Own The Build
Own the Build is the podcast for Quantity Surveyors and Commercial Directors who want to sharpen their commercial edge and lead with confidence.
Hosted by Paul Heming, former Commercial leader and now co-founder of C-Link, each week’s conversation dives into the realities of modern commercial management — from procurement and contracts to digital transformation and leadership in construction.
Through honest discussions with industry leaders, forensic planners, and forward-thinking QSs, Paul explores how the best commercial teams deliver profit, performance, and project certainty in a changing industry.
If you’re serious about mastering the commercial side of construction — this is where you build your advantage.
Own The Build
Own the Build Leadership Series #4: Anil Rai, Commercial Director at M Group Water (£900m+ Contractor, part of £2.5bn Group)
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In the fourth episode of the Own the Build Leadership Series, Paul is joined by Anil Rai, Commercial Director at M Group Water, a £900m+ business within the wider £2.5bn M Group.
Anil’s journey offers a clear view of what it takes to build a leadership career in a large, complex Tier 1 environment — from early progression through commercial roles to leading at scale across a major infrastructure business.
The conversation focuses on what effective commercial leadership really looks like in 2026, including:
- building consistency and standards across large teams;
- creating alignment between commercial, operational and client objectives;
- leading with accountability while empowering others to take ownership; and
- navigating the scale and complexity that comes with major frameworks and long-term programmes.
Anil also reflects on the mindset shift required to step into a Commercial Director role — moving beyond individual performance to driving outcomes through people, structure and culture.
A practical and grounded discussion for QSs aiming for senior leadership — and for Commercial Directors operating in large, multi-project environments.
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📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:
Want to connect with Paul?
Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at paul@c-link.com or through, C-Link.
C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.
Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.
