5 minutes with

5 minutes with … Ryan Mee at Eco2Solar
The firm’s CEO on helping to grow the company over 16 years, the misconceptions about solar energy use in the UK, rising to many challenges while on the ‘solarcoaster’ and how surfing helps to recharge his batteries
5 minutes with … Ian Carey at Pulse Consult
The firm’s managing director on building the company, industry resilience, the importance of getting up early and stepping outside one’s comfort zone – and his love of the Barbican
5 minutes with … Imro van Leersum at Permasteelisa Group
The firm’s UK sales director on his 25 years with the company, his love of tall buildings, exploring the world and why he cannot possibly have any secret skills x
5 minutes with … Matthew Hart at E.ON Next
The firm’s director of residential new-build on his mission to decarbonise the UK’s homes, working in Turkey and why he doesn’t like the Burj Khalifa. You will also never guess his favourite food…
5 minutes with … Adina Poncis at Durkan
The firm’s head of digital delivery has more than 18 years’ experience in architecture, engineering and construction. She would be happy to tell you the weekend’s sports scores… before they happen
5 minutes with … Dean Mitchell at 4B Projects
One of the firm’s four founding brothers describes working on the Spurs stadium as an Arsenal fan, keeping the Saudi royal family happy, the importance of asking questions and talent spotting potential Ireland rugby players in north Londonx
5 minutes with … Andrew Kitley at Kitall
The firm’s co-founder and director on public perceptions of our industry, the importance of adaptability, his admiration for the Candy brothers and his love of martial arts
5 minutes with … Alex Macaulay at Kinland
The firm’s founder and managing director on the challenges that followed the acquisition of their first site, why it is important to keep moving and why you need to network even when you don’t want to
5 minutes with … Paula Baleson at Beard Construction
The firm’s social value manager on moving from South Africa, building her team at Beard, job satisfaction and the dairy product that goes with everything
5 minutes with … Keith Yarham at Willmott Dixon
The firm’s recently appointed national sector lead for defence on the importance of listening first, working collaboratively and having fun – and taking up a big new career challenge at the age of 60
5 minutes with … Philippa Simpson at BAYA and Blocc Interiors
The managing director of Blocc has recently co-founded BAYA, another interior design studio. She shares her belief in the power of positive energy, her admiration for Thomas Heatherwick and her love of seasonal food
5 minutes with … Hester King at Whitbread
The project and programme manager on her journey through the company’s graduate trainee scheme, converting a listed police station into a Premier Inn, the problems (and advantages) of perfectionism and what she would do if she could fly
5 minutes with … Liz Gilligan at Material Evolution
The CEO and co-founder of the sustainable climate tech start-up on embracing change, producing cement using 85% less carbon dioxide than traditional cement, not overthinking and why cheese makes everything better
5 minutes with … Tony Taylor at Etag
The CEO of the drylining, insulation and M&E solutions distributor on growing the business, the need for a change of approach from the government, his admiration for people who push the boundaries and why he doesn’t have a smartwatchThe
5 minutes with … David Meecham at TLT
The head of the housing and regeneration team on doing the right thing, having no regrets, making the industry more inclusive and why it takes him ages to leave parties
5 minutes with … Charley Wainwright at Sypro
The contract management software firm’s sales manager on changing roles throughout his career, the importance of different perspectives, staying resilient and his 21st birthday present
5 minutes with … Elle Cass at SLR Consulting
The firm’s head of strategic built environment growth on the importance of development, achieving gender parity in her team, what to do when you don’t have all the answers and painting naked people…
5 minutes with … David Patterson at Able Partners
The practice’s head of design on the importance of staying curious and constant, collaborative learning – and why he dislikes postwar, car-focused urban development that prioritises efficiency over quality of life.
5 minutes with … Sabrina Passley at Stark UK
The firm’s head of sustainability on shifting the concept form a ‘nice-to-have’ to an essential, embraciong the unknown, the importance of kindness and playing her sound bowls in the garden
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