The Building People | A Grid Edge original series

The Building People – a GridEdge.ai original series. Where we spotlight the career journeys and hard-won lessons of the people who help keep Britain’s buildings running. Hosted by Paul McCorquodale, CEO at Grid Edge.

The Building People | A Grid Edge original series is a business podcast hosted by GridEdge.ai, with 16 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

GridEdge.ai hosts The Building People | A Grid Edge original series, a business show with 16 episodes published.

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  Episode #17

  EP 17 - Stefan Schmidt (MeterZ)

  Sep 25, 202648 minS1

  Summary Stefan Schmidt is co-founder and CEO of MeterZ, a company that gets energy data out of buildings. He talks through his route from Microsoft into smart buildings via Hoare Lea, HB Reavis and WiredScore, and explains why reliable meter data is still so hard to come by. He covers utility meters nobody can find, submeters buried on BMS networks, and how wireless and IoT hardware are cutting the cost of metering. He also explains why a shortage of skilled installers is the next big problem to solve, and where demand response and grid flexibility could go next. Keywords smart buildings, energy data, metering, submetering, decarbonisation, IoT, wireless metering, tenant recharge, sustainability reporting, demand response Key topics Stefan's path from Microsoft to smart buildings Why energy data is so hard to get out of buildings Utility meters versus in-building submeters Hidden meters and inaccurate utility data How wireless and IoT hardware simplify metering The real cost of manual meter reading Who benefits from metering in a multi-let building The installer skills shortage Future trends in demand response and grid flexibility Sound bites "We really do believe that the lack of good quality energy data from buildings is one of the biggest bottlenecks to decarbonisation of real estate." "The wireless technology's been really positive for ease of deployment and also for maintenance." "Become an electrician. You'll never be out of work." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Stefan Schmidt and his background 01:56 Stefan's career journey from Microsoft to smart buildings 04:48 The genesis of MeterZ and its mission 07:53 Challenges in utility meter deployment and data access 12:07 Complexities of in-building submeters and BMS integration 16:05 The evolution of wireless metering technology 20:00 Common issues with manual meter reading and data accuracy 23:49 Stakeholder challenges in data-driven decision making 27:54 Next steps in solving industry-wide metering problems 33:01 Advice for newcomers in the energy data space 36:03 The importance of skills and simplifying deployment 39:58 Future opportunities in demand response and grid management Guest links Stefan Schmidt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanmaximilianschmidt/ MeterZ: https://www.meterz.co.uk

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  Episode #16

  EP 16 - Jason Roberts (Mitie)

  Aug 31, 202649 minS1

  Summary Jason Roberts shares his journey from technical roles in refrigeration and energy to leading sustainability at Mitie. He traces how ESG practices have evolved from compliance reporting into operational change, and makes the case that influencing people matters more than any single technology. Keywords ESG, sustainability, built environment, facilities management, energy management, carbon reduction, leadership, innovation, net zero, climate change, corporate responsibility Key topics Jason's move from technical roles into ESG leadership How sustainability reporting and compliance have evolved Why influencing people is the real lever for change Practical approaches to cutting carbon footprint The role of technology and data in sustainability Challenges and opportunities in the built environment Setting ambitious targets and why they work Supply chain and procurement as sustainability levers EV fleets and green transportation Building a culture of continuous improvement Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Jason's role at Mitie 09:37 Background and route into sustainability 12:20 How hot weather affects refrigeration and energy use 13:06 From technical roles to ESG leadership 15:39 Do reports and compliance actually drive action? 18:25 The changing landscape of air conditioning and refrigerants 21:07 Jason's current scope and sustainability initiatives 24:06 Doing what you sell: leading by example 27:37 Translating strategy into frontline action 28:45 The scope of sustainability in the built environment 33:12 Remote building monitoring and its benefits 34:23 Electric vehicles and green fleets 41:15 Making every job a sustainable job 44:02 The evolution of carbon accounting and reporting 47:13 Embedding sustainability across the business 48:36 Advice for newcomers to sustainability 56:46 Jason's proudest achievements 59:10 Final thoughts on collaboration and leadership in ESG

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  Episode #15

  Ep 15 - Gal Leslie (2-Work)

  Aug 31, 202644 minS1

  Summary Gal Leslie shares her journey from sales in the flexible workspace industry to co-founding 2-Work, and explains why culture, customer focus, and adaptability are what separate a workspace that thrives from one that empties out. Keywords flexible workspace, co-working, property management, customer experience, workspace culture, landlord partnerships, space design, business growth Key topics Gal's career path from sales into co-founding 2-Work Why culture and customer experience drive workspace success Adapting a workspace as client needs change Landlord partnerships and bespoke deal structures Building vibrant, collaborative communities inside buildings Sound bites "I love being proven wrong when I turn a building around." "Trust is the foundation of a good partnership." "Creating a community where people want to come to work." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and background 01:14 Early career and entry into flexible workspace 10:02 The skills and passion behind a career in sales 12:39 Turning around underperforming buildings 17:29 Managing large portfolios and client needs 23:11 How flexible workspace evolved as a product 27:35 Founding 2-Work during lockdown 30:05 Growth and expansion 34:01 Partnership models with landlords 36:19 Unique buildings and community creation 43:30 Creating environment and culture in workspaces 48:04 Handling challenges and client communication 55:03 Advice for newcomers to the industry 1:00:43 Why team and culture drive success 1:03:22 Building a community-focused workspace 1:05:08 Reflections on the industry and what's next

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  Episode #14

  EP 14 - Mark Baker (Sodexo)

  Aug 26, 202635 minS1

  Mark Baker shares his journey from the RAF to leading operations at Sodexo UK, with lessons in leadership, collaboration and sustainability across the built environment. Key topics - Transition from military to industry - Leadership and collaboration in facilities management - Decarbonisation of military estates - Building effective client relationships - Veterans support in facilities management Takeaways - Military discipline and problem solving are highly applicable in FM - Building relationships and collaboration are key to operational success - Decarbonisation efforts can be simple and cost effective if approached thoughtfully - Understanding the environment and culture is crucial for effective service delivery - Veterans bring valuable skills to the facilities management industry Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mark Baker and his career journey 03:00 Transition from RAF to facilities management 09:06 Leadership lessons from military service 13:53 The importance of relationships and collaboration 19:56 Decarbonisation in military estates 25:53 Cultural change and continuous improvement 34:52 Day-to-day operations at Sodexo UK 45:00 Supporting veterans and leadership development 54:14 Final thoughts and advice for listeners

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  Episode #13

  EP13 - Frankie Spencer (Leeds Trinity University)

  Jul 15, 202637 minS1

  content type Interview primary goal Educational summary In this episode, Frankie shares her unconventional journey into estates and facilities management, highlighting the importance of adaptability, people skills, and future-proofing in the evolving landscape of university infrastructure. Discover practical insights on managing complex projects, engaging stakeholders, and preparing for environmental challenges. keywords estates management, facilities, project management, future-proofing, university infrastructure, environmental challenges, people skills, adaptability key topics Frankie’s non-traditional career path and international experience The importance of people skills and stakeholder engagement Future-proofing buildings against climate change and environmental risks The value of involving end-users in design and decision-making Managing complex projects with a holistic view of estate operations guest name Frankie Spencer sound bites "Let’s learn to adapt, not just survive" "Designing for functionality and future needs" "Involving end-users saves time and money" Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Frankie’s background 00:00 Starting the conversation and weather adaptation 00:00 Frankie’s career journey and unconventional path 01:07 Transition from project management to estates and facilities 03:36 The importance of involving end-users in design 06:03 Learning from building and operational experiences 11:49 Design decisions and future-proofing buildings 14:27 Involving academics and stakeholders in design 20:24 Adapting to environmental changes and climate challenges 26:47 Managing heat and weather impacts on campus 31:13 Advice for early-career professionals in estates 34:23 The importance of people skills and stakeholder communication 36:56 Closing remarks and Frankie’s parting thoughts resources Building People Podcast - https://buildingpeople.com Frankie Spencer on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/frankiespencer Sustainable Building Design Principles - https://sustainablebuildings.com/principles guest links LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/frankiespencer Twitter - https://twitter.com/frankiespencer

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