Only Connect Business Networking Podcast

Hosted by Urbano Network

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Latest episode

Oct 2025

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About the show

Only Connect Business Networking Podcasts are produced by Talent Lab Ltd for Urbano Network, the UK based business networking community that grew out of Shoreditch, London, over 20 years ago. Our podcasts feature recordings of Urbano speaker events, covering various relevant business topics, including procurement & SMEs, AI and other technology including BIM, and a host of other themes of interest to those who create and run companies across all sectors, All events are facilitated by Mark Herring, Urbano's Connector-In-Chief. For more details, visit www.urbanonetwork.co.uk and www.talentlab.co.uk.

Listen to episodes

43 recent

October 1, 20251 hr 21 min

Only Connect Classic - The new Procurement Act & SMEs

"Thousands of small businesses to benefit from new government buying rules, boosting local jobs, growth and innovation"This headline was published by the UK government to highlight its priorities for the new Procurement Act, including “driving economic growth and strengthening supply chains by giving SMEs.. a fair chance" of winning a larger share of direct tenders and places on project supply chains.As Urbano Network, we have been helping bring SMEs into procurement by creating business communities to engage business owners and encourage collaboration, drive innovation and create real new business opportunities through training and explaining the benefits of becoming a supplier to the public sector.This podcast is a recording of our recent Urbano speaker panel event, where representatives from AECOM, Peabody, Mace, and Trowers & Hamlins and an audience of SMEs discuss the impact of the new rules and policies.Please email feedback etc to mark@urbanonetwork.co.ukSupport the show

October 1, 202551 min

Only Connect Classic - Tendering: Lessons Learned on Writing Better ITTs with Mike Raynor, Samantha Burns, and Caroline Brock

Talent Lab brought together three very knowledgeable and experienced bid professionals to share their experiences. The discussion led on to what would improve the process - and ultimately help create winning submissions, including lessons shared on how to write better Invitation to Tenders (ITTs).Panel:Caroline Brock, Director, Talent LabMike Raynor, Raynor Bid ConsultancySamantha Burns, Head of Bid Management and Direction, EiBFacilitated by Mark Herring, Director, Talent Lab and Producer of the Urbano Network Only Connect PodcastAlso available as a video: https://vimeo.com/912701916Support the show

October 1, 20251 hr 9 min

Only Connect Classic - on ESG & Property with Dr. Armando Castro, and Dr. kell Jones

Urbano hosts regular speaker networking breakfasts on topics of interest to our SME membership and audience which we release as podcasts following each event.In this episode, Dr Armando Castro, Associate Professor at The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, kicks off the session, along with Dr Kell Jones as they discuss the key findings of the newly released publication , ESG in the Real Estate Finance Industry. The post presentation discussion features a cross section of the event's attendees and is facilitated by Urbano's Connector-In-Chief Mark Herring.The event was hosted by Urbano Members Seddons and Urbano gratefully acknowledges the community support of Stewart Title, which offers insurance cover against losses arising from title related risks in property transactions.Support the show

October 1, 20251 hr 1 min

Only Connect Classic - Tendering for Mega & Major Bids with Mike Raynor, Samantha Burns, and Caroline Brock

Talent Lab brought together three very knowledgeable and experienced bid professionals to share their experiences on working on mega and major client bids. The discussion led on to what would improve the process - and ultimately help create winning submissions, including whether the bid stages most companies follow are fit for purpose.Panel:Caroline Brock, Director, Talent LabMike Raynor, Raynor Bid ConsultancySamantha Burns, Head of Bid Management and Direction, EiBFacilitated by Mark Herring, Director, Talent Lab and Producer of the Urbano Network Only Connect PodcastAlso available as a video: https://vimeo.com/902956885Support the show

October 1, 202559 min

Only Connect Classic - on the future shape and role of the workplace with Christian Logue, Debra Spurway, and Jo Geraghty

SpeakersChristian Logue, Director at Sagal GroupDebra Spurway, Director at HR Dept Jo Geraghty, Director at Culture ConsultancyMark Herring - Director at Urbano & Talent LabSupport the show

October 1, 20251 hr 7 min

Only Connect Classic - Dale Sinclair, Head of Digital Innovation, WSP

Introduction to the Security Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work', and its place in RIBA work stagesSupport the show

October 1, 20251 hr 3 min

Only Connect Classic - Will Hurst, Managing Editor of Architects' Journal at Urbano Build

Recording of Urbano Network speaker networking event with Will Hurst, Managing Editor of the Architects' Journal to discuss its Retrofirst campaign. Following Will's presentation, various attendees - mostly professionals from across the built environment sectors - offered their own perspective and experiences on the challenges faced in prioritising retrofit over client's narrow, profit-first demands.Chaired and facilitated by Mark Herring, Urbano's Connector-In-Chief.Hosted by Trowers & Hamlins. Urbano Network, The Sustainable Business Network, is supported by Stewart Title, Rift R&D, & Talent Lab LtdSupport the showSupport the show

October 1, 20251 hr 6 min

Only Connect Classic - Finance, investors, business & ESG with Sophie Kennedy of EQ Investors

This episode features a recording* of Sophie Kennedy, Joint CEO of EQ Investors, one of Urbano's most loyal members and supporters. EQ Investors are an award-winning discretionary fund manager, focused on sustainable and impact investing, based in the City Of London.In this episode takes an in-depth and personal look at the challenges facing those in investment and finance to deliver sustainable, wealth creation. During the course of her discussion with Mark Herring, she looks how those City are changing , what options there are for those individuals who want to look after their families for the longer term.Included in the discussion are issues around labels like ESG. Sophie also gives feedback on COP26 and how they worked with other B Corps to push for changes to company's Articles of Association as an important step to delivering measurable corporate benchmarks built around sustainability.For more information on EQ Investors, click here: EQ InvestorsFor more information about Mark, Talent Lab & Urbano Network - and to leave feedback - click here: https://www.talentlab.co.uk/networking/* The sound quality of this episode was affected by a very loud air conditioning unit which we couldn't turn off. The important messages are still audible though with an industrial background.Support the showSupport the show

October 1, 202551 min

Only Connect Classic - The Changing Workplace, Design & Function with Nicola Gillen

Since Urbano began in 2011, we have had a proud track record of championing opportunities for women, and our UWACTE (Urbano Women In Architecture, Construction, Technology & Engineering*) community helps women in Urbano member firms to develop and enhance their connections across our networkJoining Mark Herring, our Connector-In-Chief at Urbano is our guest speaker - Nicola Gillen - EMEA Lead, Total Workplace at Cushman & Wakefield.GUEST SPEAKER & PRESENTATIONNicola Gillen - EMEA Lead, Total Workplace at Cushman & Wakefield Nicola specialises in the relationship between design, people, behaviour and the built environment and is widely recognised within the industry as a leading authority on workplace strategy, design and behaviour change management. Nicola has 25 years’ experience delivering workplace strategy and innovation internationally. An architect and author, she is lead author of RIBA's guide ‘Future Office’.Nicola’s presentation will be drawn on the ‘Future Office’ and her work as co-author of another RIBA publication ‘ReThink Design Guide for a Post Pandemic world’ (published in January 2021), an innovative design guide with expert guidance on designing in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic.Nicola will also share insights into how employees are coping right now through Cushman & Wakefield’s unrivaled bespoke Experience per Square Foot™ a data-driven initiative that captures information from thousands of respondents in over 100 countries designed to measure what matters most to employees. @CushWakeUKSupport the showSupport the show

October 1, 20251 hr 22 min

Only Connect Classic - Understanding sustainability in construction with Penny Gowler

We were delighted to welcome Penny Gowler, Director and Head of Sustainability at Elliott Wood to act as our guide to offer illumination and clarity on some key questions: What do we mean by net-zero carbon, carbon-neutral, embedded carbon, the life cycle of a building, carbon footprint, sustainability, retrofit, circular economy and reuse vs recycling? Can you compare and measure different material choices when discussing their sustainability and zero carbon impact? What regulations exist that govern the use of materials in the built environment? Penny Gowler is a Chartered Structural Engineer. She has a strong interest in sustainable design and is a frequent speaker at events, including the recent RIBA Smart Practice Conference. Penny is Director and Head of Sustainability at Elliott Wood and is responsible for managing a team of 20 engineers and technicians working across a wide range of projects with typical construction costs of between £10m and £100m.Support the showSupport the show