Black Cat Chat: The Building Podcast. Ep.08 Focus on PI Insurance with Stephen Barnes

Black Cat Chat: S2 E03 with Accessibility Expert Nick Goss

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!

Black Cat Chat: S2 E02 with Rich Millington, Sandon Global and Peter Fearon Brown, 2M2 Studio

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: S2 E01 with Jonathan Smith London Fire Brigade Commissioner

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!

Black Cat Chat: The Building Podcast. Ep.12 with Ben Pountney

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.

Black Cat Chat: The Building Podcast. Ep.11 with Rob Green & Mack Argent

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!