A: My role is about making sure our residential certification products stay relevant and useful for the people who use them. That means working with assessors, developers, investors and many other stakeholders to understand what’s working and what isn’t. I spend a lot of time gathering feedback, reviewing technical content, and working with colleagues across the business to drive improvements. No two days are the same, which I enjoy. One day I might be in a workshop with assessors, the next I’m reviewing policy updates or preparing content for a webinar.

A: I joined BRE straight from university, so this has been my career from the start. I studied Geography at the University of Hertfordshire, which gave me a foundation in environmental science and how human activity affects the world around us. I was drawn to BRE because it felt like a place where I could apply that interest practically. Nearly 17 years later, I’m still here. I’ve progressed through several roles, from scheme management through to product management, and each step has taught me something new.

A: I’m a real people person, and am passionate about science and continual learning. The more you understand about how the climate and buildings affect people’s health and wellbeing, the harder it is to accept the status quo. Poor housing costs the NHS over a billion pounds a year. How can we take all our data, insight and cross-industry knowledge and learning, and channel them into building better for people and our changing climate? The challenges we face aren’t abstract problems. They affect real people. That sense of purpose keeps me motivated, even when progress feels slow.

A: The biggest challenge is the tension between volume and quality. The UK needs more homes, and there’s pressure to build quickly. But speed shouldn’t come at the expense of quality and the needs of the people who will live in those homes. I approach this by focusing on evidence. If we can show that sustainable design delivers better outcomes for residents and for investors, the conversation shifts from “can we afford to do this?” to “can we afford not to?”

A: It’s probably quite a big change, but we relocated five years ago to be close to family and live in a town where everything is within walking distance. We went from a work and nursery commute down the M1, to a scooter/bike commute and we are loving it! We do much fewer car miles these days, and reap the fresh air and exercise benefits.

A: Start early and engage with the evidence. Sustainability works best when it’s designed in from the start, not bolted on at the end. And don’t just think about compliance. Think about the people who will live in these homes for decades. What do they need to be healthy, comfortable, and able to thrive? That’s the standard we should be aiming for.