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PODCAST

Behind the Built Environment

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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All Episodes

00:47:02

Is Construction's Business Model Broken?

Behind the Built Environment ·

2025/10/30

In this episode of Behind the Built Environment, BESA Chief Executive David Frise speaks with Professor Noble Francis, Economics Director at the Construction Products Association, about the forces shaping the future of UK construction.Noble shares insights from the CPA’s latest forecasts and explains why construction is facing a “capacity crisis” driven by skills shortages, market uncertainty, and fragmented business models. He discusses the growing influence of AI investment, the long-term outlook

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00:29:27

Building the Future with Skanska

Behind the Built Environment ·

2025/09/25

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

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00:26:31

Will Inheritance Tax Changes Destroy Family...

Behind the Built Environment ·

2025/09/10

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

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00:24:17

More Time, Same Pay: The Surprising Truth About the...

Behind the Built Environment ·

2025/08/28

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

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00:33:58

Behind The £350 Billion Question: Can Smarter...

Behind the Built Environment ·

2025/08/14

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

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00:41:04

Behind AI in Building Maintenance

Behind the Built Environment ·

2025/07/11

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

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00:37:21

Behind the Digital Thread

Behind the Built Environment ·

2025/07/03

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

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00:27:34

World Refrigeration Day Special

Behind the Built Environment ·

2025/06/26

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

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00:35:20

Behind Grenfell Tower

Behind the Built Environment ·

2025/06/18

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

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00:32:25

Behind the CCPI

Behind the Built Environment ·

2025/06/04

In this episode of Behind the Built Environment, BESA Chief Executive David Frise speaks with Amanda Long, Chief Executive of Construction Product Information Ltd (CPI), about the critical role of accurate, transparent construction product data. Amanda discusses the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI), a post-Grenfell initiative designed to drive cultural and behavioural change in the way manufacturers provide information. Drawing on her background in ethical business and consumer

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00:33:44

Behind the BPIC Network

Behind the Built Environment ·

2025/04/24

In this episode, BESA CEO David Frise speaks with Amos Simbo OBE, founder of the BPIC Network and Winway Group, about improving diversity in construction. Amos shares his career journey and explains why representation, inclusion, and access are vital for attracting and retaining talent from ethnic minority backgrounds. He introduces BPIC’s mission to support inclusive workplaces and its upcoming Skills Academy. The key message: inclusion benefits everyone and leads to innovation, better business

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00:36:10

Behind Build UK

Behind the Built Environment ·

2025/03/27

In this episode of Behind the Built Environment, BESA’s David Frise speaks with Suzannah Nichol, Chief Executive of Build UK, about her career journey and the organisation’s impact over the past decade. They explore Build UK’s role in improving payment practices, introducing the Common Assessment Standard, and tackling industry-wide issues like productivity, skills shortages, and cultural change. Suzannah shares insights on the Building Safety Act, the importance of collaboration, and embracing

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00:23:14

Behind London Property Alliance

Behind the Built Environment ·

2025/02/21

BESA Chief Executive David Frise speaks with Charles Begley, Chief Executive of the London Property Alliance, about the future of London’s built environment. They discuss economic growth, sustainability, and the need for public-private partnerships. Charles highlights how flexible planning policies could generate £100 billion in additional GVA by 2045. The conversation explores skills shortages, the rise of retrofit projects, and the growing role of investors in sustainable development.

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00:30:27

Behind Government Building

Behind the Built Environment ·

2024/11/28

In this episode of Behind the Built Environment, BESA Chief Executive David Frise talks with Steven Boyd, a property and infrastructure expert with over 30 years’ experience, including leading roles with the Government Property Agency and the British Army. They explore key challenges facing the built environment, from the implementation of the Building Safety Act to tackling fragmented data management and inefficiencies across construction and operations.Steven shares insights on integrating

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00:33:57

Behind CIBSE

Behind the Built Environment ·

2024/10/31

Fiona Cousins, CIBSE president and Arup leader, discusses her engineering journey, emphasising the need for broader problem definitions in building services, beyond cost and efficiency, to include carbon reduction, biodiversity, and social value. She highlights how evolving client demands for decarbonisation and carbon neutrality shape the industry. She stresses integrating safety, climate change, and societal impacts into design goals to prevent issues like those revealed by the Grenfell Report

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00:38:43

Behind Water Management

Behind the Built Environment ·

2024/09/26

In this episode of "Behind the Built Environment," David Frise interviews Dr. Jo Jolly, Director of Environment and Innovation at Ofwat. Jo discusses her journey from geophysics and hydrogeology to her current role, emphasizing her commitment to achieving the best outcomes for the environment and society. She highlights the urgent need to transform infrastructure performance using data analytics and innovative approaches.Jo advocates for proactive collaboration between water specialists

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00:27:40

Behind the Building Safety Act

Behind the Built Environment ·

2024/08/01

In this episode we are joined by Nick Mead, Technical Director at Laing O'Rourke and Chair of the BESA Building Safety Act Advisory Group. He discusses the transformative impact of the Building Safety Act on the construction industry, emphasising the importance of compliance, collaboration and cultural change. Nick shares insights on navigating new regulations and the industry's future. The episode also introduces BESA's "Play it Safe" guide, designed to simplify what

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00:38:12

Behind Better Indoor Environmental Quality

Behind the Built Environment ·

2024/06/27

Join us as we discuss the critical issue of indoor air quality (IAQ) and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) with Dr. Phil Webb, Chief Executive of Health & Wellbeing 360 and a seasoned healthcare professional and industry representative for the Promoting Awareness of Air Pollution Delivery Group for the Welsh Government. Discover why indoor air quality is a major health concern, surpassing even the impacts of cancer and heart disease.In this episode, Dr. Webb sheds light on: The staggering

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00:31:32

Behind Gratte Brothers Limited

Behind the Built Environment ·

2024/05/30

In this episode, the spotlight is on Remi Suzan, the newly appointed Managing Director of Gratte Brothers Limited, a family-owned UK building services company that has flourished since its founding in 1946. With a turnover of over £250 million, Gratte Brothers thrives on repeat business and a commitment to innovation. Remi emphasises the significance of offsite construction in boosting efficiency and quality while addressing skills shortages. He also discusses the evolving impact of the Building

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00:28:27

Behind Building Control

Behind the Built Environment ·

2024/04/25

In this episode, David Frise, Chief Executive for BESA, chats with Lorna Stimpson, Chief Executive at LABC, about the Building Safety Act and its impact on the construction industry. Lorna discusses her background in building control and emphasises the importance of cultural change, competence, and putting safety first. They explore the significance of the Building Safety Act, the need for behavioural change and the responsibilities of duty holders in ensuring compliance.

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