First Site by Construction News

Building safety beyond Grenfell with Michael O'Connor, Amanda Long and Stuart Green

In this episode of First Site, we delve into the government’s response to the Grenfell Inquiry’s final report – and its implications for contractors and the broader construction sector.
CN deputy editor Ben Vogel is joined by Michael O’Connor, partner at law firm Charles Russell Speechlys; Amanda Long, chief executive of the Code for Construction Product Information;  and Professor Stuart Green of the University of Reading’s School of Construction Management and Engineering.

New Towns with Hugh Ellis and Rico Wojtulewicz

What kind of pipelines can contractors expect from a new generation of New Towns? CN features editor Charlotte Banks speaks to Hugh Ellis, policy director at the Town and Country Planning Association, and Rico Wojtulewicz, head of policy and market insight at the National Federation of Builders
 

Live from Leeds at Speedy Hire Live Sustainability Summit: racing to net zero and battling modern slavery

CN deputy editor Ben Vogel speaks to industry insiders at Speedy Hire’s Live Sustainability about what’s fuelling the race to net zero on construction sites, and what’s on the horizon. He also sits down with an expert panel to discuss what contractors should do to crack down on modern slavery. 

2024 in review with the Construction News editorial team

In a special end-of-year episode of First Site, the CN editorial team looks back at the most significant stories that made the headlines in 2024, and takes a look ahead to 2025. CN deputy editor Ben Vogel is joined by editor Colin Marrs, news editor Chris Smith and senior reporter Josh Stein.

Spotlight on carbon accounting with Geraint Rowland and James Low

Are rules requiring contractors to quantify their carbon footprints fit for purpose? CN deputy editor Ben Vogel is joined by Geraint Rowland, group environmental director, Costain and James Low, group sustainability director, Mace.

Gender balance in the construction industry with Clare Francis, Angela Hughes and Jennifer McNab

Is the construction industry doing enough to attract, retain and progress women? CN editor Colin Marrs is joined by with Clare Francis, head of recruitment at Willmott Dixon, Angela Hughes, ESG manager at Speedy and Jennifer McNab, people Transformation Business Partner at Speedy Services.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry report with Gill Hancock and Tom Thurlow

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry delivered its final report in early September. Construction News editor Colin Marrs discusses the findings and the potential impact of the inquiry's recommendations on the construction sector with Tom Thurlow, partner at law firm Weightmans and Gill Hancock, head of technical content at the Association for Project Management.
 

How will Labour's housing and growth plans impact contractors? With Viral Desai and Mike Reader

What can contractors glean about their future pipelines after the Labour government’s first month in power? CN editor Colin Marrs is joined by former-Mace-executive-turned-MP Mike Reader MP and Viral Desai, planning, environmental consenting and communities practice director at consultant AtkinsRéalis.

Social value and construction recruitment with Amelia Woodley, Emma Grigson and Liz Squire

Social value and construction recruitment
How can a social value approach to attracting new workers into construction help to deal with the industry's well known labour and skills shortage? To look into this issue, CN deputy editor Ben Vogel is joined by Amelia Woodley, ESG director of Speedy Hire, and Emma Grigson and Liz Squire, two experts from the Social Recruitment Advocacy Group.

In conversation with Mark Reynolds, Chief Executive of Mace

CN First Site talks to the Mace chief executive and chairman about governance changes at his company, his role at the Construction Leadership Council and what the construction industry needs from government.