Accelerate to Zero
by Built Environment - Smarter Transformation
Everyone understands the climate crisis we’re living in. By 2045 we need to decarbonise our entire built world. Come on the journey with us and be inspired by the ways the industry is changing for the better and Accelerating to Zero.
Episodes
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BE-ST & WiP: Stephen Lewis, HFD Property Group
In this episode of our collaborative series with Women in Property, Danielle Miller, BE-ST’s Associate Director for Stakeholder Engagement and 2026 Chair of Women in Property Central Scotland, speaks to Stephen Lewis, ManagingDirector of HFD Property Group, about the role male allies can play in...
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Anne Johnstone, Vital Energi & Emma Church, BE-St
In this episode of the Accelerate to Zero podcast, we explore the role of heat in the transition to net zero with Anne Johnstone from Vital Energi and Emma Church from BE-ST. We discuss the potential of heat networks and other low-carbon heating solutions, the policy and investment needed to...
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Dr Jocelyne Fleming, CIOB
In this episode of the Accelerate to Zero podcast, we speak to Dr Jocelyne Fleming from the Chartered Institute of Building about Scotland’s housing emergency and the case for a more joined-up approach to housing policy. We explore how we can better measure the impact of housing policy, what...
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Richard Nelson, Don't Waste Buildings
In this episode, Richard Nelson, co-founder of Don’t Waste Buildings, discusses why reusing and retrofitting existing buildings needs to become a more viable and affordable option across the built environment. Drawing on the findings of Don’t Waste Buildings’ Reuse Dividend report, Richard…
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Emma Church & Kieran Dick Doyle - Low Carbon Passport
In this episode, BE-ST's Emma Church and Kieran Dick Doyle discuss the Low Carbon Passport, a free training programme built with Balfour Beatty, Kier Construction, Robertson Group and Morrison Construction to close that gap across the industry's workforce. They cover why the programme combines…
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Elaine Mullan, Social Bite & Matt Stevenson, Ecosystems Technologies
Social Bite has been challenging what temporary accommodation looks like since the Edinburgh village opened in 2018, and the model is expanding. In this episode, Social Bite's Trust and Foundations Manager, Elaine and Ecosystems Technologies founder Matt Stevenson discuss the newly opened...
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Rob Morrison, Retrofit Scotland
In this episode, Gavin is joined by Rob Morrison, Impact Manager at BE-ST, to discuss the relaunch of Retrofit Scotland and what it means for Scotland's built environment sector. Together, Gavin and Rob explore the scale of Scotland's retrofit challenge, the barriers holding the sector back, and...
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Joe Miles, Atamate Building Intelligence
This episode of Accelerate to Zero explores how better building data and control systems can unlock significant improvements in energy performance and comfort across the built environment. Gavin Johnson speaks with Joe Miles, founder of Atamate Building Intelligence, about his journey from...
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Lee Ciarsolo, City of Glasgow College
This episode of Accelerate to Zero explores how education is helping shape the next generation of built environment professionals. Gavin Johnson speaks with Lee Ciarsolo, architect and lecturer at City of Glasgow College, about the 10th anniversary of the HNC Computer Aided Architectural Design…
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Charlie Forshaw, Rainmaking & Douglas Morrison, BE-ST
In this episode of the Accelerate to Zero podcast, Gavin Johnson is joined by Charlie Forshaw from Rainmaking and Douglas Morrison from BE-ST to explore the partnership behind the Thames Freeport Sustainable Construction Lab. The conversation looks at how collaboration, AI planning tools, new...
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Allan Smith, Morrison Construction and Caitriona Jordan, BE-ST
In this episode of the Accelerate to Zero podcast, Gavin Johnson is joined by Allan Smith from Morrison Construction and Catriona Jordan from Built Environment - Smarter Transformation (BE-ST). They explore how a long running collaboration has supported the delivery of low energy buildings…
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Dr Roddy Yarr, The University of Glasgow
In this final Accelerate to Zero episode from BE-ST Fest 2025, Hannah Lloyd speaks with Roddy Yarr, Director of Sustainability at the University of Glasgow, about turning net zero ambition into action. From decarbonising a complex estate to navigating cost, infrastructure, and live operational...
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Tara Gbolade, Gbolade Design Studio
In this episode, we’re joined by Tara Gbolade, co-founder of Gbolade Design Studio, to explore what it really takes to scale climate solutions in the built environment. From wildlife led masterplanning to large scale retrofit programmes, Tara shares how a people first, data led approach is…
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Brogan MacDonald, Ramboll
At the Accelerate to Zero Awards 2025, Brogan MacDonald was recognised as a BE-ST Beacon for her leadership in advancing low carbon, circular and regeneration-focused work across the built environment. Her influence spans both her professional role at Ramboll and her wider advocacy, where she...
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Amandeep Kalra, GreenFlip
In this episode, host Hannah sits down with Amandeep Kalra, CEO and co-founder of GreenFlip, a climate tech startup on a mission to make decarbonising investable. Amandeep's path to founding GreenFlip started in a cold, damp council flat in southwest London and led through architecture, social...
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Matthew Clubb, mwclubb
In this episode of the Accelerate to Zero Podcast, Hannah Lloyd speaks to Matthew Clubb, founder of mwclubb and double winner at the Accelerate to Zero Awards, recognised for his leadership in community-led retrofit and tackling fuel poverty. Matthew shares his journey from oil and gas engineer…
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Lizzy Westmacott, ECD Architects
In this episode of the Accelerate to Zero podcast, Hannah Lloyd is joined by Lizzy Westmacott, Associate Director and Regional Head of Sustainability at ECD Architects, to explore what it really means to scale low-carbon solutions in the built environment. The conversation builds on the Scaling...
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Tomas O'Leary, Managing Director of Mosart
Today we are recording live from BE-ST Fest where we are focusing on ‘Scaling Solutions’. This means we’re exploring how we chart a viable path to a sustainable future. Over the past few years, we’ve seen inspiring projects that prove change is possible, from new materials, products, and systems,...
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Professor Sean Smith, The University of Edinburgh
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…
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Emily Carr, Keir Construction
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…
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Professor Robert Hairstans, NMITE & Edinburgh Napier University
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...
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Gina Colley, Associate Director, Threesixty Architecture Ltd
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.
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Laurent Verheyden, Managing Director of Soprema
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...
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Max Garcia, High Six
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…
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Emily Braham and Lillian Lochner, Energiesprong UK
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...
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Emma Fletcher, Octopus Energy - live from BE-ST Fest '24
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...
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Joanna Yarrow, Human Nature - live from BE-ST Fest '24
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...
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Ellora Coupe, Her Retrofit Space and Cara Holmes, NRH
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...
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Helene Gosden, Arup, Donal Brown, Ashden Climate Solutions & Josiah Lockhart, Changeworks
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…
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Gemma Bone Dodds, SNIB, Rob Morrison, BE-ST and Cara Holmes, NRH
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...
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Douglas Morrisons, BE-ST & Pippa Palmer, Polln
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…
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Kaye Keenan, BE-ST & Megan Adlen, Travis Perkins
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.
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Lizzy Westmacott, ECD Architects & Louis Daillencourt, Novoville
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...
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Nicola Barclay, Managing Director, Managing Director Athena Leadership Coaching and Consulting
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...
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Martin Griffin, Principal Geotechnical Engineer, GHD & award winning ED&I champion
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…
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Aurora Tallon, Chair of Women Property for Central Scotland and Senior Architect at BakerHicks
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...
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Richard Gwilt, Digital Construction Manager, Kier Group
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...
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Michael & Pheona Matovu, Radiant and Brighter
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...
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Emily Carr, Design Manager, Kier Group
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...
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Eric Duffy, Senior Director Business Development, Tenstorrent Inc
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…
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Prof. Andrew Sherlock, Director of Data-Driven Manufacturing, National Manufacturing Institute Scotland
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…
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Gary Kelly & Steven Duffy, Leica Geosystems
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...
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Mark Baxter, Technical Director and Co-Founder at Digitalnauts
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...
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Sebastian Andraos, CEO & Founder, HAL Robotics
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...
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Erik Archer and Thomas Milton, IES LTD - live from BE-ST Fest 23
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...
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Marina Topouzi from CREDS
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…
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Caitriona Jordan, BE-ST & Rachael Owens, National Retrofit Hub
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,...
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Mike Teall and Sophie Leang, Snugg
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...
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Kirsty Kenny, Co-Founder, Kuppa
Reinier, an experienced Environmental Engineer, and Kirsty, a seasoned Property and Tech entrepreneur, came together to found Kuppa. Over a cup of tea, they came up with the seed idea for a technology platform which could take the confusion out of the home energy transition and demystify...
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Louis Daillencourt, Novoville
Intuitive technology? Easy to use? Might just take the sting out of retrofit? Tell us more! This week Sara speaks to Louis Daillencourt from Novoville, the people behind Shared Repairs and Shared Works (soon to come!). The app allows you to report issues to owners, get quotes from Trusted…
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About this show
Everyone understands the climate crisis we’re living in. By 2045 we need to decarbonise our entire built world. Come on the journey with us and be inspired by the ways the industry is changing for the better and Accelerating to Zero.
Hosted by
Built Environment - Smarter Transformation
Categories