Black Cat Chat: The Building Podcast

Turning Ambition into Deliverable Development What stops a promising development or regeneration project from moving forward? In this episode of Black Cat Chat, Andy Clow is joined by Tom Smith, Development Advisory Lead at Black Cat, to explore how complex, underperforming and stalled sites can be unlocked. Tom explains how development advisory brings together commercial insight, viability testing, funding, planning and delivery strategy to help clients turn ambitious ideas into practical, deliverable projects. The conversation covers: • Why development and regeneration schemes stall • How viability challenges can be identified and addressed • The changing role of town and city centres • Why residential development is increasingly important to regeneration • How Mayoral Development Corporations can help accelerate delivery • Tom’s experience supporting the regeneration of Stockport • The value of bringing commercial and technical advice together early Tom also shares how he joined Black Cat to establish the Development Advisory service and how the new offer connects with the wider multidisciplinary team. A practical and positive conversation about unlocking opportunity, overcoming barriers and creating places where people can live, work and thrive.

What makes a town an attractive place to live, work and invest? In this episode of Black Cat Chat , Andy Clow is joined by P eter Taylor , the Elected Mayor of Watford, to explore the continued growth and evolution of one of Hertfordshire’s most commercially important towns. Peter discusses the advantages of Watford’s location, transport connections and highly connected business community, as well as the role that major employers, business parks and the creative industries play in the local economy. The conversation also looks at the changing demands of the commercial property market, including the growing focus on high-quality office space, the importance of balancing new homes with places to work, and how brownfield development can support sustainable growth. Peter also shares the plans to reimagine Watford Town Hall as a more accessible civic destination, incorporating an innovation and incubation hub, museum, community facilities and workspace. It is a positive conversation about investment, regeneration and the partnerships helping towns like Watford continue to thrive.

In this episode of Black Cat Chat, Andy Clow sits down with Nick Goss , founder of Goss Consultancy and one of the UK's leading voices on accessibility, inclusive design and disability inclusion. Drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience, Nick shares how organisations can move beyond compliance and create buildings, places and services that genuinely work for everyone. The conversation explores the role of accessibility in the built environment, the commercial and social benefits of inclusive design, and why involving people with lived experience is critical to creating successful spaces. From major construction projects and historic landmarks to everyday workplaces and public spaces, Nick explains how small decisions made early in the design process can have a significant impact on the people who use them. "It's a lot easier and a lot cheaper to move a line on a drawing than it is to move a wall." Nick Goss A fascinating discussion for anyone involved in property, construction, design, asset management or placemaking. We're looking forward to welcoming guests from across the built environment in upcoming episodes. Hit Subscribe to make sure you don't miss an episode!

Sandon Global: Building a World-Class Manufacturing Facility In this episode of Black Cat Chat, Andy Clow is joined by Rich Millington, Managing Director of Sandon Global, and Peter Fearon Brown of 2M2 Studio to explore the story behind one of the UK's most impressive advanced manufacturing facilities. Together, they discuss how a long-term vision evolved from an ageing industrial unit into a purpose-built headquarters designed to support innovation, growth and global ambition. The conversation covers the importance of understanding a client's business before putting pen to paper, the role design plays in shaping company culture, and how thoughtful workplace environments can bring teams together. Rich and Peter also share the challenges faced throughout the project, including land acquisition, power supply issues and navigating construction during the Covid-19 pandemic. From showcasing cutting-edge manufacturing processes to creating collaborative spaces that break down barriers between office and production teams, this episode highlights how great buildings can become powerful business tools. A fascinating listen for anyone involved in property, construction, manufacturing, workplace design or business leadership. We're looking forward to welcoming guests from across the built environment in upcoming episodes. Hit Subscribe to make sure you don't miss an episode!

Black Cat Chat returns for Series 2 with a fascinating conversation between Andy Clow and London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith BA MSc. In this episode, Jonathan shares the scale and complexity of leading London Fire Brigade, the UK’s largest fire and rescue service, and explains how London’s unique built environment creates challenges unlike anywhere else in the country. From high-rise and ultra high-rise buildings to heritage assets, subterranean infrastructure, climate-related wildfire risk and lithium-ion battery fires, Jonathan explores how risk is changing and what that means for the fire service, the property sector and the wider built environment. The conversation also looks at the lasting impact of Grenfell on building safety culture, the importance of early engagement between the public and private sectors, and why fire safety must be embedded from planning through to occupation. A must-listen for anyone working in development, construction, building consultancy, asset management or property. We're looking forward to welcoming guests from across the built environment in upcoming episodes. Hit Subscribe to make sure you don't miss an episode!

Andy Clow sits down with Ben Pountney, Associate Director at Black Cat, to explore his career path, his promotion just weeks after joining the business, and the niche project management expertise he brings to large-scale development projects. Ben shares insights into working on complex regeneration and masterplanning schemes, the differences between corporate and independent consultancy life, and why Black Cat is increasingly well-placed to deliver major projects across the UK and Ireland. The episode finishes with a forward look to 2026, discussing the realities of planning, regulation and development viability, and where the biggest opportunities lie for clients and consultants alike.

We’ve taken Black Cat Chat on the road (and into a proper recording studio for the first time) for an episode with the Birmingham team. Joined by Birmingham lead Rob Green and Director / Building Surveyor Mack Argent , Andy Clow explores how the Birmingham office has grown, how Rob and Mack’s different specialisms complement each other, and the kinds of work keeping the team busy, from retail regeneration projects to fast-turnaround technical due diligence across national industrial portfolios. We also talk about what makes Black Cat different as the business has scaled (now truly multidisciplinary), why the Director-led model matters, and what opportunities are opening up in the Midlands as the team continues to grow. If you’re interested in building surveying, project work, technical due diligence, retail and industrial assets, grassroots cricket, or you’re simply curious about life at Black Cat, this one’s for you. 🎧 Listen, subscribe, and let us know what you’d like to hear next!

In this episode of Black Cat Chat: The Building Podcast, Andy Clow (Marketing Director at Black Cat) is joined by Ruth Moorhouse and Tim Cornford to introduce BCAM – Black Cat’s new Asset Management offer.Ruth joins as Director & Head of Impact, helping to strengthen the foundations for Black Cat’s next stage of growth, while also driving BCAM’s development. Tim leads our London office, bringing over a decade of experience delivering town-centre and retail asset strategies – including working closely with Black Cat across a major national portfolio.Together, they unpack what modern town centre-focused Asset Management really looks like: hands-on problem solving, partnering with councils and private investors, and driving real change beyond the traditional “NOI-only” model. They also share how BCAM has already secured key mandates (including Charter Walk Shopping Centre in Burnley) and why 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for the market.Watch now and find out how BCAM and Black Cat are working together to help town centres thrive.

In this episode of Black Cat Chat: The Building Podcast, Andy Clow sits down with our first non-Black Cat guests – Joseph Russell and Ian Fairweather, the founders of Allegro Real Estate. Fresh from launching their new consultancy, they share the excitement, pressure and practical realities of stepping out on their own. From early wins to tough lessons and the evolving demands of the commercial property market, this is a candid conversation about what it takes to build a business from the ground up.

Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance might not be glamorous, but it is business-critical. In this episode of Black Cat Chat , Andy Clow sits down with Stephen Barnes , Director & Founder, to unpack what PI Insurance really is, why many firms misunderstand it, and how Black Cat sets a higher bar. Stephen explains: Why exclusions and sub-limits (fire, basements and more) matter What “adequate and appropriate” should look like in practice Black Cat’s approach: no exclusions, proportionate limits, full team education and rigorous QA The simple question every client should add to their RFPIf you commission surveys or projects, or you are a surveyor who wants to protect clients and yourself, this one is essential listening. Watch now and learn the exact words to request in your next quote, plus how to sense-check PI against project value.

In this episode of Black Cat Chat: The Building Podcast, two rising Black Cats from our Southampton team join Andy Clow to talk about their careers, their differing routes into surveying, and how they ended up working at Black Cat.Will Spriggs started his career on the tools as a trained carpenter, but soon moved to a Building Surveyor degree and APC success. Joe Merrett, however, took the Degree-Apprenticeship path while learning on the job. They reflect on life at CBRE vs the Black Cat model, the growth of our Southampton office, business development on the South Coast, and support through the APC. Expect honest advice for students and career-changers, work-life balance insights, and a look at how our entrepreneurial approach lets younger talent build their own portfolio within the wider business.Don't forget to subscribe to be kept up-to-date for all the goings on at Black Cat!

Black Cat Chat: Brett Lee on Sheds, EPC wins and building a Liverpool hub In this episode, And Clow sat down with the Director & Liverpool Lead Brett Lea to discuss his passion for buildings and Black Cat. From bonfire-night inspiration to leading our Liverpool office, Brett Lee shares how a teenage site visit set him on the path to building surveying. We cover why he is a self-confessed shed geek, how yard depth and clockwise yards shape real-world logistics, and why he earned an HGV licence to pressure-test designs. Brett unpacks practical decarbonisation moves that push industrial assets to EPC A without bloating CapEx, plus the autonomy-first, director-led model at Black Cat that keeps teams motivated and clients covered. We also talk Liverpool’s growing market, national client work, training the next generation, and running a £300k job with the discipline of a £20m scheme. If you care about industrial and logistics, this one is a must.

In this episode of Black Cat Chat, we take a career deep-dive with Ollie Folkes – our Bristol Office Lead and one of the longest-serving Black Cats. From a 15-year-old’s first site visit to leading Black Cat’s Bristol office, Ollie shares lessons on cautious growth, team culture without bureaucracy, and why collaboration wins on major projects. Ollie brings a somewhat different approach to his way of working to some within the Black Cat team, with a calm reassuring demeanour that is infectious. Subscribe now to get every episode delivered to your inbox!

Black Cat Chat: Building Regulations, Risk, and Responsibility with Tony Threadgold In this episode, I sat down with the brilliant Tony Threadgold — our in-house expert on all things Building Control – to explore the changing landscape of regulation and the role of the Principal Designer. Tony's journey spans from major projects like the Trafford Centre to founding and running a national Approved Inspector firm. Today, he's leading Black Cat’s Principal Designer (PD) service, helping clients navigate complex regulatory challenges under the new Building Safety Act. What’s changed? The Building Safety Act (2022) has redefined responsibilities, especially for high-risk buildings. The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) now oversees approvals — with only 14% of applications currently approved. Principal Designers carry serious legal weight — including potential prison time for non-compliance. At Black Cat, we’re stepping up — not stepping back. Our PD team is already supporting dozens of live projects with expertise, rigour and the willingness to give actual advice . If you're grappling with the new regs — or simply want to avoid costly delays — give Tony a call. His insight might just save your project.

In this episode of Black Cat Chat , Andy Clow welcomes Joanna Whitear , ESG Lead & Director at Black Cat Building Consultancy, to explore how sustainability is reshaping UK commercial real estate. Joanna shares her journey from early ESG consultancy to leading a team of specialists, offering insights into carbon-led asset strategies, ESG-integrated due diligence, and authentic, actionable reporting that cuts through the noise. "There are two really important metrics in real estate right now – revenue and carbon. Everything else is just fluff." – Joanna Whitear Whether you're a Building Surveyor, Asset Manager or Sustainability Lead, this episode highlights how ESG is no longer a tick-box exercise, but a strategic driver of value. Discover how Black Cat’s multidisciplinary approach is helping clients decarbonise buildings, plan smarter maintenance, and embed ESG across the project lifecycle. Subscribe now to stay ahead in the built environment.

In this episode of Black Cat Chat: The Building Podcast , Andy Clow speaks with Rob Mowat, Finance Director at Black Cat Building Consultancy, about how a unique and transparent financial model is driving rapid growth, employee satisfaction, and long-term success in UK commercial real estate. Discover how Rob transitioned from external accountant to leadership, and how Black Cat’s open-book approach to bonuses, unlimited holidays, and flexible working is reshaping consultancy culture. With insights into scaling a multidisciplinary firm, financial incentives for fee earners and support staff alike, and the power of transparency in business, this episode is a must-watch for professionals across surveying, property, and the built environment. Subscribe now to get every episode delivered to your inbox!

In this first episode of Black Cat Chat , founders Ben Golby and Stephen Barnes sit down with Marketing Director Andy Clow to discuss how the business came into being, how it’s grown, and what the future holds. We’ll be publishing episodes every fortnight, sharing more insights into the world of commercial real estate from colleagues across Black Cat.