The FM Channel

In this week's episode of the FM Channel Podcast, I have one of the most candid conversations I think I've had so far.Meet Louisa Clarke, another ex-forces veteran who transitioned into the FM sector, climbed the ladder, and became an industry leader.Louisa currently runs her own consultancy as an Executive & Leadership Coach.Prior to this she spent 12 successful years with Churchill Group where she got to Managing Director.And she's got her fingers in so many pies, it's not even funny! 🤣Veterans Advisory Board Member - Cabinet OfficeBoard Member - Veterans CanBoard Adviser - VTRN RESETChair IWFM Veteran NetworkPlan B for FM....The list goes on....!We discuss everything:- Life and Leaving the RAF- Becoming a mum and postnatal depression- Falling into the FM sector- Her successful career at Churchill- Her management style.Louisa was fantastic to chat with and I hope you enjoy it too.

Cheers

Claudio.

In this week's episode and the first of 2025, I speak with Lynsey Storm.

Lynsey works for Platinum Facilities - an established FM Service Provider.

Lynsey is the company's HR Leader, and we cover so much in our 40mins.

- From studying Biology at University, wanting to work with great white sharks, to instead working with the sharks of the FM industry! 🤣

- She fell into recruitment and then into HR.

- She's worked in the construction sector and now FM & Maintenance.

- We chat about putting the 'Human' back into the Human Resources.

- How HR has evolved of the last 20 years.

- What Culture actually means to a business.

- And the dreaded skills shortage!!

I hope you enjoy it and are able to get some good take-aways from it.

Thanks.

Claudio

In this week's episode of The FM Channel Podcast, I catch up with Grant Walford - Managing Director for Mitie. 

Grant takes us through his humble beginnings as an apprentice in the construction sector, and how his role was made redundant during the recession of the 80's. 

This led him to transferring into the FM sector, which was still an industry that many didn't realise existed. 

Since then, Grant has worked for some fantastic and well respected companies and has progressed to where he is today. 

He is driven by helping people, both clients and employees. 

We discuss how Covid helped put a spotlight on the FM industry and maybe fast forward it's reputation and importance by maybe 15-20 years! 

Grant highlights the importance of listening to those around you who are willing to give you their time, and then it's up to you, what you do that with that information.  

Like a lot of the people I meet in the FM sector, Grant is a lovely guy, very down to earth and straight talking.

I hope you enjoy this episode. 

Cheers,

Claudio

Gary is a top guy and we cover a lot during our chat.

- He loves Data and Excel. 🤓

- He joined the FM & Maintenance sector from university as a Grad.

- He's passionate about mentoring and giving back.

- We talk about embracing tech in the sector.

Gary was so easy to chat with and laid back, I felt like I'd known him for years.

Thanks for taking the time, Gary! 👍

Enjoy everyone!

Claudio.

In this week's episode, I caught up with Steve McGregor from DMA. 

Such a lovely guy, he's very open, honest and passionate! 

He's been serving the FM & Maintenance sector for 45 years and he's as enthusiastic as someone is at the beginning of their career. 

We chat about how he got into the sector. 

What still drives him. 

BiO - DMA's own Service Management Platform. 

And how he just loves making a difference.

Steve is a true gent and absolute pleasure to chat with. 

Thanks Steve! 

I hope you all enjoy listening.

Cheers, Claudio

His route into the FM sector was totally different to a lot of the norm. 

He was a finance man and not even in then FM sector, or as he described himself "I was basically a bean counter"! 

We discussed: 

- The challenges of starting a company in a mature market. 

- The intro of AI in the FM Sector 

- Switching from preventative to predictive maintenance 

- The value of having a mentor 

Brij was very open and honest, and I hope you enjoy our chat, he's one of the good guys. 

Cheers, 

Claudio.

We start a new season after a nearly a 3 year break with a great discussion with Alistair Scott.

Cheers,

This is possibly one of the most inspiring interviews I've done yet, Kath was so insightful and interesting to speak with.

In this half hour chat we discuss.

- Kath's route into FM and her initial interest in buildings.

- She's a huge fan of the training and development of her people.

- How she became the 3rd female president of the RICS since 1868!!!

- Her advice to someone starting out in FM is to take risks and go for it...it's worked for her!

Thanks for taking the time to do this Kath, it was an absolute pleasure!

I hope you all enjoy this episode everyone.

Season 2 starts off with an absolute cracker with Episode 1, where I caught up with Liz Kentish.

As the first episode of Season 2 where I will focus on Women in the FM industry, Liz is a fantastic 1st guest.

We talk about:

✔ How the FM industry chose her

✔ Her passion for the people that make up the sector

✔ Mentoring

✔ How the sector has changed

✔ Behavioral change

✔ Running to 80s pop music!!

Liz is nothing short of genuine, fun, relaxed, smart and just generally a really nice person.

It was an absolute pleasure having you on, Liz. Thanks

I hope you enjoy episode 1 of season 2.

Thanks, Claudio