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Behind the Built Environment

BESA

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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  • 24 episodes
  • monthly
  • Avg 33 min
  • English

Episodes 24

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  • S1 · E12
    Jul 3, 2025 · 37 min

    Behind the Digital Thread

    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.

  • Jun 26, 2025 · 27 min

    World Refrigeration Day Special

    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.

  • Jun 18, 2025 · 35 min

    Behind Grenfell Tower

    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.

  • S1 · E11
    Jun 4, 2025 · 32 min

    Behind the CCPI

    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

Showing 21–24 of 24 episodes