Podcast
Built to Perform
Hosted by Built to Perform · EN
Built To Perform is a podcast dedicated to uncovering what it really takes to drive change, innovate, and perform in industries that shape our world.
Hosted by James Hallworth, each episode features in-depth conversations with founders, innovators, and leaders who are breaking barriers in business, technology, and sustainability. From the challenges of decarbonizing real estate to the mindset shifts required for true innovation, Built To Perform explores stories, strategies, and lessons from those building solutions that matter.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, industry professional, or simply curious about the future of performance and impact, this podcast gives you the insights and inspiration to think bigger and build to perform.
10episodes
Episodes
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Built to Perform with James Hallworth – Ep.14: Francesca Brady on Air Quality & CRE's 1960s Data
Dec 1700:59:40Tap to summarizeIn this special Season 1 Finale—which is actually the very first episode ever recorded (the pilot!)—host James Hallworth speaks with Francesca Brady (Co-founder, AirRated) about the CRE industry's biggest blind spot: the failure to prioritize Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).Francesca details her journey pioneering AirRated, the bizarre resistance she's faced, and why we still don't treat our offices like high-performance spaces.Key Insights on Health, Performance & Outdated Standards:The 1960s Problem: Our core building standards, like those governing thermal comfort and performance, are still based on data from the 1960s and do not reflect the modern workforce or changing climate.The High-Performance Lie: We treat offices nothing like high-performance spaces, even though facilities like casinos and athletic centres are finely tuned for alertness and performance.The Sensor Trap: Installing sensors without context creates fear. Data without explanation does not educate; it just makes site teams feel they are being "exposed" or doing a bad job.The COVID Setback: Francesca argues that the knee-jerk reactions to COVID-19 ultimately set the IAQ industry back, diluting the original, strong business case centered on economic benefit and duty of care.Clean Air Has No Smell: Scenting office spaces to improve the "experience" introduces unnecessary Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs). The key takeaway is simple: clean air has no smell.The Investment Barrier: IAQ is seen as a "gaining" (in productivity and reduced absenteeism) rather than an easily quantifiable "saving," which makes it harder to secure investment in ROI-focused commercial real estate.This episode is a must-listen for anyone who designs, manages, or occupies commercial property, offering raw, practical insights into where the industry is structurally broken and how to fix it.Timestamps00:00:31: Introduction: From Petroleum Geology to Co-founding AirRated00:01:28: Why Indoor Air Quality was considered a "dark art"00:04:35: The COVID Setback: Why the pandemic didn't help the IAQ industry00:06:15: The Paradox: Making buildings more airtight compromises health00:08:16: Why Offices are Not Treated as "High-Performance Spaces"00:08:57: The Problem with 1960s Building Data00:11:37: The Incentive Barrier: Why Asset Managers resist new initiatives00:12:47: Consulting at the Coalface: Bridging the gap between Landlord and FM00:14:48: The Fear Factor: Why site teams are emotive about new sensor tech00:16:40: Limitations in Existing Stock vs. Operational Management00:17:50: The Business Case: Strengthening GRESB scores to drive adoption00:19:54: The Fear of the Invisible: Why Landlords are afraid to collect air data00:23:02: Why commercial properties are generally "unexceptional" (and that's a good thing)00:23:50: TVOCs Explained: The New Car Smell and Off-gassing00:25:44: Design vs. Health: Why phone booths lack ventilation00:27:56: The Dangers of Scenting Workplace Spaces00:28:47: The Takeaway: Clean Air Has No Smell00:29:29: The Tech Focus: IAQ + Workplace Utilization Monitoring00:31:40: Hotspotting: Switching desks to solve a ventilation problem00:33:14: The Health Equation: Why air is missing from the wellness conversation00:37:15: The Reality of Getting Venture Capital00:40:38: Evolution or Revolution? Why CRE needs the latter00:42:08: Final Thoughts
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Built to Perform with James Hallworth – Ep.13: Stefan Schmidt on Energy Data & Long Tail
Dec 1000:46:05Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Built to Perform Podcast, host James Hallworth speaks with Stefan Schmidt, Co-founder of MeterZ, about removing the barriers to decarbonization in commercial real estate.Stefan shares his unique journey from Big Tech to sustainability engineering, revealing why the global focus on electrifying cars misses the biggest environmental problem: the long tail of inefficient buildings.Timestamps:00:00:20: Introduction: From Microsoft Marketing to Energy Engineering00:02:38: The Millennial Epiphany: Why working in Big Tech wasn't a "positive contribution"00:04:21: The Slow Pace of CRE: Why the industry ranks lowest in digitization (above hunting)00:05:57: Walking the Beat: Manual Meter Reading at Oxford University Labs00:07:43: Barriers to Change: The Scientist who resisted optimization to protect mind-controlled flies00:08:00: WiredScore & Smart Score: Giving the industry a North Star certification framework00:10:09: The Long Tail Problem: Why PropTech is for the few, not the many00:12:44: Energy Data & GDPR: The complex truth about the Landlord-Tenant data standoff00:21:34: Investor Fear & Data Privacy: Why companies resist sharing data (and the $70 billion problem)00:27:00: The Manual Trap: The absurdity of people spending 5-8 days a month doing meter readings00:33:05: The Renewables Myth: Why optimizing efficiency must come before installing solar panels00:36:52: The Staggering Stat: Mobility vs. Buildings (The largest climate impact)00:43:08: Evolution or Revolution? Why the industry needs to evolve, not upend everything00:44:50: The Solution: Creating scalable, cost-effective solutions for regional offices and industrial parks
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Built to Perform with James Hallworth – Ep.12: Rob Insley on Retail & Partnerships
Dec 300:54:58Tap to summarizeIn this candid and powerful episode of the Built to Perform Podcast, host James Hallworth speaks with Rob Insley (Head of Operations, Bloobloom) to address the core struggles and friction that exist in the Landlord-Tenant relationship and the culture of retail.Rob shares his journey from 30 years in corporate retail (Vision Express) to working with a high-performing startup, revealing why the old corporate KPIs and legacy decisions are no longer relevant.Key Insights for CRE & Retail:The Side Hustle Lie: Rob delivers a controversial truth, calling the belief in side hustles and passive income "one of the biggest lies we're feeding to the younger generation". He stresses that true success is built on sheer hard work and dedication.Fixing the Friction: Rob argues that the adversarial Landlord-Tenant dynamic has to end. The solution is for every landlord to initiate direct, human contact with the business founders to develop a relationship and mutual trust.The Data Gap: Retailers desperately need tailored data (like zonal footfall and customer demographics) to succeed, but landlords often provide only meaningless, arbitrary financial numbers.The Partnership Model: Rob believes that a bad landlord is detrimental to a retailer's success. Conversely, the most successful estates treat every retailer as part of a "family of businesses".This episode is essential for anyone who wants to move beyond the transactional mindset and learn how to foster high-performing, human-centric partnerships in commercial property.Timestamps: 00:00:32: Introduction & Rob Insley’s Career Journey00:04:48: The Corporate Wall: Moving from Vision Express to the Bloobloom Startup Mentality00:10:07: The Adversarial Relationship: Landlords, Tenants, and the Feudal Hangover00:19:15: The Brand Test: The Difference a Landlord’s Due Diligence Makes00:23:13: The Bad Landlord Effect: Why Lack of Support Kills Retail Success00:29:46: The Data Gap: Why Arbitrary Footfall Numbers Are Useless to Retailers00:33:57: Change Management: The Importance of the Human Element and Active Listening00:43:51: The Side Hustle Lie: Why Passive Income is a Myth and Hard Work is the Only Path00:48:54: The Fix: Why Landlords Need to Have Direct, Human Contact with Tenants00:51:04: Evolution or Revolution? Why Evolution is Better for the Industry's Story
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Built to Perform with James Hallworth – Ep.11: Zac Goodman on Real Estate & Entrepreneurship
Nov 2600:52:49Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Built to Perform Podcast, James Hallworth sits down with Zac Goodman, founder of the property management company TSP. Zac reflects on his journey from a Goldman Sachs banker to scaling his own company to managing assets worth nearly £2.5 billion. Key topics include the importance of reducing friction in real estate transactions, the necessity of patience and adaptability in business, and the lessons learned from balancing professional and entrepreneurial mindsets. Zac also provides insights on the future of commercial real estate, the role of AI, and the evolving demands of property management in a post-pandemic era.00:00 Introduction: Aligning the Industry with Sale Finance00:32 Welcome to the Built to Perform Podcast01:12 Meet Zac Goodman: From Manchester to London02:01 Building TSP: From Scratch to Billions02:59 Lessons Learned: The Long Game and Non-Linear Growth05:11 The Entrepreneurial Mindset08:51 Real Estate: A Product and an Asset Class11:45 The Importance of Relationships in Real Estate13:33 TSP's Diverse Ventures and Disruptive Approach17:33 Innovations and Friction Reduction in Real Estate24:28 Contrarian Thinking: Innovating Traditional Office Space27:35 Understanding Revenue Sources in Serviced Offices28:31 Innovative Approaches to Service Charges29:30 The Importance of Training and Development30:55 Leveraging Buying Power for Tenant Value32:31 Navigating the Commercial Real Estate Market36:13 The Role of AI in Business Operations42:56 Building a Personal and Business Brand on LinkedIn49:46 Future of Commercial Real Estate: Evolution vs. Revolution
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Built to Perform with James Hallworth – Ep.10: Karen Burns on AI Innovation in Real Estate
Nov 1900:51:52Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Built to Perform Podcast, host James Hallworth sits down with Karen Burns, CEO and co-founder of FYMA, to discuss the slow adoption of technology in commercial real estate and the transformative potential of AI. Karen shares insights on utilizing existing security camera data with AI to optimize building operations, demystify AI, and push the industry forward. The conversation covers the current state of AI in real estate, challenges in data utilization, GDPR compliance, and the importance of upskilling and diverse perspectives in tech adoption. Karen also addresses the broader topic of female leadership in STEM and the need for financial support over mentorship for women in tech startups.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Technology Adoption in Commercial Real Estate00:32 Meet Karen: CEO and Co-Founder of FYMA00:48 How FYMA Uses AI to Optimize Building Operations01:47 The Evolution of FYMA from Consultancy to AI Solutions06:13 Challenges and Solutions in Data Utilization09:04 Addressing Privacy Concerns with AI and CCTV12:21 Transitioning to Commercial Real Estate15:02 Understanding Different Levels of AI18:49 The Future of AI in Commercial Real Estate27:39 AI Adoption in Business: Current Trends28:45 Strategies for Real Estate Leaders29:25 Creating a Culture of Trust and Safety30:57 Case Study: Innovative Real Estate Solutions32:58 Women in STEM and Leadership35:40 Challenges and Bias in Venture Capital42:30 Cultural Influences on Gender Roles43:43 AI in Commercial Real Estate: Adoption Barriers47:49 Future of Commercial Real Estate50:44 Conclusion and Key Takeaways
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Built to Perform with James Hallworth – Ep.9: Michal Ciurej on Intelligent Buildings
Nov 1100:45:41Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Built to Perform Podcast, host James Hallworth speaks with Michal Ciurej, Innovation Engineer at 3M SE, about the urgent need to control buildings intelligently to tackle energy waste and meet net-zero goals. Michal—a product designer with a background in law—shares his unique perspective on the rigid world of Building Management Systems (BMS) and how technology is the only way to scale efficiency.Learn why smart building performance has a greater impact on emissions than the shift to EVs, and how the industry must evolve to unlock its massive potential.Key Takeaways:BMS: The "Dark Arts": Building Management Systems are often opaque and inaccessible, leading operators to not trust the data they see.The Power of Scalability: Automating analytics through Ontology (standardizing data models) is the key to deploy efficiency strategies to smaller, unmanaged buildings and not just the "shiny assets".The Biggest Environmental Impact: Commercial real estate consumes enormous amounts of energy, and intelligently controlling buildings will have a greater impact on emissions than turning all cars into EVs.Evolution Over Revolution: Michal argues that incremental change (evolution) is the safest and most effective way to reform the industry, as revolutions are painful and garner less buy-in.Time |Topic00:00:00 | Introduction: The Scale of the Problem & Intelligent Control00:00:48 | Who is Michal Ciurej? Innovation Engineer and his Role00:01:51 | The Non-Standard Route: From Law Degree to Industrial Automation00:04:14 | The Challenge of Rigid Building Automation Frameworks (Niagara, Tridium)00:05:14 | Defining BMS: The "Dark Arts" of Building Management00:07:33 | The Gap Between Operator Expertise and System Scale00:09:34 | Finding the "Needles in the Haystack" with Analytics00:11:04 | The Problem of Trust and Data Validation in BMS00:14:34 | The Solution: Automatically Deploying Self-Validating Algorithms00:16:41 | Why Ontology is Key: Standardizing Data Models for Scale00:21:13 | The Problem of Inconsistent Naming Conventions (FCU 101)00:23:12 | Scalable Deployments for Small and Medium-Sized Buildings00:25:24 | The Cost of Extreme Inefficiency in Unmanaged Real Estate00:27:03 | Wireless Tech (e.g., Laura one) Enabling Frictionless Retrofits00:28:33 | The Disconnect Between ESG Strategy and Tenant Comfort00:29:41 | Aligning Competing Objectives: Reliability vs. Efficiency00:33:04 | Case Study: Demand-Driven HVAC System and Transparency00:36:27 | Why Change is Required: CRE’s Huge Environmental Impact00:38:44 | Comparing CRE's Impact to Automotive Emissions00:40:57 | Evolution or Revolution? Michal's Stance00:43:54 | The Need for Transparency to Drive External Demand for Change00:44:48 | Closing Remarks
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Built to Perform with James Hallworth – Ep.8: Max Jones on The Future of Non-Uni Career Paths
Nov 500:47:49Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Built to Perform Podcast, host James Hallworth engages with Max Jones, the 20-year-old founder of Serial Degrees. They delve into Max's inspiring journey from leaving his dream job at Perfect Ted to creating a supportive network for young people who choose not to attend university. They discuss topics such as building personal brands, the importance of mentoring, and how companies can better attract and support non-graduate talent. Max shares insights on the evolving landscape of traditional education paths and emphasizes the value of alternative routes to career success, particularly in the startup ecosystem.00:00 Introduction to the 20-Year-Old Founder00:34 Max Jones' Background and Career Beginnings01:16 Journey at Perfect Ted07:10 Building a Personal Brand with Steven Bartlett10:01 Challenges and Rewards of Consistency11:29 The Importance of Personal Branding for Companies13:40 Founding Zero Degrees and Its Mission14:50 The Value of Mentorship and Startup Experience19:15 Zero Degrees: A New Path for School Leavers22:53 Rethinking Traditional Education Routes24:14 The Social Aspect of Networking24:31 Challenging the Necessity of Degrees25:17 Supporting Non-Graduate Talent26:30 Modernizing Commercial Real Estate27:56 Government and Industry Roles30:06 Leveraging LinkedIn for Personal Branding37:13 Consistency and Value in Content Creation43:12 Evolving School-to-Career Pathways45:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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Built to Perform with James Hallworth – Ep.7: Michelle Andrew on Innovating Real Estate
Oct 2200:46:45Tap to summarizeJoin James Hallworth in this episode of the Built to Perform podcast as he chats with Michelle Andrew, a strategic growth consultant in the built environment. Michelle shares her diverse background, insights on commercial real estate, and the evolving landscape of technology adoption. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the industry, the importance of relationships, and why change is critical for the future of real estate. Tune in for a deep dive into modernization, strategic approaches, and the role of AI in transforming the built environment.00:00 Introduction to Real Estate Investment00:20 Guest Introduction: Michelle's Background00:38 Michelle's Career Journey01:38 Transition to Commercial Real Estate05:58 Insights on the Built Environment06:26 Modernization and Innovation in Real Estate09:20 Challenges and Opportunities in PropTech12:38 AI and the Future of Work17:52 Strategic Growth and Market Insights20:00 Global Perspectives on Real Estate25:01 Fragmented Ownership in UK vs. New York25:39 Shifting Leasing Models and Tech Opportunities26:51 Common Mistakes in PropTech Adoption28:22 The Importance of Client Retention in PropTech30:28 The Stigma Around PropTech32:14 Sharing Successes and Failures in the Industry36:29 Challenges and Strategies for Property Events42:37 The Need for Change in Commercial Real Estate45:06 Evolution or Revolution in Commercial Real Estate?45:53 Conclusion and Future Discussions
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Built to Perform with James Hallworth – Ep.6:Taz Ravenscroft on Recruitment, Mental Health, PropTech
Oct 1500:47:56Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Built to Perform Podcast, host James Hallworth welcomes Taz Ravenscroft for an in-depth conversation on various topics from his career shift from property management to recruitment, the importance of mental health awareness in professional settings, and the evolving landscape of PropTech and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) within real estate. Taz shares his insights on fostering strong professional relationships, the crucial role of innovation in commercial real estate, and the impact of AI on recruitment and the property sector. 🎙 Key Topics: 🔹 Career Journey: From Property Management to Recruitment 🔹 Importance of Mental Health Awareness 🔹 Transitioning to and the Impact of PropTech 🔹 AI in Recruitment and Real Estate 🔹 Professional Development and Work-Life Balance 🔹 Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace 🔹 Effective Recruitment Strategies for Clients and Candidates00:00 Introduction and Current Events00:27 Guest Introduction: Meet Taz00:38 Career Journey: From Property Management to Recruitment05:08 The Importance of Mental Health11:07 Focus on PropTech and ESG14:02 Trends in Recruitment: Skills Over Degrees18:37 Effective Recruitment Processes24:58 AI in Commercial Real Estate25:27 Responsible Use of AI26:26 AI's Impact on Recruitment28:49 Bias in AI Systems30:06 Gender Data Gap in Research31:14 Diversity and Inclusion Challenges32:42 LGBTQ+ Network at Foxtons36:18 Building a Personal Brand on LinkedIn42:36 Future Job Market Trends44:14 Sustainable Practices in Real Estate46:12 Evolution vs. Revolution in Real Estate47:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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Built to Perform with James Hallworth – Ep.5: Stephen Walker on AI and Real Estate Transformation
Oct 800:41:23Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Built to Perform podcast, James Hallworth sits down with Stephen Walker, Head of AI and Technology at Aberdeen Investments. Stephen shares his journey from asset management to leading AI initiatives, emphasizing the importance of optimizing business processes before applying AI. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in integrating AI in real estate, the role of technology in achieving sustainability goals, and the cultural shift needed to embrace innovation. Stephen highlights the potential for AI to enhance efficiency, improve decision-making, and foster better human relationships within the industry. This insightful conversation offers valuable perspectives for anyone involved in real estate, technology, or investment management.00:00 Introduction to AI in Business Processes00:27 Meet Steven Walker: Head of AI and Technology00:54 Steven's Journey from Real Estate to AI03:21 Challenges and Innovations at Aberdeen05:25 The Role of AI in Real Estate07:32 Cultural and Structural Changes in AI Adoption13:07 Building a Unified Data Platform16:23 Communicating AI Initiatives19:53 Immediate Wins with AI in Investment Management22:06 Empowering Human Relationships in Real Estate22:34 Landlord-Tenant Dynamics and Data Sharing23:34 Sustainability and Green Clauses in Leases24:26 Challenges in Data Collection and Tenant Cooperation28:07 The Role of Technology and AI in Sustainability30:10 AI's Impact on Capital Allocation and Investment31:41 Future of Office Spaces and AI Integration37:02 Skills for Future Asset Managers38:59 Evolution or Revolution in Commercial Real Estate?
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