The Building People | A Grid Edge original series

GridEdge.ai

The Building People – a GridEdge.ai original series. Where we spotlight the career journeys and hard-won lessons of the people who help keep Britain’s buildings running. Hosted by Paul McCorquodale, CEO at Grid Edge.

Episodes

  1. EP 12 - Seumas Kerr (Defence Impact)

    May 25

    EP 12 - Seumas Kerr (Defence Impact)

    content type Interview primary goal Educational summary Seamus Kerr shares insights from his 35-year military career, leadership principles, and his work bridging the gap between the armed forces and the business community through Defence Impact. Discover how military leadership skills translate to the commercial world and the importance of purpose, decision-making, and social value in defense contracting. keywords Leadership, Military to Civilian Transition, Defence Impact, Business and Armed Forces, Leadership Principles, Strategic Decision-Making, Social Value, Military Networks, Veteran Employment, Cross-Sector Partnerships key topics Military leadership principles and their application in business The importance of purpose and decision-making in leadership Bridging the gap between the armed forces and the business community guest name Seamus Kerr Titles From Major General to Business Leader: Seamus Kerr's Leadership Journey Bridging the Gap: Military Skills in the Business World sound bites "Be bold and make decisions for the greater good" "Leadership is about serving and trusting your team" "Define your main effort and give clear objectives" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Seamus Kerr's Journey 02:47 The Path to Military Leadership 06:11 Military Training and Leadership Development 12:18 Transitioning to the Commercial World 15:51 Leadership Challenges in Business 19:42 Decision-Making and Leadership Philosophy 23:08 Bridging Business and Armed Forces 23:19 Creating Social Value in Defense Contracts 28:14 Skanska's Role in Supporting Military Talent 31:06 The Importance of Facility Management in Defense 36:20 Leadership Lessons from Military Experience 39:25 Mentorship and Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life 42:48 Engaging with the Armed Forces Community resources Defence Impact - https://defenceimpact.org.uk/ Armed Forces Covenant - https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/ BuildForce - https://buildforce.org.uk/ Skanska - https://www.skanska.co.uk/ Royal College of Defence Studies - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/royal-college-of-defence-studies guest links LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/seamus-kerr/

    38 min
  2. EP9 - Chris Reid (BMSI)

    Apr 22

    EP9 - Chris Reid (BMSI)

    content type Interview primary goal Educational summary In this in-depth interview, Chris Reid, Managing Director at BMSI, shares his 30-year journey in the building management systems industry. From early beginnings in controls to leading a successful business, he discusses leadership, culture, technology, and talent development, offering valuable insights for aspiring professionals and industry veterans alike. keywords Building Management Systems, Leadership, Talent Development, Industry Insights, Technology in Buildings, BMSI, Career Journey, Industry Challenges, Innovation, Building Automation key topics Career journey in BMSI and controls industry Leadership and culture development Technology's role in smart buildings and energy optimization guest name Chris Reid key frameworks Leadership and Culture Development Talent Mapping and Apprenticeships Smart Building Technologies Energy Optimization Strategies Titles From Controls to Leadership: Chris Reid's 30-Year Industry Journey Building the Future: Insights from BMSI's MD Chris Reid sound bites "All right, see you." "It's about people, isn't it?" "Take as much jargon out of life." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Chris Reid's Journey 00:53 Early Career and Family Influence 03:13 Career Progression and Key Experiences 06:01 Leadership Challenges and COVID-19 Impact 08:28 Cultural Development and Team Engagement 11:04 Communication and Transparency in Leadership 13:26 Lessons Learned from Mistakes 15:54 Final Thoughts and Future Aspirations 23:29 Understanding Audience Dynamics 24:45 The Importance of Communication in Leadership 26:15 Learning from Failure and Adaptability 27:56 The Challenges of Public Speaking 29:45 The Reality of Leadership Responsibilities 31:36 The Future of Smart Buildings 34:51 Addressing the Skills Gap in the Industry 37:58 Investing in Future Talent 43:05 Advice for Newcomers in the Industry resources BMSI Careers Page - https://bmsi.co.uk/careers BCIA Apprenticeship Program - https://www.bcia.co.uk/education/apprenticeships Horizon Group Horizon Trailblazer Program - https://horizongroup.co.uk/ guest links LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/chrisreid Company Website - https://bmsi.co.uk

    46 min
  3. EP8 - Alex Green (Ashden)

    Apr 21

    EP8 - Alex Green (Ashden)

    content type Interview primary goal Educational summary In this insightful interview, Alex Green shares her journey from sustainability in various sectors to leading the Let's Go Zero campaign for UK schools. Discover how her work is transforming education estates into active climate infrastructures, the importance of human behavior, and practical strategies for achieving net zero in schools. keywords sustainability, education, net zero, climate action, schools, infrastructure, behavior change, UK, Let's Go Zero key topics The journey from sustainability to education leadership The impact of student activism on climate policy Strategies for decarbonizing school estates The importance of human behavior in sustainability Innovative solutions for overheating and flood resilience in schools guest name Alex Green Titles How UK Schools Are Going Zero Carbon: The Inside Story The Future of Sustainable Education with Alex Green sound bites "Most school buildings are already too warm for comfort" "Passive cooling and ventilation are key to climate resilience" "Access to private finance is the biggest challenge we face" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Sustainability in Education 11:12 Alex Green's Journey in Sustainability 13:11 The Impact of Student Strikes on Climate Action 15:45 Global Perspectives on Sustainability 17:38 Identifying Gaps in School Sustainability 20:08 Understanding Sustainability for Schools 24:20 The Ripple Effect of School Closures 27:21 Changing Approaches to Sustainability Advocacy 32:29 Adapting Schools for Climate Resilience 34:15 Cognitive Impact of Extreme Heat on Students 36:47 Leadership and Progress in Schools 38:39 Understanding Building Management and Usage 41:35 Making Environmental Management Easy 44:13 Challenges in Accessing Private Finance 46:52 Influences in Environmental Leadership 51:16 The Importance of Collaboration 53:40 Getting Involved with Let's Go Zero resources Let's Go Zero Website - https://www.letsgozero.org/ UK Department for Education Sustainability Strategy - https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sustainable-schools Green Finance Institute - https://www.greenfinanceinstitute.co.uk/ UCL Research on Heat and Cognitive Function - https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2023/mar/heat-cognitive-performance-schools Oasis Community Organisations - https://www.oasisuk.org/ Education Estates Conference June 2023 - https://www.educationestates.com/ guest links LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexgreen/ Website - https://www.letsgozero.org/

    40 min
  4. EP 6 - Alice Hands (JLL)

    Apr 17

    EP 6 - Alice Hands (JLL)

    content type Interview primary goal Educational summary In this insightful interview, Alice Hands, a sustainability expert with a rich background in ethical procurement and building operations, shares her journey, key lessons, and strategies for advancing sustainability in the built environment. From navigating supply chain challenges to leveraging technology and fostering stakeholder engagement, this conversation offers practical advice for professionals committed to making a difference. keywords sustainability, ethical procurement, built environment, supply chain, technology, stakeholder engagement, building operations, net zero, sustainability strategy key topics Ethical procurement and supply chain transparency The role of technology in sustainable building management Stakeholder engagement and communication in sustainability initiatives guest name Alice Hands key frameworks Stakeholder-Centric Approach Continuous Improvement Model action items Engage stakeholders early in the design process Leverage technology for real-time data analysis Build a culture of continuous optimization and learning Titles From Construction to Building Operations: Alice Hands' Sustainability Journey Mastering Ethical Procurement in the Built Environment sound bites "Better something on the screen." "Small daily tweaks can lead to big impacts." "Trust your gut and listen to your instincts." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene 00:16 Alice's Journey in Sustainability 08:20 Ethical Procurement and Modern Slavery Act 12:56 Challenges in Sustainability and Stakeholder Engagement 18:42 Innovation vs. Following in Sustainability 20:36 The Impact of Ethical Procurement 21:38 Harnessing Technology for Data-Driven Decisions 23:21 Communication and Stakeholder Engagement 25:09 Navigating Difficult Conversations 26:52 Balancing Aspirations and Realities 27:39 The Power of Small Changes 30:55 The Role of Mentorship in Career Growth 37:35 Advice for Newcomers in Sustainability 40:03 Engaging with the Sustainability Community resources JLL - https://www.jll.com/ Royal Geographic Society - https://www.rgs.org/ Modern Slavery Act 2015 - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/30/contents/enacted Grid Edge - https://gridedge.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/ guest links LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicehands/

    42 min
  5. EP5 - Prash Kidiyoor (Zerogram)

    Apr 1

    EP5 - Prash Kidiyoor (Zerogram)

    content type Interview primary goal Educational summary In this insightful interview, Prash Kidiyoor shares his journey from renewable energy student to founder of ZeroGram, emphasizing practical steps for decarbonization, energy management, and navigating the evolving funding landscape. Discover how small, manageable actions can drive significant impact in the quest for Net Zero. keywords Net Zero, Energy Management, Decarbonization, Sustainability, Building Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Funding, Energy Audits, Corporate Sustainability, ZeroGram key topics Prash Kidiyoor's career journey from energy systems to ZeroGram Myth that decarbonization requires massive investments Importance of energy management and quick wins Impact of funding landscape on decarbonization projects Role of technology and data in energy efficiency Building resilience and cost certainty in energy strategies guest name Prash Kidiyoor key frameworks Step-by-step decarbonization Energy management as a foundation Funding and governance alignment Titles From Renewable Energy to Net Zero: Prash Kidiyoor's Journey Small Steps to Big Impact in Decarbonization sound bites "Simple wins in energy management make a huge impact" "Building efficiency is the fundamental step" "Nighttime audits reveal hidden energy waste" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Prash Kidiyoor and ZeroGram 01:45 Prash's Journey from India to Energy Consultancy 05:24 The Birth of ZeroGram and Its Mission 05:48 Debunking Myths in Decarbonization 09:00 The Impact of Energy Management on Cost Savings 10:03 Transitioning from Corporate to Startup 13:48 Navigating Funding Landscapes 18:04 Cost Certainty and Compliance 22:22 The Role of Technology in Energy Management 26:30 Learning from Experience and Mentorship 30:49 Engaging with Clients for Energy Solutions resources ZeroGram Website - https://zero-gram.com LinkedIn Profile of Prash Kidiyoor - https://linkedin.com/in/prashkidiyoor guest links LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/prashkidiyoor

    35 min
  6. EP4 - Freddie Pritchard-Smith (Trustek Group)

    Mar 23

    EP4 - Freddie Pritchard-Smith (Trustek Group)

    content type Interview primary goal Educational summary In this insightful interview, Freddie Pritchard-Smith shares his journey from property surveying to founding Trustek, an independent PropTech verification marketplace. Discover how his honest approach and focus on understanding real estate challenges are shaping the future of smart buildings and PropTech adoption. keywords PropTech, smart buildings, independent verification, real estate technology, building data, innovation, industry challenges key topics PropTech verification marketplace Challenges in smart building implementation The importance of honest industry insights guest name Freddie Pritchard-Smith Titles The Future of PropTech: Independent Verification and Building Data How Trustek Is Changing Real Estate Tech Decisions sound bites "Someone assumes someone else is doing something, but probably not." "I always give feedback I wish I had received." "A smart building should be when no one's there you turn it off." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Technical Issues 00:00 Rules of the Game: Podcast Setup 00:00 Freddie's Journey into PropTech 01:59 Transitioning from Surveyor to Tech CEO 04:15 Building Relationships with Landlords 05:46 Barriers to Technology Adoption 07:18 Understanding the Real Problem in PropTech 09:23 The Need for Insight Over Data 10:41 Evolving from Builder to Consultant 11:10 Navigating Challenges in PropTech 14:58 Understanding the Innovation Journey 17:37 The Pursuit of Small Wins 20:01 Embedding Innovation in Culture 24:34 Vision for the Future of Building Audits 28:54 Adopting an Agile Mindset in Real Estate 31:54 Defining Smart Buildings 34:14 Engaging with the Verified Marketplace resources Freddie Pritchard-Smith on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/freddiepritchardsmith guest links LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/freddiepritchardsmith

    37 min
  7. EP3 - Attiya Khan (Macro)

    Mar 23

    EP3 - Attiya Khan (Macro)

    content type Interview primary goal Educational summary In this insightful interview, Atiya Khan shares her journey from environmental science to becoming a global sustainability leader in FM. She discusses the evolution of sustainability practices, the importance of data, and how education and industry collaboration drive change. keywords Sustainability, FM, Data, Decarbonization, Circular Economy, Net Zero, Environmental Management, Industry Collaboration key topics Evolution of sustainability practices in FM The role of data and technology in decarbonization Bridging industry and education for sustainable development guest name Attiya Khan Titles From Environmental Science to Global FM Sustainability Leader: Atiya Khan's Journey Decoding Sustainability: Data, Challenges, and Opportunities in FM sound bites "It's all about making buildings actually perform" "I challenge you to not complain for 30 days" "Trust in data is crucial for decarbonization" Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Pre-Conversation Nerves 00:00 Atiya's Journey in Sustainability 08:16 The Role of Education in Sustainability 11:44 Myths and Realities of Building Sustainability 17:17 Challenges in Implementing Sustainability 21:10 Essential Data for Sustainability Initiatives 29:21 Evolving Focus in Sustainability 30:07 The Impact of Public Disclosure 31:29 Biodiversity and Corporate Reporting 32:51 Shifts in Sustainability Standards 34:10 Circular Economy: Past and Present 36:41 Universal Sustainability Strategies 38:06 Cost Reduction as a Driver 40:21 The Challenge of Data Access 41:56 Influences and Mentorship in Sustainability 45:19 Advice for Newcomers in Sustainability 48:20 Opportunities for Engagement and Mentorship resources GHG Protocol - https://ghgprotocol.org/ ISO 14001 Environmental Management - https://www.iso.org/iso-14001-environmental-management.html BS 8001 Circular Economy Standard - https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/standards/ guest links LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/atiyakhan

    50 min
  8. EP 2 - Jessica Marshall (Oasis Community Learning)

    Mar 9

    EP 2 - Jessica Marshall (Oasis Community Learning)

    keywords sustainability, environmental management, education, building management, climate change, energy efficiency, community engagement, eco-friendly practices, carbon footprint, green careers summary In this conversation, Jessica Marshall, National Environment Sustainability Manager at Oasis Community Learning, shares her journey into sustainability, emphasizing the importance of connecting environmental strategies with the operational needs of educational institutions. She discusses the psychological aspects of sustainability, the significance of building relationships, and the need for effective communication to drive change. Jessica also highlights the role of data in managing buildings sustainably and the importance of engaging the next generation in environmental initiatives. takeaways Sustainability requires both data and human psychology. Building relationships is key to driving change. Engaging students in eco-initiatives fosters responsibility. Data helps identify inefficiencies in building management. Sustainability should be integrated into corporate strategy. The environment and education outcomes are interconnected. Authenticity in messaging is crucial for change. Conversations about sustainability should be accessible. New career paths in sustainability are emerging. Understanding different perspectives enhances environmental strategies. Titles Navigating the Path to Sustainability The Human Side of Environmental Management sound bites "It's about connecting the two." "The planet will adapt and change." "You have to build relationships." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Technical Setup 00:00 Jessica's Journey in Sustainability 09:22 The Role of Psychology in Sustainability 14:38 Connecting Education and Environmental Sustainability 17:02 Influences and Mentorship in Sustainability 20:15 Advice for Newcomers in Sustainability 23:04 Engaging Students in Environmental Action 26:56 The Future of Sustainability Careers 28:46 Navigating Challenges in Sustainability Implementation

    29 min
  9. EP 1 - Jonathan Shires (Munroe K)

    Feb 23

    EP 1 - Jonathan Shires (Munroe K)

    Keywords property management, career journey, sustainability, commercial real estate, workplace transformation, mentorship, personal development, building community, energy efficiency, professional growth Summary In this conversation, Jonathan Shires shares his extensive journey in the property management sector, detailing his early interests, career transitions, and the lessons learned along the way. He emphasizes the importance of people in property management, the need for sustainability, and the value of mentorship. Jonathan also offers advice for the next generation entering the industry, highlighting the significance of maintaining a work-life balance and the necessity of continuous learning. Takeaways I've always been interested in property. I always say yes to everything. If you don't make a mistake, you don't learn. Get the people bit right first and everything else follows. Surround yourself with really good people. It's a privilege to mentor the next generation. You need to learn every day. Try and get a life balance right. Buildings are about people. It's about creating places worth commuting to. Titles Navigating the Property Landscape: Jonathan Shires' Journey From Average Student to Property Expert: A Career Story sound bites "I always say yes to everything." "You need to learn every day." "Buildings are about people." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene 00:00 Jonathan's Journey into Property 05:01 Transitioning to Monroe Kay and Current Role 10:43 Lessons Learned in Property Management 15:59 The Importance of People in Property 21:40 Advice for the Next Generation 23:28 Closing Thoughts and Future Engagement

    24 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

The Building People – a GridEdge.ai original series. Where we spotlight the career journeys and hard-won lessons of the people who help keep Britain’s buildings running. Hosted by Paul McCorquodale, CEO at Grid Edge.

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