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Construction Disrupted

Construction Disrupted

Autor: Peter Sumpton & Ryan Jones
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Construction Disrupted is a podcast for people working in the construction industry who need to stay current without drowning in noise. With a focus on the current, real-world issues across the built environment, the stories behind the headlines, the shifts worth your time, and the ideas to get you thinking. No froth, all coffee. Each episode follows a clear 3, 2, 1 structure: 3 headlines. Covering the most relevant and interesting topics from the world of construction. 2 opinions. Straight-talking analysis and debrief that digs deep beyond each headline. Why it matters and what it means for the future. 1 takeaway. Sometimes practical, sometimes actionable, or perhaps something to make you think. Hosted by Peter Sumpton and Ryan Jones, who bring a combined 40 years in construction and marketing, Construction Disrupted is designed for thought-leaders and decision-makers who prefer podcasts with more substance and less spin. We know the backdrop, fragmented supply chains, rising costs, skills gaps and sustainability pressures, and we won’t rehash doom for the sake of it. Instead, we move past the headlines and delve into the topics that are shaping the industry today, tomorrow, and probably a couple more days after that. Subscribe and join us every week – most weeks, anyway. Expect clear thinking, dry humour and the occasional soapbox moment.Copyright 2026, Peter Sumpton (buildDifferent) & Ryan Jones (SLG Agency) Ekonomia Polityka i rządy
Odcinki
  • Can UK Construction Really Deliver? | Episode 135

    Can UK Construction Really Deliver? | Episode 135
    Oct 7 2026
    Construction Disrupted Episode 135 - Can UK Construction Really Deliver? (07.10.26) in partnership with Adobe Acrobat Studio. Check them out and show them some love.In this, our 50th episode, we're discussing how the new government is promising radical reform, but facing entrenched challenges, the brutally fast construction of AI data centers and the generation of young people dangling between ambition and estrangement, these are not polite policy debates. Let's go!Hope again? Five key takeaways from Labour conference 2026At the 2026 Labour conference, real hope replaced performative slogans, as the built environment sector absorbed the arrival of a new prime minister and a government eager to show tangible progress. Conversations focused less on policy inertia and more on the need for delivery.The introduction of a new National Planning Policy Framework signaled major change, moving planning from the centre of debate to make room for urgent action on leasehold reform and support for first-time buyers. Yet, while the industry welcomed schemes like 'Your First Home,' many questioned whether the benefits would filter down beyond large contractors and bring about enduring improvements for SMEs or local builders. Infrastructure policy, though mentioned with ambitions like public control over utilities, remained in the background, with unresolved questions about devolution and funding casting some uncertainty. For now, the mood across the conference was buoyant, but the difficult work of translating ambition into real-world change remains ahead.If UK construction cannot reach a million willing young people, who can?The claim that the UK has a million young people unwilling to work is largely a myth. Most want meaningful employment, but the pathway from interest to lasting work in construction is fractured and inconsistent. Outreach efforts—school visits, site experiences, work placements—often spark enthusiasm, but they are too fragmented and poorly followed up to convert into careers.The imminent Milburn review on NEETs underscores that the challenge is not reaching young people but nurturing enduring connections; if those first work experiences go awry or support dries up, potential workers are lost. Innovative pilot programmes, such as Morgan Sindall’s Rise and Build, are reimagining this process—offering ongoing mentoring, tracking outcomes for years, and welcoming not just school leavers but returners and career changers alike. The future of the industry depends on persistent, community-based support making opportunity last, ensuring a skilled and motivated workforce is not just a goal, but a reality.AI data centres are going up fast – but can they deliver?The UK is in the midst of a £100bn data centre building boom driven by surging AI demand. However, the rush to deliver new capacity has introduced real risks. Research shows a large majority of operators feel pressured to compromise on critical factors such as cabling just to meet deadlines. Many are making hasty decisions or cutting corners that lead to performance bottlenecks post-launch, undermining both investment and sustainability cases.The challenge is compounded by rapidly evolving hardware needs and a shortage of specialised skills. Instead of simply speeding up builds, industry leaders argue that cabling, compute, power, and cooling should be planned cohesively from the outset to ensure longevity and scalability. In short, the industry must move beyond a mindset focused solely on completion dates to delivering infrastructure that truly meets tomorrow’s needs—and can withstand public scrutiny over resources and performance.BiosRyan Jones - SLG AgencyFor almost 20 years, Ryan’s focus has been on helping brands in the construction and manufacturing sectors tell their story.His career began in PR, working for global businesses across a variety of sectors, before opting to focus on construction and the built environment.In his role as Managing Director, Ryan works to ensure that SLG Agency continues to be one of the construction industry's leading specialist strategic and creative agencies, having seen its work recognised by the likes of Campaign, Marketing Week and The Drum in recent years.Ryan is regularly asked to speak at trade shows and events, and to contribute thought leadership pieces to trade media. He is also a member of several industry advisory boards, including Constructing Excellence and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.His passion for the construction sector has seen him work with clients on CSR campaigns that tackle the sector’s public perception, culminating in him recently launching a not-for-profit called Deconstruction.Peter Sumpton - buildDifferentPeter is a construction–marketing strategist and co-host of Construction Disrupted. With two decades’ experience spanning manufacturers, contractors and agencies, he helps organisations swap scattergun activity for clear strategy, joined-up planning...
    Rozwiń Zwiń
    43 min
  • UK Constructions 3% Margin Barrier | Episode 134

    UK Constructions 3% Margin Barrier | Episode 134
    Sep 30 2026
    Construction Disrupted Episode 134 - UK Constructions 3% Margin Barrier (30.09.26) in partnership with Adobe Acrobat Studio. Check them out and show them some love.In this episode, as political winds shift and regulatory reforms take hold, the construction and housing sectors are experiencing both renewed optimism and fresh uncertainty. From bold government pivots that could reshape social housing delivery, to a dramatic rebound in housing starts driven by regulatory overhaul, and a historic leap in contractor profitability, these stories reveal the high stakes and rapid changes shaping the industry’s future. Let's go.Burnham’s Pivot to Council Housebuilding Risks an Immediate Drop in DeliveryLabour’s recent shift towards council-led social housing, championed by Andy Burnham, aims to address the UK’s deepening housing crisis. However, industry experts warn this pivot could stall thousands of social homes already in the pipeline via housing associations and private developers. With 326,000 people—169,000 of them children—currently in temporary accommodation, the urgency is clear.The new approach risks delays and funding cutbacks for non-council providers, potentially reducing immediate delivery. Experts urge the government to maintain continuity, maximize the capacity of all providers, and treat housing as long-term infrastructure, not just a political quick win.Gateway 2 Push Fuels 20% Jump in Housing StartsThe second quarter saw a 20% surge in new-build housing starts in England, reaching 35,910 units. This rebound is largely attributed to reforms at the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), which streamlined approvals and boosted higher-rise project numbers. BSR-reported starts hit 5,758 this quarter—five times their previous peak—making up 16% of all starts.Despite this positive trend, overall activity remains 47% below the 2023 peak, and completions have plateaued. The data suggests the housing pipeline is recovering after a sharp downturn, but the sector is still far from pre-slump levels.CN100 Breaks 3% Margin BarrierFor the first time, the UK’s largest contractors have achieved an average pre-tax margin above 3%, according to the 2026 CN100 report. The unweighted average margin rose to 3.4%, up from 2.7% last year and 2.1% the year before.Two-thirds of top firms improved their margins, signaling stronger financial health in the sector. This milestone reflects improved efficiency and resilience among leading contractors, even as the industry navigates ongoing challenges.BiosRyan Jones - SLG AgencyFor almost 20 years, Ryan’s focus has been on helping brands in the construction and manufacturing sectors tell their story.His career began in PR, working for global businesses across a variety of sectors, before opting to focus on construction and the built environment.In his role as Managing Director, Ryan works to ensure that SLG Agency continues to be one of the construction industry's leading specialist strategic and creative agencies, having seen its work recognised by the likes of Campaign, Marketing Week and The Drum in recent years.Ryan is regularly asked to speak at trade shows and events, and to contribute thought leadership pieces to trade media. He is also a member of several industry advisory boards, including Constructing Excellence and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.His passion for the construction sector has seen him work with clients on CSR campaigns that tackle the sector’s public perception, culminating in him recently launching a not-for-profit called Deconstruction.Peter Sumpton - buildDifferentPeter is a construction–marketing strategist and co-host of Construction Disrupted. With two decades’ experience spanning manufacturers, contractors and agencies, he helps organisations swap scattergun activity for clear strategy, joined-up planning and measurable outcomes.His approach is practical and plain-spoken: cut the noise, focus on what moves the numbers, and build repeatable systems that teams can actually use.Having seen first-hand how unfocused tactics waste time and budget, Peter works with leaders to align commercial goals, customer insight and content so marketing supports delivery rather than distracting from it.Peter's passion lies in diagnosing organisations' marketing functions' capabilities and existing market, assembling what’s required to create a functional strategy, fit for purpose and scalable.Marketing should create value, not just cost, and Peter’s work is about making that the norm.
    Rozwiń Zwiń
    41 min
  • UK Construction: A Great Idea, Poorly Executed? | Episode 133

    UK Construction: A Great Idea, Poorly Executed? | Episode 133
    Sep 16 2026
    Construction Disrupted Episode 133 - UK Construction: A Great Idea, Poorly Executed? (16.09.26) in partnership with Adobe Acrobat Studio. Check out Adobe Acrobats NEW Interactive Report feature and turn static documents into insightful, engaging reports.In this episode, we're discussing the quiet end of a government initiative that has some of us fuming, the urgent need for productivity as a core delivery strategy, and why retaining older workers is vital for the industry's future. Let's go!Construction champion role quietly scrappedThe UK government's construction champion role, once seen as a promising initiative, has been quietly discontinued. According to former champion Mike Reader, the scheme was "a great idea, poorly executed." Its removal reflects ongoing challenges in government-led industry interventions and raises questions about how the sector will now address leadership and advocacy at a national level. The lack of clear communication around the decision has left many in the industry uncertain about future government engagement and support.Why construction productivity has to become a delivery strategy, not another industry talking pointDespite decades of analysis, UK construction productivity remains stagnant—20% lower than in the 1970s, with only a 1% improvement since 1997. The Mace Construct "Build Smart, Build Better" report highlights that productivity gains are driven by early design maturity, stable workforces, supply chain integration, and industrialised methods.Workforce churn alone costs the sector £1.3bn annually. The report urges that productivity must be embedded as a delivery metric, not just discussed. Standardising processes, involving contractors early, and measuring performance can unlock billions in value and help deliver the UK's ambitious infrastructure pipeline with fewer resources.Retention of older workers vital for construction productivityWith over 140,000 vacancies and a projected need for 60,000 new workers annually, the construction sector faces a workforce crisis. Older workers (50+) now make up a third of the workforce, but many leave early due to the physical demands and health issues. Retaining these experienced workers is crucial for productivity, quality, and safety.The Centre for Ageing Better advocates for age-friendly employer practices and government action to support longer working lives. Keeping older workers engaged can reduce errors, improve mentoring, and ensure knowledge transfer, all of which are essential for meeting future construction demands.BiosRyan Jones - SLG AgencyFor almost 20 years, Ryan’s focus has been on helping brands in the construction and manufacturing sectors tell their story.His career began in PR, working for global businesses across a variety of sectors, before opting to focus on construction and the built environment.In his role as Managing Director, Ryan works to ensure that SLG Agency continues to be one of the construction industry's leading specialist strategic and creative agencies, having seen its work recognised by the likes of Campaign, Marketing Week and The Drum in recent years.Ryan is regularly asked to speak at trade shows and events, and to contribute thought leadership pieces to trade media. He is also a member of several industry advisory boards, including Constructing Excellence and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.His passion for the construction sector has seen him work with clients on CSR campaigns that tackle the sector’s public perception, culminating in him recently launching a not-for-profit called Deconstruction.Peter Sumpton - buildDifferentPeter is a construction–marketing strategist and co-host of Construction Disrupted. With two decades’ experience spanning manufacturers, contractors and agencies, he helps organisations swap scattergun activity for clear strategy, joined-up planning and measurable outcomes.His approach is practical and plain-spoken: cut the noise, focus on what moves the numbers, and build repeatable systems that teams can actually use.Having seen first-hand how unfocused tactics waste time and budget, Peter works with leaders to align commercial goals, customer insight and content so marketing supports delivery rather than distracting from it.Peter's passion lies in diagnosing organisations' marketing functions' capabilities and existing market, assembling what’s required to create a functional strategy, fit for purpose and scalable.Marketing should create value, not just cost, and Peter’s work is about making that the norm.
    Rozwiń Zwiń
    44 min
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