What does the future of high-performing places hold? Our hosts explore the impact of AI on our places, and Chris gets a behind the scenes look at what it takes to keep Europe’s busiest airport running. We dive into the future trends and tech influencing the places in which we live and work, all to answer the big question of our series. 

Five generations are now rubbing shoulders in the workplace – creating both opportunities, and friction. How can organisations create environments that not only support their workforce, but empower them to thrive? We hear from Lloyds Banking Group on how they’ve shaped their workplace experience, as well as from experts on the generational differences to watch out for.

Our world is changing, and security and intelligence services are constantly evolving and adapting to keep up. Chris goes behinds the scenes at Mitie’s Intelligence Hub to discover how the insight and intelligence collected there is driving action on the ground to keep our communities safe. We also discover how personal technology is being used to tackle the rise of violence against women and girls. 

Our hosts Chris and Ian are jumping back into the world of FM, and this time they’re going deeper than ever before… 1.1k deep, to be exact. Ian learns what it takes to keep a high-performing underground laboratory clinically clean. We meet exceptional apprentices championing learning on the job and discover the support Mitie provides to break down barriers to employment. 

It’s the end of Chris and Ian’s facilities transformation adventure. In the sixth episode of the podcast, they reflect on what they’ve learned along the way. Their personal highlights include visits to Mitie’s customer sites, where they witnessed technology’s impact on Facilities Management (FM) firsthand. They conclude data and AI will only disrupt and drive the sector’s transformation further, bringing technology-backed benefits to a brave new customer-focused world that can’t be imagined right now. 

On a return visit to The Shard, they chat to Mitie CEO, Phil Bentley, who is excited about the role of data, tech and AI in FM’s future. When delivered hand-in-hand with dedicated people and well-managed places, organisations will be more efficient, smart and agile enough to cope with today’s fast-moving landscape.

Have you ever wished you had a robot to do the cleaning? For some, it isn’t just a pipe dream. 

In this episode, Chris and Ian explore the leaps in technology that are driving innovation in hygiene. They visit John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford to learn more. Thanks to the convergence of data analysis and technology like service ordering apps, patient experience is being transformed. Our hosts also discover the power of robotics in hygiene and patient care, as well as the rise in eco-friendly cleaning solutions. This revolution isn’t just enhancing efficiency, but also improving patient outcomes.

After the Covid-19 pandemic emptied offices and drastically altered our ways of working, organisations were forced to adapt. But four years on, what’s next for the modern workplace?

Chris and Ian explore the transformation of workplace experience, the ongoing impact of the pandemic and the rapid digital adoption driven by the shift to hybrid working. They visit Royal London’s head office to explore technology’s role in creating a seamless employee and visitor experience. They also get a glimpse into the future, where technology and AI will continue to shape the evolution of the workplace. This brave new world could offer even greater flexibility and enable colleagues to be even more creative.

The world of security is evolving. The increasing severity, frequency and sophistication of threats need solutions advanced enough to cope with these new challenges. 

Chris and Ian dive into the innovative world of protective security – and explore what it means for today’s biggest organisations. They get a glimpse behind the scenes of security at two of London’s most iconic spaces, learning the secrets of how The Shard and Eurostar’s St Pancras hub are kept safe. There’s a fine balance between robust measures and maintaining a seamless customer experience.  

With the UK Government’s commitment to reach net zero by 2050, organisations are feeling the strain of decarbonisation targets. But in the challenge lies opportunity. Ian and Chris learn how facilities management is stepping into the breach, delivering sustainable solutions to keep customers on track. Ian ventures to Halifax, where he descends three storeys below ground to see Lloyds Banking Group’s ground source heat pumps in action. And in Chelmsford, Chris learns how the archives at Essex Records Office have been made more sustainable. Across the board, data and technology are playing a decisive role in decarbonisation.  

When Mitie’s CEO, Phil Bentley, invites hosts Ian and Chris to learn how the UK’s leading FM company is handling industry disruption, they jump at the chance. On a trip to Mitie HQ in the Shard, they hear how facilities management has morphed from mops and buckets to drones, HoloLens glasses, proptech, artificial intelligence and more. This transformation is reflected in Mitie’s Science of Service approach.