Own The Build

In this episode, Paul is joined by James Pearson, a freelance Quantity Surveyor with nearly 20 years' experience across UK construction, to explore the commercial habits that keep projects under control — and how AI is beginning to change the way QSs work.
James shares his approach to managing projects through a structured commercial calendar, explaining why reporting what happened last month isn't the same as actively managing what happens next.
The conversation explores:
why projects rarely lose commercial control overnight — and the small disciplines that begin to disappear first;
how James structures his month around valuations, forecasting, CVRs, variations and commercial administration;
why programme delays and constant firefighting quickly destroy good commercial management;
how regular progress meetings and strong relationships help identify risk before it becomes a commercial problem;
how James is already using AI to interrogate contracts, test claims and strengthen commercial arguments; and
why QSs should use AI as an experienced colleague or consultant — rather than asking it to do their job for them.
James also shares how AI helped him develop the contractual argument behind a multimillion-pound dispute, before offering a warning to QSs simply outsourcing their thinking to the technology.
His view is simple:
use AI to make yourself a better QS — don't use it to replace the skills that make you valuable in the first place.
A practical conversation for Quantity Surveyors and Commercial Managers looking to improve their commercial discipline while understanding how AI can become part of their everyday toolkit.
---------------------------------
📥 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.

In this episode, Paul is joined by Kevin Horner, Procurement Operations Leader at Laing O'Rourke, Board Director at SSIP, and a member of several Build UK working groups, for an in-depth look at what procurement really looks like inside one of the UK's largest contractors. 
While procurement is often viewed as simply "buying subcontractors", Kevin reveals that modern Tier 1 procurement is far more strategic—balancing supply chain capability, governance, compliance, commercial risk and long-term relationships to deliver better project outcomes.
The conversation explores:
 why procurement and quantity surveying play different—but equally critical—roles in project delivery; 
 how early contractor and early supply chain involvement through PCSAs reduces risk and improves design certainty; 
 why quality, compliance and capability should take priority over lowest price; 
 the hidden complexity of managing procurement across hundreds of suppliers, multiple regions and major infrastructure projects; and 
 how digitisation, AI and better data could transform procurement over the next decade. 
Paul and Kevin also discuss Laing O'Rourke's work on contract simplification, the importance of building long-term strategic relationships with the supply chain, and why the industry must stop passing down unmanaged risk if it wants to improve productivity and reduce insolvencies.
The episode closes with a powerful message:
great procurement isn't about buying cheaper—it's about building stronger supply chains, better projects and a more sustainable construction industry.
A fascinating conversation for Quantity Surveyors, Procurement Professionals, Commercial Directors and anyone looking to understand how leading contractors are rethinking procurement in 2026.
---------------------------------
📥 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.

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.

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.

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.