In this episode, we are joined by Professor Sean Smith from the University of Edinburgh. Sean has had an incredible career and has most recently launched Centre for Net Zero High Density Buildings. CeNZ-HighDB will develop, test and underpin delivery of identified new ‘green’ innovations including high-energy efficiency building fabrics, new lower cost rapid-fit heating technologies, novel community heating-cooling systems for complex multi-use streetscapes and advancements in thermal-cooling mo...
May 28, 2025•27 min
In this episode, we are joined by Emily Carr, Emily is a chartered architect with experience in the historic built environment, now working as a design manager for Kier Construction. She is passionate about creating places that reflect today's society and current values, and preserve and celebrate the heritage of the building's context, while also embracing new technologies to create a more sustainable environment for future generations. Emily is also an advocate for promoting Equality, Diversit...
May 21, 2025•29 min•Season 10Ep. 3
In this episode, we are joined by Professor Robert Hairstains, Robert is the founding Director of the Centre for Advanced Timber Technologies (CATT) at the New Model Institute of Technology and Engineering (NMITE) and Head of the Centre for Offsite Construction + Innovative Structures (COCIS) at Edinburgh Napier University. His specialist expertise is in the fields of timber engineering and technology with a focus on adding value to the timber supply chain with an emphasis on engineered timber p...
May 07, 2025•26 min•Season 10Ep. 2
In this episode, we are joined by Gina Colley, Associate Director at ThreeSixty Architects. Gina is not only a former BE Changemaker but also a dedicated champion of ED&I, driving positive change within Threesixty Architecture and setting an industry-wide example of best practice.
Apr 30, 2025•27 min•Season 10Ep. 1
Join us this week as we shift perspective once again, unlike the other episodes we aren't taking a deep dive into one material. And that's because today's guest is Laurent Verheyden, Managing Director from Soprema , who are a global company, manufacturing a large variety of products. In this episode, we'll be paying attention to their natural fibre ranges including circular textiles, wood fibre and cellulose.
Apr 28, 2025•37 min
In this episode of Accelerate to Zero, we chat with Max Garcia about his global journey to co-founding High Six, a modular design for offsite timber construction company. From Scotland to Canada to France, Max has worked at the cutting edge of innovation in the built environment. He shares how the 2010 Haiti earthquake shaped his mission, the exciting breakthroughs happening in construction, and why collaboration is key to achieving a zero-carbon future.
Feb 19, 2025•27 min•Season 9Ep. 2
This episode features Energiesprong UK , independent retrofit experts revolutionising home energy refurbishment. Tune in to learn more about Transform-ER, a game-changing Innovate UK funded project tackling retrofit barriers like rising costs and underperformance. With 13 industry leaders, this initiative is designed to create a cohesive, industrialised sector that delivers high-performance, cost-effective solutions through a standardised process. The aim is to enable one million home upgrades e...
Jan 29, 2025•25 min•Season 9Ep. 1
Welcome back to the Accelerate to Zero podcast, where Sara Edmonds and Rob Morrison were joined by Emma Fletcher live from the BE-ST Fest Summit at Paisley Town Hall. Emma is the Low Carbon Housing Director at Octopus Energy. Her career has centred on leading high impact, high innovation projects in real estate, with a particular focus on housing, energy performance and green energy production. Her practical experience includes starting her career in rural surveying and estate management moving ...
Dec 04, 2024•29 min•Season 8Ep. 2
Welcome back to the Accelerate to Zero podcast, where Sara Edmonds and Rob Morrison were joined by Joanna Yarrow live from the BE-ST Fest Summit at Paisley Town Hall. Joanna Yarrow was one of the keynotes of the conference and is an internationally acclaimed expert in sustainable living and a highly respected voice in sustainable business. In this episode she shares insight into her personal journey, work, systems thinking, and the power of place in delivering better social outcomes....
Nov 27, 2024•29 min
In this episode of the podcast, Sara alongside Ellora Coupe and Cara Holmes are discussing how to the drive uptake of retrofit across the UK. Together they explore how we can move beyond the technical jargon and connect with people on a more emotional level. Retrofitting isn't just about cutting energy bills, but improving the comfort and future-proofing of our homes.
Sep 18, 2024•46 min
This week Sara welcomes Helene Gosden, Associate Director at Arup, Donal Brown, Director of UK Programs at Ashden Climate Solutions, and Josiah Lockhart, Chief Executive Officer, Changeworks. From the future of retrofit finance to the importance of aligning stakeholders, this conversation provides a rich insight into how retrofit can transform our homes, improve lives, and tackle climate challenges.
Sep 11, 2024•41 min
In this episode of Accelerate Zero, co-host Rachel Owens, alongside industry experts Gemma, Rob, and Cara, dives deep into the financial challenges and innovative solutions surrounding the retrofit of our homes and communities. With retrofit finance often cited as a major barrier to scaling sustainable practices, this episode explores the existing financial products and the need for better coordination. Tune in to learn how we can make our homes warmer, healthier, and more energy-efficient while...
Sep 04, 2024•51 min
In this episode of the Accelerate to Zero podcast, we dive into the topic of retrofit skills with Douglas Morrison, Deputy CEO of Built Environment - Smarter Transformation (BEST), and Pippa Palmer, Founder of Polln and Co-chair of the National Retrofit Hub's Working Group 3. Together, they explore the challenges and opportunities in preparing the workforce for the massive task of retrofitting the UK’s built environment to meet net-zero targets.
Aug 28, 2024•36 min
Our collaboration with the National Retrofit Hub continues and this week Rachel Owens is joined by Kaye Keenen, BE-ST and Megan Adlen, Travis Perkins. In this episode, we chat about supply chain products and solutions.
Aug 21, 2024•35 min
The Accelerate to Zero podcast is back with a new series hosted in collaboration with the National Retrofit Hub. In the first episode, Caitriona Jordan (BE-ST) & Rachael Owens (NRH) discuss what it looks like when you put citizens at the heart of data decision-making in retrofit with Lizzy Westmacott, ECD Architects and Louis Daillencourt, Novoville.
Aug 14, 2024•48 min
In the final episode of this season of the Accelerate to Zero podcast on equality, diversity and inclusion, Heads of Stakeholder Engagement, Kirsty Duncan and Danielle Miller, speak to BE-ST's new board chair Nicola Barclay, about her career, challenges she's faced, and her perspective on diversity, leadership and the changing landscape of the built environment.
Feb 28, 2024•35 min
In Scotland, 10.5% of workers within the construction sector are disabled. Today we are joined by Martin Griffin, Principal Geotechnical Engineer at GHD and award winning ED&I champion and advocate who leads a national neurodiversity network. Martin is neurodivergent, autistic, dyslexic, dyspraxic and visually impaired. Martin's recommended reading: Neurodiversity at Work. (2021) Amanda Kirby (Author), Theo Smith Design for the mind. Neurodiversity and the built environment. Guide Demystifyi...
Feb 21, 2024•22 min
Aurora Tallon, Chair of Women Property for Central Scotland and Senior Architect at BakerHicks joins the Accelerate to Zero podcast this week to discuss various equality, diversity and inclusion issues including maternity and paternity leave, language barriers and the benefits of a diverse workforce.
Feb 14, 2024•23 min
Today we are taking a deeper dive into neurodiversity in the workplace. In August 2023 research from the National Federation of Builders reported that almost 40% of neurodivergent people working in construction have not told their employer about their condition. In this week's episode, we are joined by Richard Gwilt, Digital Construction Manager at Kier Group. Since being diagnosed later in life with autism, Richard has been open to sharing his experiences, exploring and recognising the talent a...
Feb 07, 2024•36 min
This week's guests are Pheona and Micheal Matovu, Founders of Radiant and Brighter. They know first-hand some of the challenges ethnic minorities experience in the UK. They themselves faced unemployment after migrating to the UK due to the lack of support available to them. Together they founded Radiant and Brighter to turn their focus towards training organisations and individuals to help provide support for migrant communities in Scotland. Now, they have a long track record of brignging ED&...
Jan 24, 2024•35 min
The Accelerate to Zero Podcast this week with a series focused on equality, diversity and inclusion within the built environment hosted by Kirsty Duncan Heads of Stakeholder Engagement at BE-ST. Our first guest is Emily Carr, design manager at Kier Construction North & Scotland, and former vice-chair of Built Environment – Smarter Transformation’s BE Change Makers. Emily is an advocate for promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in construction and recently completed the Churchill Fellow...
Jan 17, 2024•27 min
We wrap up our digitally focussed series of the podcast by delving into the world of artificial intelligence with Eric Duffy, Senior Director of Business Development, Tenstorrent. Tenstorrent is a next-generation computing company that builds computers for AI. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with U.S. offices in Austin, Texas, and Silicon Valley, and global offices in Belgrade and Bangalore, Tenstorrent brings together experts in the field of computer architecture, ASIC design, advanced system...
Dec 20, 2023•31 min
This week we are joined by Prof. Andrew Sherlock, Director of Data-Driven Manufacturing from National Manufacturing Institute Scotland. Andrew is an engineer to trade, but has been working in AI, engineering and manufacturing throughout his career. He's interested in how we apply machine learning, AI and general data techniques to solve problems within engineering and manufacturing. Learn more about NMIS: https://www.nmis.scot/
Dec 15, 2023•40 min
Join us this week to hear about all things data capture from Gary Kelly and Steven Duffy from Leica Geosystems. Leica Geosystems has been revolutionising the world of measurement and survey for 200 years. With precise and accurate instruments, sophisticated software, and trusted services, Leica Geosystems delivers value every day to those shaping the future of our world.
Dec 07, 2023•50 min
Listen in this week to hear from Mark Baxter Technical Director and Co-Founder at Digitalnauts. Digitalnauts make immersive technologies accessible to businesses and organisations by supporting and creating immersive experiences for deployment at scale. In the age of digital transformation, they believe immersive technologies can advance the future of work and learning. Find out more: https://www.digitalnauts.co.uk/
Nov 28, 2023•57 min
This week Matthew Paton is joined by Sebastian Andraos, CEO & Founder, HAL Robotics. Sebastian comes from an architectural background before moving into the world of robotics in 2013, where he aims to facilitate the adoption of digital automation within the construction, design and craft industries. Find out more about HAL Robotics.
Nov 22, 2023•43 min
This week sees an exciting live version of the Accelerate to Zero podcast recorded live at BE-ST Fest 2023. Special guests Erik Archer, Associate Director at IES LTD and Thomas Milton, Senior Operations Consultant at IES recorded a fireside chat to cover everything you need to know about Digital Twins, including "what is a digital twin?", "why should I be interested in this technology?", "what benefits will it bring to my organisation?", "how much does it cost?" and "where do I start?". Join a h...
Nov 15, 2023•28 min
This week Sara speaks to Marina Topouzi from CREDS – the Centre for Research in Energy Demand Solutions. Marina shared the work that she and the team there are progressing on the Retrofit Salary Sacrifice scheme. This stands to be a really impactful way of incentivising retrofit and opening up all sorts of other related opportunities. We know that scaling retrofit will require manifold ways of approaching and delivering, and this one is at once innovative and totally relatable. Read more here: h...
Oct 25, 2023•39 min
This week we're taking a quick break from the normal programming to give you a slice of the excitement to happen at the International Retrofit Conference: a not-to-be-missed retrofit event on 2nd November. Sara spoke to Caitriona Jordan, Head of Retrofit Programmes at BE-ST and Rachael Owens, Sara’s co-director at the National Retrofit Hub, as Sara holds that role as well as Head of Citizen Engagement at BE-ST. As BE-ST and the National Retrofit Hub will be co-hosting the day, they got together ...
Oct 18, 2023•15 min
This week we spoke to Mike Teall and Sophie Leang from Snugg. Snugg is a digital platform to allow users to work out how their home is performing and what they can do next. Now, we are seeing more platforms like this emerge, but we at BE-ST are interested at getting under the surface to see how they differ, where’s the nuance, and most importantly, what are we learning about making this journey easier for everyone? Mike and Sophie would love it if you all had a go at www.snugg.com and let them k...
Oct 11, 2023•46 min
