Can failure be the foundation for future success?
In this episode of The Hodcast, hosted by Sam La Roche, Nick Brasier, Construction Director at Stonebond, shares how the lessons learned through failure have shaped his leadership and approach to building teams in construction.
We talk about:
👷 How challenges and setbacks became turning points💬 Why good leaders learn more from mistakes than victories🏗️ How experience and reflection create better outcomes on site🌍 Why resilience and humility are key to long-term success
A powerful and honest conversation about leadership, learning and the value of failure in building better people and projects.
Sponsored by Site Ready Solutions and Grayson GB Ltd
Powered by Garry Staines
#TheHodcast #NickBrasier #Stonebond #Construction #Leadership #Failure #Success #TogetherWeCan
What does true regeneration look like beyond the headlines?
In this episode of The Hodcast, hosted by Sam La Roche, Darren Rodwell, former Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, shares his perspective on leadership, housing, and creating opportunity in one of London’s most ambitious boroughs.
We talk about:🏙️ The real challenges of regeneration and renewal💬 Balancing housing growth with community needs👷 Why construction and councils must work together🌍 What it takes to deliver lasting change for local people
An honest and inspiring look at leadership, regeneration and the future of local communities.
Sponsored by Site Ready Solutions and Grayson GB Ltd
Powered by Garry Staines
#TheHodcast #DarrenRodwell #BarkingAndDagenham #Leadership #Regeneration #Housing #TogetherWeCan
What does the construction industry really need to attract more people?
In this episode of The Hodcast, hosted by Sam La Roche, Christian Hatherall-Good of The Lee Marley Group shares his insight on the power of training, what draws people into the trade, and why investment is the key to solving the skills gap.
We talk about:
👷 The role of training in shaping the workforce💬 What motivates people to join construction📈 Why investment is the missing piece in the puzzle🌍 How the industry can build a more sustainable future
A grounded and forward-thinking conversation about people, opportunity and progress.
Sponsored by Site Ready Solutions and Grayson GB Ltd
Powered by Garry Staines
#TheHodcast #ChristianHatherallGood #Construction #Training #Investment #SkillsGap #TogetherWeCan
What’s it like starting out as a young woman in one of the most male-dominated industries in the world?
In this episode of The Hodcast, hosted by Sam La Roche, Tegan Pryor, NVQ Level 2 Bricklayer at GSQ Brickwork Ltd, shares her journey from apprentice to fully qualified bricklayer.
We explore:
👷 Her experiences on site as a woman in construction🧱 The importance of training, mentorship and support💬 The influence of social media and representation📈 What it means to earn respect through skill and attitude
A raw and honest conversation about training, resilience and challenging perceptions in construction.
Sponsored by Site Ready Solutions and Grayson GB Ltd
Powered by Garry Staines
#TheHodcast #TeganPryor #WomenInConstruction #Bricklaying #Apprenticeships #Training #TogetherWeCan
When a life-changing accident forces you to stop, you see the industry differently.
In this episode of The Hodcast, hosted by Sam La Roche, Justin Manley talks about his journey in construction, the accident that changed everything, and how it shaped his views on training, mentorship and the skills gap.
We talk about:
👷 Lessons learned from recovery and resilience💬 The culture of safety and care on construction sites🏗️ How training and mentoring can prevent future accidents📉 Why the skills gap is a people problem before it is a numbers one
An honest, grounded conversation about growth, purpose and what it means to truly build people.
Sponsored by Site Ready Solutions and Grayson GB Ltd
Powered by Garry Staines
#TheHodcast #JustinManley #Construction #SkillsGap #Resilience #Training #TogetherWeCan
How do we give apprentices the tools, patience and guidance they need to succeed in construction?
In this episode of The Hodcast, hosted by Sam La Roche, Bill Guiver, Training Manager at GSQ Brickwork Ltd and an integral part of Site Ready Solutions, shares his journey from apprentice to trainer and what he has learned across three decades in the trade.
Bill talks about:
🧱 His earliest memories of bricklaying
👷 The changes in training from the 1980s to today📉 The construction skills gap and how to bridge it💬 Why apprentices need patience and understanding to grow into value
This is a grounded, practical conversation about what training really looks like on the ground.
Sponsored by Site Ready Solutions and Grayson GB Ltd
Powered by Garry Staines
#TheHodcast #BillGuiver #Bricklaying #ConstructionTraining #Apprenticeships #SkillsGap #TogetherWeCan
Apprenticeships are the foundation of construction, but are we giving them the respect and support they deserve?
In this episode of The Hodcast, hosted by Sam La Roche, Dan Carey, Director of Core4 and host of Hard Hat Chat, shares his insights on:
👷 Why apprentices matter now more than ever🧱 The culture of construction and life on site📉 The impact of the skills shortage on the industry🏗️ What construction needs to do to secure its future
Packed with straight-talking insights from one of the industry’s most passionate voices, this conversation is for anyone who cares about the future of construction.
Sponsored by Site Ready Solutions and Grayson GB Ltd
Powered by Garry Staines
#TheHodcast #DanCarey #Core4 #HardHatChat #Construction #Apprenticeships #SkillsGap #TogetherWeCan
What does social value mean beyond the paperwork?
In this episode of The Hodcast, hosted by Sam La Roche, Helen Clements, Social Value Lead at Morgan Sindall, talks about what it looks like in practice on building sites.
We cover:
👷 The reality that 85% of construction is still men
💬 Why diversity matters for stronger teams and communities
🏗️ How to deliver social value that makes a lasting difference
🌍 What the future of construction could look like with greater inclusion
This is about people, purpose and building an industry that serves everyone.
Sponsored by Site Ready Solutions and Grayson GB Ltd
Powered by Garry Staines
#TheHodcast #HelenClements #Construction #SocialValue #DiversityInConstruction #TogetherWeCan
What can industry and education learn from each other?
In Part 2 of The Hodcast with Jack Dawson, Co-Founder of SuperTrowel and Programme Manager at Hertford Regional College, host Sam La Roche dives into his story.
Jack shares his journey into bricklaying, why he chose to teach, and his thoughts on how to bring colleges and the construction industry closer together.
This is about building skills, passing on knowledge, and giving apprentices the best possible start in the trade.
Sponsored by Site Ready Solutions and Grayson GB Ltd
Powered by Garry Staines
#TheHodcast #JackDawson #Construction #Education #SkillsGap #TogetherWeCan
The SuperTrowel 2025 final caused more noise than any competition before it. Now, Jack Dawson, Co-Founder of SuperTrowel, joins The Hodcast with host Sam La Roche to share his side of the story.
In this conversation we cover:🔥 How SuperTrowel became the most talked-about competition in the trade💬 The truth about the 2025 final and the controversy surrounding it👷 What comes next for bricklaying competitions and apprentices in the UK
If you have seen the headlines or the comments online, this is the full story behind them.
Sponsored by Site Ready Solutions and Grayson GB Ltd
Powered by Garry Staines
#TheHodcast #SuperTrowel #JackDawson #Bricklaying #Construction #TogetherWeCan
When it comes to regeneration, who should take the lead in building Basildon?
In this episode of The Hodcast, hosted by Sam La Roche, Cllr Jessica Power, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Jobs and Skills and Social Value Manager for Skanska, talks about her belief that regeneration must start with the community itself.
She shares what “Basildon, building Basildon” really means, why social value matters, and how change can be lasting when local people are the ones building it.
This is a story of service, community, and leadership rooted in place.
Sponsored by Site Ready Solutions and Grayson GB Ltd
Powered by Garry Staines
#TheHodcast #JessicaPower #Basildon #Community #Regeneration #TogetherWeCan
When the numbers grow but the meaning fades — what’s left?
In this episode of The Hodcast, hosted by Sam La Roche, Justin Walton opens up about his journey from financial success to finding deeper fulfilment. We talk about money, mindset, and why purpose matters more than profit.
If you’ve ever asked yourself “What’s all this for?” — this conversation is for you.
Sponsored by Site Ready Solutions and Grayson GB Ltd
Powered by Garry Staines
From rural Spain to the streets of Basildon — Jenny Ibarra has made service her mission.
In this heartfelt episode of The HODCAST, Jenny opens up about her journey into community work, her role at Signpost Basildon, and the real stories behind the systems we don’t often see.
This is about more than support services, it’s about human connection, trust, and the quiet heroes who fight for people when nobody’s watching.
🎙️ Hosted by Sam La Roche
Sponsored by Site Ready Solutions and Grayson GB Ltd
Powered by Garry Staines
#JennyIbarra #Basildon #SignpostBasildon #TheHodcast #CommunityLeadership #TogetherWeCan
Steve Murphy is the definition of resilience.
From a disciplined start in the military to building one of the UK’s best bricklaying subcontractors, Steve’s story took an unexpected turn with a devastating cancer diagnosis and the collapse of his business.
In this episode of The HODCAST, hosted by Sam La Roche, Steve shares how he kept going, what cancer taught him, and how laughter and loyalty kept him afloat when life got dark.
Sponsored by Site Ready Solutions and Grayson GB Ltd
Powered by Garry Staines
#SteveMurphy #TheHodcast #ConstructionLeadership #MentalHealthInConstruction #TogetherWeCan
What does it take to build a truly inclusive community?
In this episode of The HODCAST, host Sam La Roche speaks with Miriam Chalkley, founder of FLEX Community, about how her personal experiences of exclusion inspired her to create space for others.
Together, they explore:
🔹 The difference between being included and truly belonging
🔹 Why inclusion starts with listening
🔹 How FLEX is creating lasting change across workplaces and communities
A must-listen for leaders, changemakers, and anyone passionate about building a better, more welcoming future.
#TogetherWeCan | Powered by Grayson (GB) Ltd and Site Ready Solutions.
Perry Blake was written off — until he picked up the pen and rewrote his story.
After a childhood marked by trauma and time behind bars, Perry could’ve given up. Instead, he built the 21up Movement, mentoring young people through music, mindset, and real-life experience.
In this deeply personal Hodcast conversation, Perry opens up about the road he took — and why he’s so committed to helping others avoid it.
🎙 Hosted by Sam La Roche🔊 Sponsored by Site Ready Solutions & Grayson GB Ltd
🗓 New episodes every Tuesday at 6AM
#TheHodcast #PerryBlake #21upMovement #TogetherWeCan #MentorshipMatters #RedemptionStory #YouthEmpowerment #PodcastUK
Loren Janes isn’t just an educator , she’s a builder of second chances.
In this emotional and inspiring episode of The Hodcast, Loren opens up about founding Changing Futures, why she had to write her own learning materials, and how leading with heart can break cycles that textbooks never will.
This is a conversation about purpose, perseverance, and rewriting what’s possible.
🎙 Hosted by Sam La Roche
📅 New episodes every Tuesday
#TheHodcast #LorenJanes #ConversationsWorthHaving #ChangingFutures #TogetherWeCan #LeadershipWithHeart
Lee Marley went from apprentice to founder of one of the UK’s biggest brickwork companies — a business now worth over £100 million.
In this episode of The Hodcast, he shares the story behind that growth, and why people, passion, and purpose are just as important as profit.
For anyone chasing long-term success — this conversation delivers.
#TogetherWeCan
Greeny is a legend in the world of bricklaying — but what sets him apart isn’t just his skill.
It’s how much he cares.
In this episode of The Hodcast, Greeny opens up about why he still loves the job, why training the next generation matters so much, and how bricklaying became more than a career — it became his purpose.
This one’s full of heart, honesty, and straight-up wisdom.
#TogetherWeCan
Charlie Thorp has trained, assessed, and inspired thousands of bricklayers — and in this episode of The Hodcast, he opens up like never before.
Now retired from FE and working as an End Point Assessor for City & Guilds, Charlie shares his view on what’s working, what’s broken, and how we make sure the next generation of apprentices get the training — and belief — they deserve.
We cover:
– His journey from lecturer to assessor– The problem with “just passing people”– The role of mentorship in modern apprenticeships– The future of the bricklaying trade in the UK
This is a story of standards, structure, and giving people a chance to succeed the right way.
#TogetherWeCan