From Insight to Action: The Future’s Not Built Yet: Lessons from Poole Dick’s Question Time

The built environment is bracing itself for change — and at Poole Dick’s Question Time, the industry brought its survival mindset. This article captures everything from procurement frustration to skills shortages, from sustainability imperatives to the power of perception. We’ve combined the strategic insights from the event’s overview with the raw, honest voices of its Q&A session.

On 20 March 2025, Poole Dick brought the construction sector together for a landmark Question Time event in Manchester, celebrating their 75th year with an open, honest forum.

What’s in Your Survival Kit?

That was the guiding question — and the panel didn’t hold back. Guided by Stewart Grant, experts from across development, housing, planning, consultancy, and contracting shared the realities of working in an industry that’s innovating and enduring in equal measure.

Procurement Under Pressure

Viability was front and centre. As Karen Hirst put it: “Very few schemes are viable without public funding.”
Tom Higgins laid bare the cost of convoluted procurement processes, saying, “Our bid cost can be up to £1 million. Why would we want to be one of six?” His solution: bring contractors in earlier and adopt a ‘big job mentality’. “Tell us what you want, then let us build it.”

The Housing Paradox

Sean Stafford tackled the government’s 1.5 million homes target with pragmatic optimism. “They’ve doubled down on the number, so let’s fall in behind and ask: how can we do
20% more?” But as rent income expectations decrease and build costs remain high, he warned: “Affordable housing isn’t viable without capital subsidy.”

Policy, Devolution, and Hope

Chris Fletcher championed Greater Manchester’s devolution maturity. “Local funding, local priorities — that’s the way forward.” Jane Healey-Brown welcomed changes to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, especially mandatory training for planning committees and strategic
planning clarity. “Planning should be positive, not just a regulatory process,” she said.

A Crisis of Perception

Ryan Jones revealed the public's outdated image of the sector. “68% wouldn’t consider a construction career — and 81% of students feel the same.” The contradiction? “51% would recommend it to others — we just need to give them the material to be advocates.”

Sustainability: Can we afford not to?

Even under pressure, sustainability, social value, and net-zero didn’t fall off the agenda. “It’s embedded into our design briefs now,” said Karen Hirst. “You’ll struggle to lease or fund assets if you’re not delivering against it.”
Tom Higgins turned the spotlight back on procurement: “If you want sustainability, build it into the brief — and score it accordingly. Otherwise, price wins every time.”

Skills, Tech, and Circular Thinking

With the CITB calling for 45,000 new workers per year, the conversation turned to apprenticeships, off-site manufacture, and changing the narrative. Tom Higgins called for new roles like assembly technicians and a shift from 1950s thinking.

Chris Fletcher outlined how Local Skills Improvement Plans are addressing future demand — but warned: “It’s got to start in primary school. We need better routes and better messaging.”

Real Talk, Real Action

The session closed with strong messages: stop waiting for others to fix the industry. “We all need to take ownership,” said Jane Healey-Brown. “Call things out when they’re wrong. Amplify the stories that matter.”
Tom Higgins left the final word: “If we had a proper pipeline, we could promise young people a career. Not just a job. That’s our challenge.”

Your Next Steps

This blog is just the start. Please join Poole Dick’s movement to turn conversation into action at the Northwest Property and Construction Summit this November.

To discuss in more depth contact the team on

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From Insight to Action: The Future’s Not Built Yet: Lessons from Poole Dick’s Question Time

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