" />Welcome to the first in our ‘Meet the Media’ blog post series, where we shine a light on the journalists, creators, and platform pioneers shaping today’s media landscape.
As a PR and marketing agency, we’re speaking directly to the people behind the platforms to understand what drives them and what they’re looking for from the brands hoping to collaborate.
In this first edition, we speak to Andy Stevens, the founder of The Build Network UK, a digital-first media platform dedicated to the built environment. From championing apprentices to challenging outdated communication norms, discover how this bold new voice is transforming how construction connects.
What inspired you to create The Build Network UK, and what gap in the built environment media landscape are you aiming to fill?
Having been in the construction industry since the late 80s, the industry needed a digital platform to educate, inform, and offer resources and help. There is nothing like The Build Network UK globally. Construction is notoriously slow to adapt to change, including digitalisation and now AI. I saw a gap in the market and went for it.
You’ve chosen YouTube as your primary platform, what makes video content the ideal format for engaging professionals in the built environment?
For far too long, construction has relied on lengthy and complicated documents. As a society, we are time poor. A short, concise, and well-shot video can be watched anywhere and at any time of day or night. Rather than search online for something, then realise it’s 74 pages long and written in a very confusing manner.
Can you share your vision for The Build Network UK? What do you hope it will achieve for apprentices, tradespeople, and managing directors alike?
One thing The Build Network UK prides itself on is listening to the industry and our viewers. We started with a weekly news show. We had a lot of feedback saying the industry wasn’t really ready for this. So, we changed it to special reports focusing on key events/topics. We want to be the go-to platform for all in construction, from apprentices to CEOs. We are working on some incredibly exciting new shows and content, which will be released soon.
What kind of content can viewers expect from the channel, and how do you plan to keep it both entertaining and genuinely useful?
We were surprised to see more white collar workers watch our videos than blue collar. We aim to provide content to anyone who wants to keep their finger on the pulse with industry updates, new rules and regs, interviews with industry leaders, and government. As I previously mentioned, we are working on some new, exciting content.
How do you balance the technical depth required for professionals with the need to keep content accessible and engaging?
Possibly one of the toughest things to do. Rules and regs updates and interviews with Government ministers can’t generally be funny and light-hearted. The presentation needs to be in a relaxed manner whilst being informative and engaging. We may just be working on a funny and entertaining show!
In your view, what are the biggest challenges currently facing the built environment sector, and how do you hope your platform can contribute to tackling them?
Sadly, a few. Mental health of workers and the alarming suicide rate, van and tool theft, lack of youngsters coming into the industry, and not getting paid on time, to name a few. We will continue addressing these problems with industry leaders, government officials, and people who have been affected. We are already making big strides on the mental health front.
Have you seen any trends or shifts in how professionals in construction and related fields are consuming media and learning today?
You only have to look in a site canteen or an office during lunch or when people are on a break, and you will the vast majority are on their phone. We consume media in a very different way these days. TV reach is dramatically falling, radio is dying, and print is also struggling. I find this very sad, but social media is taking over.
What role do you think storytelling plays in shaping perceptions of the built environment and those who work in it?
It depends on the subject. If it is positive, it can be aspirational and compelling. People can look up and learn from these stories being told. If it is a negative subject, such as mental health, these real life stories can be used to raise awareness as well as force positive change. The topic and audience have to be fully understood before anything is shot.
How do you plan to grow and evolve The Build Network over the next 12–18 months. Are there any exciting developments on the horizon?
We have a lot of very exciting and innovative plans to grow our brand over the next 12-18 months. I had to take a few months off as my partner got diagnosed with cancer, so I had to be there for her. This naturally slowed us up, but we are not using this as an excuse, just a small delay.
Finally, what advice would you give to young professionals entering the industry today, and how do you hope your channel will support them?
The main advice I would give them is learn, learn and learn more! If you get the chance to learn a new skill, do it. Construction is such a diverse industry with so many different skill sets. I certainly didn’t think I would be interviewing senior government ministers in Parliament when I started labouring back in the late 80s!
Our conversation with Andy and The Build Network UK highlights exactly why this platform is gaining such traction across the built environment sector. As a leading construction PR agency, we know from our own research that many tradespeople now use social media as a first port of call for their news. Embracing digital media and putting audience needs first helps to create a space where industry professionals of all levels feel seen, heard, and supported.
From tackling urgent issues like mental health and skills shortages to making technical content more accessible, The Build Network’s work reflects a deep understanding of the sector and a genuine desire to drive positive change.
For brands looking to collaborate, the message is clear: bring real value, be open to evolving formats, and understand the people you’re speaking to. This is about more than just marketing; it’s about contributing to a conversation that matters. As The Build Network UK grows, it will continue enabling creative ways to work with the platform and give our clients an opportunity to feature on its channel.
Watch this space for more from The Build Network UK, and our ‘Meet the Media’ blog post series.
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