Facility managers and asset managers often get placed in the same bucket, but the work they do, the pressures they face, and the goals they chase are very different. In this episode of Let’s Talk Facilities, Aaron Kelly and Nick Grace sit down with Ujwal Lakra to clear the confusion and talk through what each role is really built for.
Ujwal explains how daily operational demands pull FMs into fast problem solving while asset managers focus on long term value, risk, and lifecycle planning.

In this episode of Let’s Talk Facilities, Aaron Kelly and Nick Grace sit down with Arbab Shah for an honest look at what it really takes to grow in the FM industry. Arbab shares the early challenges that shaped him, the pressures new facility managers often face, and the turning points that helped him build confidence on the job. Whether you’re starting out or guiding a team, this episode offers relatable insights on becoming a stronger facility manager.

In this episode of Let’s Talk Facilities, Aaron Kelly and Sammy Gilham sit down with Paul Sor, Head of Property and Asset Management at RSL LifeCare, for a conversation on empathy, ethics, and people-first leadership in facility management.
Paul shares how his journey from accounting to FM shaped his unique approach to creating functional, dignified, and sustainable spaces. From managing donor-funded assets to building fair supplier relationships, he reveals how every decision can honor both people and purpose.
Tune in for a reminder that great facility management isn’t just about maintaining buildings—it’s about caring for the people who use them.

Sustainability is more than a corporate goal, it’s personal. In this Let’s Talk Facilities sustainability special, Tim Bradbury sit down with Dave Moolman from Shaw Contract to explore how the drive for a better future often begins with personal experiences that shape our values.

Dave shares how Shaw Contract’s approach to manufacturing looks beyond production efficiency to focus on long-term environmental responsibility, circular design, and products that stand the test of time.

-------------

Let's Talk Facilities is a podcast from the team at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Premrest⁠⁠⁠⁠, Australia's go-to for floor care.

Cleaning and installing commercial flooring.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.premrest.com.au/lets-talk-facilities⁠

In this episode of Let’s Talk Facilities, Aaron Kelly and Nicholas Grace talk with Lauren Hamilton from Smart Commercial Solar about the growing need for clean energy and carbon accountability. Lauren explains how expanding emissions reporting and rising energy costs are driving organisations to rethink their approach to sustainability. She shares why solar energy could be a smart strategy for cutting costs, building resilience, and staying competitive in a low-carbon economy. If you’re looking to future-proof your facilities and manage energy more efficiently, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Let’s Talk Facilities, Aaron Kelly and Sammy Gilham are joined by Agustin Chevez, architect and workplace strategist, for a deep dive into the evolving role of facility managers in workplace design and how workplaces can adapt to the changing rhythms of work.

If you’re passionate about creating spaces that balance performance, purpose, and people, this episode offers insights you won’t want to miss! 

-------------

Let's Talk Facilities is a podcast from the team at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Premrest⁠⁠⁠⁠, Australia's go-to for floor care.

Cleaning and installing commercial flooring.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.premrest.com.au/lets-talk-facilities⁠

In this special episode of Let’s Talk Facilities, Ben Young and Tim Bradbury sit down with Paul Rosenberg Vella from Revert Group to explore the role of the circular economy in construction and fit-outs.

Paul shares how facility managers can support circular solutions and what it takes to reduce waste while improving project outcomes.

Whether you manage assets or are simply passionate about sustainability in the built environment, this conversation offers practical insights on building a more resource-conscious future.

-------------

Let's Talk Facilities is a podcast from the team at ⁠⁠⁠Premrest⁠⁠⁠, Australia's go-to for floor care.

Cleaning and installing commercial flooring.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.premrest.com.au/lets-talk-facilities⁠

Emergencies unfold in seconds—and the first five minutes are the most critical. In this episode of Let’s Talk Facilities, Aaron Kelly and Nicholas Grace sit down with Gaurav Bhalla, CEO of First Five Minutes, to unpack the realities of emergency management for facility managers.

They discuss the unique challenges of evacuating shopping centres compared to commercial towers, as well as best practices for training, drills, and tenant engagement during emergencies.

Whether you manage an office, shopping centre, or healthcare facility, this conversation delivers practical insights to help you prepare, plan, and protect people when it matters most.

-------------

Let's Talk Facilities is a podcast from the team at ⁠⁠⁠Premrest⁠⁠⁠, Australia's go-to for floor care.

Cleaning and installing commercial flooring.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.premrest.com.au/lets-talk-facilities⁠

In this episode of Let’s Talk Facilities, we sit down with Mark O’Connell, Head of Property at St Vincent de Paul, to explore how facilities management goes beyond buildings to truly change lives.

Mark shares how a values-driven approach creates lasting impact across the spaces his team manages—and why facilities management is mission-critical in every sector.

-------------

Let's Talk Facilities is a podcast from the team at ⁠⁠Premrest⁠⁠, Australia's go-to for floor care.

Cleaning and installing commercial flooring.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.premrest.com.au/lets-talk-facilities⁠

In this special episode of Let’s Talk Facilities, ⁠Ben Young⁠ and ⁠Tim Bradbury⁠ sit down with Aidan Mullan from Interface to explore what real sustainability looks like in the built environment.

Aidan shares about moving beyond offsets to focus on emissions reduction, circular economy models, and material innovation.

-------------

Let's Talk Facilities is a podcast from the team at ⁠⁠Premrest⁠⁠, Australia's go-to for floor care.

Cleaning and installing commercial flooring.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.premrest.com.au/lets-talk-facilities⁠