Behind the Built Environment

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 protection, Amanda highlights the importance of leadership, accountability, and continuous improvement—especially in an industry long reliant on checklists over responsibility. The conversation also explores the challenges SMEs face, the impact of legislation, and why product claims must match real-world performance. Amanda makes a passionate case for industry-wide commitment to safer, more reliable buildings, where every product decision contributes to public trust and safety. Find out more at www.cpicode.org.uk

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 outcomes, and stronger industry culture. For companies of all sizes, authenticity matters—don’t fake it, make it real. Inclusion isn’t a trend—it’s good business.

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 innovation and AI. She highlights the success of the Open Doors initiative and emphasises the need for the sector to modernise, reduce duplication, and unite around shared goals.

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.

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 lifecycle data to improve decision-making, reduce waste, and achieve sustainability goals, including net-zero carbon emissions. He advocates for bridging the gap between construction and maintenance, emphasising the importance of digital tools and offsite assembly in driving innovation. The conversation also highlights opportunities to streamline regulations, enhance collaboration, and prioritise refurbishment for existing buildings.

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. She also advocates for better building operation and AI tools to optimise energy efficiency, emphasising whole-life value over short-term cost in creating sustainable, functional buildings.

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 and building engineers to enhance water management and HVAC systems, improving water and energy efficiency. She also discusses the importance of using data to measure and improve project performance, stressing psychological safety within teams to encourage transparency and prevent issues from being overlooked.

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 everyone’s roles and responsibilities are for complying with the Act.

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 statistics on air quality-related deaths. The role of engineers in solving indoor air quality issues. Innovative technologies and systems to improve air quality. The importance of monitoring and maintaining air quality in buildings. How good air quality can enhance productivity and well-being in workplaces. Tune in to learn how better indoor environments can lead to healthier, happier lives and why it's crucial for employers, building owners, and policymakers to take action now.

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 Safety Act and the challenges of implementing BIM in the industry. From operational improvements to strategic leadership, Suzan's insights paint a dynamic picture of Gratte Brothers' journey and future in the building engineering sector.

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.