Beyond the Build: Leadership, Legacy, and the Future of Affordable Housing with David Wylie
Release Date: 08/27/2025
Scottish Construction Summit: Key Takeaways with Neil Brownlie and Ricky Milliken
Nevermind the Buzzwords
Scottish construction stands at a crossroads. In this special episode, Helen and Will recap their time at the Scottish Construction Summit, joined by Ricky Milliken and Neil Brownlie from Valorem First. With 300+ decision-makers in the room, the message was clear: transformation isn't optional anymore. From Mark Farmer's call for systemic reform to the urgent reality of an ageing workforce, fragmented supply chains, and the rise of AI, this episode unpacks what it will take for Scotland's construction sector to modernise, and whether it has the collaboration, government backing, and...
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Beyond the Build: Leadership, Legacy, and the Future of Affordable Housing with David Wylie
Nevermind the Buzzwords
What's the secret to building a construction business where staff stay for 20+ years and trainees get real experience from day one? In this episode, Helen McMillan and Ricky Milliken sit down with David Wylie, Managing Director of CCG (Scotland) Ltd, to share the strategic thinking behind running a family construction business that prioritises legacy over quick growth. From giving trainees meaningful experience from the start to running at 120% capacity knowing some jobs will slip. David reveals how deep industry knowledge and relationship-driven culture create competitive...
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Breaking Barriers: How to Inspire the Next Generation of Construction Leaders with Lynsey Brydson & Hannah Lloyd
Nevermind the Buzzwords
Breaking Barriers: How to Inspire the Next Generation of Construction Leaders 🎙️ Hosts: Helen McMillan & Will Pearce 🎤 Guests: Lynsey Brydson & Hannah Lloyd of BEST (Built Environment Smarter Transformation) Episode Summary: How can we attract the next generation into the construction industry, especially young people, women, and underrepresented groups? In this episode, Helen and Will are joined by Lynsey and Hannah from BEST, Scotland’s national innovation centre for the built environment. Together, they explore the exciting opportunities available in the industry and...
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Watch Me Go: Building a Tech Business on Her Own Terms with Yvonne Lindsay
Nevermind the Buzzwords
Watch Me Go: Building a Tech Business on Her Own Terms with Yvonne Lindsay 🎙️ Hosts: Helen McMillan & Will Pearce 🎤 Guest: Yvonne Lindsay – Founder & Managing Director, Telecom Networks Episode Summary: What happens when a woman enters a room full of men and builds her own empire anyway? In this powerful episode, Helen and Will are joined by Yvonne Lindsay, an entrepreneur who left the corporate world to launch her own telecoms business and hasn’t looked back. From facing outdated stereotypes to raising her kids while leading multimillion-pound deals, Yvonne...
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Building the Bus: Leadership, Team Dynamics & Getting the Right People in the Right Seats with James Turnbull
Nevermind the Buzzwords
Building the Bus: Leadership, Team Dynamics & Getting the Right People in the Right Seats 🎙️ Hosts: Helen McMillan & Will Pearce 🎤 Guest: James Turnbull – Chairman, Inverarity Morton & DAMM Environmental 🎧 Episode Summary: What does it take to build a truly high-performing team? In this episode, Helen and Will are joined by James Turnbull, who brings 40 years of leadership experience across multiple businesses. From getting the right people on (or off) the bus to managing diverse personalities and dysfunctional teams, James shares candid lessons on building...
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From Submarines to Strategy: Navigating Leadership in Business with Ricky Milliken
Nevermind the Buzzwords
From Submarines to Strategy: How Exposure Builds Resilience in Business 🎙️ Hosts: Helen McMillan & Will Pearce 🎤 Guest: Ricky Milliken – Managing Director, Valorem First Episode Summary: What can life on a submarine teach us about leadership, teamwork, and digital transformation? In this episode, Helen and Will are joined by Ricky Milliken, who shares how his time in the Royal Navy shaped his mindset, values, and leadership style in the business world. From tight quarters to high-stakes decisions, Ricky unpacks what true resilience looks like — and how those lessons are...
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Brains Work Differently – So Should Workplaces with Nuria Fraile-Diaz
Nevermind the Buzzwords
Brains Work Differently – So Should Workplaces with Nuria Fraile-Diaz 🎙️ Hosts: Helen McMillan & Ricky Milliken 🎤 Guest: Nuria Fraile-Diaz – Learning & Development Specialist at The Data Lab 🚀 Episode Summary: Workplaces are designed for the ‘average’ employee—but what if we built them to support all thinking styles? In this episode, Helen and Ricky dive into the realities of neurodiversity in the workplace with Nuria Fraile-Diaz, a specialist in learning and development. Together, they explore how businesses can go beyond surface-level accommodations and...
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From Waste to Worth: Identifying Value in Your Organisation with Mhairi Brown
Nevermind the Buzzwords
From Waste to Worth: Identifying Value in Your Organisation 🎙️ Hosts: Helen McMillan & Will Pearce 🎤 Guest: Mhairi Brown – Expert in Manufacturing & Engineering 🚀 Episode Summary: What does value really mean in business? It’s more than just numbers—it’s about people, processes, and purpose. In this episode, Helen and Will are joined by Mhairi Brown, who brings 30 years of experience in engineering, manufacturing, and leadership. Together, they break down how organisations can maximise value while ensuring employees feel engaged and appreciated. 🔍...
info_outlineWhat's the secret to building a construction business where staff stay for 20+ years and trainees get real experience from day one?
In this episode, Helen McMillan and Ricky Milliken sit down with David Wylie, Managing Director of CCG (Scotland) Ltd, to share the strategic thinking behind running a family construction business that prioritises legacy over quick growth. From giving trainees meaningful experience from the start to running at 120% capacity knowing some jobs will slip. David reveals how deep industry knowledge and relationship-driven culture create competitive advantage.
With candid insights on why face-to-face still wins, the true cost of innovation, and navigating political funding cycles, this episode explores how thoughtful leadership builds resilience when the only certainty is uncertainty.