Episode #064 | Ash Howard

On today's episode, we welcome Ash Howard from Kiely Group, one of the UK’s leading road resurfacing contractors.

Ash discusses the harsh reality faced by road workers who put themselves in danger daily to keep Britain moving. The pair dive deep into working pressures, mental health, hierarchies & also find common ground in sports & rugby life.

🔵 Connect with Ash on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-howard-338b16181/

🔴 Watch on YouTube! - https://youtu.be/-vDaDK6KqhU

🟢 Listen On Spotify! -

🟣 Listen on Apple Podcasts! -

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⏲TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Intro! Reasons why Ash wanted to start a Podcast + Will AI take over Construction?

04:57 Kiely Group: What is it & what does Ash do? - ‘Pothole Pandemic’ & Road Abuse

14:53 Mental Health aspects + Doing work with Prisons & Inmates

23:48 Thoughts on construction companies incorporating Digital/Social Media

30:36 More on Kiely group: seasonal grafters, passion, & hierarchy - No titles?

39:04 Ash’s career path: Retail, HR + Communication issues (are emails useless?)

46:39 The boys talk rugby & American football! + Ash’s South African background

55:08 The pair talk going back to sport after major a injury/operation (Steve’s Stoma)

58:23 Steve praises Galleywood Cricket Club + The importance of Grassroots Sports!

01:06:03 Anthony Hegarty: The Crane Report (Coming to ConSpo Pod soon) + HSE fines…

01:13:28 Ashes results, 'Elite Level’ Mindsets & Rassie Erasmus

01:22:18 Who will win the Rugby World Cup?! + Cycling to Paris with Rugby all-stars…

01:28:17 Outro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode #063 | Gavin Elson

Is the construction qualification system broken? And why are so many men in construction struggling with their health?

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Gavin Elson, a highly experienced plant trainer & assessor, to break down the real state of construction training, tickets, and accreditation in the UK - before moving onto Gavin's personal story dealing with testosterone issues & the changes he's made to better his lifestyle.

🔵 Connect with Gavin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-elson-650301185/

🔴 Watch on YouTube! - https://youtu.be/xwrBdY5EwWs

🟢 Listen On Spotify! - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3sNu9eFNJg5pCBToJv14iJ?si=ecd9693f60674cba

🟣 Listen on Apple Podcasts! - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/testosterone-therapy-plant-trainer-nvq-assessor-spills/id1778487912?i=1000745129205

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⏲TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Intro: What Gavin does + thoughts on PlantWorx & other Exhibitions!

05:16 How Gavin ended up working in Construction… (Machine driver)

11:12 Accreditation & ticket processes: grandfather rights, assessor perspective

23:25 NPORS vs CPCS & CSCS Cards + Negativity on Social Media

41:43 Good vs Dodgy training companies + Being against a 5-day course…

50:19 Gavin opens up on his mental, and physical, health journey: Testosterone Therapy

01:12:46 Low testosterone cons + gut health, staying active, & what we put in our bodies…

01:22:26 Gav talks through his new & improved diet & exercise routine

01:27:00 Outro!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode #062 | Lauren Rimmer

Happy New Year!

For the first episode of 2026, we have sat down with Lauren Rimmer, founder of Construct Change and a leading growth consultant in the construction sector.

Lauren shares her honest experiences working with SMEs, in M&E, ESG strategy, & corporate responsibility, all while tackling the important truths construction is facing today:

The pair discuss mental health and suicide, staff retention, unrealistic client expectations & why tick-box social value systems like the TOMs are failing real people.

🔵 Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-rimmer-47160375/

🔴 Watch on YouTube! - https://youtu.be/jQL8xVBVHWA

🟢 Listen On Spotify! - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0gWOSwn4vsSab611Yxlycy?si=iPvkdRs9Rfi-dX0DMAw5UQ

🟣 Listen on Apple Podcasts! - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growth-consultant-on-silly-expectations-social-value/id1778487912?i=1000744119352

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⏲TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Intro! What is Construct Change? World of Growth Consultancy

06:57 Working in M&E + ‘Ridiculous’ Client Expectations?

10:41 Focusing on ESG & Corporate Responsibility + Discussing EAPs

15:53 Working with Stuart Wallis from MACE + What’s coming this year!

18:26 Being ‘vocal’ on LinkedIn… Women vs Men on Social Media

28:30 Investigating suicides in Construction (RIDDORS..?)

37:41 Why the pair hate the Social Value Calculator (TOM System)

45:14 Let’s take care of the people already in construction before getting more in??

48:20 ‘Women Into Construction’ disappearing + Why we need Women in the Industry

59:19 What to look forward to in 2026! + A degree in… dance?

01:07:15 Outro!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.