Own The Build

In the fourth episode of the Own the Build Leadership Series, Paul is joined by Anil Rai, Commercial Director at M Group Water, a £900m+ business within the wider £2.5bn M Group. 
Anil’s journey offers a clear view of what it takes to build a leadership career in a large, complex Tier 1 environment — from early progression through commercial roles to leading at scale across a major infrastructure business.
The conversation focuses on what effective commercial leadership really looks like in 2026, including:
building consistency and standards across large teams;
creating alignment between commercial, operational and client objectives;
leading with accountability while empowering others to take ownership; and
navigating the scale and complexity that comes with major frameworks and long-term programmes.
Anil also reflects on the mindset shift required to step into a Commercial Director role — moving beyond individual performance to driving outcomes through people, structure and culture.
A practical and grounded discussion for QSs aiming for senior leadership — and for Commercial Directors operating in large, multi-project environments.
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📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:
Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success
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Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] 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.

In this episode, Paul is joined by Pamela Cunningham, consultant at Growth & Performance Solutions, to unpack one of the biggest inefficiencies in construction:
The disconnect between main contractors and subcontractors during tendering. 
Having worked on both sides of the fence, Pamela brings a rare perspective — combining Tier 1 procurement experience with hands-on support for SMEs trying to win work in today’s market.
The conversation explores what each side consistently gets wrong.
From the main contractor side:
 why poor tender packs and missing pricing documents create confusion and low engagement; 
 how lack of feedback damages long-term supply chain relationships; 
 and why simple actions like picking up the phone are still a competitive advantage. 
From the subcontractor side:
 why many SMEs struggle to understand expectations and position themselves effectively; 
 how resource, structure and strategy are becoming key differentiators; and 
 what separates businesses that win work from those that don’t. 
The episode also tackles wider industry challenges — from supply chain underdevelopment and skills shortages to the unintended consequences of risk transfer and poor procurement practices.
The conclusion is clear:
better communication, better information and more intentional procurement processes would transform outcomes for both sides.
A practical, honest discussion for QSs, procurement professionals and subcontractors looking to improve how tenders are won, assessed and delivered.
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📥 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 [email protected] 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.

In this Own the Build Question Time episode, Paul is joined once again by Chris Barber, COO and Co-Founder of C-Link, to answer listener questions sparked by the recent Leadership Series with leading Commercial Directors across the UK construction industry. 
The discussion dives into some of the most practical leadership challenges facing QSs and commercial managers today — from when to step in and when to let team members learn through mistakes, to how difficult projects can become the most valuable learning experiences of a career.
Paul and Chris also tackle the uncomfortable topic of “hard-nosed” commercial behaviour in the industry and whether that mindset is still sustainable in modern construction leadership.
The episode closes with advice for the next generation of quantity surveyors — exploring why QS remains one of the most flexible and opportunity-rich careers in construction.
A thoughtful conversation about leadership, growth through adversity, and the mindset required to build stronger commercial teams.
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📥 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 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 [email protected] 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.

In this episode, Paul is joined by Cian Brennan, founder of Quantum Contract Solutions and author of The Subcontractor’s Edge, for a candid conversation about one uncomfortable truth:
Most subcontractors don’t lose money on site — they lose it in the paperwork.
From four-hour “favours” that quietly erode margin, to delayed variations that become interest-free loans to main contractors, Paul and Kian unpack how small commercial decisions in Q1 of a project often come back to bite in Q4 — what Kian calls “squeaky bum time.”
They cover:
why early variations must be submitted immediately (even the small ones);
how cash flow timing is the real battleground in subcontracting;
acceleration traps — and the critical question to ask before agreeing to speed up;
why final accounts are the most dangerous phase of any project;
how to “train” payment behaviour from day one; and
the simple quarterly check-in strategy that turns one project into long-term framework work.
This is a practical, straight-talking episode for subcontractor QSs and commercial leaders who want to protect margin, control cash flow, and avoid painful disputes at closeout.
Because in construction, the difference between surviving and thriving often comes down to process, discipline, and thinking three quarters ahead.
---------------------------------
📥 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 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 [email protected] 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.

In the third episode of the Own the Build Leadership Series, Paul is joined by Mark Walker, Managing Director of Seddon Housing Partnerships, an £85m social housing contractor operating across the North West and Midlands, part of the wider Seddon Group.
Mark’s journey is a powerful example of progression through ownership, resilience and long-term thinking. Starting in construction at 16 as a trainee QS, he worked his way through Assistant QS, QS, Senior QS, Managing QS and Commercial Director — before recently stepping into the Managing Director role.
This conversation explores what that journey really looked like.
Mark reflects on:
putting his hand up for responsibility before he felt fully ready;
how difficult projects build the resilience and judgment required for leadership;
managing people older and more experienced than you;
why bad jobs often create the best commercial leaders;
the shift from project-focused thinking to full commercial oversight across estimating, surveying and supply chain;
building collaborative two-stage tendering cultures that remove silos;
why fairness with subcontractors is not weakness — it’s long-term strategy;
the importance of transparency in reporting and contingency management; and
why ownership and honesty are non-negotiable traits in high-performing commercial teams.
Mark also shares the mindset behind his move from Commercial Director to Managing Director — taking control of his own progression, succession planning his role beneath him, and making promotion a logical decision rather than a leap of faith.
The episode closes on a clear definition of great commercial leadership in 2026:
 Create clarity. Build trust. Develop people. And take ownership.
This is essential listening for QSs aspiring to senior leadership — and for existing directors who want to sense-check what strong, modern commercial leadership really looks like.
---------------------------------
📥 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 [email protected] 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.