practical and refreshingly honest conversation for QSs, Commercial Managers and aspiring Commercial Directors looking to build stronger teams, earn trust and lead with confidence. --------------------------------- 📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below: Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success Send us Fan Mail 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.

    Own the Build Leadership Series #7: Genna Rourke, Former Commercial Director at Costain (£1bn+ Contractor)

  7. 20 Jul

    Practice the Contract, Protect the Relationship: The Art of Commercial Leadership (EP 276)

    In this episode, Paul is joined by Mark Holden-Smith, Chartered Quantity Surveyor, Registered Adjudicator, Registered Arbitrator and Director of Holden Smith Consultancy, for a deep dive into one of construction's most misunderstood topics: Why do so many final accounts end in dispute? Having progressed from labourer and plasterer to Managing Director before specialising in claims, dispute resolution and adjudication, Mark brings a unique perspective from every corner of the industry. The conversation explores why difficult final accounts are rarely caused by the final account itself. Instead, the root cause is often found months or even years earlier — in misunderstood contract terms, ambiguous documentation, and a failure to properly administer the contract from day one. Paul and Mark discuss:  why most disputes originate during procurement and contract formation;  the importance of understanding what you've actually signed up to;  why "being contractual" shouldn't be viewed as a negative;  the delicate balance between practising the contract and maintaining relationships;  how leverage is created through strong contractual positioning; and  the habits that separate commercial professionals who resolve disputes from those who create them. The discussion also challenges common industry behaviours, including the tendency to leave difficult issues unresolved until project closeout — often turning manageable disagreements into major disputes. The message is clear: the best way to resolve a difficult final account is to stop it becoming a difficult final account in the first place. A practical and insightful conversation for QSs, Commercial Managers, Commercial Directors and anyone responsible for protecting commercial outcomes on construction projects. --------------------------------- 📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below: Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success Send us Fan Mail 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.

    Practice the Contract, Protect the Relationship: The Art of Commercial Leadership (EP 276)

  8. 13 Jul

    Commercial Director or Freelance? The Career Choice More QSs Are Making (EP 275)

    In this episode, Paul is joined by Bernie Keens, freelance Commercial Manager and Managing QS, to explore a growing trend in the construction industry: Why are experienced QSs choosing freelance over the traditional climb to Commercial Director? Having spent 13 years progressing from Junior QS to Commercial Manager within the same contractor, Bernie recently made the move into freelance commercial management. The conversation explores what drove that decision, what he's learned so far, and whether the industry's traditional career ladder still appeals to experienced commercial professionals. Paul and Bernie discuss:  the realities of moving from QS to people manager and commercial leader;  why mentorship and continuous learning remain critical throughout your career;  the challenge of retaining ambitious Senior QSs in a competitive market;  why some of the industry's best commercial professionals don't actually want management roles; and  how flexibility, autonomy and lifestyle are changing career decisions for a new generation of QSs. The discussion also tackles a broader industry challenge: how contractors attract and retain the commercial talent needed to become the next generation of leadership. The message is clear: career success isn't always about the next job title — it's about finding the role, lifestyle and opportunities that are right for you. A thoughtful conversation for QSs, Commercial Managers and business leaders looking to understand how career aspirations in construction are evolving. --------------------------------- 📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below: Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success Send us Fan Mail 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.

    Commercial Director or Freelance? The Career Choice More QSs Are Making (EP 275)
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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
    291
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Own The Build
  • Show Website
    Own The Build

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