Create and Construct

In this episode of Create & Construct: The Podcast, we explore the critical role manufacturing plays in the built environment and why construction starts long before anything reaches site.   Michelle McNeill is joined by Stephen Kelly, Chief Executive of Manufacturing NI, to discuss how manufacturers underpin every stage of construction, from materials and systems through to innovation and delivery.   With May marking Manufacturing Month in Northern Ireland, this conversation looks at the growing importance of manufacturing across construction and infrastructure, and how Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector is competing on a global stage.   Together, they discuss: The relationship between manufacturing and construction, and why they are more interconnected than ever The biggest challenges facing manufacturers today, including labour shortages, rising costs and global uncertainty How automation, technology and sustainability are shaping the future of manufacturing Why early engagement with manufacturers can reduce risk and improve project outcomes The shift towards more localised supply chains and what that means for developers and contractors This episode also highlights the human side of manufacturing - from community impact and local employment to the ambition driving globally successful businesses from Northern Ireland.   Whether you are a developer, contractor, architect or engineer, this episode offers valuable insight into how manufacturing influences cost, programme, quality and long-term project success.

What actually makes paving perform long term? In this episode of Create & Construct: The Podcast, Technical Expert. Sam McBride answers the questions specifiers and contractors deal with every day - BS 7533:101, traffic categories, subgrade strength, block thickness and laying patterns. If you’re working on driveways, car parks, public realm or housing developments, this episode gives a clear, practical understanding of how to design paving that lasts and where things typically go wrong. Real questions. Straight answers. Built for real-world projects. 

After a recent webinar sparked hundreds of questions across the industry, we’re continuing the conversation. In the latest episode of Create & Construct: The Podcast, we sit down with Michael McIvor-New to explore the growing role of SuDS in modern housing developments and why traditional drainage approaches are no longer keeping pace with today’s rainfall. The discussion focuses on real questions submitted by architects, engineers and developers, looking at how permeable paving systems perform in practice, what happens over time as systems begin to clog, how pollutants are managed within the structure and how costs compare with more conventional drainage methods.  It also addresses a key question many projects face, which is who is responsible for long-term maintenance and why that decision matters early on. A practical listen for anyone involved in housing design, planning or delivery. Joined the webinar or working with SuDS on your projects? We’d love to hear your perspective in the comments.

In this episode of Create & Construct: The Podcast, host Michelle is joined by Grant Henshaw, Building Physicist and Research Fellow at the University of Salford, and Tom Greening, Strategic Account Manager at Tobermore, to discuss how homes perform past the design stage in the real world.   The discussion explores energy efficiency, heat pumps, insulation and retrofitting, along with occupant comfort and the role of measurement in improving real-world performance.   It also examines how materials, construction quality, embodied carbon and supply chains are influencing the future of housebuilding.

In this episode of Create & Construct: The Podcast, Michelle is joined by Martha Penney, Senior Quantity Surveyor at Taylor Wimpey, for an honest conversation about women in construction, career progression and the reality of working in a commercially influential role.   Together, they discuss how the construction industry is evolving, the importance of visibility, mentorship and male allies, and why opportunity in construction is far broader than many people realise. Martha shares her journey into quantity surveying, what commercial leadership looks like in housebuilding, and how the industry can better support the next generation of women entering construction.   This episode explores leadership, diversity, commercial decision-making, supplier relationships, buyer expectations and the role construction can play in building confidence, practical knowledge and long-term career satisfaction.

Is landscape a finishing touch… or essential infrastructure? In this episode of Create & Construct: The Podcast, we’re joined by award-winning landscape architect Jane McCorkell, who brings over 25 years of experience shaping public realm and private developments across the UK & Ireland. From planning visuals to construction realities, Jane shares an honest look at what happens when budgets tighten, teams change and sustainability targets move from intention to verification. We explore green infrastructure, SuDS, biodiversity net gain, and why getting landscape involved from day one makes all the difference. This is a grounded, practical conversation for developers, specifiers and contractors who want to understand how landscape performs long after the ribbon is cut. Because the space outside the building is never just decoration.   🔗 Find out more about Jane and her work here: Jane McCorkell Design | Multi-award winning landscape architect 🎧 Listen now and let us know your thoughts in the comments. 

Housebuilders are under more pressure than ever to deliver homes on time, with little margin for error. In this episode, Michelle speaks with Krisa, Housebuilding Team Manager at Tobermore, about the real challenges facing housing developments today - from supply uncertainty to programme pressure. They explore why early engagement with suppliers is critical, how reliable delivery keeps sites moving, and how working closely with the right partners can reduce risk across phased developments. If you’re responsible for keeping housing projects on track, this episode offers practical insight into how early decisions can make housebuilding easier from start to finish.

Flooding is no longer a seasonal issue - it’s a design failure. In this episode, we explore why traditional drainage systems are struggling under extreme rainfall and how SuDS-compliant permeable paving reduces flood risk by slowing water at source. Tobermore specialist Michael McIvor-New debunks maintenance myths, explains real-world performance during heavy rainfall, and shares what designers must rethink to build resilient developments.

In our debut episode, Michelle sits down with Alex Walther, Head of Retaining Walls at Tobermore, to explore why retaining walls are becoming a common feature on more and more projects. We unpack the mistakes that can quietly cost projects time and budget, and what customers really want from a retaining wall solution -beyond just strength and structure. Alex also shares insights into longevity and performance that might surprise you. If you’ve ever wondered how retaining walls really work or wanted straight-talk advice from someone who lives and breathes them, this is an episode you won’t want to miss