Stew & Cocoa: Recent Episodes
Toni Camisotti
In challenging times, Granite Search offers ‘stew and cocoa’ to the front line in construction's response to Covid 19. Toni Camisotti - Owner & Director at Granite Search - talks with industry leaders in the construction space about their thoughts on managing through the current coronavirus crisis, where the industry will be headed as we start to move out of the crisis, what the future looks like operationally and commercially for construction businesses, and any advice they have for business leaders on managing the crisis effectively.
Welcome back to season 3, episode 4 of Stew & Cocoa. Today, host Toni Camisotti is joined by James Ivey, Head of Commercial and Operations at Falkus Joinery Ltd.
James tells us how Falkus Joinery Ltd. works with some of the most prolific main contractors, architects, developers, and designers to achieve their business goal of improving commercial joinery services as a whole, which will ultimately result in complete customer satisfaction.
Falkus Joinery Ltd. operates with the vision of delivering even the most complex joinery requirements on time and within budget. James explains that although sometimes that is difficult to adhere to (especially in the current market), they will only commit to jobs that they know they can complete - again, with customer satisfaction at the forefront of what they do. James also pulls out some interesting statistics, from prices to productivity, to provide our listeners with everything they need to know about the joinery industry right now.
This episode is definitely one to watch for anyone already situated in or with a particular interest in the joinery trade. Give it a listen - you won’t be disappointed.
For this installment of the Stew & Cocoa podcast, host Toni Camisotti is joined by Rupert Shaw, Sales & Pre Construction Director at Epiphany.
A company we like to call “London’s best-kept secret”, Epiphany has been creating and transforming workplaces (including our very own offices) throughout London and the South East since 2008.
Throughout the episode, we cover a range of different topics, from the rise in pricing of labour and materials, the COVID-related challenges we've all faced in the last six months, and Epiphany’s landmark growth.
Rupert discusses the challenges the business has faced, and some interesting ways they've collectively approached and tackled them. He tells us something that started as simply as a numbers man and a construction guy, has ended up being an incredibly successful business predicted at the value of £20,000,000 as of next year.
Epiphany has found success through collaboration, partnership, and non-confrontation. Trust us, you won’t want to miss this one.
In our latest episode of the Stew & Cocoa podcast, we speak with Roy Smith FCIOB, Construction and Board Director at BECK, about how the company has adapted to the changes caused by the pandemic.
Roy virtually sits down with our host Toni Camisotti, Group Operations Director at Granite Search, to discuss in detail what exactly BECK’s solutions are to the issues raised by the pandemic.
Roy explains that for the construction industry as a whole, adaptability has been the answer to the majority of the problems they’ve experienced. By creating solutions to each challenge presented to them, they’ve been able to cater to individual needs with ease, suggesting that collaboration is key to guarantee the best possible outcome in every scenario.
Despite the premise of future challenges such as the impact of IR35 and a material shortage, Roy explains how BECK is fortunately well equipped to deal with the changes.
If you want real insight into how a company has stayed strong throughout the pandemic and possibly emerged stronger, then you won’t want to miss this one.
Welcome to Season 3 of the Stew and Cocoa podcast. In this season, we’re exploring the impact of Covid-19 on the labour market.
In the first episode of the season, we’re starting strong with John Wicks, Co-Founder and Director of Copper Projects, currently attached to the freehold of Sugar Island, an incredible development in East London.
We discuss how the pandemic affected his involvement in the development, his thoughts on complying with IR35, and the biggest challenges he’ll face over the next 12 months.
If you want real insight into how a company has stayed strong throughout the pandemic and possibly emerged stronger, then you won’t want to miss this one.
If you want to continue the conversation further you can get in touch with Toni and John via LinkedIn.
Welcome to Episode 9 of the Stew&Cocoa podcast where I am joined by Jake Chadwick, Construction Director at ISG Middle East.
We take a look at how the initial responses to the Covid-19 differed in Dubai and the United Kingdom, and how the crisis has actually been a catalyst for positive change for some of the country’s poorest workers. Jakes gives us his nomination for the inspirational business leader award and shares some sound advice that has stuck with him throughout his career.
We love a memorable analogy here at Stew&Cocoa! Jake also explains why the National Autistic Society is an organisation close to his heart, earning it his charity nomination for this week.
Make sure you give it a listen.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-chadwick-37662885/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-camisotti-1339692b/
Episode 8 of the Stew&Cocoa has landed – and it’s an absolute cracker. In our most in-depth podcast to date, I sat down with Victor Shearer, Training Specialist at the Construction Logistics Academy, to talk about his time in prison for tax fraud. Victor talks us through his trial, how he used his time in prison to write a book about construction logistics, and his life after release.
Victor also tells us about his nomination for the inspirational business leader award, and how the West Faversham Community Association, his chosen charity, helped him get back on his feet after prison. Complex, intriguing and eye-opening, there’s a lot going on in this one – you don’t want to miss it.
Happy New year and welcome back to season 2 of the Stew & Coco podcast. In episode 7 we are joined by Andy Tooley, Director at 8build who celebrated their 15th anniversary in 2020. We discuss 8build’s people-centric approach, their growth in the international market to Singapore, and the effects Covid 19 has had on their business.
Andy also takes us through his nomination for our inspirational business leader award and the personal reasons behind his chosen charity, the Michael Sobell Hospice. Remember the episode which receives the most engagement (likes, shares and comments on LinkedIn) will win a donation of £1,000 from Granite Search for their chosen charity.
This is not an episode you will want to miss!