Mark talks to Rakesh Maharaj - Global Solar Council

Protecting Your Greatest Asset: Why Safeguarding matters to us all

Send a Text - Feedback Welcome [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2394957/fan_mail/new] Companies often state that people are their biggest and most important asset.  The UK construction industry has the highest suicide rate of any sector, so we might argue that we are not looking after this asset at all well. Couple this with our high percentage of neuro- diverse employees and the latest statute, the Employments Rights Act 2025, employers must raise the priority of safeguarding within their organisations, regardless of size. Xara Church is the Global Safeguarding Lead for the Halo Trust, a charity that works worldwide to reduce the impact of war on local communities.   She has worked for Oxfam and a large UK construction consultant.  She understands the importance of proper safeguards and reporting structures in supporting staff, making organisations more effective and protecting reputation.  Her appreciation of 1990s pop group Bananarama “It ain’t what you do, but the way that you do it” informs her approach to driving cultural change through out the Halo Trust. Listen to Xara on the relevance of safeguarding to all organisations.  Hear how important it is to support both the depth of safeguarding within an organisation, but also the breadth, looking at supply chain and external stakeholders, if you want to get the benefits and manage the institutional risks.  Xara explores how to treat survivors / victims and to put in place reporting structures and their management for effective controls.  Xara also talks to the values of the Halo Trust and how they are strictly applied across the world in different cultures and different settings. Listen to this podcast to understand the best-in-class practices around safeguarding and the benefits of getting this right.  Also listen if you want to support the Halo Trust and would like to know how! Xara Church | LinkedIn [https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fxara-church-22b9501a3%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cdinah.downes%40evoenergy.co.uk%7Cd22230a93dcf4969fc5008de9a1a59d7%7C12a84287d6ce4381a843cd0fdc9bbb1f%7C0%7C0%7C639117635159504761%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=lu9BkgbgVztghMk7dgU%2FAZhbXr2SdwhTfNxsWrBqAf0%3D&reserved=0] Clearing mines, helping countries recover | The HALO Trust [https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhalotrust.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cdinah.downes%40evoenergy.co.uk%7Cd22230a93dcf4969fc5008de9a1a59d7%7C12a84287d6ce4381a843cd0fdc9bbb1f%7C0%7C0%7C639117635159537149%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ESD1vPryPCWZRKDtfGvaPd5U30xh8irFs%2BdVbim2d7o%3D&reserved=0]

Solar for the Support of Civil Society

Send a Text - Feedback Welcome [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2394957/fan_mail/new] Solar, supported by battery storage, is the technology of choice to keep civil society functioning close to the front line in war torn Ukraine.  Its decentralised nature makes targeting by the enemy far more difficult, and it allows users to manage when the power is used, keeping essential services in hospitals and schools working.  Without this energy, civil society would be in even greater risk of collapse as hospitals and schools could not function. Kirsty Berry is one of the UK ambassadors for charity Repower Ukraine, promoting the life saving work that energy security provides and seeking support. Listen to hear the lessons for other countries.  The UK has published its National Security Strategy, noting that renewable energy provides resilient energy security, moving away from centralised generation. Listen to the podcast to hear how ex-servicemen and women train to install solar and then maintain it.  Listen to hear about the focus on quality, needed to ensure a reliable and efficient supply of energy.  Listen to hear how to support this charity, with materials, finance or time. Kirsty Berry | LinkedIn [https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fkirstyeberry%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cdinah.downes%40evoenergy.co.uk%7C65d46926965f4e73ecb908deca0be93a%7C12a84287d6ce4381a843cd0fdc9bbb1f%7C0%7C0%7C639170349662750267%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=hwWIhKJw0hEZFz%2Fluguk2elodT%2BMNWb1tF4Y6U3WU5Q%3D&reserved=0] RePower Ukraine Foundation: Empowering with Renewable Energy [https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Frepowerua.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cdinah.downes%40evoenergy.co.uk%7C65d46926965f4e73ecb908deca0be93a%7C12a84287d6ce4381a843cd0fdc9bbb1f%7C0%7C0%7C639170349662785800%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=t5Nn2rwG3qLhM7rnF8jdViqTbZ92DW%2B14wVc76qF3Oc%3D&reserved=0] National Security Strategy 2025: Security for the British People in a Dangerous World - GOV.UK [https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fnational-security-strategy-2025-security-for-the-british-people-in-a-dangerous-world&data=05%7C02%7Cdinah.downes%40evoenergy.co.uk%7C65d46926965f4e73ecb908deca0be93a%7C12a84287d6ce4381a843cd0fdc9bbb1f%7C0%7C0%7C639170349662806206%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=erw4pbpDu%2B1XncDvycCtx%2BbLhcPKd%2B6n40qvHKQdPcA%3D&reserved=0]

One solution to the skills crisis - Tackle it early in schools with real construction examples

Send a Text - Feedback Welcome [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2394957/fan_mail/new] The UK construction market needs an additional 50,000 people to join the sector every year till 2030 if it is to provide the services to which it is contracted or will be contracted.  Many of these people will be expected to join from school, colleges and universities, yet the industry has a communication problem and is competing with other, better equipped and better marketed sectors.  Unless we can encourage the right new recruits into our sector then we will fail our customers and fail to benefit fully from the opportunities in front of us. Kathryn Lennon-Johnson trained as a behavioural psychologist and set up Built Environment Skills in Schools ten years ago to support the transition of students into the construction sector.  She has been working with schools, colleges, businesses and government authorities to enhance the experience of students in construction with the purpose of empowering the next generation of stewards of our built environment.  This is a hugely important role as our sector is often mis-represented and poorly understood.  When coupled with the fragmentation of the industry with companies operating in silos, enthusing and informing the next generation can be a real challenge. Listen to this podcast to hear how the void between education and employment can be crossed.  Hear how even small employers can make an awesome difference to student outcomes and how this can be used to inform their reputation and their procurement within the sector.  Listen how to ensure that the work that you do carry out is not lost and can have a lasting impact.  Kathryn brings here experience of working with over 4,000 schools to demonstrate that our marketing skills can inform our approach and that, like our customers, a transaction approach does not help deliver long term change. Kathryn Lennon-Johnson | LinkedIn [https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fkathrynlennonjohnson%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cdinah.downes%40evoenergy.co.uk%7Cfb0dcb7d1fa4452634c508deab9423df%7C12a84287d6ce4381a843cd0fdc9bbb1f%7C0%7C0%7C639136849901576809%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2By7PAwdKeQ6HSWETVRrUAVBJaKRAEdM2Pbthqkk%2FDeI%3D&reserved=0] Built Environment Skills in Schools + BUILD Marketing: Overview | LinkedIn [https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fbess-built-environment-skills-in-schools%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cdinah.downes%40evoenergy.co.uk%7Cfb0dcb7d1fa4452634c508deab9423df%7C12a84287d6ce4381a843cd0fdc9bbb1f%7C0%7C0%7C639136849901618872%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Xs6tToT9wFUHcqBJ4EuSSHegt23gusXl3GPfVexGjh4%3D&reserved=0] SEED Schools Engagement and Early Discovery: Overview | LinkedIn [https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fseed-schools-engagement-and-early-discovery%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cdinah.downes%40evoenergy.co.uk%7Cfb0dcb7d1fa4452634c508deab9423df%7C12a84287d6ce4381a843cd0fdc9bbb1f%7C0%7C0%7C639136849901658260%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=HJJWEFfnLM8Fevd4hDH4DHzoXk1PzQiDfIW8u%2BwKJAg%3D&reserved=0] Design Engineer Construct (DEC) [https://designengineerconstruct.com/dec-ambassadors/] Slenky [https://business.slenky.com/] Careers & Enterprise Company [https://www.careersandenterprise.co.uk/employers/engage-with-education]

Mark talks to Dean Hill - The Big Solar Co-op Ltd

Send a Text - Feedback Welcome [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2394957/fan_mail/new] The solar sector has to deliver competent solar arrays as scale and at pace if it is to achieve the goal of 55GW by 2030 and support the worldwide target of 8TW of generating capacity.  In the UK, Government has stated that it wants everyone to have access to a community energy scheme by 2030, which is a huge target that would support the de-carbonisation of the grid and the democratisation of energy supply.  Community energy schemes are therefore likely to be a major contributor to the overall targets. Dean Hill is the National Client Lead for The Big Solar Coop, a cooperative developer of solar that delivers community solar schemes nationally.   Big Solar’s community is their investors who are keen to provide solar in a professional and competent manner, to businesses who are looking for external funding.  Dean talks through these schemes and also the more challenging smaller schemes that may be assembled by local communities. Listen to this podcast to understand how a community scheme is assembled and how it can generate trust within a community that may know very little about the technical aspects of solar.  Listen to hear how the process works and how to get involved in your own community solar project.  Listen to hear Dean talk about how the West Midlands Solar Taskforce can support those with an interest in solar, through the broad community of energy professionals that exist up and down the country and who are keen to see renewable energy generation. Dean G. Hill | LinkedIn [https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fdean-g-hill%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cdinah.downes%40evoenergy.co.uk%7C3022a9bb8f964085b82408deb4f1ae9f%7C12a84287d6ce4381a843cd0fdc9bbb1f%7C0%7C0%7C639147147266588160%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Gqa%2FjuKGuO2aEAJ4vq1YFIR3B1xzp7rA44BGoP81DA4%3D&reserved=0] Big Solar Co-op - community solar [https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbigsolar.coop%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cdinah.downes%40evoenergy.co.uk%7C3022a9bb8f964085b82408deb4f1ae9f%7C12a84287d6ce4381a843cd0fdc9bbb1f%7C0%7C0%7C639147147266629001%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=FSoLMkg2XnnhA%2B7gFVIj8%2FDjYtOCIyo%2BmRuw7EX6Yjo%3D&reserved=0]

Employee Health - A crucial element for any successful business

Send a Text - Feedback Welcome [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2394957/fan_mail/new] Tabassum Hussain talks about the corporate mantra that our employees are our biggest asset is often said, but it is unclear how far companies ought to go to protect these assets.  If a company is to get the best from its staff then they need to be competent and motivated to do their job over a long period.  To achieve this, companies are increasingly supporting the health of their staff, providing health insurance, mental health first aiders and other group support to ensure that their greatest asset can perform. This is a worldwide challenge and is particularly prevalent where competent staff are in high demand and healthcare is used as a bonus to demonstrate the lengths that an employer may go to, to support their employee.  The Building Podcast has gone to Bengaluru in India to hear how one company is providing this health support to both corporates and individuals.  In a country where there is some national health provision it is fascinating to hear how a successful company provides proactive healthcare to prevent staff from becoming ill in the first place and how this care includes mental health and dermatology. Tabassum Hussain is a qualified nutritionist and the Business Development Manager for Stepcare Pvt.    Stepcare is a health company that provides primary healthcare and diagnostic services within Whitefield, a sub-region of Bengaluru in India.  She speaks to employers on a regular basis to understand their needs and to demonstrate the value of investing in their employees’ health and wellbeing. Listen to this podcast if you want to hear of the benefits of proactive healthcare  and the value this investment can bring in terms of reduced days off ill and an improvement in well-being that this security can provide.  Listen to hear the sorts of services that are available to keep Indian businesses working and the reasons why this is so important. Stepcare: Preventive Health Care Services in Whitefield Bangalore [https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstepcare.co.in%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cdinah.downes%40evoenergy.co.uk%7C038822f2d27243fa6fbf08deb2d9b834%7C12a84287d6ce4381a843cd0fdc9bbb1f%7C0%7C0%7C639144845331179333%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=dg6UwHdnuKmq%2FLg%2B444S%2Fb2hOL63Zh0brn9BxW7Ynd4%3D&reserved=0]