Industrial Relations & Mental Health in Construction with Stuart Wallis | I’m the Gaffer

Transforming construction with better relations and mental health support! In The Episode I’m the Gaffer, host Gavin Coyle welcomes Stuart Wallis, Associate Director: Industrial Relations at Mace Group. Stuart shares his 30-year journey from factory shop steward to shaping Mace’s industrial relations strategy, tackling modern slavery in supply chains, and pioneering mental health initiatives like the Lions Barber Collective. Learn how Mace sets benchmarks for workforce wellbeing, from right-to-work checks to free on-site haircuts that spark life-changing conversations. Perfect for construction pros and SMEs! Subscribe for more insights and share your thoughts in the comments!

They Discuss:

Stuart’s career evolution, including union work and high-profile projects like Heathrow Terminal 5. He defines industrial relations as managing workforce relationships and mediating supply chain issues. The conversation dives into combating modern slavery with innovative checks that blocked 147 unauthorized workers, and his personal stand against unpaid labor. Stuart also explores mental health, revealing his ADHD and depression diagnoses, and how the Lions Barber Collective’s pop-up shops save lives.

Episode Highlights:

00:00–Intro: Gavin welcomes Stuart Wallis

01:30–Stuart’s background: From factory to Mace Group

04:00–Key career moments: Heathrow and HS2

06:30–Defining industrial relations: A politician on site

09:00–Mediating supply chain challenges

12:30–Mace’s IR standard and union collaboration

15:00–Modern slavery in construction

17:00–Right-to-work checks: Blocking 147 unauthorized workers

20:00–Duty of care and legislative shifts

23:00–Culture and worker conditions

25:00–Confronting unpaid labor: A personal story

28:00–Mental health focus: Two suicides a day in construction

32:00–Lions Barber Collective: Free haircuts, deep talks

35:00–Stuart’s mental health journey: ADHD and depression

40:00–Life experiences shaping his approach

43:00–Family health challenges and Mace’s support

45:00–Breaking the stigma: Talk early

47:00–A tragic loss and its impact

49:00–Favorite books: Peter Kay and Alex Ferguson

50:00–Hidden talent: Pantomime pirate and weasel

52:30–Regret: Seeking teen mental health help

54:00–Connect with Stuart and future guests

55:30–Outro: Thanks, and future plans

Connect with Stuart Wallis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartwallis/

At Mace, his team is pioneering an Industrial Relations Strategy that reshapes the engagement and wellbeing of our workforce across the supply chain. With a robust skill set in union negotiations and human resources, his role as Associate Director ensures that they are not only comply with industry standards but set new benchmarks for excellence. Stuart's commitment extends to mental health advocacy as a Construction Patron for The Lions Barber Collective, where alongside passionate colleagues, they elevate mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Championing a culture that prioritizes the safety and health of every worker aligns with Mace's values and my professional ethos; ensuring everyone Goes Home, safe and well.

Mental Health Resources:

Lions Barber Collective: http://heretotalktraining.com/

An award-winning training program teaches people how to have safe conversations with those struggling with mental health, connecting them to the support they need.

Genius Within CIC: https://geniuswithin.org/

Trusted neurodiversity partner. Offering Neurodiversity Awareness Training, eLearning, Coaching, and the Genius Finder Pro profiling tool. Amazing especially for SMEs wanting to get the best out of their employees and give their employees the best chance to succeed.

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I'm The Gaffer, hosted by industry expert Gavin Coyle, is the essential podcast for construction people, offering insider insights, expert interviews, and actionable strategies to blueprint unprecedented success in the dynamic world of construction. Whether you are still ‘on the tools’, just getting started, a seasoned site manager focused on large-scale project management, or a fast-growth building industry entrepreneur/developer this podcast is for you.

Gavin's guests, ranging from influential thought leaders to boots-on-the-ground practitioners, share their stories, successes and failures, and offer invaluable lessons and tips, allowing you to have a 360-degree view of the construction landscape. This podcast is a must have shared learning space for any person looking to achieve success in the building industry.

As a construction person, this podcast is your go-to source for navigating the complexities of the construction industry where success is not just built; it's crafted with precision, passion, and the right knowledge.

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• Latest episode: 2025-06-16
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