Advertise on podcast: Accelerate to Zero

In this episode of the Accelerate to Zero podcast, Danielle Miller, Chair of Women in Property Central Scotland for 2026, speaks to Stephen Osborne, Director at Wallace Whittle, about his experience of championing gender inclusion throughout his career. Reflecting on his own journey in the industry, Stephen explores how his understanding of women's experiences has developed, why allyship needs to go beyond good intentions, and the role men in leadership can play in changing workplace culture. The conversation covers practical ways to make a difference, from ensuring everyone has access to opportunities and a voice in decision-making, to challenging poor behaviour and listening to experiences that may be different from your own.

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 creating a more inclusive industry. Stephen reflects on the importance of leadership by example,from challenging all male panels and promoting diverse mentoring relationships to addressing workplace banter and making the case for inclusion as both abusiness and a moral priority.

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 accelerate their adoption, and the skills and supply chain required to deliver the transition. We also look at how we can bring more people into the sector and create clear pathways into the jobs of the future.

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 Scotland can learn from Canada, and why collaboration across housing, construction, skills and other sectors is essential to creating a housing system that works for everyone.

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 explores how financial incentives, VAT, policy and investment can influence decisions around retrofit and demolition. He shares international examples from France, the US, Germany and Ireland, where different approaches have helped stimulate retrofit, create jobs, support housing and generate economic growth. Hear Richard speak at the International Retrofit Conference on the 2nd September: https://www.be-st.build/event/p/be-st-fest-east-international-retrofit-conference

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 free online modules with hands-on practical training, how it's reaching everyone from apprentices to architects to tradespeople with decades on the tools, and why treating airtightness, fabric performance and moisture risk as basic competencies rather than specialisms is key.

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 Rutherglen village, 15 nest houses and a community hub delivered in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council and Salvation Army, and why homegrown mass timber is central to how these spaces are built.

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 how Retrofit Scotland is working to connect the people, knowledge and infrastructure needed to accelerate delivery. They discuss the four pillars of Retrofit Scotland, the role of the Scottish National Retrofit Centre as a national hub, the importance of shared learning across domestic and non-domestic settings, and what the relaunch of the knowledge hub means for practitioners across the sector. Rob also looks ahead to the International Retrofit Conference in September 2026 and sets out what success looks like for Retrofit Scotland over the next 12 months.

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 environmental engineering and construction into developing a wireless building control platform designed to make buildings simpler, more affordable and more efficient to run. The discussion covers the performance gap between design intent and actual operation, the limitations of traditional building management systems, and why real time data is key to understanding how buildings are truly used.

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 and Technology course. They discuss how the programme combines design, technology and sustainability, giving students early exposure to carbon literacy, low carbon materials and industry tools. The conversation highlights strong links with industry and BE-ST, hands-on learning through live projects such as the Social Bite Village, and the value of site visits, competitions and international study pathways. It also reflects on how confidence, creativity and collaboration are preparing students to contribute to a more sustainable built environment.

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 financial models and industrialised construction approaches could help unlock greener, faster and more affordable housing delivery. The episode also explores the role of innovation ecosystems in driving meaningful change across the built environment.

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 through testing, shared learning and supply chain engagement. From early Passive House training to full scale innovation rigs, the conversation highlights how practical research and open collaboration are shaping real projects across Scotland. The episode also covers the Low Carbon Passport and the importance of embedding skills into education and practice, alongside the launch of the Delivering Quality publication.

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 challenges, Roddy shares how the university is moving into delivery and why collaboration at a regional scale is key. A practical and optimistic conversation on scaling what works, working together, and building a more sustainable future.

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 shaping projects across the UK. The conversation covers collaboration, skills, and why looking beyond project boundaries matters. It’s a practical, honest take on how we move from one off success stories to consistent, system wide impact.

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 champions sustainability, equity and systems change.  In this episode of the Accelerate to Zero podcast, the discussion explores what it really takes to scale solutions, and the culture change needed to make this happen.