I'm The Gaffer

Hosted by Gavin Coyle

Business Management Education

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127

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Oct 2026

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About the show

I'm The Gaffer, hosted by industry expert Gavin Coyle, is the essential podcast for construction people, offering insider insights, expert interviews, and actionable strategies to blueprint unprecedented success in the dynamic world of construction. Whether you are still ‘on the tools’, just getting started, a seasoned site manager focused on large-scale project management, or a fast-growth building industry entrepreneur/developer this podcast is for you. Gavin's guests, ranging from influential thought leaders to boots-on-the-ground practitioners, share their stories, successes and failures, and offer invaluable lessons and tips, allowing you to have a 360-degree view of the construction landscape. This podcast is a must have shared learning space for any person looking to achieve success in the building industry. As a construction person, this podcast is your go-to source for navigating the complexities of the construction industry where success is not just built; it's crafted with precision, passion, and the right knowledge.

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October 20, 202634 min

Is Experience Making Construction Workers Complacent? | John Egan

Welcome to a new episode of I'm The Gaffer When you've been doing the same job for years, does experience make you safer, or can it make you complacent? In this episode, Gavin Coyle welcomes John Egan , Executive for Safety, Health and Skills at the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) , as the podcast returns to the studio. John discusses some of the biggest challenges facing construction safety in Ireland, from workforce competence and the loss of experienced workers to the dangers of complacency and the importance of speaking up on site. With concerning figures surrounding construction fatalities, Gavin and John explore why experience alone doesn't guarantee safety, why procedures and paperwork can only go so far, and how stronger leadership, open communication, and a willingness to challenge one another can make a real difference. The conversation also highlights CIF's 2026 Construction Safety Campaign , encouraging the industry to get back to the fundamentals of keeping people safe at work. You'll Learn: Why complacency can become a risk for even the most experienced construction workers What construction fatality figures reveal about age, experience, and workplace safety Why competence involves more than training certificates and qualifications How mentoring can help preserve the knowledge of experienced construction professionals Why speaking up, challenging unsafe practices, and improving communication matter on site How CIF's Back to Basics campaign encourages the industry to look beyond compliance Episode Highlights / Timestamps 00:00 Coming Up 00:57 Meet John Egan – The Role of CIF 10:53 Workforce Challenges, Competence and Leadership 22:36 CIF's 2026 Construction Safety Campaign – Back to Basics 24:08 Construction Fatalities in Ireland 26:35 Experience, Risk Perception and Complacency 28:02 Speaking Up and Challenging Unsafe Practices 31:48 Leadership, Communication and Safety Culture Connect with John Egan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-egan-05191a21/ Construction Industry Federation: https://cif.ie/ About CIF's Construction Safety Campaign 2026 The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) is running its annual Construction Safety Campaign from 12th–23rd October 2026 , under the theme “Back to Basics.” The campaign encourages construction companies and workers to refocus on essential safety practices, promote open communication, and strengthen shared responsibility for keeping everyone safe on site. Learn more and access campaign resources: https://cif.ie/safetycampaign/ About Coyle Group Coyle Group provides safety outsourcing and managed services for high-impact projects across wind, utilities, power generation, engineering, and construction. With over 25 years of experience, 100+ safety professionals, and more than 1 million safety hours completed, Coyle Group helps organisations deliver projects safely and compliantly. Learn more: https://coyle-group.com/ About the Podcast I'm The Gaffer, hosted by Gavin Coyle, features conversations with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and subject matter experts covering construction, engineering, leadership, business growth, safety, procurement, project delivery, and workplace culture. Listen on: Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer Spotify: https://bit.ly/ImTheGafferSpotify YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ImTheGafferPodcast Website: https://www.imthegaffer.com Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, construction, business growth, workplace culture, employee engagement, engineering, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship. #ImTheGaffer #CIFSafety26 #BackToBasics #ConstructionSafety #SafetyCulture

October 6, 202654 min

Work Out On Your Wage - Kevin Bennison (InspHigher)

Welcome to a new episode of I'm The Gaffer If you have ever watched a lift sit waiting till half ten while the paperwork gets finished, or wondered why so many good crane people freeze at the thought of the appointed person course, this episode is for you. In this episode, Kevin Bennison joins Gavin Coyle. Kevin is the founder of InspHigher, a lifting operations trainer, former soldier and lifelong learner with over 25 years across the lifting industry. He joined the Army in 1995 as a plant operator in the Royal Engineers and earned his wings as an airborne soldier, then spent 10 years on mobile cranes, became an appointed person in 2005, self-funded his way into training in 2010 and started InspHigher in 2020. Today most of his work is non-accredited training built around what organisations and their people actually need: advanced AP, management of lifting operations, and helping supervisors pass knowledge on to their teams. You'll learn: - The maths reassurance: if you can work out your weekly wage with overtime, you can do the AP course - The VARK learning styles, and why site teams keep getting trained the wrong way for how they actually learn - The paperwork problem: lifts starting at 10:30 instead of 8:30 - The 10-year-old and the crane: stopping a load strike is trained behaviour, not a document - Start with supervision, get that right and everything else gets easier - 85-90 hour weeks, no freedom, and "don't let the story stop you" Episode Highlights / Timestamps (54:56 total) · 00:00 Coming up · 00:51 Welcome Kevin · 03:49 Joining the Army · 05:36 Starting InspHigher · 09:37 Is the AP course really that tough · 13:13 "If you can calculate your weekly wage..." · 15:42 The VARK model · 17:58 What an AP earns · 21:10 85-90 hour weeks · 22:18 "The outer voice becomes the inner dialogue" · 24:23 Crane companies questioned on lift plans · 33:39 Lifts starting at 10:30 instead of 8:30 · 35:59 The 10-year-old who could stop the crane · 39:12 Devil's advocate: pay and agency labour · 46:49 Start with supervision · 51:04 Favourite books · 53:11 Where to find Kevin · 54:14 Wrap Connect with Kevin Bennison - LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kevinbennison - InspHigher: insphigher.co.uk - InspHigher YouTube: youtube.com/@InspHigher Mentioned: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Covey), The Way of the Hermit (Ken Smith), the VARK model, CPCS/NPORS About Coyle Group Coyle Group provides safety outsourcing and managed services for high-impact projects across wind, utilities, power generation, engineering, and construction. With over 25 years of experience , 100+ safety professionals , and more than 1 million safety hours completed , Coyle Group helps organisations deliver projects safely and compliantly. Learn more: https://coyle-group.com/ About the Podcast I'm The Gaffer , hosted by Gavin Coyle, features conversations with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and subject matter experts covering construction, engineering, leadership, business growth, safety, procurement, project delivery, and workplace culture. Listen on: Apple Podcasts https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer Spotify https://bit.ly/ImTheGafferSpotify YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ImTheGafferPodcast Website https://www.imthegaffer.com Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, construction, business growth, workplace culture, employee engagement, engineering, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship.

September 29, 202658 min

Falls From Height: The No. 1 Killer on Site, And What Actually Works - Peter Bennett OBE (No Falls Foundation)

Welcome to a new episode of I'm The Gaffer If you have ever sent a man 200 miles in a van with two ladders on the roof rack and wondered why he didn't "work safely," this episode is about why falls from height are still the number one killer on site, and what 45 years at the sharp end of the access industry says actually fixes it. Peter Bennett OBE joins Gavin Coyle. Peter is managing director of PASMA, executive director of the Ladder Association, chair of the No Falls Foundation and a past president of IPAF, 45 years in access, from a Glasgow scaffolding yard with Stevens & Carter to writing the standards the industry works to today. Fresh HSE fatality statistics had been released the very morning of the recording, and Peter walks through what they really mean. You'll learn: • The numbers: 35 killed in falls last year, 361 in a decade, 44,000 non-fatal falls a year in GB • Why non-fatal falls are just as serious, life-changing injuries, not just fatalities • The fatality Peter's carried for decades, and why nobody got counselling • The two most dangerous people on site: the novice, and the over-55 who's "forgotten" the danger • Why banning ladders backfires, train risk assessment instead of prescribing everything • The two-ladders-on-a-roof-rack test for pricing work at height into a job Episode Highlights / Timestamps 01:09 Welcome: Peter Bennett OBE 09:56 Fresh HSE stats: 35 deaths, 361 in a decade 14:13 The ripple effect 16:40 The fatality Peter can't forget 19:50 Over-55s: "you don't bounce as well" 27:41 Advance guardrails 32:04 "Ladders are banned" 37:44 Two ladders on a roof rack 44:49 Fatal accident inquiry: six deaths 49:29 Retirement, succession 53:00 Favourite books Connect with Peter Bennett OBE • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/peter-bennett-obe-b3884a13 • No Falls Foundation: nofallsfoundation.org • PASMA: pasma.co.uk • Ladder Association: ladderassociation.org.uk • Email: peter.bennettobe@nofallsfoundation.org • Sign up for No Falls Week: https://nofallsweek.org/ About Coyle Group Coyle Group provides safety outsourcing and managed services for high-impact projects across wind, utilities, power generation, engineering, and construction. With over 25 years of experience , 100+ safety professionals , and more than 1 million safety hours completed , Coyle Group helps organisations deliver projects safely and compliantly. Learn more: https://coyle-group.com/ About the Podcast I'm The Gaffer , hosted by Gavin Coyle, features conversations with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and subject matter experts covering construction, engineering, leadership, business growth, safety, procurement, project delivery, and workplace culture. Listen on: Apple Podcasts https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer Spotify https://bit.ly/ImTheGafferSpotify YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ImTheGafferPodcast Website https://www.imthegaffer.com Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, construction, business growth, workplace culture, employee engagement, engineering, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship.

September 15, 202650 min

PPE Wasn't Designed For Women? | Jane Middleton (AtkinsRéalis)

If you have ever hopped into a site truck because your trousers were too tight to climb, tucked your glasses under your hard hat to keep them on, or been asked "is that your dad's coat?" this episode is about why that was never good enough, and the new British Standard that says so. Jane Middleton joins Gavin Coyle. She's a senior asset management consultant at AtkinsRéalis and a chartered geologist, shortlisted for an Inspiring Women in Construction and Engineering award in 2023. She started out supervising drilling rigs on the Heathrow expansion project, in PPE that didn't fit, and ended up helping write the new British Standard for inclusive PPE and workwear, launched October 2025 with a parliamentary launch behind it, legislation and European adoption now in progress. You'll Learn: What AtkinsRéalis does and how Jane's career led from geology to asset management How a simple struggle with PPE sparked a mission for change Why the "average man" became the default design standard for workwear and PPE How Jane helped transform her company's PPE catalogue with more inclusive options The impact of properly fitting PPE on safety, confidence, and belonging Menopause, modesty wear, disability access, and other overlooked workplace needs The story behind the British Standard for inclusive PPE Why 82% of female firefighters reported that their gloves don't fit The business case for inclusive PPE and attracting future talent How one wheelchair-using project manager challenged manufacturers to think differently What's next for PPE standards in the UK and Europe Jane's personal passions, lessons learned, and advice to her younger self Episode Highlights / Timestamps 00:00 82% of female firefighters said their gloves don't fit 01:02 Meet Jane Middleton 06:41 From geology to asset management 13:40 The PPE problem begins 14:40 The Hilux moment 16:51 The "average man" template 17:37 Transforming the PPE catalogue 24:41 Bold as Brass 26:23 Writing the British Standard 28:09 The firefighter glove survey 33:28 Accessibility and PPE 37:26 The first women's safety Wellington 39:08 Taking the standard to Parliament and Europe 44:45 What would Jane do differently? 50:06 How to connect with Jane Connect with Jane Middleton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janekelsey/ AtkinsRéalis: https://www.atkinsrealis.com The British Standard (launched October 2025) is free to download, send it to your boss About Coyle Group Coyle Group provides safety outsourcing and managed services for high-impact projects across wind, utilities, power generation, engineering, and construction. With over 25 years of experience , 100+ safety professionals , and more than 1 million safety hours completed , Coyle Group helps organisations deliver projects safely and compliantly. Learn more: https://coyle-group.com/ About the Podcast I'm The Gaffer , hosted by Gavin Coyle, features conversations with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and subject matter experts covering construction, engineering, leadership, business growth, safety, procurement, project delivery, and workplace culture. Listen on: Apple Podcasts https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer Spotify https://bit.ly/ImTheGafferSpotify YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ImTheGafferPodcast Website https://www.imthegaffer.com Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, construction, business growth, workplace culture, employee engagement, engineering, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship.

September 8, 202649 min

Mast Climbers Beat Scaffolding | Rob Munns (BFT Mastclimbing)

Welcome to a new episode of I'm The Gaffer 👷 If scaffolding is your default solution for working at height, this episode may change your perspective. Gavin Coyle sits down with Rob Munns , Head of Sales at BFT Mastclimbing , to explore how mast climbing work platforms can improve safety, productivity, and project costs. With a background outside construction, Rob brings a fresh perspective and challenges long-held assumptions about access solutions on site. You'll learn: What mast climbers are and how they work Key safety features and common site mistakes to avoid The importance of proper training, certification, and inspections Why "buy cheap, get cheap" can be a costly mistake The truth about wind limits and other common myths How mast climbers reduce labor, improve ergonomics, and increase safety Real-world cost comparisons between scaffolding and mast climbers The types of projects where mast climbers deliver the biggest benefits Rob's thoughts on men's mental health and lessons learned throughout his career 🎯 Highlights / Timestamps 00:58 Meet Rob Munns and BFT Mastclimbing 02:13 What is a mast climber? 09:48 The drop-down flap safety story 12:28 Overspeed safety systems explained 17:46 Why quality matters in mast climbing 18:29 IPAF training and accreditation 25:14 Busting the wind myth 28:03 A gang of eight vs a gang of two 32:07 The economics of mast climbers 35:20 Productivity and ergonomic benefits 43:06 The only buildings mast climbers can't handle 46:33 Men's mental health and career advice 48:08 How to connect with Rob and BFT Mastclimbing Connect with Rob Munns LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robmunns BFT Mastclimbing: bftmastclimbing.com Email: sales@bftmastclimbing.com About Coyle Group Coyle Group provides safety outsourcing and managed services for high-impact projects across wind, utilities, power generation, engineering, and construction. With over 25 years of experience , 100+ safety professionals , and more than 1 million safety hours completed , Coyle Group helps organisations deliver projects safely and compliantly. Learn more: https://coyle-group.com/ About the Podcast I'm The Gaffer , hosted by Gavin Coyle, features conversations with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and subject matter experts covering construction, engineering, leadership, business growth, safety, procurement, project delivery, and workplace culture. Listen on: Apple Podcasts https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer Spotify https://bit.ly/ImTheGafferSpotify YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ImTheGafferPodcast Website https://www.imthegaffer.com Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, construction, business growth, workplace culture, employee engagement, engineering, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship.

August 25, 202646 min

Lean Doesn't Mean Less People — It Means Better | Kelley Huss (JE Dunn Construction)

Welcome to a new episode of I'm The Gaffer 👷‍♂️ If you've ever thought of lean as corporate jargon — or a polite word for layoffs — this conversation will change how you look at your crews, meetings, and margins. In this episode, Kelley Huss, Manager of Lean at JE Dunn Construction, joins Gavin Coyle to unpack what lean really means on a job site. Kelley shares practical lessons from her career in construction and explains how lean can improve efficiency, strengthen relationships, and solve real problems in the field. You'll learn: What lean actually means — and why it's not about cutting headcount Why lean fails when it's treated as just another checklist or tool How process mapping helped a trade partner get paid within 19 days How weekly work plans helped turn around a losing project Why lean managers need relationships and champions, not just expertise How lean can be applied earlier in design and pre-construction Why treating subcontractors as trade partners can improve collaboration Episode Highlights / Timestamps 00:00 Lean does not mean fewer employees 01:59 Is lean an excuse to remove labor? 04:23 When lean becomes a checklist 07:39 Getting a trade partner paid in 19 days 14:02 Turning around a losing project 17:46 What makes an excellent lean manager? 21:45 Measuring lean and capturing small wins 28:23 Why lean belongs earlier in the process 32:25 Managing long-lead materials 37:50 Why “trade partner” matters 45:00 Start with what bugs you 45:40 Where to find Kelley Connect with Kelley Huss - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelley-huss-cm-lean-682b0822/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsteel96/ - JE Dunn Construction: https://jedunn.com - Her podcast: Rebuild the Construction Mindset (with Jenna Hamilton) - Book she recommends: Everything I Know About Lean I Learned in First Grade — on Amazon and Audible About Coyle Group Coyle Group provides safety outsourcing and managed services for high-impact projects across wind, utilities, power generation, engineering, and construction. With over 25 years of experience , 100+ safety professionals , and more than 1 million safety hours completed , Coyle Group helps organisations deliver projects safely and compliantly. Learn more: https://coyle-group.com/ About the Podcast I'm The Gaffer , hosted by Gavin Coyle, features conversations with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and subject matter experts covering construction, engineering, leadership, business growth, safety, procurement, project delivery, and workplace culture. Listen on: Apple Podcasts https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer Spotify https://bit.ly/ImTheGafferSpotify YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ImTheGafferPodcast Website https://www.imthegaffer.com Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, construction, business growth, workplace culture, employee engagement, engineering, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship.

August 18, 202646 min

Quality Isn't Paperwork — It's Profit | Lorna Hagan on ISO 9001 Done Right

Welcome to a new episode of I'm The Gaffer If you've ever wondered whether ISO 9001 is worth the bureaucracy — or written off quality as box-ticking that lives in a filing cabinet — this conversation will change how you look at your bottom line. In this episode, Lorna Hagan joins Gavin Coyle to unpack why quality is profit, not paperwork. Lorna is a civil engineer and chartered quality professional with 20+ years on main contractor sites — from Crossrail and nuclear decommissioning to three-bed semis — and the founder of Construct Tuition, where she trains and consults construction businesses to get it right first time. She was previously head of quality for a tier one contractor overseeing £250 million a year of civil engineering projects. You'll learn: - The Get It Right Initiative research: 21% of construction turnover is wasted in error — against a 5% tier one margin — and why most of that loss lands on SME subcontractors - The "spirit of 9001": what a plumbing contractor with five vans should be asking on the drive home every night - What implementing ISO 9001/14001/45001 actually costs (ballpark ~€20k for the full suite) — and the Local Enterprise Office / Invest NI grants that can offset it - Why written processes are what let you scale, take a holiday, or sell — "without those, YOU are the risk in the business" - The "Saturday morning jobs" and Magic Man: the unrecorded process waste quietly eating your margin - How targeted training cut £5,000-a-time concrete NCRs by 75% — and saved £155,000 in six months - Post-Grenfell accountability: why "he won't see it from my house" doesn't wash anymore Episode Highlights / Timestamps 00:54 Welcome: why quality is integral to a successful organization 02:28 Getting started: "I wasn't smart enough to be a vet" — Crossrail, nuclear, 20 years with main contractors 05:52 Devil's advocate: do I really need 9001 with 20 guys and a handbook? 11:58 The economics: gap analysis, integrated audits, ~€20k, and grant support 16:34 Scalability: written processes or YOU are the risk in the business 18:15 The Get It Right Initiative: 21% of turnover wasted vs 5% margin 23:33 "You'll not see it from my house" — the sayings that are gone 27:05 Saturday morning jobs: the mistakes that never make a sheet 29:46 Concrete NCRs at £5k each — training that cut them 75% 39:37 Imposter syndrome at the top of Canary Wharf — "don't doubt yourself again" 42:46 A passion for representing women in construction 45:00 Where to find Lorna Connect with Lorna Hagan Website: https://www.constructtuition.co.uk Email: Lorna.Hagan@constructtuition.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haganlorna/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/constructtuition/ About Coyle Group Coyle Group provides safety outsourcing and managed services for high-impact projects across wind, utilities, power generation, engineering, and construction. With over 25 years of experience , 100+ safety professionals , and more than 1 million safety hours completed , Coyle Group helps organisations deliver projects safely and compliantly. Learn more: https://coyle-group.com/ About the Podcast I'm The Gaffer , hosted by Gavin Coyle, features conversations with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and subject matter experts covering construction, engineering, leadership, business growth, safety, procurement, project delivery, and workplace culture. Listen on: Apple Podcasts https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer Spotify https://bit.ly/ImTheGafferSpotify YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ImTheGafferPodcast Website https://www.imthegaffer.com Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, construction, business growth, workplace culture, employee engagement, engineering, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship. #ImTheGaffer #constructionpodcast #construction #constructionbusiness #quality #ISO9001 #leadership #womeninconstruction #business #podcast

August 4, 202647 min

The Billion Dollar Blindspot Every Construction Leader Has | Hacia Atherton

Welcome to a new episode of I'm The Gaffer 👷‍♂️ If you're a construction business owner wondering whether the next stage of growth is worth what it might cost your culture, this conversation will stop you in your tracks. In this episode, Hacia Atherton joins Gavin Coyle to discuss what success actually feels like (not just what it looks like on paper), why pushing past $5M in turnover changes your business in ways you can't reverse, and how leaders in male-dominated industries can build cultures where people feel like humans, not tools. Hacia is the founder of Empowered Women in Trades, author of The Billion Dollar Blindspot, and a high-performance culture strategist who rebuilt her own life after a catastrophic riding accident left her learning to stand again. You'll learn: - Why defining success as a *feeling* — not a revenue number — changes every decision that follows - The "pirates to Navy" transition: what really happens to a family culture when you push past $5M - How to spot consultants and marketing gurus selling one-size-fits-all playbooks (and why they can't work) - How one trades business unlocked a whole new market by hiring female tradespeople for domestic-violence housing - Why men in construction "opt out of life" before asking for help — and what leaders can do about it - Practical niches and recurring-revenue ideas for trades businesses (data centres, med gas, maintenance education) 🎯 Episode Highlights / Timestamps - 00:00 Coming up - 01:17 Welcome: leadership, culture and the signs someone is struggling - 03:00 A fifth-generation plumbing family ("plumbers save more lives than doctors") - 05:01 The welding lesson: "the metal doesn't know if you're a girl" - 05:46 The accident: crushed by her horse, six months learning to stand - 09:20 From CPA to psychology — spotting the human gap in business education - 12:24 Making workplaces where people feel like humans, not tools - 13:09 What does success FEEL like on a Monday morning? - 15:11 Gavin pushes back: can an outsider really see a company's culture? - 17:12 No frameworks, no biases — active listening from apprentice to CEO - 19:59 The courageous conversation: your vision may kill what you love - 22:45 The $20M reality check: you'll never see an apprentice again - 25:03 Curveball: 10x marketing gurus and the playbook problem - 30:05 Success story: female tradespeople for domestic-violence housing - 34:56 Market opportunities: data centres, med gas, niching down, recurring revenue - 37:58 The next five years: men's mental health in male-dominated industries - 40:46 Toxic femininity — the callout that gets her in trouble - 42:18 Quick-fire: The Alchemist, Gladiator, and the raccoon confession - 46:10 Where to find Hacia Connect with Hacia Atherton - Website: https://www.haciaatherton.com - Empowered Women in Trades: https://www.ewitrades.com - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haciaatherton - Instagram: (their team confirms handle at review) About Coyle Group Coyle Group is a leading provider of outsourced safety solutions to the construction industry. With over 25 years of experience, a team of 100+ safety professionals, and more than 1 million safety hours delivered, Coyle Group helps construction companies build safer, more successful projects. Learn more at https://www.coyle-group.com About the Podcast I'm The Gaffer, hosted by industry expert Gavin Coyle, is the essential podcast for construction people, offering insider insights, expert interviews, and actionable strategies to blueprint unprecedented success in the dynamic world of construction. Whether you are still 'on the tools', just getting started, a seasoned site manager focused on large-scale project management, or a fast-growth building industry entrepreneur/developer, this podcast is for you. I'm The Gaffer, available on: Apple: https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer Spotify: https://bit.ly/ImTheGafferSpotify YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imthegafferpodcast Website: https://imthegaffer.com #ImTheGaffer #constructionpodcast #construction #constructionbusiness #leadership #culture #womenintrades #mentalhealth #business #podcast

July 28, 202644 min

How To Own A Construction Business Without Being A Contractor

Welcome to a new episode of I'm The Gaffer 👷‍♂️ What if you could own a successful construction business... without ever picking up the tools? In this episode, Max Emma , CEO & Founder of FranchiseWithMax.com, joins Gavin Coyle to explore why construction franchising is becoming one of the biggest business opportunities today. From painting and plumbing to electrical, roofing, handyman services, and home improvements, Max explains why skilled trades continue to thrive, why AI won't replace them anytime soon, and how entrepreneurs can build profitable businesses using proven franchise systems. The conversation also covers one of the biggest mistakes people make when choosing a franchise, why royalties shouldn't be your only consideration, and how the right franchise can provide marketing, lead generation, estimating, dispatching, training, and business systems that dramatically reduce risk. Whether you're a contractor looking to scale, an entrepreneur considering business ownership, or someone exploring franchising for the first time, this episode offers practical insights into building a business without starting from scratch. You'll learn: Why construction franchising is growing rapidly Why AI won't replace skilled trades anytime soon How franchise systems reduce business risk Why you shouldn't compare franchises on royalties alone What great franchise systems actually provide How marketing, dispatching and estimating can accelerate growth Why business owners should avoid "buying themselves a job" The biggest mindset shift every new franchise owner needs How diversification creates long-term business growth The advice Max would give his younger self about entrepreneurship Episode Highlights / Timestamps 00:00 Why construction franchising is booming 01:00 Meet Max Emma & his entrepreneurial journey 09:25 Why AI won't replace construction businesses 10:56 Don't buy yourself a job... buy yourself a business 13:42 Construction franchise opportunities explained 21:44 Is franchising right for everyone? 27:23 Franchise fees, royalties & what really matters 28:30 Why lower royalties aren't always better 32:36 Why franchising reduces business risk 36:48 What Max would do differently starting over 43:03 How to get started with franchising Connect with Max Emma 🌐 Franchise With Max https://www.franchisewithmax.com 🔗 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxemma About Coyle Group Coyle Group provides safety outsourcing and managed services for high-impact projects across wind, utilities, power generation, engineering, and construction. With over 25 years of experience , 100+ safety professionals , and more than 1 million safety hours completed , Coyle Group helps organisations deliver projects safely and compliantly. Learn more: https://coyle-group.com/ About the Podcast I'm The Gaffer , hosted by Gavin Coyle, features conversations with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and subject matter experts covering construction, engineering, leadership, business growth, safety, procurement, project delivery, and workplace culture. Listen on: Apple Podcasts https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer Spotify https://bit.ly/ImTheGafferSpotify YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@imthegafferpodcast Website https://www.imthegaffer.com Subscribe for more conversations on construction, leadership, franchising, entrepreneurship, business growth, engineering, project management, safety, and building successful businesses. #ImTheGaffer #Franchising #Construction #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #ConstructionBusiness #Leadership #SmallBusiness #Trades #Contractor #BusinessOwner #Engineering #HomeServices #Franchise #BusinessSuccess

July 14, 202646 min

Why Great Leaders Reward Mistakes (The Human Business with Glen Bostock)

Welcome to a new episode of I'm The Gaffer 👷‍♂️ What if the biggest mistake leaders make is punishing mistakes? In this episode, Glenn Bostock , Founder of SnapCab and author of The Human Business , joins Gavin Coyle to share how changing the way he treated employees transformed his company culture, improved innovation, and helped build a thriving manufacturing business. From rewarding employees for identifying mistakes to creating a workplace built on kindness, authenticity, and purpose, Glenn explains why businesses should focus on helping people thrive, not simply maximizing profit. Whether you're a business owner, construction leader, project manager, entrepreneur, HR professional, or team leader, this conversation offers practical leadership lessons you can apply immediately. You'll learn: Why rewarding mistakes creates stronger teams How fear prevents innovation and continuous improvement The leadership lesson that changed Glenn's business forever How one employee mistake saved the company hundreds of thousands of dollars Why people are motivated by purpose more than fear How to build a workplace where employees actively solve problems The three core values behind SnapCab's company culture Why money should be a tool, not the ultimate goal of business 🎯 Episode Highlights / Timestamps 00:00 Rewarding mistakes instead of punishing them 00:47 Introduction to Glenn Bostock & employee engagement 03:18 Learning disabilities and the leadership lesson that shaped SnapCab 12:41 The employee mistake that changed everything 14:49 Why Glenn rewarded an employee with a trip to Hawaii 16:18 Building a culture that rewards problem solving 18:09 Why rewarding mistakes removes fear 23:40 Why money is a tool, not the goal 38:28 What success really means in business 41:26 The biggest lesson Glenn would teach his younger self Connect with Glenn Bostock 🌐 SnapCab https://snapcab.com/ 📖 The Human Business (Amazon) https://www.amazon.in/Human-Business-People-First-Lasting-Success/dp/B0GCHGXDBF 🔗 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennbostock/?skipRedirect=true About Coyle Group Coyle Group provides safety outsourcing and managed services for high-impact projects across wind, utilities, power generation, engineering, and construction. With over 25 years of experience , 100+ safety professionals , and more than 1 million safety hours completed , Coyle Group helps organisations deliver projects safely and compliantly. Learn more: https://coyle-group.com/ About the Podcast I'm The Gaffer , hosted by Gavin Coyle, features conversations with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and subject matter experts covering construction, engineering, leadership, business growth, safety, procurement, project delivery, and workplace culture. Listen on: Apple Podcasts https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer Spotify https://bit.ly/ImTheGafferSpotify YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ImTheGafferPodcast Website https://www.imthegaffer.com Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, construction, business growth, workplace culture, employee engagement, engineering, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship. #ImTheGaffer #Leadership #EmployeeEngagement #BusinessCulture #CompanyCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #Manufacturing #LeanManufacturing #BusinessGrowth #Construction #Entrepreneurship #Management #Innovation #WorkplaceCulture #HumanBusiness