Behind the Built Environment

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Behind the Built Environment, a podcast from BESA where we delve into the latest industry news in the building engineering services sector. Join us for insightful discussions and exclusive interviews with leading industry experts, as we explore the trends and innovations shaping the future of the built environment and what impact they will have on you and your business. Find us at https://www.thebesa.com/

  1. SEP 25

    Building the Future with Skanska

    In this episode of Behind the Built Environment, BESA Chief Executive David Frise speaks with Dan Williams, Managing Director of Skanska UK’s building services division, SRW, about the shifting dynamics of the construction and facilities management market. Dan reflects on his journey from student engineer to MD and shares how agility, technical expertise, and long-term customer relationships are helping Skanska navigate uncertainty. He highlights the challenges of attracting new talent, the growing role of digital tools and modular construction, and why sustainability, delivery certainty, and whole-life value will define the industry’s next decade.

    29 min
  2. Will Inheritance Tax Changes Destroy Family Businesses? Fiona Graham on What Owners Must Do Now

    SEP 10 · BONUS

    Will Inheritance Tax Changes Destroy Family Businesses? Fiona Graham on What Owners Must Do Now

    BESA Chief Executive David Frise sits down with Fiona Graham, Chief Operating Officer at Family Business UK, to unpack what recent inheritance tax reforms mean for family-owned firms. From her journey in public affairs to leading the national body championing these enterprises, Fiona shares candid insights on succession, governance, and giving family businesses a stronger voice in policy debates. She explains why the government’s changes to business property relief could put long-standing firms at risk, why specialist advice is now essential, and how planning early can protect continuity. Despite her pessimism about policy shifts, Fiona remains optimistic about the resilience, creativity, and future growth of family businesses across the UK.

    27 min
  3. More Time, Same Pay: The Surprising Truth About the 4-Day Work Week

    AUG 28 · BONUS

    More Time, Same Pay: The Surprising Truth About the 4-Day Work Week

    In this episode, host David Frise, Chief Executive of BESA, speaks with Ian McCall, Managing Director of Alba Facility Services, a Glasgow-based FM company pioneering a four-day working week with no loss of pay. The conversation explores how this bold shift has improved productivity, staff wellbeing, and retention, while also enhancing sustainability and client service. Ian shares how Alba partnered with Strathclyde University to turn what began as a pilot into a model for modern workplace culture. He discusses the challenges of change management, the importance of communication, and the surprising benefits—such as childcare savings—that have emerged along the way.

    24 min

  4. AUG 14

    Behind The £350 Billion Question: Can Smarter Procurement Fix Construction?

    BESA Chief Executive David Frise sits down with Mark Robinson, CEO of SCAPE, to explore how smarter procurement can transform the built environment. From his journey as a Sheffield YTS apprentice to leading one of the UK’s most influential public sector procurement authorities, Mark shares candid insights on driving social value, achieving net zero, tackling the skills gap, and embracing AI. Discover why he believes standardisation could unlock huge efficiencies, how SCAPE balances commercial innovation with public responsibility, and why he remains optimistic about the construction industry’s future—despite being a Sheffield Wednesday fan.

    34 min
  5. Behind AI in Building Maintenance

    JUL 11 · BONUS

    Behind AI in Building Maintenance

    In this episode, host David Frise, Chief Executive of BESA, speaks with Mike Talbot, CTO of SFG20, about the growing role of AI in building maintenance and compliance. Mike shares how the Grenfell tragedy inspired his move into the built environment, leading efforts to apply AI, IoT, and predictive analytics to streamline maintenance scheduling, automate asset management, and support regulatory compliance. The conversation explores both the opportunities—such as sensor-driven diagnostics, digital twins, and upskilling via natural language AI—and the risks, including hallucinations, ethical missteps, and overreliance on flawed data. Mike stresses that while AI can dramatically boost efficiency, expert human oversight is essential in compliance-critical areas. Used responsibly, AI offers huge potential to modernise building maintenance—delivering safer, smarter outcomes across the built environment.

    41 min

  6. JUL 3

    Behind the Digital Thread

    In this episode of Behind the Built Environment, BESA Chief Executive David Frise speaks with Paul Wilkinson, Vice Chair of NIMA, about the shift from Building Information Modelling (BIM) to broader information management across the built environment. Paul explains how NIMA evolved to support a more inclusive, long-term approach to managing data across the lifecycle of built assets. He highlights the importance of the golden thread, interoperability, and whole-life asset thinking—key to improving safety, compliance, and performance. Emphasising that digital transformation is driven more by culture and people than technology, Paul calls for clearer communication, industry-wide collaboration, and trusted data as the foundation for future innovations like AI and digital twins. Success, he says, will mean seamless data flow from construction through to asset management by 2030.

    37 min
  7. World Refrigeration Day Special

    JUN 26 · BONUS

    World Refrigeration Day Special

    In this special episode marking World Refrigeration Day, host David Frise, Chief Executive of BESA, speaks with Dr Catarina Marques, a leading UK expert in refrigeration engineering. The discussion highlights the critical yet often overlooked role of refrigeration in modern society. Dr Marques shares insights from her 15+ years of experience across food service cooling, Net Zero innovation, and integrated energy systems.   The conversation emphasises the urgent need to prioritise sustainable refrigeration in the built environment and recognise the sector’s vital contribution to achieving Net Zero targets.

    28 min
  8. Behind Grenfell Tower

    JUN 18 · BONUS

    Behind Grenfell Tower

    In this first episode of the Behind the Built Environment Podcast Extra, BESA Chief Executive David Frise speaks with Peter Apps, Deputy Editor of Inside Housing and author of Show Me the Bodies, about the legacy and lessons of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.   Peter reflects on six years of covering the inquiry, exploring its impact on the construction sector, the ongoing culture of minimal compliance, and the urgent need for meaningful reform. He discusses the inquiry's findings, missed opportunities for accountability, and the critical role of leadership, enforcement, and ethical responsibility in ensuring building safety. Drawing on his extensive reporting, Peter stresses that cultural change must go beyond regulations—starting with clients and driven by individuals committed to doing the right thing.   For those looking to understand and respond effectively to the post-Grenfell regulatory landscape, visit the BESA Building Safety Act Hub. It offers essential guidance, resources, and updates to help professionals and organisations navigate their responsibilities under the new legislation and lead the way in a safer, more accountable built environment.

    35 min
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About

Behind the Built Environment, a podcast from BESA where we delve into the latest industry news in the building engineering services sector. Join us for insightful discussions and exclusive interviews with leading industry experts, as we explore the trends and innovations shaping the future of the built environment and what impact they will have on you and your business. Find us at https://www.thebesa.com/

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