Building Brum

Hosted by Conor Nolan

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Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Tune into the Building Brum podcast and hear from Programme Director Conor Nolan as he talks with developers, contractors, architects and planners about developments across the region and the changing trends within the industry. 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., Solus

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June 15, 2026Episode 6740 min

Birmingham Rising: Exploring Density with SimpsonHaugh

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.

April 21, 2026Episode 6634 min

PBSA 2026: Growth, Gaps and Hard Choices with Stace

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.

April 16, 2026Episode 6532 min

From Foundations to £1bn: Caddick’s Midlands Growth Story

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.

March 10, 2026Episode 6436 min

Breaking Ground Early at Overbury

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.

March 5, 2026Episode 6358 min

The New Rules of High-Rise

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.

February 23, 2026Episode 6251 min

From Masterplan to Delivery: The Reality Check with Arup

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.

January 29, 2026Episode 6133 min

Disrupting the Midlands Market: Nick Gibb - BSN Group

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.

November 27, 2025Episode 6039 min

Public Meets Private: The Warwickshire Growth Model

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.

November 25, 2025Episode 5938 min

From Houses to Communities: Delivering Affordable Homes in Birmingham

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.

November 3, 2025Episode 5842 min

Steering Birmingham’s Next Chapter – Planning, Policy, and Regeneration

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.