Let's Talk Facilities
Let's Talk Facilities is the podcast for all things facility management, commercial facilities, HVAC to carpet cleaning. Join the team from Premrest as we explore practical insights, industry trends, and innovative strategies for maintaining and enhancing commercial facilities. Whether you're in facility management, commercial cleaning, or a trade our conversations cover a wide range of topics.
Markham on Let's Talk Facilities: Collaborative Robots Have Already Arrived in Facilities
Cleaning robots have been working quietly in shopping centres and airports since 2018, and they are now turning up in daytime spaces where everyone can see them.
In this episode, Aaron and Ben sit down with Markham Johnson, Regional Manager from Automaate, to talk about where a robot earns its place in a building and what the numbers look like when it takes over daily vacuuming.
The conversation also covers the cobot (collaborative robot) mindset and what it could mean for cleaning teams in the next few years.
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Everything You Never Knew About the Doors You Walk Through Every Day | Nathan Clarke and Brendan Herbert
Most people walk through an automatic door and never think about what is inside it. Most FMs inherit one and never get told what it costs to keep it working.
Aaron and Ben sit down with Nathan Clarke and Brendan Herbert from Tormax to talk about what automatic doors actually involve, what FMs are responsible for when something goes wrong and why the gap between opening day and year five looks so different for the person left managing the asset.
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#LetsTalkFacilities is a podcast from the team at Premrest...
What It Actually Takes to Run a Building People Love Living In | Rick O'Connor
Most buildings get managed. The best ones get cared for.
Aaron and Ben sit down with Rick O'Connor from Rise Facilities to talk about what running a strata building well actually looks like, why the relationship between a building manager and the people who live there is the thing that makes or breaks everything and what it means to create a place where people genuinely love where they live.
-----------#LetsTalkFacilities is a podcast from the team at Premrest, Australia's go-to for commercial floor care. Cleaning and Installing commercial flooring. https://www.premrest.com.au/<...
Placemaking: Creating a Workplace Experience People Actually Want to Come Back To | Lisa Mhaya
The office used to be somewhere people went because they had to. Now it has to be somewhere people actually want to be.
Aaron and Ben sit down with Lisa Mhaya, Partner and Head of Workplace at Knight Frank, to talk about what it takes to create that kind of workplace. The buildings getting it right are thinking about community and experience as something worth investing in and the results speak for themselves.
Inside the World's First Purpose-Built Pride Centre with Tyler Beck
Compliance is the bare minimum. Real safety is something else entirely.
In this episode, Aaron takes a walking tour of the Victorian Pride Centre with Tyler Beck, the person behind the building's day-to-day operations. Tyler shares the thinking behind the centre's design and how that same thinking carries through into security, contractor onboarding, and everyday risk management.
-----------#LetsTalkFacilities is a podcast from the team at Premrest, Australia's go-to for commercial floor care. Cleaning and Installing commercial flooring. https://letstalkfacilities.com/
HVAC Maintenance Explained for Facility Managers | Juan Castro on Let's Talk Facilities
No one thinks about HVAC until something breaks down. By then, the bill can run into the millions.In this episode, Aaron and Ben sit down with Juan Castro from Beaver Williams to unpack why mechanical services, despite making up 20 to 25 percent of a building's total cost, remain one of the most overlooked systems in facilities management.-----------#LetsTalkFacilities is a podcast from the team at Premrest, Australia's go-to for commercial floor care. Cleaning and Installing commercial flooring. https://letstalkfacilities.com/
Rob Broadhead: Almost Anyone Can Call Themselves a Fire Expert | Let's Talk Facilities
A fire door only works if it's closed. Leave it open, and you've turned a safety system into nothing at all.
In this episode, Aaron and Ben sit down with Rob Broadhead, Director of 2020 Fire Protection, to unpack what fire compliance actually means for Australian facility managers. Rob breaks down the fundamentals of compartmentalisation and walks through real disasters in Australia. He also exposes a confronting truth about the fire protection industry: with almost zero barriers to entry, some FMs may be trusting their building's safety to someone who is not certified or licensed to do the...
Is Your Building's Air Quality Making Staff Sick? | Lidia Morawska on Let's Talk Facilities
Most facility managers can tell you the temperature and humidity in their building right now. Almost none can tell you the CO2 levels because in Australia, there's currently no mandated indoor air quality monitoring at all.
In this episode, Aaron and Nick sit down with Doctor Lidia Morawska, one of the scientists who helped establish the case for airborne COVID-19 transmission, a shift that changed the World Health Organization's global guidance. Lidia demonstrates a live low-cost sensor reading in the studio and shares an inside look at QUT's P-block, the first building in the world working toward...
Wissam Salama on Let's Talk Facilities: Your Building Maintenance Could Be Costing You More
Most commercial buildings are being maintained on a schedule and nobody questions it because that's how it's always been done.In this episode, Aaron and Ben sit down with Wissam Salama, Managing Director of Guardian Mechanical Services, to talk about what building optimisation actually looks like in practice. Wissam brings 20 years of HVAC and fire industry experience to the conversation, covering everything from the actionable tips that cost nothing to implement, to BMS integration and IoT sensors.
-----------#LetsTalkFacilities is a podcast from the team at Premrest, Australia's go-to for commercial floor care. Cleaning and Installing commercial...
Responding to Emergency: How to Prepare for an Evacuation | David Gilmore on Let's Talk Facilities
Having a plan on paper is not the same as being ready. Most buildings find that out the hard way.Aaron and Nick sit down with David Gilmore from Evac Services to talk about what genuine emergency planning looks like in practice, how to run drills that actually prepare people and why life safety is everyone's responsibility not just the warden's.-----------#LetsTalkFacilities is a podcast from the team at Premrest, Australia's go-to for commercial floor care. Cleaning and Installing commercial flooring. https://letstalkfacilities.com/
The FM and Contractor Relationship Done Right | Jimmy House & Jake Bray
Every FM wants to sleep at night knowing the building is in good hands. Getting there starts with who you put on the job.
Aaron Kelly and Ben Young sit down with Jimmy House and and Jake Bray from Prime Maintenance Projects to talk about what a great service provider relationship looks like and why selecting the right specialist matters more than most FMs realise.
-----------#LetsTalkFacilities is a podcast from the team at Premrest, Australia's go-to for commercial floor care. Cleaning and Installing commercial flooring. https://letstalkfacilities.com/
Inside One of Australia's Most Unique FM Portfolios | Let's Talk Facilities with Janene Hansford
Every FM job has something unique in it.Aaron and Ben sit down with Janene Hansford to talk through what FM looks like beyond the corporate building, what change management has taught her about people, and why curiosity is the most underrated skill in the industry.
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#LetsTalkFacilities is a podcast from the team at Premrest, Australia's go-to for commercial floor care. Cleaning and Installing commercial flooring. https://letstalkfacilities.com/
Drone Inspections Are Giving FMs 100% Coverage for the First Time | Jamie Green
Most annual inspections only cover the areas a person can safely reach yet facility managers are forced to sign off a building as "safe."
In this latest episode of #LetsTalkFacilities, Aaron and Nick sat down with Jamie Green from Green Sky Group to talk about what drone technology is revealing about the buildings we thought we knew. From roofs that inspection reports declared problem-free to solar systems quietly failing in plain sight, Jamie unpacks what 100% asset coverage actually looks like and why it is changing the way FMs manage risk.
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<...Why Mentorship Is Not Enough to Move Your Career Forward in Facility Management | Jodi Whelan
Most people in the industry have a mentor. Far fewer have a sponsor.
In this episode of #LetsTalkFacilities, Aaron and Ben sit down with Jodi Whelan to talk about this distinction and what it takes to build a career in facility management. Jodi unpacks the difference between mentorship and sponsorship, what career scaffolding looks like in practice, and how the industry can do better at putting the right people in the right rooms.
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#LetsTalkFacilities is a podcast from the team at Premrest, Australia's go-to for commercial...
Can an FM Be Held Personally Liable? The Answer Is Yes, But... | Let's Talk Facilities w/ Kristy Keech
It starts with something small. A door handle that sticks. A defect that sat on a report for two weeks because it did not seem urgent. Kristy Keech has spent 22 years in risk and compliance watching those small things become the biggest problems an FM will ever face.
In this episode of #LetsTalkFacilities, Aaron and Nick sit down with Kristy Keech to talk about one of the most confronting realities in facility management: personal liability. She unpacks what it actually means to be responsible for a site and what you can do differently to protect yourself and...
The IoT Sensor That Saved Hundreds of Thousands of Litres | Bob Sharon on Let's Talk Facilities
Most facility managers are either drowning in data they cannot interpret or flying completely blind with none at all. Bob Sharon, Founder and CEO of Blue IoT says IoT sensors are the simplest way out of both.
Aaron and Ben sit down with Bob Sharon to talk about what IoT sensors are actually doing inside buildings right now. From detecting water leaks to monitoring CO2 levels, the conversation covers the full picture of what smart sensor technology looks like in practice.
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#LetsTalkFacilities is a podcast from the team at Premrest, Australia's go-to...
Your Building Management System Is More Than Just HVAC | Adrian Michaels
The building management system runs everything — fire, lifts, security, HVAC. So why is it buried in the mechanical contract?
In this episode of #LetsTalkFacilities, Aaron and Tim sit down with Adrian Michaels to talk about why building automation deserves to be treated as its own separate package and where the technology is heading over the next decade.--------------------------#LetsTalkFacilities is a podcast from the team at Premrest, Australia's go-to for commercial floor care. Cleaning and Installing commercial flooring. https://www.premrest.com.au/lets-talk-facilities
Inside University of Melbourne: Facility Tour with Andrew Moore
Most buildings are designed with an exit strategy. At the University of Melbourne, there isn't one.
Aaron and Ben take the podcast on the road for their first ever site tour, walking the University of Melbourne campus with Andrew Moore, Workspace Strategy and Operations Manager for the Faculty of Engineering and IT.
In this episode, they walk through what it actually looks like to manage a portfolio you can never walk away from — retrofitting buildings never designed for modern expectations, keeping 1950s spaces alive, and making decisions that have to last a generation.
...If Sydney Opera House Can Get a Green Rating, Yours Can Too | Davina Rooney on Let's Talk Facilities
In this episode, Aaron and Tim sit down with Davina Rooney, CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia, to talk about why existing buildings are now the most important frontier in sustainability, what's coming legislatively for FM teams, and why facility managers are the most powerful (and most underrecognised) force in the built environment.
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#LetsTalkFacilities is a podcast from the team at Premrest, Australia's go-to for commercial floor care. Cleaning and Installing commercial flooring.
https://letstalkfacilities.com/
Your Solar Panels Are Probably Off Right Now and You Don't Know It | Daniel Lazarus
In this episode of #LetsTalkFacilities, Aaron and Tim sit down with Daniel Lazarus, CEO of Industrias Services Group to talk about solar maintainance.Daniel shared that there's $1.5 billion worth of underperformance sitting in unmaintained solar systems across Australia right now and the majority of facility managers have no idea. They also break down why commercial solar is the most overlooked asset in FM, what the real risks are when it goes unchecked.
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#LetsTalkFacilities is a podcast from the team at Premrest, Australia's go-to for commercial floor care. Cleaning and Installing commercial flooring.https://www...
Leadership Isn't Just the Team You Hire | Kristy Megaw
In this episode Aaron and Ben sit down with Kristy Megaw, Senior Director of Client Partnerships at Cushman & Wakefield. Kristy has spent her career leading large-scale FM accounts across APAC — and she's got a lot to say about leadership, women in facilities, and why FM is a far more exciting career than the industry gives it credit for.------------------#LetsTalkFacilities is a podcast from the team at Premrest, Australia's go-to for commercial floor care. Cleaning and Installing commercial flooring.https://www.premrest.com.au/lets-talk-facilities
How a Flooring Company Became FM Advocate of the Year
We’re kicking things off by looking back at a milestone we didn’t expect.In this premiere episode, we reflect on winning FMA Industry Advocate of the Year and how a flooring company ended up building a platform that supports facility managers across the industry. What started as a way to share knowledge internally quickly grew into something bigger. A space to learn, connect, and solve real problems faced on the ground.If you’ve been part of the journey, this is a look back at how it all started. If you’re new here, this is the perfect...
Drawing the Line between Facility and Asset Management with Ujwal Lakra
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.
Growing in FM with Arbab Shah
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.
Facilities with Purpose | A Conversation with Paul Sor
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 f...
Special: A Better Way to Build with Dave Moolman
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.
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Let's Talk Facilities is a podcast from the team at Premrest, Australia's go-to for floor care.
Cle...
Sustainability That Pays Off | Lauren Hamilton
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.
Designing Workplace Strategy with Dr Agustin Chevez
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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Let's Talk Facilities is a podcast from the team at Premrest, Australia's go-to for floor care.
Cleaning and installing commerci...
Special: Building a Circular Future with Paul Rosenberg Vella
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.
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Let's Talk Facilities is a podcast from th...
Why Emergency Management Matters for Facility Managers | Gaurav Bhalla
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...
Values-Driven Facilities Management with Mark O’Connell
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 Premrest, Australia's go-to for floor care.
Cleaning and installing commercial flooring.
https://www.premrest.com.au/lets-talk-facilities
Special: Sustainability with Aidan Mullan
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 floor care.
Cleaning and installing commercial flooring.
https://www.premrest.com.au/lets-talk-facilities
Mentorship, Diversity, and the Future of FM | with Leah Ong
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 move beyond operations and step into strategic leadership.
If you want to take your FM career forward, this conversation is packed with lessons you can apply ri...
Facility Management is Changing | Duncan Waddell
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 conversation also dives deep into ISO 41001, the global facilities management standard:
✔ What it means for FM teams
✔ How it drives operational excellence
✔ How to s...
Clean Air: Shining a Light on Indoor Air Quality with Zac Gilder
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 occupant health.
This must-listen episode is packed with insights for anyone passionate about creating safer, healthier indoor spaces.
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Let's Talk...
Leading with Impact: People and Expectations in Facility Management
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 excellence.
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Let's Talk Facilities is a podcast from the team at Premrest, Australia's go-to for floor care.
Cleaning and installing...
Charles Hammersla on Facility Management, Integrity, and Community Impact
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 valuable insights on leadership and impact.
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Let's Talk Facilities is a podcast from the team at Premrest, Australia's go-to for commercial floor care.
Cleaning and...
Accurate Data, Smarter Decisions: Leanne Cluley Unpacks Asset Auditing
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 audit solutions help organizations save time, reduce risks, and plan for the future.
Listen for practical insights and inspiring stories from Leanne’s decades of experience in asset mana...
Building Digital Estates: Jade Germantis on Data-Driven Facilities
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 data for smarter decision-making.
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Let's Talk Facilities is a podcast from the team at Premrest, Australia's go-to for...
Simplifying Workplace Safety: With Sue Bottrell
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 disconnected from their core purpose: clearly communicating risks and ensuring safety.
Listen for a candid discussion on streamlining safety processes to better protect workers and facilities alike.
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