Shows
U&IThe challenges that lie ahead for The Water Industry, including pollution and how to fix it? (with Gareth Smith, Severn Trent Water)In this episode of the U&I podcast, James Neil is joined by Gareth Smith, Town Planning Manager at Severn Trent Water, for a deep dive into the challenges - and opportunities - facing the water industry now we are in enter AMP8.With more than 15 years of experience, Gareth brings a wealth of insight into how Severn Trent is tackling some of the UK’s most pressing infrastructure issues. From sewer overflows and river quality to planning reform and workforce transformation, this conversation explores the scale of the task ahead - and the passion driving it....2025-07-2433 minU&IBuilding trust to thrive: how we ensure our people are our priorityWelcome to the DM U&I podcast, where we focus on the people who make our business thrive. We’re a people-focused business and fostering a supportive environment for all employees is a priority at DM. This episode delves into the critical topic of mental health, and how we encourage our people to bring their whole selves to work (and to want to come to work in the morning!)In this episode you’ll hear:Personal Stories: Guests Jade and Josh share their personal journeys and experiences with mental health at DM, emph...2025-07-1527 min
Leaders in CleantechMonica Collings – Cleantech Chair & NEDWhat’s it all about?In this episode, I’m joined by Monica Collings—former CEO of Vattenfall UK and ESB Energy, and now a board chair, non-exec, and strategic advisor across the energy transition space. We discuss her journey from executive leadership to a portfolio career, lessons from leading through the energy crisis, building resilient cultures in volatile times, and why diversity, inclusion, and human-centred leadership are critical to the future of cleantech and utilities. A thoughtful, honest, and inspiring conversation on what it really takes to lead—especially when the pressure is on....2025-04-3040 minU&IClaimant Conflict and Mental HealthIn today's episode, we tackle a significant and often challenging aspect of the utility and infrastructure sectors: Claimant Conflict and Mental Health. As the world becomes busier and projects grow in scale, managing conflicts and ensuring the mental well-being of all stakeholders is more critical than ever. Joining CEO James Neil for this important discussion are Associate Director Pippa Wright and Project Manager Alasdair Breed. Pippa has extensive experience across various sectors, including water, power generation and infrastructure. Alasdair, relatively new to DM, brings a fresh perspective from his background in motor...2025-04-2332 min
U&INet Zero = renewables, nuclear and energy hubsWhat is the energy mix that will get the UK to Net Zero?In this episode, James Neil, CEO of Dalcour Maclaren, is joined by Hugh Gilmour from Telis Energy (a Europe-wide green energy development platform) to discuss the potential of small energy hubs, SMRs and solar. Hugh, Land Consent Manager and former DM employee, shares his extensive experience in the industry, including his work on major infrastructure projects and his current focus on large-scale solar developments.Energy hubs are a critical concept for the UK's energy future, aiming to bring multiple technologies together through...2025-02-1132 min
U&IUNCOVERED: Always for, never againstIt’s 2025 and the Dalcour Maclaren podcast is back. If you work in land consent, environment and planning, geomatics or land referencing (or if you want work in our industry), this should be your podcast of choice.At the heart of DM is a saying that is part of our original story. We thought it is was time we explained exactly what it means and how our clients in the utilities and infrastructure sector benefit from it.Always for, never against. It means that we only represent our clients in gaining land consent. Ou...2025-02-0727 min
U&IBiodiversity Net Gain: it’s here and it’s achievable with the right planning and expertise.The legislation that came into force in earlier this year for certain projects, where developers need to ensure that the land is left in a measurably better state (minimum 10%), is known as BNG (Biodiversity Net Gain). And this improved biodiversity must be guaranteed for 30 years. Potentially a headache for developers, but according to our experts – it’s not insurmountable. In February 2025, similar legislation will be coming in for NSIPs.So how is biodiversity measured – and how is that gain achieved? It’s going to be an ongoing challenge for the utility and infrastructure sectors, but one that can...2024-12-1330 min
U&IONETEAM: The power behind DM's successEver wanted to know what makes DM tick?ONETEAM is not just one of our Values. It’s the glue, the power, the inspiration for everyone at DM to work together internally. It’s also why our clients believe we create effective partnerships with them.If you are interested in working at DM or are a client, listen on to find out what Dalcour Maclaren is all about and what the DM Way is (it’s definitely a good thing).In this episode, you’ll find out why ONETEAM matters so much...2024-11-2232 min
U&IHow the right challenges and opportunities beat dull and disillusion every time‘Go on, Lucy, make utilities & infrastructure sound not dull’. And she succeeds, with ease. From arriving at DM a disillusioned surveyor 9 years ago, L&P Director Lucy Tolley has found it a place where she can thrive, be challenged and welcome in the next generation of brilliant surveyors, planners, land referencers and environmental specialists.Increasingly, water companies and other U&I organisations are relying on companies such as DM to ensure consents get through, constraints are minimised and landowners are supported throughout the process.Listen to Lucy and James discuss the rapidly approaching issu...2024-11-0119 min
U&ILasers, satellites, drones and more what does Geomatics actually offer?Dalcour Maclaren’s latest podcast invites Sam Catling and Simon Navin into our studio to be grilled by CEO James Neil. Sam heads up our Geomatics business and Simon is a key director in the 80-strong team.In this episode we look at what Geomatics offers and the difference it can make to any U&I project. From a Book of Reference with more than 14,000 pages for Gatwick Airport to the laser scanning of historic buildings in order for gas mains to be added, we focus on how data-driven services de...2024-09-2629 min
U&IIs the planning system broken and can it ever be fixed?At a time when getting projects started is a key focus of this Government’s strategy, the bottleneck in planning is causing headaches for organisations in the utilities and infrastructure sectors.‘At the moment there is a lack of resource, be it planners, ecologists, heritage experts, etc’ says Allison Pritchard, Director of Environment and Planning at Dalcour Maclaren. But she also explains in our second DM podcast that there are solutions and there are ways to ensure your proposals get through planning on time, keeping your project on budget.Host and CEO James Neil a...2024-08-2829 min
U&ICan the government’s vision for energy and water be delivered?Your go-to podcast for the utility and infrastructure sectors. Brought to you by Dalcour Maclaren, U&I is packed full of industry insight and expert perspectives. Join us as we explore the challenges and opportunities in:• land and property development• environmental and planning• geomatics• land surveying and referencing• power networks• power generation• telecoms• water management• transport and infrastructureWe discuss complex issues in an honest and practical way, from policy updates to planning and project delivery.Our first ep...2024-08-0724 min
The Leaders Council PodcastIn Conversation: James Neil James Neil is the Director of Dalcour Maclaren Chartered Surveyors, the United Kingdom’s leading Chartered Surveyors for the utility and infrastructure sectors.2020-05-0100 min