In this episode of Build-Insights, Ben Bushell sits down with Andrew Banister to discuss the landmark Building Safety Act and the critical demand for formalising and maintaining competency within the built environment. Andrew shares his expert perspective on how the Act is reshaping the industry, ensuring safety, and holding professionals to higher standards.

They also dive into the importance of competency frameworks to safeguard the future of safety in construction, design, and building management. If you're passionate about building safety, professionalism, and the evolving regulations in the sector, this conversation is a must-watch.

Tune in for invaluable insights into the future of safe, sustainable, and accountable construction practices.

In this solo episode, host Spencer Henry MICWCI explores why so much construction CPD feels disconnected from real practice — and what the industry needs instead: immersive, relatable learning that reflects the decisions, constraints, and pressures professionals face every day.

Too often, CPD is delivered as theory-first content that's technically correct but hard to apply. The result? Limited behaviour change, low retention, and a tick-box culture that doesn't strengthen competence where it matters — on projects, in design decisions, and in the handover of safe, compliant buildings.

This conversation focuses on practical, experience-led CPD that mirrors real project scenarios, helps learners practise judgment calls and risk-based thinking, connects guidance to day-to-day tasks, and makes learning memorable and usable — not just recorded.

Whether you're a contractor, consultant, designer, client-side professional, or training lead, this episode is a prompt to rethink what good CPD looks like — and how we move from compliance-driven learning to competence-driven learning.

Ben and Matt Hodges-Long take a practical, experience-led deep dive into Building Safety Cases and Building Safety Management, focusing on what good really looks like in practice under the Building Safety Act.

Key topics include the formation and maintenance of compliant Building Safety Cases, the real responsibilities of Principal Accountable Persons (PAPs) and Accountable Persons (APs), managing safety information across the building lifecycle, and common pitfalls in safety case preparation and how to avoid them.

Matt shares insights from his career working at the sharp end of building safety, offering a grounded perspective on how duty holders can move beyond box-ticking and towards robust, defensible compliance.

Whether you're a PAP, AP, managing agent, clerk of works, or construction professional, this episode provides clear, actionable guidance in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

Host Ben Bushell sits down with Pete Bertans MICWCI for a practical, no-nonsense deep dive into what it really means to work as an MEP Clerk of Works — and why the role is becoming increasingly important as projects demand higher standards of quality, compliance, and coordination.

Pete shares his journey into the profession, including his time working on projects for the Royal Mail, and how that experience shaped his approach to assurance, inspections, and getting the fundamentals right. They explore what "good" looks like on site for MEP works, the everyday challenges Clerks of Works face, and the habits that separate effective site assurance from box-ticking.

A key part of the conversation focuses on Pete's work with the ICWCI — what the Institute stands for, how it supports Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectors, and why professional standards, ethics, and continuing development matter as expectations around building quality and accountability continue to rise.

You'll hear Pete break down how he applies his skills in the MEP environment — covering installation quality, testing and commissioning readiness, snagging strategy, documentation, and communication across trades.

Ben Bushell is joined by Liam Gordon, FSIDip, FireACQP, Founder of LMG Fire and Compliance, for a practical, no-nonsense conversation on the realities of fire-stopping delivery and assurance on live construction projects.

In this episode they take a deep dive into the most common and most critical fire stopping issues encountered on active sites, the client perspective on compliance, quality, and accountability, and the practical challenges of achieving, demonstrating, and maintaining compliance throughout the project lifecycle.

Whether you are a contractor, developer, designer, or client-side project lead, this episode is packed with real-world insight on what "good" looks like in today's increasingly regulated construction environment.

Joe Gooden from Build Zone Insurance takes us deep into the world of construction insurance, latent defects, and professional relationships. With 25 years of industry experience, Joe offers exclusive insider insights into one of the most overlooked areas of construction.

In this episode you'll learn the insider's guide to Latent Defects Insurance (LDI), how professional relationships drive successful projects, career paths in technical auditing and construction quality, and the challenges and opportunities in the construction insurance industry.

Packed with practical advice for aspiring construction professionals and a behind-the-scenes look at risk management, this is essential listening for anyone serious about the built environment.

Key Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction — 05:00 Joe's Career Journey — 15:30 Understanding Latent Defects Insurance — 25:45 Project Collaboration Insights — 35:20 Career Development Advice — 45:00 Industry Diversity Challenges

In this episode, the focus is on one of the most important conversations in construction: mental health. Ben is joined by Marc Preston — a leading expert in mental health awareness and support within the construction industry — and Sarah Plumbridge, YouTuber and host of Safe and Sound Structures, who brings her perspective on safety, wellbeing, and site culture.

Together, they discuss the challenges construction professionals face around mental health, how site culture impacts wellbeing, and practical ways to support individuals and teams. They also explore why conversations like this are helping to reshape the industry for the better.

This episode is for anyone in the construction sector — whether on the tools, managing projects, or simply committed to creating a safer and healthier workplace.

Host Ben Bushell sits down with Joe Kirby, Editor of The Site Recorder and a key figure in the ICWCI Membership Team. In this episode, they explore Joe's editorial role, how content is curated to support professional development, and the real benefits members gain when using the magazine for CPD (Continuing Professional Development).

They also dive into ICWCI membership pathways, including the introduction of the Associate Member grade — making membership more accessible than ever.

Whether you're a Clerk of Works, a construction professional, or someone curious about joining ICWCI, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Ben Bushell sits down with Phil Chell, CEO of Chiron AI, to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in the built environment. Together, they tackle one of the industry's most pressing questions: Will AI take over our jobs as surveyors?

Phil shares his expert insight into how AI is rapidly changing workflows across construction, surveying, and infrastructure — not by replacing professionals, but by empowering them. From real-time site data analysis to AI-assisted decision-making, this conversation uncovers how the next generation of surveyors can thrive by working with intelligent tools, not against them.

If you're curious about the role of technology in shaping the future of construction, this is a must-watch. Tune in for an engaging discussion on automation, adaptation, and what it really means to stay competitive in an AI-powered world.

In this episode, we sit down with Josh Tudor — the youngest qualified Clerk of Works in the UK — redefining what it means to be an inspector in today's construction industry. From facing early scepticism and resistance to leading the Southern Chapter of the Institute of Clerk of Works and Construction Inspectorate, Josh shares his inspiring journey and the challenges he's overcome.

Topics Covered:

Life as a travelling Clerk of Works across Leeds, Cambridge, and London. Navigating scepticism as a young professional in a traditional field. The vital role of neutrality, integrity, and vigilance in construction oversight. Industry shifts post-Grenfell and the impact of the Building Safety Act.

Whether you're in construction, considering a new career path, or just curious about how buildings are really inspected, this episode offers rare insight into a role that's critical — but often overlooked — in the industry.

Host Ben Bushell sits down with John Miles to dive into the Building Safety Act and the role of the Building Safety Regulator. Together, they explore the significant impacts these changes have had on the construction industry, what's worked so far, and where improvements are still needed to ensure safer buildings for all.

Tune in for expert insights, critical reflections, and practical advice on how the sector can continue to evolve in the wake of this important legislation.

In this episode, we sit down with Jerry Shoolbred FICWCI to explore his inspiring career — from working as a carpenter to becoming the President of the Institute of Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectorate (ICWCI) in 2024.

We discuss the critical role of the Clerk of Works, the importance of third-party quality assessment, and how these factors influence different frameworks, contracts, and modern building methodologies.

Jerry also shares insights on the untapped potential of the Clerk of Works within the UK's built environment and why it's more relevant than ever. A deep dive into construction quality and the future of the industry.