James Fisher: As BRE's Head of Strategic Partnerships, I lead the team of Key Account Managers within the wider business development team. My main focus is building lasting relationships with clients who are onboarding or specifying BRE's technical standards. While I touch on BRE’s broader scope, I tend to concentrate on the BREEAM product suite and client challenges related to built asset resilience, value creation and protection, and the net zero transition. Millions of buildings need our collective focus to make this journey, and my goal is to maximize my impact on that mission!

James Fisher: Prior to BRE, I was more firmly rooted in scientific research and development. Earlier in my career, I worked at Rothamsted plant science facility in Hertfordshire, Alcan in Buckinghamshire, and in the laboratories of Kodak at their huge site in Harrow & Wealdstone. I was actually lucky enough to spend a few placements at BRE in the mid-1990s and came to work here after that. The rest, as they say, is history.

James Fisher: For me, it's deeply personal. I grew up [mention a relevant personal experience, e.g., "spending summers exploring national parks," "witnessing the impacts of extreme weather events in my community," "learning about environmental issues from a young age"]. This instilled in me a profound respect for the natural world and a growing concern about our collective impact. The urgency of the climate crisis, coupled with the incredible opportunities that sustainability presents, truly fuels my dedication. I believe we all have a role to play in building a more resilient and equitable future.      

James Fisher: I think one of the biggest challenges is moving beyond "greenwashing" to genuine, impactful change. It requires a fundamental shift in mindset – seeing sustainability not just as a compliance burden or a PR exercise, but as a core driver of innovation, efficiency, and long-term value. Another challenge is the complexity of supply chains and ensuring transparency.

My approach is always to advocate for a holistic view: focusing on data to drive decisions, fostering collaboration across departments, and emphasizing the business case for sustainable practices. It's about demonstrating that investing in sustainability isn't just "nice to have," but essential for future competitiveness and resilience.

James Fisher: "I've become much more conscious about reducing food waste at home. It started with simple meal planning, and now I'm experimenting with composting. It's surprising how much less goes into the bin, and it makes me feel more connected to the resources we consume."

James Fisher: Start somewhere, even if it feels small, and don't be afraid to learn as you go. For individuals, that might be choosing sustainable products or advocating for change in their workplace. For businesses, it's about integrating sustainability into your core strategy, not just as an add-on. The most important thing is to take action and understand that collective effort, even incremental steps, can lead to monumental change. Don't let perfection be the enemy of good.

James Fisher: The best starting point is to drop me an email at james.fisher@bregroup.com so we can arrange an to have a conversation.