Alex: I am responsible for the development and ongoing improvement of BREEAM In Use, BREEAM Communities and BREEAM Infrastructure products. That means working on how the technical content of the schemes as well as the digital and operational functionality to make sure they are clear, consistent and useful for users of my products.

A big part of my role is listening to feedback from assessors and end users and translating that into practical improvements. Ultimately, I want to ensure the products support real performance improvements in existing buildings, not just compliance.

Alex: I trained as a mechanical engineer and started my career working in the automotive sector before moving on to industrial manufacturing as a global product manager. I moved to the BRE as I have a passion for sustainability and ultimately wanted my career to have a positive impact on our society and the world. That drive and technical background, as well as understanding the value of user feedback, helps me understand how buildings actually operate and where the biggest opportunities for improvement are.

It also helps when developing BREEAM products, as requirements must not only be technically robust but also designed to operate with minimal effort and friction throughout the building lifecycle.

Alex: I’m very conscious of the risk of climate change and understand that mitigating it’s effects will take a lot of targeted effort. Existing buildings and Infrastructure make up a huge proportion of our built environment, and they will be with us for decades. Improving how they perform is one of the most effective ways to reduce environmental impact.

Alex: One of the biggest challenges for organisations using BREEAM In-Use is shifting the mindset from certification as a one-off achievement to ongoing assessment and performance management. The value lies in continuous improvement, but that isn’t always immediately visible to stakeholders.

My approach is to balance technical robustness with ease of use. BREEAM must remain credible and technically sound, but it also needs to be straightforward to implement. When the process is intuitive and the benefits are clearly linked to better operational decisions and measurable outcomes, it becomes far easier for organisations to integrate BREEAM In-Use into their normal business processes rather than treating it as a standalone exercise.

Alex: I am a great nature lover and try to make my garden as wildlife friendly as possible. I have planted as many trees and flowering bushes as I have space for in my little garden. Win win.

Alex: Focus on understanding how your buildings actually perform and use that information to drive continuous improvement. Measuring, reviewing and acting on performance data is key.