Own The Build
Own the Build is the podcast for Quantity Surveyors and Commercial Directors who want to sharpen their commercial edge and lead with confidence.
Hosted by Paul Heming, former Commercial leader and now co-founder of C-Link, each week’s conversation dives into the realities of modern commercial management — from procurement and contracts to digital transformation and leadership in construction.
Through honest discussions with industry leaders, forensic planners, and forward-thinking QSs, Paul explores how the best commercial teams deliver profit, performance, and project certainty in a changing industry.
If you’re serious about mastering the commercial side of construction — this is where you build your advantage.
Own The Build
Why We’re Losing Good People – What Every Leader in Construction Needs to Hear (EP 245)
In Episode 245 of Own the Build, Paul is joined by Faye Allen, a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, Quantum Expert Witness, and Fellow of the RICS, with over 30 years’ experience in construction. Faye is the author of Building Women
— a powerful new book that examines why the industry continues to lose talented people, and what leaders can do to change that.
This episode is essential listening for any QS, PM, or director who’s ever asked:
- Why are experienced professionals walking away from the industry?
- Why don’t we see more women in senior roles?
- What role does culture — not just maternity — play in retention?
Faye shares stories, research, and practical steps for building inclusive teams — without falling into the “gender war” trap. The conversation covers:
- Why so many women drop out by age 46
- The hidden burnout from constant “fighting the system”
- How male allies can show up — and why most don’t know where to start
- What subcontractors and SMEs need from Tier 1s
- Why toilets, mental health, and procurement all matter more than you think
If you're a construction leader who wants to attract and retain better talent, this episode will challenge your assumptions — and give you the tools to lead better.
🔗 Find out more about Faye’s book: buildingwomen.co.uk
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📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:
For our list of other eBooks on building your QS Career and AI, click here - Free eBook Downloads.
Want to connect with Paul?
Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at paul@c-link.com or through, C-Link.
C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.
Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.
