Inside Sisk

Hosted by John Sisk & Son

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Latest episode

Oct 2025

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EN-IE

About the show

‘Meet the people behind the projects’. For 165 years, John Sisk & Son has been building the places where we live, work, play, and pray. Still family-run, the company behind so many iconic projects puts its success down to its people. People with many skills but one goal: to create exceptional places that leave a positive legacy. In ‘Inside Sisk’, we meet the people behind the projects. We hear what drives them, what fulfils them, what it means to be a part of the Sisk family. Their own stories, in their own words.

Listen to episodes

28 recent

October 28, 202531 min

S4 Ep6 - "Immediately the brain is kicking into gear - how are we building this?"

Project Director Sean Stagg shares the inside story an iconic project that had theeyes of the nation on it - the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road (now Aviva)stadium. Aged just 35yrs old when he got the call, Sean experienced the “pureemotion and excitement’ of being appointed to the project, before the ‘fear’ of what lay ahead took over. But despite the challenges he faced, his firm belief in asuccessful outcome never waned.In this episode of Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series, Sean shares the highs and thelows of this landmark project and the valuable lessons he learned aboutproblem-solving, community engagement, and work-life balance.Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series explores the enduring impact of construction — not just the projects that transform skylines and cities, but the people, values, and culture that leave a lasting mark long after the work is complete. Unlike previous series, which focused on the challenges, innovations, and stories behind individual builds, this series digs deeper into what it means to create legacy. Through personal reflections from those shaping the built environment, we uncover how buildings, projects, and everyday interactions together can create legacies that last.

October 21, 202525 min

S4 Ep5 - “Sustainability is a career that people are proud of being part of now”

What does legacy look like when your job is sustainability? For Sarah-Jane Davies, it’s about ensuring that Sisk’s work leaves places, communities and the planet in a better way than before the work was done. In this episode of Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series, Sarah-Jane traces her journey from being “the annoying person on sites talking about waste” to becoming Head of Sustainability UK at Sisk, where she is helping to shape the long term sustainability strategy of the company. She also talks about her passion for apprenticeships, community outreach, and her bold plan to plant 1.7 million trees to mark Sisk’s 170-year anniversary. Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series explores the enduring impact of construction — not just the projects that transform skylines and cities, but the people, values, and culture that leave a lasting mark long after the work is complete. Unlike previous series, which focused on the challenges, innovations, and stories behind individual builds, this series digs deeper into what it means to create legacy. Through personal reflections from those shaping the built environment, we uncover how buildings, projects, and everyday interactions together can create legacies that last.

October 14, 202527 min

S4 Ep4 - “There are always solutions — sometimes they just take longer to find.”

Project Manager Ger Coleman tells the inside story of One Opera Square, the city-centre build that became his legacy project. As a proud Limerick man, Ger always wanted to build at home, and Opera Square gave him that chance. But along with the pride of breathing life back into his home city, came unforeseen obstacles and sleepless nights. On this episode of Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series, Ger shares the full story of his time on Opera square – from the initial joy of re-shaping Limerick city centre to how he managed to navigate the twin pressures of overcoming engineering challenges and coping with the eyes of friends and family on his work. We also learn how Sisk is leaving a lasting legacy on the communities in which it works.Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series explores the enduring impact of construction — not just the projects that transform skylines and cities, but the people, values, and culture that leave a lasting mark long after the work is complete. Unlike previous series, which focused on the challenges, innovations, and stories behind individual builds, this series digs deeper into what it means to create legacy. Through personal reflections from those shaping the built environment, we uncover how buildings, projects, and everyday interactions together can create legacies that last.

October 7, 202525 min

S4 Ep3 - “If something comes easy, it’s not worth it. If it’s a challenge, it’s worth it.”

Caryl Perez came to Sisk as a young graduate and she remembers the nerves of that first day like it was yesterday, “ I was about to go into security and I just broke down.”. Caryl also clearly recalls the warm welcome she received from her new colleagues, and how that turned everything around. And as Caryl has progressed through the industry, to the role of Project Manager that she holds today, the support and encouragement of the people around her has remained central to her success and the fulfilment she derives from her work. In this episode of Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series, Caryl shares the story of the legacy project that played a major role, not just in her career, but in society in general. She also reflects on the lessons that have shaped her so far - separating facts from emotions when pressure spikes, adapting your style for clients and contractors, and saying yes to stretch roles even when they’re scary.Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series explores the enduring impact of construction — not just the projects that transform skylines and cities, but the people, values, and culture that leave a lasting mark long after the work is complete. Unlike previous series, which focused on the challenges, innovations, and stories behind individual builds, this series digs deeper into what it means to create legacy. Through personal reflections from those shaping the built environment, we uncover how buildings, projects, and everyday interactions together can create legacies that last.

September 30, 202526 min

S4 Ep2 - “Our people are creators—they go out every day and create something from almost nothing.”

On Marcus Carne’s first day in construction as a newly qualified Quantity Surveyor, he was handed a shovel and put to work on a trench so that he could ‘learn the value of a pound’. It was an early lesson in the importance of understanding how connected every person on a project is, and the impact that any decision you will make can have. Today, as Chief Commercial Officer at Sisk, Marcus reflects on other valuable lessons that he has learned throughout his 30-year career, including a very challenging legacy project that opened his eyes to the power of team, purpose and storytelling. He also talks about leadership, responsibility, and the baton we pass to the next team. Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series explores the enduring impact of construction — not just the projects that transform skylines and cities, but the people, values, and culture that leave a lasting mark long after the work is complete. Unlike previous series, which focused on the challenges, innovations, and stories behind individual builds, this series digs deeper into what it means to create legacy. Through personal reflections from those shaping the built environment, we uncover how buildings, projects, and everyday interactions together can create legacies that last.

September 23, 202527 min

S4 Ep1 - “Who doesn’t want to build big stuff that lasts for 125 years?”

Every project leaves a mark, but some leave a legacy. For Regional Engineer Lauren Luck, a city-shaping transport project in Leeds became more than just another milestone — it redefined how she thinks about her work, her career, and the impact she can have on others.In this episode of Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series, Lauren shares how she overcame complex challenges, what she learned along the way, and why the real legacy of construction isn’t just in the structures we build, but in the people we inspire and support every day.Inside Sisk: The Legacy Series explores the enduring impact of construction — not just the projects that transform skylines and cities, but the people, values, and culture that leave a lasting mark long after the work is complete. Unlike previous series, which focused on the challenges, innovations, and stories behind individual builds, this series digs deeper into what it means to create legacy. Through personal reflections from those shaping the built environment, we uncover how buildings, projects, and everyday interactions together can create legacies that last.

November 27, 202432 min

S3: Ep 9 - Talent, Torchbearers and Time to Reflect

Since launching the ‘Breaking New Ground’ strategy, Sisk has been leading the way in the modernisation of the construction industry. A great deal of time and investment has been made into Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), Digital Transformation, and achieving Net Zero. However, true to Sisk’s company values, investing in the right people to drive this strategy forward has remained paramount. In this episode of Inside Sisk, Paul Brown reflects on his first three years as CEO. He talks about the challenges he faced in the early days of his tenure, the great strides that the company has made in the industry in the last three years, and why people will always be his priority.Paul also talks about the inaugural Torchbearer Awards – a ceremony designed to recognise and reward colleagues that truly embody the spirit of Sisk’s Breaking New Ground strategy. We will hear from three of the twenty-nine winners, who share their passion for their work and their vision for where the construction industry is going. Featuring:Paul Brown, CEO of SiskPeter Nagy, Drone Operator Mollie Craig, Data AnalystRichie Sheehan, Site Manager

November 7, 202434 min

S3: Ep 8 - Life Along The Line

Between Foynes Port and Limerick City lies a 42km stretch of railway line. It has been unused for over two decades but now Sisk is bringing it back to life, building new infrastructure where necessary and restoring the original where possible. On this episode of Inside Sisk, we learn about the level of work and specialist skill required to restore a 200 year-old railway line, and also how this project is playing a central role in the modernisation of freight transport and in Ireland’s green agenda. Featuring:· Stephen Hickey, Project manager · Ted Kelly, Senior Quantity Surveyor· Lar Deegan, Rail manager · Martin McElligott, Foreman

October 16, 202433 min

S3: Ep 7 - The Making of Silvertown

Silvertown is a very large, former industrial area on the Royal Docks in East London. It has a rich history but the 50 acre site has lain derelict for decades. Today, it is being regenerated to house a new generation of London residents and Sisk has been awarded the contract to build the very first plot here.This is a particularly unique project, not only due to the challenging nature of the site, but also because of the modern methods of construction being used for the first time and some of the very specialised carbon-reduction systems in place. In this episode of Inside Sisk, we meet members of the onsite team and learn about this innovation in practice, the importance of strong working relationships, and the positive impact that the Silvertown project is having on the local community Featuring: · Conor Moynihan, Senior Engineer· Satasha Pillay, Quantity Surveyor · Kevin Vickery, Project Manager · John Adler, Project Lead

June 26, 202434 min

S3: Ep5 - Breaking new ground on a new Sisk HQ

In the year that Sisk celebrates its 165th anniversary, it is closing the doors on the headquarters it has occupied for over six decades, Wilton Works, and moving in to a brand new home. The new company HQ in Citywest, Co Dublin, is a “people environment”. Much thought has gone into bringing colleagues together, both for productivity and for play. Importance has been placed on the internal colours and textures and the external views that they see, and the comfort of the spaces they occupy. This is a place designed for people. Since its foundation in 1859, Sisk has understood that the success of the company relies entirely on the people working in it. The quality of their craftsmanship, the creativity and intelligence with which they solve problems, and the company culture that together, they create. And so the company has always placed an emphasis on care, on being a place where people feel valued and supported and where they can do their best work. In this episode of Inside Sisk, we take a tour of Sisk’s new home in Citywest and learn about how, as Sisk breaks new ground in a continually-evolving industry, its 165-yr old culture of care is more important now than ever. Featuring:Donal McCarthy, COO, Data Centres, Life Sciences, and Technology. Steven McGee, COO Ireland and UK