The Podcast for the Built Environment
Honest conversations with the people shaping the future of construction, design, and building safety.
Watch EpisodesIn this episode of Build-Insights, Ben Bushell is joined by Dom Clarke on the LE Roof — the staple networking event at MIPIM hosted by Build Zone and ACS. They discuss how MIPIM helps building safety professionals make meaningful new connections, strengthen relationships across the industry, and unlock new opportunities.
The conversation also covers the changes across the built environment following the introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022, the current industry landscape, and how building safety professionals advise clients on their roles, responsibilities, and pathways to compliance.
Recorded live at MIPIM 2026 in Cannes, Richard O'Brien joins Ben Bushell to explore the growing need for collaboration across professional services — including clerks of works and building safety consultants — to create fully integrated insurance solutions that consider the Building Safety Act 2022 while recognising the building itself as the client.
Richard highlights the importance of understanding a project's functionality from conception through to completion, so that insurance, safety and compliance are embedded throughout the entire delivery process.
The end result is a joined-up model that responds to the risk profile and practical demands of today's construction environment.
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.
This conversation focuses on practical, experience-led CPD that mirrors real project scenarios, helps learners practise judgment calls and risk-based thinking, and makes learning memorable and usable — not just recorded.
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.
Host Ben Bushell sits down with Pete Bertans MICWCI for a practical 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.
A key part of the conversation focuses on Pete's work with the ICWCI — what the Institute stands for and why professional standards and continuing development matter as expectations around building quality continue to rise.
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.
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.
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, host of Safe and Sound Structures.
Together, they discuss the challenges construction professionals face around mental health, how site culture impacts wellbeing, and practical ways to support individuals and teams.
Host Ben Bushell sits down with Joe Kirby, Editor of The Site Recorder and a key figure in the ICWCI Membership Team. 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.
They also dive into ICWCI membership pathways, including the introduction of the Associate Member grade — making membership more accessible than ever.
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 how AI is rapidly changing workflows across construction, surveying, and infrastructure — not by replacing professionals, but by empowering them.
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 to leading the Southern Chapter of the ICWCI, Josh shares his inspiring journey.
Topics include life as a travelling Clerk of Works, navigating scepticism as a young professional, the vital role of neutrality and integrity, and industry shifts post-Grenfell and the impact of the Building Safety Act.
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.
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 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.
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.
The Show
Hosted by Ben Bushell, a Chartered Building Engineer and qualified Clerk of Works, Build-Insights gives a platform to the people in the critical roles shaping our built environment.
Through conversations with experts, specialists, and industry professionals, the podcast shares practical insight into the decisions, challenges, and experience that influence the quality, safety, and performance of buildings.
If you want honest, grounded conversations that go beyond surface-level industry talk, Build-Insights brings you closer to the voices helping shape better buildings.
What you'll get
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