First Site by Construction News
First Site is a monthly podcast from Construction News, produced in partnership with Speedy Hire. The editorial team, led by editor Colin Marrs, speaks with industry experts about the hottest topics in construction. Each episode explores challenges, opportunities, case studies, and innovation in the sector. Listeners can expect in-depth discussions on standard-setting and best practices. The podcast is available via constructionnews.co.uk.
Episodes
Episode 32 : Inside the data centre challenge
In this episode, we explore whether the construction industry can deliver enough data centres to satisfy the UK’s AI ambitions. What are the main challenges facing the construction sector when it comes to data centres? What are the potential solutions? CN deputy editor Ben Vogel is joined by David McDonnell, managing director of data centres at main contractor McLaren; Sam Stacey, director of sy
Episode 31: Brexit – 10 years after the vote with John Wilkinson, Kelly Boorman and Graham Robinson
In this episode we look at the effects, both immediate and lingering, of Brexit on the construction industry. It’s now 10 years since the British electorate voted in a referendum to leave the European Union. Are the ramifications of that decision, which only passed by a narrow margin, still being felt in the UK’s construction sector today? What have been the long-term effects on the labour market
Episode 30 - Retentions: Retain or remove? With Rob Driscoll, Melanie Leech and Chris Hallam
In this episode we look at retentions. In late March, the government announced it was proposing to ban the use of retentions in construction contracts. The proposed ban is part of a wider package of measures aimed at tackling late payments across the UK economy as a whole, which the government says forces 38 small business to the wall every day. In construction, banning retentions might protect sm
Episode 29 – Putting Safety First with Peter Bennett OBE, Tom Jewell and Dr Keith Whitehead
In this episode, we’re taking a look at safety. Even though UK construction sites have some of the strictest regulations in the world, accidents still happen and fatalities still occur. So, can standards be raised and the number of fatalities and non-fatal injuries be reduced? CN’s features editor, Matt Davies, is joined by Peter Bennett OBE, the chair of the No Falls Foundation, Tom Jewell, the c
Episode 28 – Improving competency standards with Jon Vanstone, Gill Hancock and Faye Burnett.
In this edition, we take a closer look at competence, an issue that’s been under scrutiny since the Grenfell tragedy and the advent of the Building Safety Act. Competence frameworks are being set up, but how will they make a difference to the worker on a building site? Construction News Features Editor, Matt Davies, is joined by those at the centre of improving competence standards in the construc
Looking back at 2025 with the Construction News editorial team
In a special end-of-year episode of First Site, the CN editorial team picks out the big themes in our coverage over the past 12 months. CN deputy editor Ben Vogel is joined by features editor Matt Davies, news editor Nicky Harley and senior reporter Josh Stein.
Making sense of digital product passports with Peter Caplehorn, Stephen Hamil and Matt Brinklow
In this edition of First Site, Construction News deputy editor Ben Vogel explores the fast-emerging world of digital product passports and their implications for transparency, accountability and sustainability across the construction supply chain.
Joining him to unpack how the technology could reshape regulation, procurement and data management are Peter Caplehorn, chief executive of the Construct
Spotlight on the CN100 with Atul Kariya and Max Jones
In this episode of First Site, Construction News Deputy Editor Ben Vogel is joined by MHA’s Atul Kariya and Lloyds Bank’s Max Jones to unpack the latest CN100 index of the UK’s top construction contractors. With profits and margins rebounding to pre-pandemic highs, how sustainable is this recovery? How are firms managing cash, risk, and resilience? The discussion also looks into the future of cont
Getting to grips with the infrastructure strategy with Jonathan Willcock and Rachel Skinner
In this edition, we ask if the government’s £725bn infrastructure strategy will deliver on time and on target? And is £725bn enough to boost the UK’s attractiveness as an investment destination?
Joining CN’s features editor, Matt Davies, to discuss the infrastructure pipeline, spatial planning, regionalisation and the involvement of the private sector are Jonathan Willcock, Managing Director for T
Spotlight on life sciences with Nick Abbey and Lee Hutchinson
To coincide with CN’s Life Sciences & Research Clusters event, we look into the factors behind life science construction growth, the state of the market and the near-term outlook.
CN Deputy Editor Ben Vogel is joined by Lee Hutchinson, regional director of life science at Sisk UK, and Nick Abbey, Director of Operations at Mace for Public Sector and Life Sciences.
Building Women – How everyone in construction can win, with Fay Allen
Construction News editor Colin Marrs is joined by Faye Allen, director at J.S. Held, to talk about her new book exploring how improving the situation of women in the industry can also help men.
PAS 2080 in construction – are we at the tipping point? with Mark Fenton and Matt Pygott
Mark Fenton, carbon lead at Sizewell C and Matt Pygott, head of net zero at Speedy, join CN deputy editor Ben Vogel to discuss the PAS 2080 standard for carbon management. Why does it matter, and how can contractors and the supply chain practically align with it?
Building safety beyond Grenfell with Michael O'Connor, Amanda Long and Stuart Green
In this episode of First Site, we delve into the government’s response to the Grenfell Inquiry’s final report – and its implications for contractors and the broader construction sector.
CN deputy editor Ben Vogel is joined by Michael O’Connor, partner at law firm Charles Russell Speechlys; Amanda Long, chief executive of the Code for Construction Product Information; and Professor Stuart Green of
New Towns with Hugh Ellis and Rico Wojtulewicz
What kind of pipelines can contractors expect from a new generation of New Towns? CN features editor Charlotte Banks speaks to Hugh Ellis, policy director at the Town and Country Planning Association, and Rico Wojtulewicz, head of policy and market insight at the National Federation of Builders
Live from Leeds at Speedy Hire Live Sustainability Summit: racing to net zero and battling modern slavery
CN deputy editor Ben Vogel speaks to industry insiders at Speedy Hire’s Live Sustainability about what’s fuelling the race to net zero on construction sites, and what’s on the horizon. He also sits down with an expert panel to discuss what contractors should do to crack down on modern slavery.
2024 in review with the Construction News editorial team
In a special end-of-year episode of First Site, the CN editorial team looks back at the most significant stories that made the headlines in 2024, and takes a look ahead to 2025. CN deputy editor Ben Vogel is joined by editor Colin Marrs, news editor Chris Smith and senior reporter Josh Stein.
Spotlight on carbon accounting with Geraint Rowland and James Low
Are rules requiring contractors to quantify their carbon footprints fit for purpose? CN deputy editor Ben Vogel is joined by Geraint Rowland, group environmental director, Costain and James Low, group sustainability director, Mace.
Gender balance in the construction industry with Clare Francis, Angela Hughes and Jennifer McNab
Is the construction industry doing enough to attract, retain and progress women? CN editor Colin Marrs is joined by with Clare Francis, head of recruitment at Willmott Dixon, Angela Hughes, ESG manager at Speedy and Jennifer McNab, people Transformation Business Partner at Speedy Services.
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry report with Gill Hancock and Tom Thurlow
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry delivered its final report in early September. Construction News editor Colin Marrs discusses the findings and the potential impact of the inquiry's recommendations on the construction sector with Tom Thurlow, partner at law firm Weightmans and Gill Hancock, head of technical content at the Association for Project Management.
How will Labour's housing and growth plans impact contractors? With Viral Desai and Mike Reader
What can contractors glean about their future pipelines after the Labour government’s first month in power? CN editor Colin Marrs is joined by former-Mace-executive-turned-MP Mike Reader MP and Viral Desai, planning, environmental consenting and communities practice director at consultant AtkinsRéalis.
Social value and construction recruitment with Amelia Woodley, Emma Grigson and Liz Squire
Social value and construction recruitment
How can a social value approach to attracting new workers into construction help to deal with the industry's well known labour and skills shortage? To look into this issue, CN deputy editor Ben Vogel is joined by Amelia Woodley, ESG director of Speedy Hire, and Emma Grigson and Liz Squire, two experts from the Social Recruitment Advocacy Group.
In conversation with Mark Reynolds, Chief Executive of Mace
CN First Site talks to the Mace chief executive and chairman about governance changes at his company, his role at the Construction Leadership Council and what the construction industry needs from government.
Two legal experts discuss what JCT Design and Build 2024 means for contractors with Charles Pacey and Sasha Pirbhai
In this month’s episode of the CN First Site podcast, sponsored by Speedy Hire, deputy editor Ben Vogel is joined by two legal experts dive into the new Joint Contracts Tribunal suite, in particular the Design and Build family. What’s new about it and how does it help contractors to navigate the various potential issues that can cause project costs to rise? Commenting on these and other aspects of
Live from Liverpool at the Speedy Expo: AI in the supply chain: the future's here but how to harness it?
AI is set to revolutionise the way businesses operate across every global sector - and construction is no exception.
But how should the construction sector harness AI? What are the best use cases? To explore these and other aspects of the topic, CN deputy editor Ben Vogel sat down with Lee Daggatt, group IT director Speedy Hire and Richard Potter, chief executive of Peak AI, at the Speedy Expo 202
Live from MIPIM: A conference reborn? With Rachel Bell and Caroline Compton-James
Has MIPIM shed its testosterone-fuelled image to become more welcoming to women? And has the long-running built environment jamboree successfully recovered after Covid? Venturing to Cannes, First Site discusses these issues with Rachel Bell, director of Women in Property and gets to know Caroline Compton-James, the recently-appointed deputy chief executive of framework provider SCAPE.
Two-stage contracting with Rob Bradley and Edd Burton
In recent years, two-stage tenders have become an increasingly popular choice for contractors and clients in the construction sector. But what are the pros and cons of two-stage tendering, and will it remain popular in the current market environment? CN deputy editor Ben Vogel explores these and other questions with Rob Bradley, a consultant and ex-CEO of Bouygues UK, and Edd Burton, head of advis
Meeting the green skills challenge in construction, with Derek Horrocks, Keith Bottomley and Amelia Woodley.
Construction News editor Colin Marrs delves into the skills challenge posed by the decarbonisation agenda with Derek Horrocks, chair of the National Home Decarbonisation Group, Keith Bottomley, chair of London’s Skills for a Sustainable Skyline Taskforce and Speedy Hire’s ESG director Amelia Woodley.
Review of 2023 and looking ahead to 2024, with the CN team and Kelly Boorman
In a special end-of-year episode of First Site, deputy editor Ben Vogel is joined by CN news editor Will Ing and reporter Charlotte Banks to look back at the big topics of 2023. Kelly Boorman, national head of construction at RSM UK, then shares her thoughts on the year ahead.
The financial state of the specialist sector, with Iain McIlwee, Roni Savage and Rob Driscoll
Deputy editor Ben Vogel is joined by Rob Driscoll, director of legal and business at the Electrical Contractors' Association, Iain McIlwee, chief executive of Finishes & Interiors Sector and Roni Savage, managing director at Jomas Associates.
Decarbonisation of plant, with Amelia Woodley and Matt Seaman
his episode of First Site explores how the plant hire sector is helping the construction industry adapt to the decarbonisation and net zero agenda. Joining CN deputy editor Ben Vogel are Speedy Hire’s ESG director Amelia Woodley and the firm’s business development director for HS2, Matt Seaman.
Construction’s financial climate, with Max Jones and Leighton More
Coinciding with our latest annual CN100 index of top-performing UK contractors, the latest episode of First Site focuses on financial and economic issues facing small, medium and large firms. Construction News deputy editor Ben Vogel is joined by Max Jones, a director in Lloyds Bank’s infrastructure and construction team, and Leighton More, chief financial officer at Sir Robert McAlpine.
Decarbonising steel and concrete materials, with Ian Riley and Michael Sansom
On the first episode of the brand new First Site podcast by Construction News, we dive into one of the biggest challenges facing the sector – decarbonising steel and concrete. Together, these materials account for 14% of global carbon emissions, a huge contributor to such a huge challenge for the construction industry.
Joining editor of Construction News Colin Marrs for this inaugural episode are
Trailer - First Site Podcast by Construction News
Introducing the brand new podcast, by Construction News, in Partnership with Speedy Hire.
Each month on First Site we’ll bring you in-depth discussions with industry experts on the hot topics in construction
Join editor of Construction News, Colin Marrs, and his editorial team as they explore the challenges, opportunities, and very best in case studies, standard setting, and innovation.
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