Black Cat Chat: The Building Podcast

Welcome to the Black Cat Building Consultancy Podcast – where we dive into all things buildings across the commercial, retail and public sectors. From project insights and industry trends to client stories and expert advice, we bring you straight-talking conversations with our team and special guests. Whether you're managing property, planning a project or just curious about the built environment, this is your place for practical insight and honest discussion.Black Cat: We get it done!

Black Cat Chat: The Building Podcast is a business podcast hosted by Black Cat, with 18 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Black Cat hosts Black Cat Chat: The Building Podcast, a business show with 18 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #7

  When Buildings Go Wrong | Courtrooms, Cladding & Fire Safety: Black Cat Lates Episode 02

  Sep 24, 202646 minS2

  Episode 2 of Black Cat Lates explores what happens when buildings, contracts and professional judgement are tested. Andy is joined by experienced Black Cat colleagues to discuss expert witness work, dilapidations, mediation, cladding failures, design and build, site inspections, fire testing and building safety. There are stories from court, an Amsterdam development where the façade did not fit, and a strong reminder that drawings, reports and regulations can only take you so far. Sometimes, you have to get out of the office and look properly. “Time spent on reconnaissance is seldom wasted.” The next and final episode of this mini-series takes the conversation further, with candid debate about Grenfell, the Building Safety Regulator, RICS and the future of professional standards. Follow Black Cat Chat and listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcast and YouTube - just search Black Cat Chat!

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  Episode #6

  Nearly 300 Years of Building Experience: Black Cat Lates Episode 01

  Sep 18, 202655 minS2

  In this the first special episode of Black Cat Lates, Andy Clow brings together six of Black Cat’s most experienced colleagues for an open and wide-ranging conversation about the building industry.Between them, Stephen Flower, Eric Larmett, Stuart Hill, Diego Alves, Tony Threadgold and Eric Roberts bring decades of experience across building surveying, fire safety, defence, façade consultancy, building control and major commercial projects.The conversation covers:• The practical challenges of responding to the 1996 Manchester Arndale bombing• Lessons from Grenfell and the continuing debate around building safety• Building control, regulation and the risks of becoming too focused on process• Fire doors, cladding, insulation and the importance of practical experience• The value of testing, challenging assumptions and understanding how buildings work• Why building survey reports should give clients useful answers rather than simply more pages• The experience of working on major commercial developments, including the Trafford Centre• Training the next generation and improving communication across the industryIt is an honest, entertaining and occasionally forthright discussion about how the industry has changed, what it can learn from the past and why good judgement still matters.This is the first Black Cat Lates episode, with more conversations and experienced voices to come.Like & Subscribe to be kept up to date with more episodes.

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  Episode #6

  Nearly 300 Years of Building Experience: Black Cat Lates Episode 01

  Sep 3, 202656 minS2

  In this the first special episode of Black Cat Lates, Andy Clow brings together six of Black Cat’s most experienced colleagues for an open and wide-ranging conversation about the building industry. Between them, Stephen Flower, Eric Larmett, Stuart Hill, Diego Alves, Tony Threadgold and Eric Roberts bring decades of experience across building surveying, fire safety, defence, façade consultancy, building control and major commercial projects. The conversation covers: The practical challenges of responding to the 1996 Manchester Arndale bombing Lessons from Grenfell and the continuing debate around building safety Building control, regulation and the risks of becoming too focused on process Fire doors, cladding, insulation and the importance of practical experience The value of testing, challenging assumptions and understanding how buildings work Why building survey reports should give clients useful answers rather than simply more pages The experience of working on major commercial developments, including the Trafford Centre Training the next generation and improving communication across the industry It is an honest, entertaining and occasionally forthright discussion about how the industry has changed, what it can learn from the past and why good judgement still matters. This is the first Black Cat Lates episode, with more conversations and experienced voices to come.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #4

  Black Cat Chat: S2 E04 with Peter Taylor, Elected Mayor of Watford Borough Council

  Jul 16, 202634 minS2

  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.

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  Episode #1

  Black Cat Chat: S2 E01 with Jonathan Smith London Fire Brigade Commissioner

  Jun 4, 202629 minS2

  <p>Black Cat Chat returns for Series 2 with a fascinating conversation between Andy Clow and London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith BA MSc.</p><p>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 buil...

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