Let's Talk Facilities

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 str...

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 supp...

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, an...

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! 

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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, t...

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 te...

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.

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Let's Talk Facilities is a podcast from the team at ...

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.

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

In this episode of Let’s Talk Facilities, Aaron Kelly and Nick Grace sit down with Leah Ong to explore mentorship, diversity, ESG, and the evolving role of technology in facilities management.

Leah shares her perspective on how relationships help managers build influence, why inclusivity strengthens FM teams, and the growing importance of leadership in shaping the future of the profession. She also offers practical ways for FMs to m...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Facilities, Aaron Kelly and Ben Young sit down with Duncan Waddell, an esteemed global leader in facility management, to unpack the evolving world of facility management.

They explore the real role of FMs today: part concierge, part strategist, part problem-solver. From hidden heroes to frontline professionals, Duncan breaks down how the profession is gaining recognition and where it's heading.

The c...

In this enlightening episode, Zac Gilder from Steril-Aire joins hosts Ben Young and Aaron Kelly for an in-depth discussion on indoor air quality (IAQ).

The trio explores the transformative role of UVC lights in Air Handling Units (AHUs), sharing best practices for ensuring healthy, clean air in the built environment. From split systems to large-scale HVAC AHUs, they uncover practical solutions to enhance air quality and protect occ...

Join hosts Aaron Kelly and Sammy Gilham as they chat with Jennifer Longstaff, a dynamic leader in facility management.

In this episode, they explore the intricacies of running a successful facilities business, and discuss Jenny's experience as a woman-owned business.

From managing diverse teams to meeting high customer expectations, Jenny shares her strategies for fostering a thriving workplace culture and driving operational e...

Join Aaron Kelly as he has a conversation with Charles Hammersla, a seasoned facility management leader, for an inspiring episode. They explore practical advice for aspiring facility managers, the importance of following through on commitments, and how the role has evolved to meet rising customer expectations.

Charles also shares his passion for giving back through not-for-profit work and community involvement, offering listeners v...

Join hosts Aaron Kelly and Sammy Gilham as they sit down with Leanne Cluley, Founder & CEO of Reduxo, to dive into the world of physical asset auditing.

Leanne shares her expertise on why accurate data is the backbone of effective decision-making and lifecycle management across industries.

From creating reliable asset registers to enabling predictive maintenance and lifecycle costing, this episode explores how Reduxo’s tailored...

In this episode, hosts Ben Young and Aaron Kelly sit down with Jade Germantis, Program Director of Digital Estate at The University of Melbourne, to explore the world of digital estates.

Discover what digital estates are, how to begin capturing data, and the journey from simple Excel spreadsheets to sophisticated data lake platforms.

Jade shares valuable insights and practical advice for facility professionals looking to harness da...

In this episode, hosts Aaron Kelly and Sammy Gilham sit down with Sue Bottrell from ContractorSAFE to tackle the critical topic of workplace safety.

They explore who’s responsible for what when it comes to keeping workers safe, diving into the complexities of Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) and Job Safety Analysis (JSA) documentation. Sue highlights how these documents are often overly complicated, leaving workers confused and d...

In this episode of Let's Talk Facilities, hosts Aaron Kelly and Ben Young from Premrest sit down with Louise Rowe from Pinpoint Property Recruitment.

Louise dives into the world of recruitment for facility managers, sharing strategies for upskilling, advancing your career, and standing out in the competitive FM space. Whether you’re looking to climb the ladder or sharpen your expertise, this episode is has actionable insights t...

The episode kicks off with a powerful idea: facility managers don’t need to be experts in every field, but they must master the art of connection—knowing who to call and where to find the right advice to keep operations running smoothly.

In Episode 6 of Let's Talk Facilities, hosts Aaron Kelly and Sammy Gilham sit down with Nicholas Burt, CEO of the Facilities Management Association (FMA).

Nicholas shares insights into his role,...

Aaron Kelly, Ben Young, and Sammy Gilham from Premrest discuss what it looks like being proactive vs. reactive in facility management.

They unpack what these approaches look like for facility managers—planning ahead to avoid chaos or dealing with it as it hits.

It’s practical, real-world stuff to help you level up, whether you’re strategising or troubleshooting.

#FacilityManagement

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Let's Talk Facilities is a podc...