As we move into 2026, the UK construction sector continues to operate in a uniquely challenging environment. Join Emma Reilly, CEO of Top Service and fellow of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management, as she breaks down the latest market intelligence and credit management strategies essential for protecting your business.

In this episode, we analyze the shifting trends of late 2025—including subdued output driven by weaker demand across residential and commercial markets—and provide actionable insights to help you manage financial risk in the year ahead.

• The State of the Industry: Why overall confidence remains cautious despite pockets of resilience within civil engineering.

• Insolvency Trends: Understanding why construction accounts for nearly 16% to 17% of all UK corporate insolvencies , with a focus on the vulnerability of smaller and specialist subcontractors.

• Case Studies in Proactive Credit: How early warnings helped members collect nearly £1 million from Corbin Construction and £250,000 from Sheen Lane Developments prior to their collapse.

• Rising Fraud Alerts: Why 2025 was described as one of the most challenging years on record for scams and fraud within the industry.

• 2026 Strategy: Navigating the "perfect storm" of rising labor costs, material prices, and the risk of over-trading.

Don't let late payments and cashflow strain stall your growth. Ensure your credit processes are robust and proactive.

• LinkedIn: Search for Top Service Limited to join the conversation and ask questions.

• YouTube: Watch the video version of this podcast by searching for Top Service Limited .

• Contact Us: Reach out to the Top Service team today to explore how our specialist market intelligence can protect your cash flow.

Subscribe now to stay ahead of credit risks and make 2026 a more secure and successful year!

00:00 – Introduction to the podcast and Emma Reilly, CEO of Top Service.

00:28 – 2026 UK construction sector outlook: Subdued output and cautious confidence.

00:53 – Analysis of 2025 insolvency levels: Why construction accounts for 16-17% of business failures

01:23 – Case Study 1: Corbin Construction—How early warnings saved £1 million in unpaid invoices

02:14 – Case Study 2: Sheen Lane Developments—Acting on risk indicators to recover £250,000.

02:54 – Fraud and Scams: Identifying the rise in industry-wide threats throughout 2025.

03:37 – Facing the "Perfect Storm": Managing labor costs, material prices, and over-trading risks in 2026.

04:08 – Closing thoughts and how to contact Top Service for market intelligence.

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To enquire about Top Service services for your Business, go to https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/

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In this episode of Minimise Debt, Maximise Cash, Top Service CEO Emma Reilly continues the "At the Coalface" review, focusing on the critical art of managing collections in a volatile economic climate.

Moderated by Philip King, this expert panel discusses why collecting cash has become harder not just due to economics, but due to shifting industry sentiment.

Key Strategies Discussed:

• Insolvency Trends: Jade Owen (Perry) shares an update on the current landscape, noting that while massive failures are quiet, smaller insolvencies and stalled jobs are driving an increase in payment plans.

• The "Sentiment" Factor: Simon Howell (Tarmac) argues that macroeconomic uncertainty (like tariffs) affects market sentiment, making collections tougher even when strategies remain robust.

• Soft Skills are Key: Luke Sculthorpe (CICM) explains why training credit teams in "soft skills" and commercial nuance is more effective than rigid data reliance alone.

• "People Pay People": Jonathan Ward (National Timber Group) and Jade Owen reveal their top tactic: building strong relationships so you are the "first person they are willing to part with money for."

Whether you are dealing with stalled projects or trying to navigate internal pressure from sales teams, this episode offers actionable advice on relationship-building and process discipline.

Featured Guests:

• Philip King (Moderator)

• Jade Owen (Perry)

• Simon Howell (Tarmac)

• Jonathan Ward (National Timber Group)

• Luke Sculthorpe (CICM)

Keywords: Debt Collection, Construction Finance, Credit Control, Soft Skills, Insolvency, Cash Flow Management, Tarmac, National Timber Group, CICM.

Subscribe to Minimise Debt, Maximise Cash for your monthly construction credit update.

To enquire about Top Service services for your Business, go to https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/

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In this episode of Minimise Debt, Maximise Cash, Top Service CEO Emma Riley takes us back to the "At the Coalface" seminar for a critical discussion on the internal and external pressures facing credit teams in the construction industry today.

Moderated by Philip King, this panel features candid insights from Jonathan Ward (National Timber Group), Simon Howell (Tarmac), and Luke Sculthorpe (CICM) on how to navigate the delicate balance between enabling sales and protecting cash flow.

Key Topics Covered:

• The "Yes" Mentality: Jonathan Ward explains why the goal is always to find a way to say "yes" to credit, but why transparency with sales teams regarding the logic behind a refusal is crucial for reducing internal friction.

• Combatting Spurious Disputes: Simon Howell highlights a worrying increase in "spurious disputes"—last-minute complaints about material quality or price used purely as a tactic to delay payment. Learn why speed and accuracy are your best defense.

• Early Intervention in Contracts: Luke Sculthorpe discusses why credit teams must be involved at the start of the tender process, not the end, to avoid locked-in liability caps and poor payment terms.

Whether you are battling internal pressure to approve risky accounts or fighting off delayed payments disguised as disputes, this episode provides actionable strategies to maintain control.

Featured Guests:

• Philip King (Moderator)

• Jonathan Ward (National Timber Group)

• Simon Howell (Tarmac)

• Luke Sculthorpe (CICM)

Keywords: Credit Risk Management, Construction Finance, Debt Recovery, Spurious Disputes, CICM, Sales vs Credit, Cash Flow Forecasting, Tarmac, National Timber Group.

Subscribe to Minimise Debt, Maximise Cash for your monthly construction credit update.

To enquire about Top Service services for your Business, go to https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/

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Kick off 2026 with critical insights into the current state of construction contracts and credit management. In this episode of Minimise Debt, Maximise Cash, Top Service CEO Emma Riley (FCICM) revisits key discussions from the "At the Coalface" industry review to help you protect your bottom line this year.

We feature an expert panel discussion led by Philip King, with Jonathan Ward (National Timber Company) and Simon Howell (Tarmac), revealing the gritty reality of drawing up contracts in today's economic climate.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The Reality of Contract Negotiations: Why parties are becoming more "entrenched" and why standard contracts are increasingly rare without legal intervention.

• Retention Payment Trends: How tight margins are driving a demand for retentions, and why suppliers are struggling to resist them.

• Battle for Payment Terms: Why "terms of trade" remain the biggest area of contention, with the private sector pushing for longer payment windows compared to government contracts.

• The Procurement Act's Impact: A look at whether government payment charters (30 days) are actually influencing behavior in the commercial sector.

Whether you are a credit manager, supplier, or contractor, this episode provides the strategic foresight needed to handle tough negotiations and secure your cash flow in 2026.

Featured Guests:

• Philip King

• Jonathan Ward (National Timber Company)

• Simon Howell (Tarmac)

Keywords: Construction Law, Credit Management, Debt Recovery, CICM, Top Service, Construction Contracts, Cash Flow, Retention Payments, Supply Chain Finance.

Subscribe to Minimise Debt, Maximise Cash for your monthly construction credit update.

To enquire about Top Service services for your Business, go to https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/

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Welcome to the first episode of 2026! Join host Emma Reilly, CEO of Top Service, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM), and CICM Council Advisory Member, for an essential briefing on the financial health of the UK construction sector.

In this episode, we break down recent economic shifts and provide actionable credit management strategies to help your business thrive in the new year.

The industry continues to face a complex landscape of slow growth and shifting demand.

• Output Trends: According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), total construction output grew by a marginal 0.3% in the three months to August 2025.

• Sector Slowdown: Economists are identifying signs of a slowdown across residential building, civil engineering, and several commercial projects.

• Liquidity Challenges: Simply put, cash is tightening and cash flow is slowing down across the supply chain.

• Collection Difficulty: Businesses are reporting that collecting cash is becoming a significant challenge once again.

Fraud remains a top-tier concern for credit managers. We highlight a critical case study demonstrating the power of construction-specific data.

• The £100,000 Save: A recent review revealed that Top Service credit information contained crucial insights that, if checked in time, could have prevented nearly £100,000 worth of goods from being delivered without payment.

• Expert Support: Our team investigates potential fraud and provides shared industry insights to reduce your risk and prevent bad debt.

We are proud to announce that Top Service has been named a finalist in two categories at the upcoming British Credit Awards in February 2026:

1. Supplier of the Year .

2. Debt Recovery Team of the Year . This recognition highlights our team's tireless work to help members minimize debt and maximize cash.

As we move out of the holiday period, remember these credit management essentials:

• Last-Minute Orders: Spike in demand often occurs in late December/January; always run updated credit checks before extending terms.

• Keep Cash Moving: Follow our top tips for maintaining smooth cash flow during the busy transition into the new year.

Connect with us:

• 📞 Call: 01527 583090

• 🌐 Web:

• 🔗 LinkedIn: Search for "Top Service Limited"

Keywords: Construction Industry Update 2026, Emma Reilly, Top Service, Credit Management, Cash Flow, British Credit Awards, Construction Fraud Prevention, Debt Recovery, UK Construction Statistics.

Register for our newsletter for regular updates of events and webinars. https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/

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To enquire about Top Service services for your Business, go to https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/

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Top Service CEO Emma Reiily delivers crucial insights in this month's construction industry update, featuring a major announcement and critical market warnings.

We are thrilled to announce that Top Service has been named a finalist in TWO categories at the prestigious British Credit Awards 2026:

• Supplier of the Year

• Debt Recovery Team of the Year

This recognition is a testament to the dedication, knowledge, and skill of our teams, who work tirelessly to help our members minimise debt and maximise cash.

While the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that total construction output grew by 0.3% in the three months to August 2025, economists are pointing to contraction in key areas like residential building, civil engineering, and some commercial projects.

What this means for the construction supply chain:

• Cash is tightening and slowing down .

• Collecting cash is once again becoming more difficult .

Beyond cash flow issues, fraud remains high on everyone's list of concerns. Emma shares a recent review that highlighted how essential credit information, if checked at the right time, could have prevented almost £100,000 worth of goods from being delivered without payment.

Top Service is working exclusively for the construction industry, providing trusted data, sharing insight across our network, and investigating potential fraudulent accounts to help you stay protected.

Actionable Takeaway: Maximize your Top Service membership and reach out to our expert member support team to ensure you are utilizing all the services available to protect your business.

This podcast will be taking a break over the Christmas period. The last 2025 podcast will be on December 1st, and the show returns on January 5th, 2026.

To enquire about Top Service services for your Business, go to https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/

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As the construction industry gears up for the Christmas shutdown, credit managers face one of the most challenging times of the year. In this episode of Minimise Debt, Maximise Cash with Top Service, CEO Emma Riley (Credit Professional of the Year 2025) provides crucial advice on how to keep your cash flow steady when projects wind down, sites close, and payments slow to a crawl. Discover why the festive season is a tough period for credit control:

• Tighter margins and delayed valuations as December progresses.
• Site closures and early finish dates that mean invoices may not be processed until January.
• Reduced headcount in accounts teams causing delays in approvals and payments.
• Main contractors managing cash tightly to hit year-end targets, potentially pushing payment dates back.

Emma shares five key actions for construction credit managers to focus on what you can control:

1. Communicate Early with your customers to confirm payment schedules, site closures, and office shutdowns.
2. Chase Aged Debt Now—don't wait until half the industry is on holiday.
3. Review Applications for Payment and variations carefully to ensure everything is submitted and agreed before staff disappear.
4. Keep Credit Limits Under Review and tighten exposure early if you see signs of strain on a client's cash flow.
5. Coordinate Internally with commercial teams, project managers, and finance on collection priorities and cash targets.

By implementing these strategies, you can head into the New Year with stronger collections and fewer surprises. The podcast will be taking a break over the Christmas period. The last 2025 podcast will be on December 1st, and the show returns on January 5th, 2026. To enquire about Top Service services for your Business, go to https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/

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In this episode of "Minimise Debt, Maximise Cash with Top Service," founder and current Executive Chair, Lisa Cardus, discusses the history of Top Service and how it became a premier credit reference agency for the construction industry.

The Top Service credit information-sharing network began in the early '90s during a major recession in the UK, when the construction industry was in a significant slump. At the time, they were a debt recovery service and realized that there was nothing to stop debtors from accumulating trade accounts with multiple suppliers and then failing to pay any of them. In 1992, in collaboration with four builders' merchant clients, Top Service created a monthly list of debtors they were collecting from. This list, which provided an overview of a debtor's payment performance and indebtedness, was distributed to all of their clients. As membership grew, the list expanded from a single A4 sheet to a whole book.

Today, the information is digitalized, and there are now 3,000 members in the construction sector. These members benefit from up-to-the-minute insider intelligence. The debt collection service has also expanded to become the most successful in the construction sector. Top Service has maintained a personal touch with its customer service and now has a team of 40 credit management experts who are passionate about providing high levels of service to members.

For more information, you can call them at 0152751 8820. You can also contact them on LinkedIn by searching "Top Service Limited" or check out their YouTube channel for a video version of this podcast.

To enquire about Top Service services for your Business, go to https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/

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