Field notes from Rob Smith is Head of Commercial with over 20 years of experience spanning rail, infrastructure, nuclear, aviation and commercial construction.

The Road to Commercial Director – What 40 Industry Leaders Taught Us

Commercial Manager Rebecca Jones on the hidden energy cost of being a woman in construction — and why the industry's problem isn't the pipeline. A Field Notes conversation.

The 2026 QS forecast: where the market’s going; and how to stay ahead The QS world is changing fast. Rates, demand, project pipelines, all shifting at once. But most Quantity Surveyors are still making career decisions based on 2023 data. Our new report, The 2026 QS Forecast , lifts the lid on what’s coming next, and what it means for your career over the next 18 months. 👉 Download it here: clearnorth.co.uk/the-2026-QS-forecast The market has moved, quietly You might not feel it day-to-day, but the landscape is already different: Regional rates are diverging. Permanent salaries are catching up to freelance. Major contractors are locking in talent earlier to protect delivery. If you’re not tracking these shifts, you risk getting caught in a flat spot; same workload, same pay, less leverage. The forecast shows exactly where the movement is happening , and how top-tier QS's are positioning themselves to benefit. What you’ll find inside 📈 Where the money’s moving: regional rate forecasts and sector hot-spots. 🧱 Who’s hiring (and why) : which projects are still growing, and where stability sits. 🔁 Freelance vs perm : how the balance is shifting, and what that means for security. ⚠️ Career risk signals : early indicators your current setup might be under pressure. 🧭 Strategic next steps :practical ways to future-proof your value before the market tightens. This isn’t a job board report. It’s intelligence. Built for people who take their career as seriously as the projects they deliver. Why this matters now By mid-2026, the commercial landscape will look nothing like it does today. QS's who prepare now; who understand where demand, rates and stability are heading, will have more control, more choice, and stronger negotiation power. Those who don’t? They’ll be reacting to someone else’s plan. Stay ready, not reactive The best careers aren’t built on luck. They’re built on clarity; knowing what’s next and how to use it. The 2026 QS Forecast gives you that clarity. Read it before the market catches up. 👉 Download the full guide: https://www.clearnorth.co.uk/the-2026-QS-forecast  clearnorth. The QS People. Trusted insight. Clear direction. Career moves that last.

The real opportunity isn’t above ground; it’s under your feet.