UK Construction Podcast

Most discussions around IR35 focus on tax. But the real impact is being felt in the way construction businesses hire, retain and work with contractors.

Matt Williams from Clear North joins us on the UK Construction Podcast to unpack why so many firms are still getting IR35 wrong, how recent changes have shifted the conversation again, and why blanket bans may no longer be the safest option they once seemed.

Along the way, they discus...

The Middle East has become one of the world's most ambitious construction markets, attracting global contractors, consultants, and investors with its mega projects, rapid growth, and long-term infrastructure plans. But behind the headlines is a market where success depends on far more than simply winning work.

Marcus Siddons, Group Director at Baker Wilkins & Smith, joins Jimmy Webb to discuss the realities of delivering project...

1.8 homes per minute.

That's how many homes need retrofitting between now and 2050 if the UK is going to meet its energy efficiency goals.

The challenge isn't just carrying out the work. It's knowing where to start, which homes need attention first, and whether retrofit projects are actually delivering the results they're supposed to.

Lucy Lyons, Co-Founder and CEO of Kestrix and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree in 2024, joins us on the ...

Jane Middleton and Charity Rose join the UK Construction Podcast to discuss the realities of inclusive PPE in construction, from oversized clothing and unsuitable footwear to pregnancy PPE, menopause, neurodiversity, and the wider issue of “standard” PPE not fitting the workforce it’s designed to protect.

Recommended Inclusive PPE Products & Resources:

• Inclusive Hard Hats (smaller head sizes & braided ha...

Mental health on-site is often acknowledged, but rarely understood in practice.

This episode looks beyond policies to explore what is actually happening across construction sites, and why many of the warning signs go unnoticed. From long hours and pressure to conversations that rarely go beyond football, work, or a quick “you alright, mate?”, the discussion examines how many men in construction avoid speaking openly abou...

Construction doesn’t fail because of process alone — it fails when the people behind it are overlooked. This episode looks at how a People First approach to leadership is reshaping the way projects are delivered and teams are managed on site.

Jonathan Cinelli brings decades of experience from within the construction industry, having worked as an electrician, led teams, and managed large-scale electrical projects. That ex...

Most people on-site won't read a lift plan. Gheorghe Busuioc built an AI to fix that.

In this episode of the UK Construction Podcast, Jimmy Webb sits down with Gheorghe Busuioc, founder of Construct Tech, to explore how technology is transforming lifting operations in the UK construction industry.

Gheorghe shares his journey from gate man and slinger signaller to building one of the most innovative lifting solutions in the UK —...

What Is PassivHaus and why aren't we building every home this way?

Jimmy Webb sat down with Liam Schofield of LGS Airtightness for the latest episode of the UK Construction Podcast. This is an honest conversation about the state of British construction and why PassivHaus needs to become the standard.

Here's what they cover:

• What PassivHaus is and how it works in practice
• Why UK housing stock is the oldest and draughtiest in Europe
• H...

Welcome to the UK Construction Podcast.

The UK construction industry continues to face mounting pressure from labour shortages, skills gaps and ongoing market uncertainty. While headlines focus on project delays and rising costs, the real story often sits on the ground, with contractors struggling to secure reliable, qualified workers.

Jimmy Webb is joined by Riley Pond, Contracts Manager at The Labour Desk, to discuss why c...

Welcome to the UK Construction Podcast, from the UK Construction Blog.

Recent changes to CITB funding have prompted a lot of discussion across the construction industry. For many employers and training providers, those changes raise practical questions about how training is funded, supported, and delivered.

 Jimmy Webb speaks with Deb Madden, Executive Director of Engagement and Operations at CITB, to explain the context behind ...

Welcome to the UK Construction Podcast, from the UK Construction Blog.

Health and safety policies are often well-written. But what happens when they meet the reality of a live construction site? 

Jimmy Webb speaks with Beth Slade, Founder of Beth Slade Safety Ltd, about the gap between health and safety policy and everyday practice across construction. 

The conversation covers: 

• Where paperwork and compliance fall sh...

Plumber of the Year 2022, Jimmy Hendry, joins the UK Construction Blog Podcast for a candid conversation on the realities of gas safety in the UK. Hosted by Jimmy Webb, the episode draws on over 30 years of hands-on experience in plumbing and gas engineering to explore why serious safety risks continue to exist despite strict regulations. 

This episode looks at how gas safety is applied in the real world, not just on paper.

In t...

Welcome to the UK Construction Podcast, from the UK Construction Blog.

Drugs and alcohol policies are meant to keep construction sites safe. But what happens when those policies don’t match real-life behaviour on site?

In this episode, Jimmy from UK Construction Blog speaks with Nick McMurray from Positive Matters, a company working with construction businesses to rethink how they approach drugs, alcohol, testing and support. I...

Welcome to the UK Construction Podcast, from the UK Construction Blog.

Kevin Bennison, the founder of InspHigher and a respected voice in the lifting industry joins us to talk about what’s gone wrong with construction training and how to fix it. 

As he draws on his experience from the military to the crane cab, Kevin shares with our host Jimmy Webb from UK Construction Blog on how competence, repetition, and leadership can...

Jimmy Webb from the UK Construction Blog sits down with Chris Scriven, Director of Education at The Restore Trust, to explore how construction is helping people with complex backgrounds — including those with criminal records — find purpose and meaningful work.

From prison education programmes to hands-on training and mental health support, The Restore Trust is opening doors for people to rebuild their lives while helpin...

Welcome to the UK Construction Podcast, from the UK Construction Blog.

Retentions have been used in UK construction since the 1840s. Yet today, many in the industry are questioning whether they still offer the security they once promised.

Originally introduced during the railway boom, retentions were meant to protect projects. Today, they’re locking up billions in unpaid funds and pushing contractors closer to insolvenc...

How do you keep construction sites safer, smarter, and more efficient using video?

In this episode of the UK Construction Podcast, we’re excited to introduce our new host, Jimmy Webb. Having years of experience as a construction industry expert and as the voice behind The Construction Cogs Podcast, Jimmy brings a wealth of knowledge and energy to the show.

Jimmy sits down with Paul “Indy” Newman, UK ...

Welcome to the UK Construction Podcast, from the UK Construction Blog.

How did Manchester go from a struggling industrial city filled with abandoned mills and a thriving rave scene to a forward-thinking hub for business, technology, and innovation?

For PushON, a leading digital agency based in Manchester’s Ancoats, this transformation isn’t just a story from the sidelines. It’s something they’re a part of ever...

Welcome to the UK Construction Podcast, from the UK Construction Blog.

What do 862 million plastic straws have to do with driveways?

When Johnny Pearce saw plastic waste building up along the beaches near his home, he couldn’t shake the feeling—especially as a dad—of wanting to set a better example.

He already had a successful business. But what if that business could be part of the solution? In this episode, we talk...