What happens when digital ambition meets real-world delivery? Chloe McCulloch, Editorial Director at Assemble Media Group, joins us to unpack what Building Magazine’s Top 150 consultants survey reveals about the state of digital transformation in the built environment. She shares exclusive insights into how firms are approaching AI, where investment is heading, and whether digital strategies are truly delivering results. We explore how tools are being embedded into everyday workflows, what success really looks like, and whether the hype around AI is starting to pay off. This is a clear-eyed look at what’s working, what’s not, and where the industry goes next.
Digital transformation in the built environment is often synonymous with complexity, slow adoption, and misaligned expectations. But what happens when an architect breaks the mould and embraces innovation from the ground up? In this episode of Deconstructing Digital, we're joined by Pierre Saunal - architect and co-founder, of airc.digital - to unpack the practical, painful, and powerful journey of digitalising Building Information Modelling (BIM). Drawing on years of hands-on experience across design and delivery, Pierre shares what he’s learned about improving workflows, simplifying scan-to-BIM processes, and turning raw site data into structured, usable information. This conversation offers clarity, challenge, and a fresh perspective on what BIM can be when it works.
Think your building project is low-carbon? You might be missing a major piece of the puzzle. In this sharp and revealing episode, architect and sustainability advocate Tim den Dekker, Associate Architect at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, pulls back the curtain on embodied carbon – the emissions baked into every brick, beam, and bag of cement. It’s the construction industry’s quiet contributor to climate change, and it accounts for a staggering 10% of the UK’s total emissions.
What does it take to secure construction’s digital future? In this episode of Deconstructing Digital, cybersecurity expert and CurveTech CEO Daniel Skeggs shares why the built environment faces growing risks, and what leaders can do to respond. Fragmented supply chains, sensitive design data, and increasing reliance on cloud-based systems have all made construction a prime target for cyberattacks. By embedding cybersecurity from day one, organisations can stay compliant, protect critical information, and build digital foundations that scale with confidence.
How do you make digital construction legally watertight? In this episode of Deconstructing Digital, construction lawyer Sarah Rock joins us to explore how BIM, the Building Safety Act, and the Golden Thread are transforming expectations in construction contracts. As co-author of the influential Winfield Rock Report, Sarah breaks down what it takes to define, embed, and enforce digital requirements from day one - so that critical data doesn’t disappear by handover.
Many construction companies often invest in digital tools - but many fail to deliver their full value. In this episode of Deconstructing Digital, we speak with Lorna Killick, Head of Business Transformation at BW, about how to revive underused construction software and drive real business impact. Lorna shares how her team reconfigured legacy systems, rebuilt user engagement, and brought clarity to their digital transformation strategy - all without adding new platforms.
This conversation highlights why successful construction tech adoption depends on people, process, and the willingness to start again. We explore what it takes to optimise existing systems, improve site team adoption, and build a scalable data strategy from the ground up.
How do you drive digital transformation in construction when budgets are tight, time is short, and the frontline team is wary of change? In this episode of Deconstructing Digital, Sarah Darville-Downs, Group Finance Director at Tamdown, shares a refreshingly honest take on what it really takes to embed new tech on-site. She explores how to turn digital ambition into real-world action, securing buy-in from site teams, prioritising impact, and using small wins like QR codes and automated workflows to make a big difference. Whether you're a finance lead, project manager, or IT decision-maker, this episode is packed with insight on how to build confidence and demonstrate value.
Rework is draining time, money, and morale from construction projects - and it’s happening more than you think. Up to 39% of on-site accidents are linked to rework. The cost is an eye-watering £2 billion a year in the UK alone. So why does it keep happening and how do we fix it? In this live episode recorded at Digital Construction Week, Amelia Fletcher-Blackburn is joined by Jon Ozanne (CIO, Balfour Beatty), Nick Elms (IT Director, VolkerWessels UK), and Vicki Reynolds (Technical Director, One Creative Environments) for a practical, provocative conversation on what it really takes to get it right first time.
Digital transformation often starts at the top – but what happens when it reaches the subcontractor on site, holding the tablet, trying to make it work in the real world? In this episode, we speak to Joanna Brooker, founder of C2C Group, who specialises in helping SMEs and subcontractors navigate the digital shift. With boots-on-the-ground experience, Joanna unpacks why so many systems fail at implementation, how to engage subcontractors in meaningful change, and what it takes to truly embed tech across all levels of the supply chain – not just the boardroom.
When it comes to modernising IT infrastructure, many organisations are stuck with legacy systems that are difficult to scale, costly to maintain, and risky to secure. But what if these systems could be transformed into a competitive advantage? In this episode, IT consultant Tim Clark shares his deep expertise in legacy modernisation, cloud migration, and risk management. From navigating geopolitical complexities to building the right internal skillsets, Tim breaks down what it truly takes to evolve legacy IT systems for the digital age. He unpacks the hidden costs of cloud, outlines the critical governance structures for security and sustainability, and explains why businesses must invest in continuous learning to stay relevant.
What does it really take to make buildings safer, smarter, and more sustainable in today’s construction industry? Vicki Reynolds cuts through the complexity of digital twins and the golden thread - two essential frameworks transforming how we design, deliver, and manage the built environment. With clarity and depth, she explores how these tools support compliance with the Building Safety Act, improve information management, and enable real-time, data-driven decisions. Whether you’re dealing with legacy systems or building a digital transformation strategy from the ground up, this episode delivers practical insight for construction professionals looking to lead with confidence.
What does it really take to scale a multi-business group in today’s construction and manufacturing landscape? In this episode of Deconstructing Digital, we speak with Matthew Ayres, Group Managing Director of the Bennie Group, about how technology, strategy, and culture come together to fuel sustainable business growth. Matthew shares candid insights from the trenches - ripping out outdated systems, integrating acquisitions in just 30 days, and tackling the hidden costs of spreadsheet silos. It’s a practical, people-first look at transformation from someone who’s lived it.
Can generative AI really change the way we build - and is it worth the hype? In this episode of Deconstructing Digital, we’re joined by Shelly Dar Rapaport, Senior Solutions Architect at Amazon Web Services, to unpack how generative AI is reshaping the construction industry. From predictive maintenance and site safety to smarter planning and sustainability, we explore real-world use cases where AI is already making a measurable impact. Shelly shares how teams can boost efficiency, cut risk, and drive digital adoption - one smart decision at a time.
How do you overcome resistance to change in an industry built on tradition and tight timelines? In this episode of Deconstructing Digital, we're joined by Alex Winchester, Strategic Improvement Director at M Group, to unpack exactly that. From demystifying digital transformation to building trust across supply chains, Alex shares how long-term thinking, clear communication, and a people-first mindset can turn digital friction into real progress.
With digital transformation reshaping how we work, recruit, and retain talent, how do we ensure that people remain at the heart of this evolution? Lucy Wright, a leader in construction technology and executive search at Beaumont Bailey, shares invaluable insights into how education, leadership, and digital adoption can bridge the skills gap and create a more sustainable, efficient, and inclusive workforce.
AI is already transforming industries - but is the built environment and construction ready? In episode 2 of Deconstructing Digital, we're joined by industry expert Andrew Knight (RICS) to break down AI’s role in boosting productivity, improving safety, and driving sustainability in the built environment.
How do you make digital transformation work in construction? To kick-off our first episode of Deconstructing Digital, Jon Ozanne (CIO at Balfour Beatty) and Nick Elms (IT Director at VolkerWessels UK) share how they’re turning big ideas into practical solutions that improve safety, reduce waste, and drive efficiency.
Welcome to the very first episode of Deconstructing Digital! Hosted by Amelia Fletcher-Blackburn, this podcast is all about cutting through the jargon and untangling digital transformation in the built environment.
Amelia lays the foundation for what’s to come - turning digital confusion into clarity with practical tips, real-world insights, and lessons from industry changemakers. From navigating tech adoption to driving real impact in construction, we’re here to help you get digital right.
If digital feels like a maze, don’t worry - we’ve got you covered. Let’s Deconstruct Digital together!
