Building Brum

Build Birmingham Build, recorded live from the West Midlands Pavilion at UKREiiF.Birmingham has one of the strongest residential pipelines in the country, with record levels of activity and the delivery potential to match. In this episode, Conor Nolan sits down with the city leaders and partners driving the next phase of regeneration, including landmark schemes like Birmingham Smithfield and Birmingham Central Heart, and explores how this momentum is strengthening the city's urban fabric and setting up Birmingham for long-term transformation.In part one, Conor is joined by Joanne Roney CBE, Managing Director at Birmingham City Council, for the view from the top of the city and what delivery at this scale really takes.In part two, he's joined by Ashley Perry, Acquisitions Director for Multi-Family Housing at Apache Capital, and Colin Murphy, Project Director for Smithfield Birmingham at Lendlease, for a closer look at how these schemes come to life and what they mean for the people who will call them home.A snapshot of a city with real momentum behind it.Speakers:Joanne Roney CBE, Managing Director, Birmingham City CouncilAshley Perry, Acquisitions Director, Multi-Family Housing, Apache CapitalColin Murphy, Project Director, Smithfield Birmingham, LendleaseA big thank you to our Building Brum podcast is sponsors Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, Unquie Window Systems, multi-award-winning fabricator of UPVC and aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling, Eh Smith Brick and Facade specialists and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

On today's episode, we're joined by Matthew Ayres and James Hind of SimpsonHaugh to explore why some of the world's most loved cities, from Barcelona to Paris to Vienna, are wonderfully dense, and what makes great urban design work so well. Together, we discuss Birmingham’s future and the exciting opportunity to approach growth in a thoughtful, well-designed way. Matthew and James share their insight on the real upsides, like how smart density can save money, support better transport, build stronger communities, and contribute to a more sustainable city, and we imagine what an even greater Birmingham could look like by 2035. An optimistic chat about great design, thriving neighbourhoods and the kind of city we'd all love to call home.The Building Brum podcast is sponsored by Solus, the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, Eh Smith architectural solutions Brick and Fascade specialsts, Unquie Window Systems the multi-award-winning fabricator of UPVC and aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

On todays episode we take a look at the PBSA marke with Brian Gough, Partner at Stace, and unpack the realities shaping student accommodation across the UK. From rising construction costs and tightening viability to evolving student expectations and the widening gap between premium schemes and ageing stock, Brian shares insight on what’s driving the sector and what’s holding it back.With a sharp focus on the Midlands, we explore investor appetite, development trends, and whether cities like Birmingham are still seen as a value play or now competing more closely with London. From rental growth and affordability pressures to the emergence of a two-tier market, this episode breaks down where PBSA is thriving, where risks are building, and what it all means for developers, investors, and universities navigating an increasingly complex landscape.A big thank you to our Building Brum podcast is sponsors reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, Eh Smith architectural solutions Brick and Fascade specialsts, Unquie Window Systems the multi-award-winning fabricator of UPVC and aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

We sit down with Regional Managing Director, Ray O’Sullivan to explore the rapid rise of Caddick Construction in the Midlands. From its formation just three years ago to delivering major schemes across the region, Ray shares the story behind the Birmingham team - built on strong foundations, bringing together experience, local knowledge and established working relationships.We dive into what’s driven Caddick’s momentum in such a competitive market, from early challenges and key project wins to the ambition of building a £1bn pipeline. Ray also reflects on why the Midlands remains a critical growth region, how culture and collaboration underpin success, and the role contractors play in shaping cities like Birmingham. Looking ahead, it’s a conversation about more than just growth - it’s about legacy, opportunity, and what comes next.Today’s episode was kindly hosted by Northspring at the podcast studio in Birmingham. A big thank you to our Building Brum podcast is sponsors reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, EH Smith Architectural Solutions - Brick and Fascade specialists,  multi-award-winning fabricator of UPVC and aluminium windows Unique Window Systems and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

To mark International Women’s Day on the Building Brum podcast, we’re joined by Poppy Deakin, Assistant Project Manager, and Emily Melville, Health, Safety & Wellbeing Manager both apprentices at Overbury. Straight out of school, they quickly became involved in some of Birmingham’s most significant developments, contributing to major schemes ranging from delivering workspace for global financial organisations to Arup’s new Birmingham headquarters at One Centenary Way. Landmark projects. Real responsibility. Day one.We dive into whether construction was ever presented as a real option at school, the visibility of apprenticeships, and how quickly confidence grows when you’re trusted on high-profile city-centre developments. From balancing an HNC with site life to completing a degree apprenticeship while delivering complex projects, both share how they progressed fast and why apprenticeships are far from a “second choice.”This episode is honest, sharp and forward-looking. It’s about breaking perceptions, building credibility young, and showing what’s possible when the industry opens its doors earlier especially to young women considering their future.Today’s episode was kindly hosted by Northspring at the podcast studio in Birmingham. A big thank you to our Building Brum podcast is sponsors reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, EH Smith Architectural Solutions - Brick and Fascade specialsts and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

Are we finally past the turbulence? Three years into the Building Safety Act, we ask the question everyone’s thinking: is the high-rise market stabilising — or are we just better at coping with the chaos? With Weedon Architects Dave Vanderson and Pareto Projects Kuli Bajwa, we explore why Gateway 2 can still feel like a postcode lottery, and whether confidence is truly returning across the country.We get straight into the pressure points: shifting expectations on design detail, stretched regulator resources, and approvals that land with “requirements” but no clear timeline. How do you price, programme and fund a project when the goalposts keep moving? And what happens when approval pathways change halfway through a live scheme?Then we zoom out. Has the Act permanently changed procurement? Is traditional single-stage Design & Build still realistic for high-rise? And have we swung so far toward compliance that some developers are questioning whether it’s worth the risk? It’s sharp, honest and highly relatable for anyone delivering projects in the new regime.Today’s episode was kindly hosted by Northspring at the podcast studio in Birmingham. A big thank you to our Building Brum podcast is sponsors reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, EH Smith Architectural Solutions - Brick and Fascade specialsts and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

The past year has tested the construction and property industry like few others in recent memory. Rising costs, political uncertainty, cautious investment and sweeping regulatory change have all combined to create one of the most challenging operating environments in decades. We sit down with James Watts and Alison Kilby of Arup to take an honest look at what 2025 and the past 12 months really felt like on the ground. Drawing on their experience advising major developers, public sector bodies and infrastructure clients, they share insight into how global economic pressures are shaping local decision-making. We explore the growing tension between ambitious sustainability targets and project viability, and discuss how developers and local authorities are trying to balance long-term goals with short-term financial realities. We explore into the practical impact of the Building Safety Act – where it has driven genuine improvements, and where it has added complexity and delay.With institutional funding becoming more risk-averse, James and Alison reflect on how this shift is affecting major regeneration schemes and masterplans, and whether some projects are still being under-costed or over-promised. They explain what “proper costing” really means today in an era of inflation, regulation and programme risk.Today’s episode was kindly hosted by Northspring at the podcast studio in Birmingham. A big thank you to our Building Brum podcast is sponsors reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, EH Smith Architectural Solutions - Brick and Fascade specialsts and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

We are joined by Nick Gibb Joint Managing Director of BSN Group. Nick took on this new role after spending 30 years at Willmott Dixon, where Nick helped to build one of the region’s most successful Tier One contractors. Nick's now stepped into an owner-led, entrepreneurial role, leading BSN Group's ambitious growth strategy.In this episode, we’ll be talking about what that transition has been like, how BSN operates in a market where project viability is increasingly challenging, and why the business continues to grow across sectors like healthcare, residential and commercial.We’ll also explore procurement, from frameworks and direct awards to single and two stage tenders, how BSN decides which opportunities to pursue, and how the business is maintaining its agile and entrepreneurial culture as it scales.The Building Brum podcast is kindly sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, EH Smith Architectural Solutions Brick and Fascade specialsts and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

Today on the Building Brum Podcast, we’re exploring development more regionally: how the public and private sectors can work together to deliver places, unlock land, and drive long-term economic value. At the centre of this conversation is the Warwickshire Property & Development Group — a unique local-authority-owned company operating commercially to generate income that supports frontline services, while also shaping the future of the county’s built environment. It’s a delicate balance between accountability and entrepreneurialism, public purpose and commercial reality.We’re joined by Stuart Buckley, Managing Director of Warwickshire Property & Development Group, to dive into how this model actually works on the ground. From joint ventures that bring complex sites forward, to innovative approaches that support SMEs, Stuart shares how partnering with the private sector is helping Warwickshire unlock opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.Whether you’re a developer, a planner, or simply curious about how local authorities are rethinking growth, this episode offers a look behind-the-scenes look at a public–private approach that’s shaping Warwickshire.A big thank you to our Building Brum podcast is kindly sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, EH Smith Architectural Solutions Brick and Fascade specialsts and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

Building Brum host Conor Nolan sits down with Joanna Lee-Mills, Partner at Ward Hadaway, examining one of Birmingham’s most urgent challenges: affordable and social housing. Joanna brings nearly 25 years of experience in housing, planning, and development to help unpack what “affordable housing” really means for families across the city, how Section 106 agreements shape delivery on the ground, and why—despite major funding announcements—social housing supply still lags behind demand.We examine Birmingham’s wider growth story against the backdrop of rising costs and council pressures, examining where viability, planning delays, and policy gaps hold projects back. Examining big questions around access to home ownership, the future of shared ownership, and what meaningful reform could look like. A big thank you to our Building Brum podcast is sponsors reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, EH Smith Architectural Solutions Brick and Fascade specialsts and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK. 

In this episode of the Building Brum Podcast, we’re joined by Simon Delahunty-Forrest, Birmingham City Council’s newly appointed Director of Planning and Development, to discuss his vision for the city’s future. Having played a key role in shaping Birmingham’s planning and regeneration story over the past 35 years, Simon reflects on how the city has evolved through the Big City Plan and Our Future City Plan 2045.Looking ahead, we explore the next wave of regeneration — from Smithfield and Ladywood to Druids Heath — Simon shares how the Council aims to strengthen public-private partnerships and drive investment. Now, in his new role as Director of Planning and Development at the largest local authority in the UK, Simon is in the position to turn that vision into reality and help deliver Birmingham’s next chapter of growth.A big thank you to our Building Brum podcast is sponsors reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles , EH Smith Architectural solutions Brick and façade specalisats and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

In this episode of Building Brum, we explore one of Wolverhampton’s most remarkable regeneration stories, the transformation of the long-vacant Royal Hospital site into becoming the heart of a thriving new neighbourhood, the Royal Quarter.Once closed in 1997 and left derelict for nearly two decades, the former hospital and its surrounding land, along with adjacent sites  (former bus depot and SJ Dixon and Son decorating shop)  have been reborn through an almost decade-long partnership between Homes England, whg, YMCA Black Country, Morro and the West Midlands Combined Authority.Conor is joined by representatives from each organisation to unpack how this complex, heritage-led regeneration came together — from the early land assembly and brownfield remediation, to delivering 450 mixed-tenure all affordable homes including supported accommodation, and community facilities.Special guests:Rebecca Bennett Casserly - Corporate Director of Development - WHGRob Lamond - Head of Strategy & Analysis - WMCADeborah Casey - Head of Growth - Midlands Homes EnglandMatthew Moore - CEO - Morro PartnershipsSally Cowan - Chief Officer Places - YMCA, Black CountryTogether, they discuss the challenges of aligning diverse goals across multiple phases, the importance of design and heritage in placemaking, and how social value and sustainability have been embedded at every stage.Tune in to discover how collaboration, creativity, and long-term vision turned a local landmark and its surroundings into a living community — and what lessons it offers for future regeneration across the region.Thank you to our Building Brum podcast is sponsors reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited, West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists, Eh Smith Brick and Fascade specialsts and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

In today’s episode, we sit down with András Kárpáti, CEO of Cordia UK, to explore the company’s journey from its roots as BlackSwan Property to becoming a key player in Birmingham’s regeneration story. András shares how both he and Cordia — as part of the internationally renowned Futureal Group — chose Birmingham out of all of the other cities in Europe and came to invest in the UK, and why Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter became the focal point for transformative development. We unpack the strategic vision behind Cordia’s move into the UK market, the city’s unique appeal on a global stage, and how András’ first impressions of Birmingham helped shape the company's long-term ambitions.We also dive into Cordia UK's flagship developments, Lamp Works and Bradford Works, two landmark projects currently under construction in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter. András talks through the design and planning process, the balance between heritage and innovation, and some of the surprises encountered along the way. He shares insights into Cordia’s sustainability commitments, the company’s growing pipeline, and what excites him most about the future of Birmingham’s built environment. Whether you're an investor, a designer, or just passionate about the city's ongoing transformation, this episode offers an inspiring glimpse into one of Birmingham’s most forward-thinking development stories.Thank you to our Building Brum podcast is sponsors reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited, West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists, Eh Smith Brick and Fascade specialsts and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

In this episode of the Building Brum Podcast, we’re joined by key members of the team behind Three Chamberlain Square — Alex Housden from MEPC, Owen Doherty from Weedon Architects, Michael Gosling from Cundall, Chris Hucknall from Sir Robert McAlpine, and Laurence Vickers from AtkinsRéalis.Together, they reflect on the collaborative journey that brought this landmark commercial development to life. From navigating logistical challenges and maintaining momentum during critical stages of construction, to celebrating key milestones such as topping out, the discussion offers a behind-the-scenes look at the delivery of a major city centre scheme.The episode also explores the importance of coordination across disciplines, the lessons learned during the build, and the legacy this project leaves for Birmingham. It’s a thoughtful insight into the complexities, achievements, and teamwork that define large-scale development in the built environment.The Building Brum podcast is sponsors reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited, West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists, Eh Smith Brick and Fascade specialsts and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

In this special International Women’s Day episode of Building Brum, we sit down with the team at MUSE Midlands to discuss the progress, challenges, and future of gender inclusivity in the built environment.Joining us on the podcast are Lisa Turley, Jonathan Ashcroft, Elliot Sellars, Cate Howe, Marcus Harrington, Laura Lucock and Sara Luhar. Together, we explore what an inclusive workplace looks like, the impact of having a female Managing Director at the helm, and whether the industry is doing enough to support women.We also dive into personal experiences of challenging gender stereotypes, the figures who inspire our guests, and the barriers that still need breaking down. What advice do they have for the next generation of women entering property and construction? And what challenges lie ahead for the industry as it continues to evolve?The Building Brum podcast is sponsors reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited, West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists, Eh Smith Brick and Fascade specialsts and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

On today’s episode, we’re joined by key figures behind Walsall’s Renaissance — and exploring how major regeneration and investment across the Black Country is creating positive change.Special Guests:Councillor Adrian Andrew, Associate Leader of Walsall Council, has been instrumental in shaping the borough’s £1.5 billion regeneration programme.Neil Smith, Land and Partnerships Director at Keepmoat, leads on housing regeneration in Willenhall.Simon Raiye, Head of Midlands Region for HBD, a national multi-sector development company delivering transformative urban regeneration projects.Together, they are playing vital roles in reshaping Walsall’s future. We’ll dive into the council’s ambitious borough-wide investment strategy, including key infrastructure, housing, and economic development initiatives aimed at creating jobs, new homes, and enhanced public spaces.Neil will provide insights into Keepmoat’s plans for Willenhall, where a major regeneration scheme is set to deliver much-needed housing, improved transport links, and new community facilities—bringing fresh opportunities to residents and businesses alike.Meanwhile, Simon will introduce us to SPARK—a landmark brownfield regeneration project led by HBD in collaboration with Homes England, WMCA, and Walsall Council. This ambitious scheme aims to breathe new life into former industrial land across 44 acres. SPARK is a 21st century logistics and manufacturing hub offering global and local occupiers 620,000 sq ft of high-specification floor space from 20,000 – 315,000 sq ft located right by junctions 9 and 10 of the M6 and sits in the heart of the MidlandsJoin us as we explore how these ambitious projects are shaping a new era for Walsall—unlocking growth, investment, and opportunity across the region.The Building Brum podcast is kindly sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists, EH Smith brick and façade specialists, and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment Sunbelt Rentals are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

In this special episode of Building Brum hosted by Northspring, we’re joined by seven guests from across the construction industry who are taking on an incredible challenge this March—trekking and dog-sledding 180km across the Arctic Circle to raise money for charity. Amidst their intense training schedules, Scott Lydon, Rachael Fahey, Simon Jesson, Paul Davis, Emma Sculthorp, Anthony Watson, and Andrew Foster share their motivations for embarking on this seven-day journey through the frozen Arctic wilderness. More than just an adventure, this challenge pushes them beyond the comforts of modern living with no electricity, no running water and temperatures as low as -20 — all in support of a great cause.The Building Brum podcast is kindly sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists, EH Smith brick and façade specialists, and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment Sunbelt Rentals are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.Find out more from the Artic team and make a donatation here:  Scott Lydon: https://lnkd.in/es76pwtfRachael Fahey APMP: https://lnkd.in/emhnyrAT Simon Jesson: https://lnkd.in/ecdW8X7K Paul Davis: https://lnkd.in/ejeswTxrEmma Sculthorp: https://lnkd.in/edTfmvmE Anthony Watson: https://lnkd.in/e_GFMeeTAndrew Foster: https://lnkd.in/e_GFMeeT

Joining us on the Building Brum podcast today is one of Birmingham’s rising stars, Moe Ali, Associate Director and asset management lead for Bruntwood SciTech Birmingham portfolio. We had the pleasure of speaking with Moe about Bruntwood SciTech’s ambitious vision for growth and its commitment to investing in Birmingham. Exploring their plans for 2025 and beyond, we discuss the steps being taken to create citywide innovation ecosystems. From Cornerblock to Enterprise Wharf, we delve into Bruntwood SciTech’s journey to drive investment and foster growth in the UK’s second city. The Building Brum podcast is kindly sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists, EH Smith brick and façade specialists, and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment Sunbelt Rentals are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

Today we’re in Wolverhampton, joined by James Dickens, Managing Director of Wavensmere Homes; Councillor Chris Burden, Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs, and Skills and Rebecca Bennett-Casserly, Corporate Director of Development at Walsall Housing Group (whg). Together, we explore how Wolverhampton is driving economic growth through ambitious housing developments and regeneration projects.The City of Wolverhampton is leading the way with multi-million-pound investments in social housing and partnerships with major developers to deliver thousands of new homes. Tune in to discover what’s fueling investment, boosting confidence, and transforming the city’s construction landscape.The Building Brum podcast is kindly sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists, EH Smith brick and façade specialists, and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment Sunbelt Rentals are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.Rebecca Bennett Casserly - Corporate Director of Development - Walsall Housing GroupArmed with a housing and development degree, Rebecca began her career honing her technical specialism in development management within the housing association sector with Bromford Group. She went onto work for large private sector construction and engineering organisations, including Arcadis and Balfour Beatty, and later founded her own small consultancy providing coaching and residential services.Rebecca sets our development strategy and leads her commercial and technical teams in its delivery. Her portfolio includes regeneration, new business and partnerships, construction, programme management (new supply) and sales & marketing.She is passionate about creating resilient and sustainable communities, about partnership working and the power of collaboration.Cllr Chris Burden - Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs, and Skills - City of Wolverhampton CouncilCllr Chris Burden was recently awarded the LGIU Young Councillor of the Year Award, and is the youngest person to ever hold a Cabinet Position at Wolverhampton. He is also a PhD Candidate at Aston University, where he is completing research on political communications and social media use in Britain, France, and Germany.Chris’ interests lie in sustainable development, densification of city and town centres, and the creation of new urban communities. James Dickens - Managing Director - Wavensmere Homes42-year-old James Dickens grew up in Birmingham and was educated at Bromsgrove School, then obtained his BA in Economics from the University of Leeds.He commenced his career in construction, property portfolio management, and the development of individual houses for private clients across the Midlands. James is now nationally respected by his peers and the industry press, and regarded as one of the UK’s most prominent leaders of an SME housebuilding firm.James established Wavensmere Homes in 2015, setting out to uncover sites with soul to reanimate, by taking inspiration from the unique historic character. The multi-award winning housebuilder handed over the keys to 522 homes during 2023, and recently hit the major milestone of 1,500 completed homes since its inception. The business and its associated SPVs are on track to achieve a £115m turnover during 2024.

Ryan Bennett, Managing Director of Solus, and James Hughes, Founding Director of Fabric Design & Build, join the Building Brum podcast to discuss their grand designs and the evolving market trends shaping the region. They delve into the rise of luxury, high-end residential projects across the Midlands, exploring the factors driving this growth. The conversation also highlights how Birmingham and the wider West Midlands are capitalising on opportunities created by London's land values.The Building Brum podcast is kindly sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists, EH Smith brick and façade specialists, and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment Sunbelt Rentals are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.Ryan Bennett Managing Director Solus Ryan is the Managing Director of Solus Ceramics, the UK’s largest privately owned distributor of sustainable porcelain, ceramic and terrazzo floor and wall tiles.  Solus Ceramics has been supplying a carefully curated range of products to the commercial construction sector for 30 years from their head office in Birmingham.  Solus has recently stepped into the prime residential market, offering their internationally sourced products to the builders, designers and owners of luxury property and landscapes across the UK.Prior to joining Solus Ceramics, Ryan was part of the senior management team at Equip – the owners of the Rab and Lowe Alpine brands.  An accountant by trade, Ryan enjoyed a long career in professional services working at both KPMG and BDO where he focused on corporate finance transactions. James Hughes Founding Director FabricJames is the founding Director at Fabric Design Group and is passionate and committed to delivering high-end Architecture.James first started out in life as a carpenter before studying architecture at Birmingham City University and furthering his studies with an Msc in Construction Project Management from the University of Birmingham, and a Pg Dip and MA in Urban Design from Oxford Brookes.James possess a unique set of skills and experience making him equally comfortable in construction, as he is design. This depth of industry understanding gave James the ability to challenge convention and create Fabrics holistic design and build service in 2017.James has an unwavering commitment to his profession, and is driven by creating meaningful, lasting architectural legacy alongside delivering a positive customer experience to all of his clients.

Mike Lally, Project Manager, Founding Director, and Entrepreneur, joins the Building Brum podcast to discuss what it’s like running a business in Birmingham. Mike and his team at Cadence are pivotal to some of the city’s most ambitious projects, including Digbeth’s latest regeneration led by Steven Knight and Stanhope, featuring a new film studio and the iconic MasterChef set.As the founder of Cadence—a true Birmingham startup success story—Mike shares insights on launching a business, securing projects, and building a team in the UK's first city Birmingham.The Building Brum podcast is kindly sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists, EH Smith brick and façade specialists, and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment Sunbelt Rentals are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.About Cadence and Mike Lally: Cadence Projects are experts in Project Management, Programme Management and Contract Administration. Founded by Mike Lally, a construction professional with an in depth understanding of the construction industry, Cadence work with clients who want a delivery partner who understands how to protect their interests, who gets what they do, and takes ownership for a project’s outcome.

Today’s podcast revisits our Placemaking Through Regeneration event recently held in partnership with the CIOB.  Hosted by Howells in the heart of Digbeth our sold-out event featured some of some of the city’s leading business leaders, visionaries and construction and development champions who are helping to shape the city’s skyline. As the city and regions grow, so must the communities within them. On today's podcast we explore the importance of regeneration from Great Charles Street to One Centenary Way. The session will focus on what needs to happen within the built environment sector to enhance and create communities through major regeneration projects across the region.  Event Chair: Sandi Rhys Jones OBE – Immediate Past President of The Chartered Institute of Building Panellists: Dav Bansal - Partner - Howells Alison Kilby – Associate Director and Midlands Workplace Advisory Lead at Arup. Selina Mason - Director of Masterplanning & Strategic Design - Lendlease Tom Wraight MCIOB - Regional Director – Careys All our guests today play a key role in placemaking across the city, and we will hear from Dav, Selina, Tom and Alison about the importance of placemaking in master planning and regeneration, from Smithfield to Paradise Birmingham and what needs to happen within the Building Brum events are made possible thanks to all of the support from the Building Brum partners: reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited, West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists, Eh Smith Architectural Solutions - Brick and Facade specialists and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK, Communications and PR Specialists Cavendish, Civil engineering and construction contractor Careys and Arup a global collective of designers, engineers and technical experts

Executive Director of SuperTech West Midlands  Hilary Smyth-Allen recently joined us on the Building Brum podcast to talk about all things technology, growth and collaboration. Supported by key organisations across the Midlands including Bruntwood SciTech, CBRE and West Midlands Growth Company. Hilary shared her insights into how SuperTech WM is fostering collaboration and innovation within the professional services tech cluster in the West Midlands, with a focus on building a vibrant ecosystem of ambitious companies. We explore the origins of SuperTech West Midlands, How the organization supports Birmingham and the broader Midlands region what's next for the SuperTech team.The Building Brum podcast is kindly sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists, EH Smith brick and façade specialists, and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment Sunbelt Rentals are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.Hilary Smyth-Allen Executive Director of SuperTech West MidlandsHillary Smyth-Allen is the Executive Lead at SuperTech, whose purpose is to spotlight the strength of the West Midlands Tech Sector. With a focus on FinTech, their purpose is to promote professionals and companies in this space to ensure the UK remains a strong player in global fintech.As a Judge Hillary brings experience as a former Director of AECOM as well as having held influential positions at GBSLEP and WMCA Skills Commission.

Seddon Director of Operations Andrea Wilson joined us on the Building Brum this summer to discuss all things preconstruction through to delivery. As Director of Operations for Seddon’s Property Services, Andrea leads the Midlands division delivering a wide range of schemes across several frameworks. We explore the importance of strong relationships within the industry and how this leads to successful projects through timely delivery by trusting your partners and mitigating delays and risks.The Building Brum podcast is kindly sponsored reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists, EH Smith brick and façade specialists, and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK. Andrea Wilson Operations Director MidlandsAndrea Wilson is the Operations Director for Seddon Construction’s Property Services division, heading up the Midlands region. With 35 years of experience in the construction and engineering industry, she oversees construction and property service projects across various sectors, managing operations from planning to completion.

Following the success of the inaugural Birmingham Housing Week launched earlier this year we caught up two of the key stakeholders behind the initiative, Simon Wingate, Lovell regional partnerships director, and Cabinet member for housing and homelessness at Birmingham City Council, Councillor Jayne Francis. Birmingham City Council and Lovell have come together to champion embracing inclusive growth, with Birmingham Housing Week designed to inform, inspire and involve young people and communities to get involved in all aspects of housing.The Building Brum podcast is kindly sponsored reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK. Simon Wingate Lovell Partnerships Director MidlandsSimon’s primary responsibility is to develop and nurture strategic relationships with key clients including Local Authorities, Housing Associations, Land Agents and consultants to unlock new multi-tenure housing developments.Simon has extensive experience in acquisition of land for a variety of housing tenures including Affordable, Open Market, Build to Rent and Care. He has been extensively involved in forming partnerships to unlock stalled brownfield sites for multi-tenure housing across the Midlands regions.Councillor Jayne Francis Harborne (Labour) Cabinet Member for Housing and HomelessnessJayne Francis was first elected as a Councillor in 2016. Since 2018 she has been part of Birmingham City Council’s Cabinet – initially with a portfolio encompassing education and skills. In 2020 she became Cabinet Member for digital, culture, heritage & tourism. More recently, Jayne has been appointed Cabinet Member for housing and homelessness. This brief includes political accountability and oversight for housing management, capital investment, housing strategy and partnerships and major regeneration programmes.Jayne’s academic background is in the area of social policy. She has a Master’s in Public Services (Birmingham) and a post-graduate qualification in research methods.Prior to becoming Cabinet Member, Jayne spent over 20 years working in research and evaluation, largely in Birmingham. Her areas of research (qualitative & quantitative) and evaluation expertise were in housing and regeneration, health inequalities and education. Clients included local authorities, regeneration partnerships and Sure Start where she was a consultant with the DfE.Jayne is a Director with Harborne BID and holds directorships with the Ikon Gallery and Birmingham Rep. She is also a Trustee with West Midlands Arts and is a Regional representative on the Arts Council (Midlands). Outside of work her passion is food (cooking and eating) and Jayne enjoys travel (public transport as she doesn’t drive). Jayne has one daughter and one grandchild.

This April, on the Building Brum podcast, we caught up with the organisers of the British Council for Offices (BCO) 2024 Annual conference taking place next month in Birmingham. It has been 10 years since the conference was last held in the UK’s second city and over the past decade, our city, famously known as the ‘workshop of the world’ has lived up to its name, quietly delivering a number of sizeable new developments, including 103 Colmore Row, Enterprise Wharf and Paradise Birmingham.   We caught up with Peter Crowther – Senior Vice President of the BCO, James Hall – Director at Associated Architects and Member of the BCO Midlands Chapter Committee and Rosie Cotterill – Director at Turley and Chair of BCO Midlands NextGen Committee to discuss what makes Birmingham a strategic place for the conference to be held and how ongoing investment and development has transformed the city.   The Building Brum podcast is kindly sponsored reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK. 

This spring on the Building Brum podcast we discuss housing across the UK in 2024 . Following on from the March Spring Budget and ahead of the local elections, mayoral elections and the general election, we caught up with Chartered Town Planner Daniel Wilson who specialises in delivering sustainable developments that transform places and leave a positive, lasting impact on local communities through holistic, inclusive growth. Joining Dan from our sponsors Cavendish is Tristan Chatfield who served as a councillor at Birmingham City Council and is now Associate Director at Cavendish specialising in Planning Communications and Public Affairs. Together they examine the 2024 spring budget and look ahead at the future of the housing sector.The Building Brum podcast is kindly sponsored reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK. Daniel Wilson:Dan is a Chartered Town Planner who specialises in delivering sustainable developments that transform places and leave a positive, lasting impact on local communities through holistic, inclusive growth. Dan is experienced in delivering strategic urban extensions, a brand-new garden village, urban regeneration schemes, student accommodation, hotels, and more. Since graduating from Cardiff University (MSc in International Planning and Development), Dan has gained over 10 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. Dan previously sat on both the RTPI West Midlands Regional Activities Committee and the RTPI West Midlands Ball Committee. He also served as Junior Vice-Chair  and Vice-Chair and, in 2020, was Chair of the RTPI West Midlands Young Planners Committee. That same year, Dan won the RTPI West Midlands Young Planner of the year award and, in 2021, was highly commended by the judges in the national Young Planner of the year awards. In a previous life, Dan was President of a Students’ Union and Regional Chairman of the Commonwealth Student Association (Caribbean Chapter).Tristan Chatfield:Tristan is a passionate advocate for sustainable economic development in Birmingham and the West Midlands. As a former cabinet member at Birmingham City Council and MPs constituency assistant Tristan enjoys unparalleled local connections. He can offer insight into both the politics of the region and its varied communities.His current portfolio of projects includes regeneration schemes, aviation, infrastructure, retail and residential. Tristan leads our work in the West Midlands, based out of our Birmingham office.

International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. We have three guests joining us this March on the Building Brum podcast including two of Birmingham's leading women in architecture with glowing careers. Alex Slatter Associate as Associated Architects and Shauna Bradley Partner at Howells, alongside long-time building Brum collaborator and supporter Lee Simmonds of Solus. All three of our guests are parents, both Alex and Shauna are both mothers of one and Lee is a father of three. On today's episode, we are going to be talking about the challenges of planning for, having and raising a family whilst furthering your career and growing within your place of work.The Building Brum podcast is kindly sponsored reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK. 

This February on the Building Brum podcast we are joined by some of the stakeholders behind the Skills Hub initiative taking place at the latest MODA development coming out of the ground on Great Charles Street. We are speaking with Matthew Hood of Sunbelt Rentals, Shaun Hall from the West Midlands Combined Authority and Karl Johnson Social Value and Stakeholder manager at John Sisk. The Skills Hub offers local people free construction training and a guaranteed job interview at the end of the 20-day course and follows on from the earlier success of another project by MODA “The Mercian” which created 140 new job opportunities.The Building Brum podcast is kindly sponsored reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.Matthew Hood, Major Projects Sunbelt Rentals – MidlandsRecently celebrated 14 years at Sunbelt Rentals UK & Ireland.  His focus is on major projects in the midlands, and he works with management & main contractors, subcontractors, local authorities, and other project partners.  He offers project solutions and ESG across all services at Sunbelt.Shaun Hall - West Midlands Combined AuthorityShaun is the Lead for Adult Retraining for the West Midlands Combined Authority, with extensive experience of connecting local communities to jobs. Shaun has specialist knowledge of working with the construction sector, including pioneering work with HS2 and the 2022 Commonwealth Games, helping to reskill local unemployed people so they can access new employment opportunities. He has a long career working in employability, including close partnerships with JCP, colleges and training providers.Karl Johnson - Social Value and Stakeholder Manager - John Sisk.I have many years of experience working within social value, providing opportunities for roles primarily within construction for individuals who may never have considered a career within the sector. A passion for working with communities, schools, colleges and local businesses, as well as being a STEM ambassador and being on the Employment Advisory Board for HMMPS, I fundamentally believe in access to employment for all irrespective of background. 

We are excited to be joined by two of Arup’s Birmingham-based thought leaders Alison Kilby and James Watts, at their brand-new office at One Centenary Way, in Birmingham City Centre. In this episode we discuss all things Paradise Birmingham and the part both played in delivering one of the city's most ambitious office developments for MEPC and in turn, becoming its largest occupier. In the five years since the award-winning architects Howells made plans public for One Centenary Way, the project has taken centre stage with its strategic placement linking Centenary Square to the High Street. We discuss Arup’s role in this journey, including how they supported the redefining of the building as the first intelligent building in Paradise, and how that enabled them to design an office in partnership with HOK Architects and Overbury shaped by Arup’s values of sustainable and inclusive design.The Building Brum podcast is kindly sponsored reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.James WattsJames is the regeneration lead for Arup’s Midlands property team. He’s worked on a wide variety of projects across a number of different sectors from concept through to completion both in the UK and overseas. He has delivered cost effective solutions through quality design throughout the region and further afield, including across Arup’s new workspace at One Centenary Way and further visioning for Paradise and the city centre.Alison KilbyAlison is an associate director at Arup. Having started in the industry 14 years ago and, following a period working in Business Development, she returned as a Mechanical Engineer in 2014, and now works on a range of multi-disciplinary building designs, including collaborating with the University of Warwick and University of Birmingham on campus development, as well as with PwC on a range of exciting projects.

This December we discuss all things Wolverhampton, Birmingham and Solihull with Maggie Grogan, Managing Director - Midlands for Muse. Exploring the expansion behind national placemaker Muse into the Midlands and their vision set out to transform key areas across the West Midlands. We look at the partnerships in place that drive the development team from Muse forward, from Homes England to Legal and General, Maggie and her team have their sights set on creating a lasting legacy across Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Solihull and beyond.The Building Brum podcast is kindly sponsored reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

This month on the Building Brum Podcast we are joined by Gensler Birmingham’s Design Director, Philip Twiss. From Associated Architects to MAKE and now Gensler, Philip has helped to design and deliver some of Birmingham’s most iconic buildings from The Cube to the Mailbox, to the next chapter of Hammerson’s Bullring landmark. We look at why Gensler decided to move to Birmingham 10 years ago and what it means to combine global and local with projects being delivered by the Team in Birmingham spanning across the city and into Europe.The Building Brum podcast is kindly sponsored reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

HUB Residential Managing Director Damien Sharkey and Development Manager Isabel Scruby join Building Brum’s Conor Nolan alongside Cavendish Associate Director and ex-Birmingham City Council Cabinet Member Tristan Chatfield to talk about their upcoming development: 2 Snow Hill Plaza. We will discuss why Birmingham is a key destination for investors as 2 Snow Hill Plaza marks HUB's second project in Birmingham alongside the Digbeth Coach Station. We explore why Damien and the team at HUB have chosen to invest in the Build to Rent market in Colmore Row and discuss the ongoing demand for development sites across Birmingham.The Building Brum podcast is kindly sponsored reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK. Damien Sharkey is HUB’s Managing Director. Damien is keenly involved in all aspects of the HUB business, leading the development process of its current £2bn pipeline from acquisition and funding through design, consultation, planning, procurement, and delivery to completion. An architect by background, Damien completed his post-graduate diploma in architecture at the University of Westminster before beginning his career at Robin Partington Architects, now known as Apt. Having moved into development, Damien remains passionate about design and ensures maximum value through thoughtful design, technical accuracy, and efficient delivery for all of HUB’s portfolio. His agile thinking and proclivity for problem solving allow him to develop the HUB direction, structure deals and lead a fantastic team.Isabel is a Development Manager at HUB as well as a chartered town planner with a range of experience in residential and commercial projects across the UK. Isabel is dedicated to promoting sustainable development and continually enhances her knowledge of key legislation and policy. Prior to joining HUB, Isabel was a Senior Planning Consultant at JLL. She has previously spoken at events including the Cities Alive Conference in New York, where she explored the history of Green Roof policies and their evolution as they spread worldwide.Tristan is a passionate advocate for sustainable economic development in Birmingham and the West Midlands. As a former cabinet member at Birmingham City Council and MPs constituency assistant Tristan enjoys unparalleled local connections. He can offer insight into both the politics of the region and its varied communities.His current portfolio of projects includes regeneration schemes, aviation, infrastructure, retail and residential. Tristan leads our work in the West Midlands, based out of our Birmingham office.

On the podcast this month we are joined by the Head of Digital Project Delivery Joshua Hanson and Liam Clarke Regional Head of 4D Planning at John Sisk & Son. We caught up with Liam and Joshua to look at the projects they have both completed and are currently delivering across Birmingham including The Merican, Great Charles Street and Birmingham Health and Innovation Campus. These schemes when combined add up to three-quarters of a billion pounds worth of development across build-to-rent and life science sectors in the city. We also explore how the standardisation of digital project delivery across regions has enhanced programme efficiency across the organisation and changed the way John Sisk approaches developments as a company.The Building Brum podcast is kindly sponsored reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

We caught up with IM Properties Group Sustainability Director Andrew Swain. Andy is a chartered environmentalist with over 20 years of experience and joined IM Properties in 2022 to drive the implementation and delivery of the businesses  ‘Sustainable Futures’ strategy focused around its three pillars of People, Planet and Place. In addition to delivering sustainable futures, he works closely with delivery partners to ensure that the principles of sustainable development and net zero construction are delivered across IM Properties property portfolio, industrial and logistics developments and residential projects. We discuss the ambition that is required to deliver developments that are fit for the future.The Building Brum podcast is kindly sponsors reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles, APIC UK Limited West Bromwich based Architectural Glazing specialists and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

We are onsite at the Peddimore Birmingham development with Winvic Construction and Sunbelt Rentals. IM Properties are Birmingham City Councils development partner for Peddimore.On our latest episode we caught up with key members of the project team to talk about the role, impact and importance of social value within the construction industry. Focusing on how social value is there to support, grow and create positive change within communities. All three guests on our latest episode play a key role in the Peddimore project Rokneddin Shariat Policy and Governance Manager Birmingham City Council, Emma Rhymes Social Value Manager Winvic Construction and Jackie Cuthbert Social Impact Director Sunbelt Rentals UK & Ireland.The Building Brum podcast is sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modeling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.Jackie Cuthbert, Social Impact Director, Sunbelt RentalsJackie and her team work closely with design teams and contractors to create, deliver and report on social value in local communities for customers and ultimate clients. With 25 years experience gained across multiple sectors, Jackie is passionate about transforming lives for local people, one job at a time. Sunbelt Rentals is committed to leading with ESG and its ‘Our Planet’ programme is dedicated to supporting local residents, businesses and VCSEs in achieving their ambitions. This is achieved through innovative collaborations with customers, suppliers and VCSE partners with  environmental; skills, education and employment and social equality expertise. Rokneddin Shariat Policy and Governance Manager Birmingham City CouncilShariat is the Policy and Governance manager at Birmingham City Council’s procurement service.  He has been leading the social value development at the Council since 2012 with a 3 year gap as an independent consultant.  Birmingham is one of the early adopters of Social Value considering the City’s challenges around deprivation and the opportunities offered by the Commonwealth Games and HS2.  He has first hand experience of all 3 sectors, Private, Public and Third sector.  Previously, Shariat managed the publicly funded business support programmes at the Chamber of Commerce in Birmingham for 10 years.  Emma Rhymes is Social Value Manager for Winvic Construction Ltd Over the last two years, Emma has been working alongside the Peddimore Project Team and is responsible for supporting and implementing social value during the construction stage of the project. Emma uses her past experience of community engagement and CSR working for both construction sub-contractors and the charity sector to drive the social value agenda to leave a positive legacy in the local community. Emma is inspired daily by the positive stories she hears about the opportunities and impact being created through the project which include some of the innovative initiatives she has helped to create.

We catch up with Ash Wilson, Creative Director and Founder of Sculpt - an architectural interior design practice based in Digbeth. Exploring the journey of a design practice start-up we look at what it means to be an entrepreneur within the design world in the Midlands. We discuss the highs and lows of starting up a design business and amazing projects like The Roundhouse with the National Trust that help to define the practice, as well as repeat clients such as Digbeth Dining Club that are won through hard work and determination.  The Building Brum podcast is sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modeling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK. 

All three of our special guests were recently nominated for the British Council for Offices (BCO) NextGen Rising Star Midlands Award. We are joined by Rosie Cotterill incoming Chair of the BCO NextGen Midlands Committee who plays an instrumental role in the planning and delivery of Birmingham’s award-winning Paradise Development as a Director at Turley Alex Slatter BCO award winner is both the Chair of the British Council for Offices Next Gen Midlands and an associate at Associated Architects delivering both commercial and education projects, with considerable experience in the refurbishment and conversion of commercial buildings. Francesca Ghavami one of Glenn Howells Architects senior interior designers working on a macro master planning scale right down to the micro interior details on a selection of high-profile projects, including the RIBA-award-winning Moss House for University College Birmingham, Two Chamberlain Square and One Centenary Way at Paradise Birmingham.  All three guests share the same vision for building a better Birmingham and are working towards that goal, taking huge strides each year in making this vision a reality. The Building Brum podcast is sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.Alexandra SlatterAlex joined Associated Architects in July 2017 as a Part II Graduate and qualified as an Architect in 2020. She was promoted to Associate in 2021.She undertook her architectural training at the University of Kent, the University of Liverpool, and Birmingham City University.Alex has worked across multiple sectors, predominantly on commercial and education projects. She has considerable experience in the refurbishment and conversion of commercial buildings, with extensive involvement in mixed-use commercial, residential and luxury residential developments.The current Chair of the British Council for Offices (BCO) NextGen Committee for Midlands and East Anglia; Alex has led BCO tours of numerous projects. She acts on behalf of Associated Architects on the RIBA Future Architects Mentoring Scheme and sits on the practice’s CSR committee.Francesca GhavamiFrancesca is interested how spaces can affect how people behave and interact with each other and how good quality design can transform this experience.At Glenn Howells Architects, Francesca works on a macro master planning scale right down to the micro interior details on a selection of high-profile projects, including the RIBA-award-winning Moss House for University College Birmingham, Two Chamberlain Square and One Centenary Way at Paradise Birmingham, Port Loop and Kidbrooke, London.Francesca is committed to mentoring and sharing knowledge with the younger generation. She is a key member of our annual Summer School design review panel and leads interior design workshops to provide encouragement, advice and inspiration to the young participants. She hosts a work experience placement with Birmingham City University second-year students and has worked with the “I Can Be” charity to offer a career insight to girls at primary school.Before joining us, Francesca studied architecture at Oxford Brookes University and worked for a specialist workplace interior design practice.

We caught up with Matt Warren, Head of Digital Engineering and Integrated Solutions at Lendlease Europe to discuss the delivery of city centre regeneration projects and how advancements in technology are changing the ways in which teams collaborate and work together to drive positive change and regeneration.  We look back at work by Lendlease in Elephant and Castle, London and ahead to the upcoming Birmingham Smithfield redevelopment. With the advancements in technology being embraced and implemented across the construction sector in recent years,  we look at how this digital transformation seen within the construction industry has changed the way colleagues, project partners and clients deliver projects and collaborate together.The Building Brum podcast is sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modelling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.Matt Warren Head of Digital Engineering and Integrated Solutions Lendlease Europe: Having worked within architectural practice since 2002 and with a BA(hons) & MA in Architecture complete, Matt decided to change direction to join one of the world’s leading developers and contractors, focussing on delivering their integrated projects from inception through to completion. From the 2012 London Olympics, eco home firsts in zone 1 London, to major urban regeneration schemes throughout the UK, Matt has led design and digitisation innovations always with a focus on improving process and products.As Head of Digital Engineering for Lendlease’s Integrated Solutions team in Europe, he and his team are focussed on supporting and leading Lendlease’s digital transformations and innovations in design, development and delivery.

On our latest Building Brum podcast we have been joined by Simon Delahunty-Forrest Assistant Director of development planning and development at Birmingham City Council and Verity Barr Director at Cavendish Advocacy, part of the BECG. We caught up with Verity and Simon to discuss the future of Birmingham and what the Future City Plan means for the City and look at what it also means to developers and investors who are looking to relocate and establish themselves in the UK’s second city following its recent global success at hosting the Commonwealth Games.The Building Brum podcast is sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modeling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.About Simon Delahunty-Forrest Assistant Director of Development Planning and Development at Birmingham City Council: A 21st Century Public Servant, and Architect possessing strong, robust, professional and senior managerial leadership experience, delivering high quality outcomes for the citizens of Birmingham. Currently Acting Assistant Director for Development with responsibility for Planning Management, Enforcement, Planning Development, Development Policy, Enterprise Zone and City Design.Simon's substantive role as the Head of City Centre and Design within the Planning and Development service area for Birmingham City Council is strategic in promoting and delivering development that will help make Birmingham a place where people increasingly want to live, work, visit and invest contributing significantly to economic prosperity, job creation and to better quality of life, including improved social cohesion, equality and health.About Verity Barr Director Cavendish Advocacy: Verity is a director at Cavendish Advocacy, part of the BECG Group and leads the PR team.  She has 20 years’ experience developing and delivering integrated strategic and creative communications campaigns that directly meet business objectives and deliver measurable results. A built environment specialist, she has worked across both the private and public sectors with organisations in the property, energy, infrastructure and construction industries, providing strategic counsel as well as devising and managing the delivery of creative marcomms and media-based campaigns.

In our latest episode, we are joined by our Building Brum partners and sponsors Solus. We caught up with Sustainability Manager Ken Graham and Area Sales Manager Lee Simmonds to look at the sustainability journey Solus are making as a UK tiling market leader and the wider journey being made by the tiling industry globally. We look at how the role of a product supplier has changed in years gone by and developed into a much more collaborative role working alongside contractors, architects, interior designers and developers to provide the best and most sustainable solution to a new or existing development. The Building Brum podcast is sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modeling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,500,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.About Solus Sustainability Manager Kenneth Graham:Ken qualified as an Energy Consultant in the UK in 1986. In 1991, he emigrated to New Zealand and was recruited by the NZ Government to promote energy efficiency and conservation for homeowners and businesses throughout the country.  Ken travelled the world representing NZ at international conferences, gaining a broad understanding of the different approaches to efficient practice in many countries. Working in several other sectors including rubber tyre, plastics, cardboard, glass recycling; food waste management, and water management before gaining higher level sustainability management qualifications. These gave Ken the knowledge to bring all my experiences together; and how to create Sustainability Management Plans and Supplier Assessments.

As time ticks away to BCC’s Net Zero by 2030 target we caught up with Rob Nield - leader of the Webb Yates Engineers Midlands office and chartered structural engineer – to talk about his approach to lowering embodied (or upfront) carbon which can be responsible for a significant portion of a building’s carbon life cycle.We talked about their current portfolio and plans in the region, their approach to design and sustainability and how they are using innovative material systems coupled with extensive research and development to challenge the status quo in contemporary building design. The Building Brum podcast is sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modeling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,000,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.Rob Nield, Associate Director - MEng (Hons) CEng MIStructE Rob is a Chartered Structural Engineer with over 17 years of experience on a wide range of projects, both in the UK and internationally. During this time, he has successfully led a number of multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative and sustainable project solutions. His design experience covers structural steelwork, reinforced concrete, timber, masonry, glass, and post-tensioned stone.Starting his career at Arup in 2005 Rob joined Webb Yates Engineers’ London office in 2012 delivering projects including Barrett’s Grove – a Stirling Prize shortlisted residential development in Stoke Newington with a cross laminated timber structure; and Wimbledon College of Art – one of the first Timber Concrete Composite structures in the UK and winner of numerous sustainability awards.Relocating to the Midlands in 2015 he returned to Arup to deliver regionally significant projects including the design of HS2 Interchange Station in Solihull with it’s organic timber roof, and One Centenary Way an innovative 16 storey exoskeleton building suspended over the Queensway tunnel.Rob rejoined Webb Yates Engineers in 2020 to lead the Midlands office and currently manages a varied portfolio of exciting projects across the UK and abroad.Having worked with numerous leading architects his expertise lies in the production of efficient, elegant and low carbon structural solutions as part of an overall holistic design. An in-depth understanding of the design process, ability to visually communicate high level ideas and fine attention to detail during the construction stage has led to Rob’s track record in successfully delivering high quality and award winning projects.

We are joined by the team behind Creative Retail: Matt Pegg and Ed Purcell. Both are experts in commercial real estate across Birmingham and the UK. We will be looking at how the high street has changed over the past ten years and what needs to happen to boost, develop and take it forward in the decades in the come.The Building Brum podcast is sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modeling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles and Sunbelt Rentals with over 1,000,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.Matt Pegg Investment DirectorMatt has worked in Commercial Real Estate for 15 years in both consultancy and client-side positions. Having acted for regional and national retailers in an agency capacity and as retail asset manager of LCP’s £100m Provincial Portfolio, he is highly adept at identifying and implementing investment strategies across the full commercial property life cycle.Matt now advises private, regional and national clients such as Queensway Group, Midcounties Cooperative, Evolve Estates, Watkin Jones, Home Bargains, Lidl UK and WM Morrisons PLC.Ed Purcell Director Ed has been involved with the retail and leisure industry for over 13 years. He started his career at King Sturge before joining Cushman & Wakefield in 2011 as a member of the Midlands Retail Agency Team.Ed currently advises pension fund Landlords on Shopping Centre and High Street disposals, national retailers on the acquisition and disposal of shops, developers on Out of Town Warehousing schemes, and also independent landlords and retailers. 

This summer the British Council for Offices NextGen Midlands and Building Brum collaborated to present a special event, looking at the careers of industry and business leaders in Birmingham who are forging and shaping the UK’s second City. Building Brum Programme Director Conor Nolan was  joined by Calthorpe Estates Masterplanning and Development Director Ralph Minott, Turley Senior Director and Head of Planning Midlands Angela Reeve and Associated Architects Director Stephen Townsend.  The evening looked at the paths that these three inspirational leaders have followed, how they have created a balance between work and life and if where they are today has followed the trajectory they set out at the start of the careers.This event was kindly sponsored by Solus Ceramics, Dline and The Senator Group.

Following on from our recent Building Brum roundtable event held with Careys and hosted by Cundall, we caught up with Careys Regional Director for the Midlands, Tom Wraight, to talk about what is being done in Birmingham to help tackle unemployment within the City.We find out more in today’s podcast about the opportunities that our sector offers for those who are unemployed or looking for a career change and also, how the sector as a whole can support local communities, plus develop skills across the region by creating employment opportunities within developments across Birmingham and the Midlands.The Building Brum podcast is sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modeling specialists ScanTech Digital,  Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles and Sunbelt Rentals with over 2,000,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

This May we are joined by Francesca Wilkinson, Sustainability and Environmental Manager at Willmott Dixon. Francesca provides us with a unique insight into how the fuel crisis we are facing in society today is impacting the Net Zero agenda. We also look at how net-zero technology is being successfully implemented on projects across the country and the approach from the private sector in net zero and net zero ready buildings.The Building Brum podcast is sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modeling specialists ScanTech Digital, Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles and Sunbelt Rentals with over 200,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.After graduating with an MSc in Environmental Management, Francesca joined Willmott Dixon in 2017 as a Sustainability intern. Completing the Management Trainee scheme, before being promoted to Assistant Environmental Manger and earlier this year to Environmental & Sustainability Manger.  She was drawn to the challenges of the construction industry- being one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions, resource depletion and pollution- due to the real opportunities to make a substantial difference. Her experience is wide ranging and has included a number of award-winning projects as well as being honoured with the G4C Future Leader 2020 Construction Excellence Award.  Particular expertise includes energy efficiency, carbon reduction and reducing the energy gap performance, helping Willmott Dixon create Brilliant Buildings and deliver on their ambition for all new buildings to achieve net zero operation carbon by 2030, and net zero embodied carbon by 2040. Francesca is a Practitioner Member of IEMA with Registered Environmental Practitioner most recently helping to development an Extended Resource Ownership Model for Circular Economy in the construction sector.

This April we are joined by Geoff Fawkes from Sunbelt Rentals, who are a key strategic partner and supporter of the Building Brum series. As the largest providers of equipment hire across the UK, Sunbelt Rentals are in the unique position of supplying and supporting a huge range of infrastructure projects both large and small across the country, helping to regenerate and transform cities nationwide. We are going to be taking a look at the steps being taken across these building sites to make the construction sector more sustainable.The Building Brum podcast is sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modeling specialists ScanTech Digital, Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles and Sunbelt Rentals with over 200,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.

Digbeth has been on a journey of regeneration and transformation since Oval Real Estate acquired the Custard Factory, Fazely studios and numerous other sites back in 2017. In this month’s Building Brum podcast we caught up with Oval's Head of Estates Jo Salmon who has been at the heart of the regeneration of Digbeth. Oval Real Estate is at forefront of the regeneration of Digbeth and redeveloping 42 acres of land between the HS2 Curzon Street station and High Street Deritend. We look at how the area has developed and grown over the past five years, reflecting on the journey taken by Oval and what needs to happen next in Digbeth to further its ongoing regeneration.The Building Brum podcast is sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modeling specialists ScanTech Digital, Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles and Sunbelt Rentals with over 200,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.Jo Salmon— Head of Estates – Oval Real EstateJo combines her 20 years of extensive commercial real estate experience with her can do personal approach to help reinvigorate and reactivate the Digbeth estate. Having worked at Richard Ellis, and London & Cambridge Properties, Jo now runs the Oval office in Birmingham bringing energy to the property, marketing and events team ensuring it remains the beating heart of the creative quarter of the city.

We caught up with Broadway Malyan’s Director of Urbanism Danny Crump to find out more about one of Birmingham's most ambitious masterplans, the public realm transformation of Snow Hill. Danny has been at the heart of this project since its inception back in 2015 and has been instrumental in enhancing this district. We look at how the area has transformed over the past seven years since the project begin and what it means to enhance a public realm in the heart of a major city.   The Building Brum podcast is sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modeling specialists ScanTech Digital, Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles and Sunbelt Rentals with over 200,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK. Danny is a Chartered Landscape Architect with over 20 years of professional experience. He joined Broadway Malyan in 2011 and leads the Manchester Studio and UK Landscape Architecture team. He is a passionate placemaker establishing and leading Broadway Malyan’s ’Place Team’ providing value driven advocacy within the built environment for multi-sectoral clients.His experience is wide ranging and has included a number of award winning projects. Particular expertise includes city core regeneration and urban realm masterplanning, city street and space design and public squares and parks. He has also led and delivered a number of projects at university campuses across the UK.Danny’s experience of working in urban centres was recognised recently with his appointed to MHCLG’s HighStreet Task Force Expert/Mentor and Facilitator Panel.Most often working in a multidisciplinary environment,Danny has delivered a number of significant major projects.He is experienced in lead designer and consultant roleundertaking this position on the majority of commissions. He is experienced in site diagnosis techniques with a focus on urban data analytics, using this skill to inform the design process.

In today's episode, we are joined by Rupert Mayo who founded Knight R&D in 2016 following almost 10 years of consulting with KPMG in R&D tax relief and we de-mystify what exactly is R&D tax credits for companies big and small within the construction industry.Rupert Mayo founded Knight R&D Ltd (Knight) in 2016 following almost 10 years of consulting from KPMG in R&D tax relief. In 2021 Knight became part of K3 Capital Group PLC, a group of complementary professional services firms. A large proportion of the client base at Knight is in the construction industry, with companies ranging across all areas and fields of construction and including start-ups, more established small and medium-sized firms, all the way up to large listed construction, services and property groups.  The Building Brum podcast is sponsored by reality capture and point cloud modeling specialists ScanTech Digital, Solus, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial floor and wall tiles and Sunbelt Rentals with over 200,000 items of equipment- they are the largest providers of equipment hire in the UK.