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. 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

  5. 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?

  6. 11/26/2025

    Bridging the Skills Gap in Construction with John Cartwright

    The skills shortage isn’t new, but the response needs to be. In this episode of Site Story, Colin Tomlinson speaks with John Cartwright, Head of Business Growth and Skills at Hartlepool College, about why construction is still struggling to retain young people and what must change. John shares his journey from “falling into construction” to leading one of the country’s most progressive FE colleges. He talks about: The real reasons apprentices leave the industry within their first year What Tier 1 contractors get wrong about engagement Why competitions like “The Golden Hammer” boost confidence and visibility How safeguarding and site culture impact retention more than people think The importance of emotional intelligence in trade education This is a candid, hopeful conversation about building a better pipeline, from classroom to construction site. About the GuestJohn Cartwright is Head of Business Growth and Skills at Hartlepool College. He works across FE and industry to connect employers with skilled young professionals. Find John on LinkedIn John Cartwright Mentioned in this episode The Golden Hammer skills competition Hartlepool College employer partnerships CITB apprenticeship data Colin Tomlinson’s Site Clarity model Resources

    Bridging the Skills Gap in Construction with John Cartwright

  7. 11/20/2025

    Quality, Culture and Coaching: Peter Billimoria on Leading Construction Differently

    What does it take to deliver defect‑free projects, lead a national quality culture and coach construction teams to success across Australia and beyond? In this episode of Site Story, host Colin Tomlinson speaks with Peter Billimoria, Group Quality Assurance Manager at Icon Group. Joining us from Melbourne, Peter shares insights from more than two decades in the industry...starting from project management roles to shaping culture at a group level. You’ll hear: How Peter discovered his passion for construction, the teaming, complexity and physical achievement that drew him in The story of stepping into a quality assurance role and evolving into strategic leadership, plus why his master’s thesis on QA matters now What “defect‑free at completion” really means and how his team achieved it on a high‑stakes defence/infrastructure project How setting clear KPIs, engaging subcontractors early and building trust between trades lead to smoother programs and better outcomes The coaching mindset: how Peter empowers teams through questions, active listening and shared ownership, rather than top‑down management His view on the future of construction: design‑upfront, prefabrication, education and industry modernisation. “Safety and quality aren’t just systems to follow—they’re cultures to live.” — Peter Billimoria About the Guest:Peter Billimoria is Group Quality Assurance Manager for ICON Group (which includes brands such as ICON, BAPA and MINICON) operating across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. With more than 20 years in construction, his background spans project coordination, project management and now quality leadership and coaching. Connect with Peter:LinkedIn Construction Quality Australia Mentioned Resources & Tools: ISO 9001 & Quality Management Systems Project charters, quality plans and defect‑free delivery Coaching workshops and active listening for leaders Industry themes: design‑upfront, prefabrication and technical education

    Quality, Culture and Coaching: Peter Billimoria on Leading Construction Differently

  8. 11/13/2025

    Building a Career in Construction: Rohit Malhotra's Journey

    What does it take to break into construction, and thrive, in a field often defined by tradition, pressure and fast-paced change? In this episode of Site Story, we sit down with Rohit Malhotra, a young project management professional at AtkinsRéalis, whose journey from Dubai to the UK, from construction sites to boardrooms, is nothing short of inspiring. We explore: What drew Rohit to construction from a young age, and how his father's career shaped his own Early roles across consultancy and contracting, and what he learned from both sides of the table Why communication, adaptability and leadership are the true drivers of project success Stories from his time managing major infrastructure work and public consultations His passion for mentoring, guest lecturing and championing diversity in the industry How volunteering and public speaking built his confidence and his ability to lead If you're starting out in construction, mentoring new talent, or rethinking how to build better teams, this episode is packed with practical, human insight from someone living it right now. About the GuestRohit Malhotra is a Chartered Construction Project Management professional at AtkinsRéalis, currently seconded to HS2. He’s also a CIOB Tomorrow’s Leaders Champion, mentor, speaker and ED&I advocate working across industry and education. Connect with RohitLinkedIn – Rohit Malhotra Resources Mentioned CIOB Tomorrow’s Leaders NEC Contracts Diversity & Inclusion in Construction 👉 Want more leadership content for the industry?Visit 150cld.co.uk for articles, guides and the Hard Hat Leader newsletter.

    Building a Career in Construction: Rohit Malhotra's Journey
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Colin Tomlinson
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Colin Tomlinson
  • Show Website
    Site Story