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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/

Music by Purple Planet

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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/

(newsletter link at bottom of page)

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

Music by Purple Planet

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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/

Music by Purple Planet

Read transcript