- Home
- News
All the latest updates on building safety reformRegulations latest
- Focus
5 Minutes With...
5 minutes with … Brian Connolly at HOK
The firm’s regional leader for science and technology in London on hearing about scientific breakthroughs made in HOK-designed buildings, keeping work and home life separate, why his decades-old bike will never be stolen and his love of local food festivals
5 minutes with … Josh Croft at Edmond Shipway
The firm’s M&E director on coordination on the road to net zero, learning from mistakes, maintaining a good work-life balance and why he dislikes the Etihad stadium
5 minutes with … Chris Pollard at Fereday Pollard
The 30-year-old firm’s founder and managing director on improving the design quality of transport and infrastructure projects, the frustrations of the consents process, the importance of perseverence and his love of pizza
5 minutes with … Lee Powell at Henry Boot Construction
The firm’s new managing director on following his father into the industry, growing GMI Construction, surviving tough times and his dislike of Manchester United
5 minutes with … Amy Koerbel at AESG
The firm’s new director of facades on challenging convention, the importance of accountability, her work on the Serpentine pavilions and making the most of long days
5 minutes with … Tony Hayes at Linesight
The cost consultancy’s director of project management on starting out as a joiner, his mentoring work and his admiration for the ancient Egyptians
5 minutes with … Chris Wright at Avison Young
The global real estate firm’s new head of sustainability and decarbonisation on the need for more power, the importance of authenticity and what he would like to eat on a night out with friends
5 minutes with … Angela Joseph at Brookfield Properties UK
The firm’s development director on changing her career path, the importance of collaboration and communication and getting the day off to a good start
5 minutes with … Nick Tagliarini at Pexhurst
The firm’s director on his 23 years helping Pexhurst to grow, why you should not rest on your laurels – but not take yourself too seriously – and what happens every time he loses his iPhone
5 minutes with … Chris Wright at Avison Young
The firm’s new head of sustainability and decarbonisation tells of the challenges of working for a supermarket during the pandemic, the ongoing power conundrum and what he would drink on a night out with friends
5 minutes with … Lisa Ashworth at the Building Services Research and Information Association
The BSRIA chief executive on why the building services industry deserves greater recognition, what to do if someone screams at you, the joy of small things and the benefits of being a global commuter
5 minutes with … Martyn Stokes at MESH Construction Consultancy
The firm’s director on setting up the business, keeping the stress levels down and why you should be prepared to share if you sit next to him at dinner
5 minutes with … John McElgunn at RSHP
The firm’s senior partner on growing up in Ireland, the barriers to becoming an architect, his love of travel and the best food to accompany a pint of Guinness
5 minutes with … Peter Crowther at the British Council for Offices
The BCO president on his passion for recycling buildings, the importance of inspiring the next generation and what happened to his most-prized possession while he was on holiday
5 minutes with … Neela Ahmed at E1
The digital tendering platform’s manager for the UK and Ireland on making the move into the construction industry, why she has no regrets and her love of gourmet cooking
5 minutes with … Sarah McDonnell at TFT Dublin
The property consultancy’s director of project management on the best and worst of Dublin’s architecture, juggling work with parenthood and how golf (and red wine and tapas) helps her to recover after a busy week
5 minutes with … Nathalie Meunier at Premier Modular
The offsite manufacturer’s sales director and national business development lead on the challenges (and rewards) of working all over the world, the need for a better understanding of the value of MMC and her signature dish, which comes with an aniseed glaze…
5 minutes with … Ness Scott at Greencore Homes
The firm’s head of planning and sustainability on improving the industry’s gender balance, the importance of collaboration on the road to net zero and making her dogs be nice to each other
5 minutes with … Liz Ramsden at Knights
The senior associate in the firm’s residential property team on the challenges of the Building Safety Act, her love of Vietnamese food and the importance of answering the phone
5 minutes with … Richard Burdett-Gardiner at Kier
The firm’s director of applied digital services (ADS) on the importance of embracing new tools and technology, the skills his grandfather taught him and the best days on which to own a boat