First Site podcast

Welcome to First Site, the podcast brought to you by Construction News in partnership with Speedy Hire.

As the UK's leading provider of equipment hire and on-site solutions, Speedy Hire is passionate about providing listeners with insight on key industry topics such as new innovation in net zero, carbon-saving solutions and safety, all key components of its ambitious sustainability plan ‘the Decade to Deliver’.

Listen in and learn more about these industry-shaping topics.

Available on:

Episode 15 - Gender balance in the construction industry with Clare Francis, Angela Hughes and Jennifer McNab
Wednesday October 23, 2024

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.

Episode 14 - The Grenfell Tower Inquiry report with Gill Hancock and Tom Thurlow
Wednesday September 18, 2024

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.

Episode 13 - How will Labour's housing and growth plans impact contractors? With Viral Desai and Mike Reader
Wednesday August 21, 2024

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.

Episode 12 - Social value and construction recruitment with Amelia Woodley, Emma Grigson and Liz Squire
Wednesday July 24, 2024

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.

Episode 11 – In conversation with Mark Reynolds
Wednesday June 19, 2024

In this month’s episode of the CN First Site podcast, 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.

Episode 10 – Two legal experts discuss what JCT Design and Build 2024 means for contractors with Charles Pacey and Sasha Pirbhai
Wednesday May 22, 2024

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 JCT are Charles Pacey, senior associate in Mayer Brown’s construction team and Sasha Pirbhai, partner in the construction team at Devonshires.

Episode 9 – Live from Liverpool at the Speedy Expo: AI in the supply chain: the future's here but how to harness it? With Lee Daggatt and Richard Potter
Wednesday Apr 17, 2024

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 2024 in Liverpool.

Episode 8 – Is MIPIM reborn with Rachel Bell and Caroline Compton-James
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024

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, FirstSite 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.

Episode 7 – Two-stage contracting with Rob Bradley and Edd Burton
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024

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 advisory services – infrastructure at Aecom.

Episode 6 – Meeting the green skills challenge in construction, with Derek Horrocks, Keith Bottomley and Amelia Woodley
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024

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.

Episode 5 – Review of 2023 and looking ahead to 2024, with the CN team and Kelly Boorman
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023

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.

Episode 4 – The financial state of the specialist sector, with Iain McIlwee, Roni Savage and Rob Driscoll
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023

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.

Episode 3 - Decarbonisation of plant, with Amelia Woodley and Matt Seaman
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023

This episode of First Site looks 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.

Episode 2 - Construction’s financial climate, with Max Jones and Leighton More
Wednesday Sept 20, 2023

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

Episode 1 - Decarbonising steel and concrete, with Ian Riley and Dr. Michael Sansom
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023

On the first episode of the 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, providing a huge challenge - but also a great opportunity - for the construction industry. Joining editor of Construction News Colin Marrs for this inaugural episode are Ian Riley, chief executive of the World Cement Association, and Dr. Michael Sansom, sustainability manager at the British Constructional Steel Work Association.

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