The Building People | A Grid Edge original series

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/

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

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/

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/

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