The People, Skills and Strategies that Bring Projects to Life. Site Story is where construction meets conversation.
This podcast takes you beyond the technical plans and into the minds of the people behind them. Each episode dives into the diverse roles and relationships that make projects succeed—unpacking the blueprints of leadership, collaboration and craftsmanship that shape the industry.
We explore the essential contributions of every role on a construction project and bridge the gap between the technical and the human side of construction.
What if the reason many men struggle to open up about mental health is because we're asking them in the wrong way?
In this episode, host Colin Tomlinson speaks with Anthony Hutton, founder of the Never Throw In The Towel project, former Big Brother winner, barber, keynote speaker, and mental health advocate. Anthony shares how his own experiences with fame, adversity, and personal challenges inspired him to create practical, male-focused approaches to mental wellbeing.
In this episode:
Why traditional mental health campaigns often fail to engage men
How a barber chair can become a safe space for life-changing conversations
The power of storytelling in creating trust and connection
Simple breathwork techniques to manage stress and anxiety
Why walking side-by-side often leads to deeper conversations
The importance of environment, community, and daily habits for mental wellbeing
Practical advice for leaders wanting to support mental health within their teams
The story behind the Never Throw In The Towel movement and its growing impact
A powerful conversation about resilience, vulnerability, leadership, and creating spaces where people feel safe enough to ask for help.
21 May 2026
Returning to Work After Maternity
What happens when a decade away from the workplace becomes your greatest leadership advantage?
In this episode of Site Story, Colin Tomlinson sits down with Rachel Tomkins to explore her journey from the military to motherhood, and then back into the infrastructure industry through one of the UK’s first construction returnship programmes at Tideway.
Rachel shares how transferable skills, curiosity, leadership and resilience helped her rebuild a meaningful career after a 10-year career break — and why the industry is missing out if it overlooks people returning to work.
In this episode, we cover:
Why returnship programmes can unlock hidden talent in infrastructure and engineering
How Rachel transitioned from the Royal Engineers into major projects
The reality of confidence, childcare and commuting after a long career break
Why soft skills and leadership matter just as much as technical expertise
The importance of mentoring and supportive workplace cultures
What employers should look for beyond CVs and qualifications
Why infrastructure projects offer a strong sense of purpose and fulfilment
How diverse career experiences can strengthen project teams
Lessons from Tideway’s pioneering returnship programme
Why “taking the risk” on people often delivers the best long-term results
A powerful conversation about careers, confidence, leadership and creating opportunities for people who thought their professional chapter had closed.
7 May 2026
Unlocking Mega Project Success
What really causes billion-pound projects to fail - poor execution or poor leadership?
In this episode of Site Story, Colin Tomlinson sits down with Tim McManus, a global authority on mega project delivery, to explore what truly drives success in the world’s most complex builds.
From nuclear power plants to leading the delivery of the New England Patriots stadium, Tim shares practical insights from decades at the sharp end of construction, and why so many projects are set up to fail before they even begin.
You’ll discover why the planning phase is often rushed (and the cost of that mistake), how treating a project like a business changes decision-making, and why collaboration, not competition, is the real key to delivering results.
Tim also breaks down the four leadership mindsets every project leader must adopt, alongside the growing importance of digital transformation and developing the next generation of leaders in an industry under pressure.
If you’re involved in major projects, or aspiring to step up, this episode offers a clear, honest perspective on what needs to change.
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