Hoare Lea Exploration Podcast

In this episode, our guest host Frances Brown (Associate Director, Hoare Lea) chats to physicist and Faculty of Engineering material scientist Dr Jessica Wade of Imperial College London . Having also become known as a 'Wikipedian' and advocate for unsung scientists including women in STEM , Jess ha s written thousands of online bios for those deserving of recognition and was awarded a British Empi...

In this episode, Ellie Griffiths chats to Yewande Akinola – an engineer, consultant and Innovate UK ambassador recently awarded an MBE for services to innovation and industry diversification – whose human-centric built environment journey began with modelling her dream house from her mum's living room.

In this episode, our host Ellie Griffiths chats to Alan Mosca, co-founder and chief technology officer at nPlan – a machine learning-based platform that forecasts and predicts outcomes of construction, engineering and infrastructure projects. A s well as the capability for innovation through optioneering, improving efficiency, and the flywheel that AI can give to designers, we discuss sustainabili...

Imagine Eastenders without its community hotspots: the Queen Vic, the cafe, the market, the square. It'd be a lot harder for the main characters to mix, right? In this episode, Ellie Griffiths chats to Amir Hussain, the Bradford-born founder/CEO of Yeme Tech, about building inclusive communities. Amir uses his geospatial mapping platform to intelligently and compassionately bring people together i...

In this episode, our host Ellie Griffiths hears from The Royal College of Art's Rama Gheerawo – an inclusive design innovator who has used his skillset to address societal issues around ageing, healthcare, ability and diversity. Together they discuss human-centric healthcare design today and juggling its multiple demands, as well as the importance of healthcare placement, localisation and access,...

In this episode, our host Ellie Griffiths chats to Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon – mathematician, computer scientist and co-founder of social enterprise Stemettes – about our sector today and Anne-Marie's own prodigal trajectory through it, including her road-to-Damascus moment, as well as the labour involved with changing cultures, and enriching the quality of the solution.

In this episode Alex chats to Charlie Blair, of Gravitricity, about the development of a storage technology based on a simple principle: raising and lowering a heavy weight. Offering some of the best characteristics of lithium batteries and pumped hydro storage, Charlie shares the journey so far for this novel innovation that will enable existing grid infrastructure to go further in a renewable en...

We hear from Professor Michele Barbour, the University of Bristol's Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise and Innovation – a new role created just six months ago. Following a recent study which has found that the university's spinout companies generate higher average returns on investment than those of any other UK university, Michele shares her own experience in founding a spinout.

We hear from Vanessa Murray, who founded Mentoring Circle to address the gender diversity gap at the property industry's senior leadership level – by partnering newly qualified female professionals with top female leaders. The organisation welcomes its second intake on International Women's Day, 8 March 2022. Vanessa discusses with Hoare Lea Directors Jo Edwards and Sara Quaglieni their experience...

A digital detox is a common new year's resolution, and the planet needs one on an industrial scale – our everyday internet actions contributing considerably to the climate emergency. While the huge shift to the virtual plane feels like a good thing – a Zoom meeting is less environmentally harmful than travelling 200 miles to a colleague's office – it's all relative. Data centres, which house compu...

Recorded as we launched our nine-day fortnight work initiative, our Director of People and Development, Erica Coombs-Prole, talks to Stephanie Corking, Co-Owner and People Director at Laws of Attraction. Together they discuss the intersection of workplace with wellbeing, how enhancing professional relationships in a way that positively impacts culture can improve operational growth , and implement...

In this episode recorded specially for COP26, Andrew talks to Dr Melissa Marselle, an Environmental Psychologist at the University of Surrey. They discuss how our psychological wellbeing intersects with contact to nature, and the principles of biophilic design and biodiversity promotion in supporting positive mental health.

In a special edition recorded live during our firm's internal Digital Engineering Week, Andrew hosts a panel of industry experts to explore how utilising data will help steer the future of engineering and project delivery towards a construction industry that's efficient, human-centric and planet-positive

In this episode Andrew is joined by Grant Prosser, Development Delivery Manager at Wales & West Housing, and William Box, Director of Carnego Systems. Together they discuss the impact of data monitoring in ensuring net-zero-carbon homes can become a reality, and delve into the success of Wales's first energy-positive and affordable housing development, Rhiw Cefn Gwlad,

In a special edition recorded for this year's International Women in Engineering Day, our guest host Rachel Bell is joined by four female engineers at Hoare Lea, spanning all stages of their careers. Together they discuss everything from their journey into engineering and women who inspired them, to the future of our industry and even the cleanliness of the ladies' loo at project sites!

In this episode Andrew is joined by Zane Putne, Senior Architect at Noviun, and Rama Venchard, Director at Silica Associates to discuss the evolving needs of SEN schools. Together they explore how Special Educational Needs (SEN) school design can create dedicated environments that allow pupils to feel safe, learn about their emotions, and develop life skills

Join Andrew for part 2 of his chat with two experts in extreme environments. We hear from Scott Parazynski (American physician and a former NASA astronaut, who completed five Space Shuttle flights and seven spacewalks) and Kelvin Murray (Professional Diver and Expedition Leader who has undertaken exploratory missions on every continent and ocean on our planet). The pair talk teamwork and the new p...

Andrew is joined by Dipesh Patel, Director of Pattern Design, and Associate Director Luke Harrison, to talk all things stadium. Together they discuss the complexities of sustainable design for extreme climates, honouring local culture, and their excitement about the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup, where recent project Ahmad Bin Ali stadium will take centre stage. 

Join Andrew as he chats to Julie Hirigoyen, Chief Executive of UK Green Building Council, the country's leading NGO campaigning for a sustainable built environment. Julie shares her unique insight into the ever-evolving perception and importance of sustainability, and how the built environment can create healthier, more equitable societies while protecting and enhancing our natural world.

Andrew chats to David Adams, CEO of ADS Independent Living Solution s. Together with his wife, he created the Smile Homes concept: a person-centric home that's truly bespoke to the individual needs of people with learning challenges, autism, mental health challenges or physical differences – those who are often constrained to living in unsuitable settings or in the care of their families. He talks...

In this episode Andrew chats to Dr Abdullahi Sheriff about the transformation of the healthcare sector. He shares his inspiring vision for better approaches to problem solving, along with insight into person-centred healthcare, collaboration, and the sector's technological advancement.

Join Andrew as he chats to Wayne Hemingway, one of Britain's most influential designers. As co-founder of Red or Dead, creator of the award-winning Hemingway Design , and current Design Advocate to the Mayor of London, he is a man on a mission. Determined to realise his philosophy of always improving the things that matter in life, here he shares his vision for social-led place-making, human-centr...

In this episode, Andrew talks to two film-industry giants: Nick Smith, President of Blackhall Studios, and David Godfrey, a Consultant on major studio developments across the globe. Together, they share their unique perspective on what the future holds for UK film and TV, their time spent as Directors of the pioneering Pinewood Studios, and how the creation of quality spaces is more vital than eve...

In this episode Andrew chats to the pioneering Helle Søholt: a Founding Partner and current CEO of Gehl Architects. Together they discuss everything from human-centric design, data-driven knowledge and planning, to the transformation of global cities in light of the current pandemic.

Join Andrew as he chats to two experts in extreme environments about preparation and training: Scott Parazynski, an American physician and a former NASA astronaut, who completed five Space Shuttle flights and seven spacewalks; and Kelvin Murray, a Professional Diver and Expedition Leader who has undertaken exploratory missions on every continent and ocean on our planet. Look out for part 2 coming...