The Carpentry Show

Robin Clevett looks at the growing demand for fitted interiors and asks whether carpenters could use their existing skills to move into a new and potentially lucrative area of the industry. Robin is joined by Damian Walters, CEO of the British Institute of Fitted Interior Specialists, to discuss the skills shortage facing the sector, attracting new talent and why carpenters and joiners could be well placed to make the move into furniture fitting.Beth Harrison from Site Works explains the challenges of managing larger fit-out projects, including coordinating trades, suppliers and getting the sequencing of work right. Robin speaks to carpenter Liam McGinley, who has built a successful part of his business around media walls and bespoke furniture, to find out what the demand is like, the challenges involved and where he sees further opportunities.

Robin Clevett looks at neurodiversity in the trade — from the misconceptions surrounding it to the challenges neurodivergent people can face at work. Robin speaks to neurodiversity specialist Susan Fitzell about the strengths neurodivergent workers can bring to the trades, why some people choose not to disclose their diagnosis, and what employers and businesses can do to create more supportive and inclusive workplaces. He also hears first-hand from Carpenters, Ben Haskins and Scott Bubb about their experiences in the trade, their careers, apprenticeships, working life and how neurodiversity has shaped their lives both on and off the tools.

Robin Clevett is joined by TV and radio presenter Sam Pinkham, co-founder of Shack, to hear how he has gone from broadcasting to building a rapidly growing construction business. Shack specialises in the architectural design and sustainable construction of cabins, homes and hotels. Sam talks Robin through the journey of starting the business, scaling up, bringing architectural design in-house and some of the standout projects Shack has delivered. They also discuss the challenges of finding skilled and reliable labour, the construction industry's skills shortage and why Shack has focused on getting more women into senior positions and on site. Sam also shares his experiences working in TV and radio, including presenting Holiday Homes In The Sun and working across some of the UK's biggest radio stations.

Robin Clevett is joined by Liam Burry and Tom O'Reilly from Bristol-based Archwood Carpentry to hear how they got started in the trade, developed their skills and eventually came together to build their own carpentry business. After meeting the pair at the Woodworking Expo in Birmingham, Robin gets an insight into their routes into carpentry, their training experiences, the lessons they’ve learned along the way and what it’s like working together as business partners. They also discuss some of their most challenging and rewarding projects, the work they’re most proud of, the realities of starting a new business and what the future could look like for Archwood Carpentry. A conversation about learning the trade, working together and building a successful carpentry business from the ground up.

Robin Clevett catches up with two previous guests to find out what’s happened since they first appeared on the show. Scott Taylor returns with an update on his long-running work in The Gambia, where he’s spent two decades helping local communities and building schools. When Scott last joined Robin, his latest school project was around 90% complete — so what’s happened since? Robin also catches up with Emily Kitchin, better known online as Chippy Em, to hear about her work on the tools, recent projects, collaborations, challenges and life as a tradesperson creating content online. Plus, Robin shares some updates from his own professional life and what’s coming up for the rest of 2026.

Robin Clevett looks into how tradespeople have integrated AI into their business and working practices so far. Robin talks to Danny Webb, who is an Electrical Contractor that has written books on how to price work and also runs a successful business with his business partner Mike Toulson. Danny talks about using AI for many aspects of his business and how it’s helped him. Sean Matthews, an award winning Carpenter joins Robin to talk about how he’s newly adopted AI in some of his working practices… but has reservations about how much he is willing to trust it and integrate it into business critical tasks. Google UK Chief Exec, Kate Alessi joins the show to share some insight into how the trade community has adopted AI so far and talks about what else is possible as well as a partnership with Screwfix aiming to upskill and train tradespeople.

Robin Clevett has asked three Carpenters & Joiners to join him and talk about what their best attributes are... and also - what is beyond their skills or they simply don't have the patience for. Guests: Richard Wagner, John Argyle & Jay Elliott.

Robin Clevett chats to award winning Carpentry & Joinery business owners about their road to winning their awards and whether it makes a difference to the business. New guest, Ben Naylor talks about how winning awards with his company (Jack Badger) has helped with proving credibility to protential clients and helps with regards to motivating the team. Trade Apprentice 2020 Award winner, Chris Keel talks about his experiences more than half a decade on, What he's doing now with college students and why you should be careful about the kind of awards you go in for. Robin shouts out some tradespeople he thinks would be worthy of winning an award.

Robin Clevett is looking into why and how Builders are taking matters into their own hands as they try to address the skills crisis. Why is there not support coming from industry and are some of those that are supposed to be in your best interest actually working against you here? Robin looks into what the best routes into the industry would be for school leavers, How we could do better with options for school leavers, Where the missed opportunities are and more. Guests: DIY SOS Build Manager, Tom Davis & Screwfix Top Tradesperson Winner, Martin Daly

Robin Clevett chats to ITV Weather Presenter, Alex Beresford about the recent heat waves and what we can expect this summer. Alex also talks about his experiences working alonside Robin on his home renovation project and his appreciation for Carpentry. Charlie Cameron from Treehouse Life talks about how he's navigating the hot weather this summer in the UK and how it compares to having worked in climates around the world, from the East Coast in America to Qatar!

Robin Clevett brings you a show recorded at his zone within the Professional Woodworking Expo as he was joined by students, teachers and mentors to celebrate and showcase skills for the attendees of the show. Robin takes you through his concept, talks with some of the people who have joined him and shares his experiences across the three days.

Robin Clevett talks to Gary Banks and Derek Barrett about the psychology of pricing work. Robin asks about how they factor their knowledge and decades of building up their skills as well as terms and conditions and how we avoid working for little to no profit, just because it's going to be an enjoyable project. Robin also comments on the CITB's plans around apprenticeships and shares his own thoughts on the approach to pricing jobs.

Robin Clevett looks into the role Tradespeople/Builders and Carpenters can simetimes find themselves in when they take on a job and have to be the go-between or middle man in the working relationship between the customer and the architect. Robin talks to a previous customer (Callum Davies-Russell) about his experiences working with Robin and an Architect on his project. Robin also chats to Paul Clarke from an Architectural company that has hired him to take on pre-construction consultations with customers, due to his experience on the tools as a General Builder. ...And friend of the show and top quality House Builder, Jack Auletta shares his first hand experiences and insight into how to manage this working relationship.

Robin Clevett talks to fellow Carpenter, David Byrne & Also Fix Radio Presenter, Paul Meenan and asks them about AI, their experiences with AI, Whether it's good, bad, neither and also what impact it could have on the trade and those working in it. Robin ponders whether more people might look to join the trade in the future due to AI eliminating other jobs and careers and if that's a good or a bad thing. Robin also talks about the use of AI in the trade - both by Tradespeople and customers and shares his thoughts on the topic as well.

Robin Clevett chats to Oli Carter who has five years experience exhibiting at the Chelsea Flower Show and takes on very ambitious projects as an 'adventurous joiner'. Oli talks about how he approaches design, concepts and pushing what's possible with timber.

In this episode, Robin Clevett explores whether demand is slowing across the carpentry and joinery sector after hearing concerns from tradespeople working in the bespoke outdoor build market. Carpenter Josh Richard shares how he currently wins work and generate leads, how demand has been this year, and how far ahead he’s booked. Later, Dan Brown is asked about demand for bespoke carpentry work, what tradespeople are saying about any slowdown, and whether customer attitudes to pricing are changing. We also hear from Richard Wagner, who catches up with Robin about training courses, adapting to different types of work when things are quiet, and what they’ve got planned next.

In this episode, Robin Clevett shares two stories from Carpentry and Joinery centred around apprenticeships. First, apprentice Rhys Mitchell joins us to share his journey into the trade, the lessons he’s learned on site, and what it took to reach the finals of the Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2026 competition. We’ll also hear from Mark Bradshaw, Curriculum Manager at Northampton College, who has won awards for his work Carpentry apprentices. From hands-on projects at Delapré Abbey to the challenges facing apprenticeships today, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and real stories from the trade.

Sean Matthews joins Robin at the Fix Radio studios to talk about managing customer expectations and the nightmare of dealing with customers when you try to be accomodating and they take the mick in return. Sean also talks about current work, enquiries and challenges faced recently.

Robin Clevett talks to David Byrne, well known for his top quality domestic outdoor/garden builds about his recent challenges bringing in the work. David explains what's been going on, Why he thinks this is happening, What he will do to keep work coming in and Robin shares his own past experiences taking on higher end and more luxury type garden builds for customers.

Robin was recently accused of plagiarism online - despite never having known about the original work. It got Robin thinking about when it's a case of lateral thinking compared to finding inspiration and also talks about when he's noticed people copying his content for their social media. Robin invites Derek Barrett onto the show as an example of someone who has inspired many online and they discuss both sides and whether it's an overall positive or negative for the trade and online community.