Tackling climate change is one of, if not the biggest challenge the world faces, and our podcast series ‘Fisher German Talks’ has covered a range of topics, including a look at the part they will play in the journey to achieve net zero by 2050.
Discussions around making agriculture sustainable, the Electronic Communications Code and the measures which have been taken to comply with biodiversity net gain are just a few of the topics covered in the series. Each episode has been hosted by a Fisher German expert who is joined by a guest speaker who is an expert in that area, to discuss the topical issues that are facing our industries today.
The last episode, recorded last week, looks at Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), best practice and how good communication and digital innovation can ensure consistency.
Rachel Bridge, Associate Director based at our Ashby office and Deputy National Chair of the Pipeline Industries Guild, was joined by colleague Mark Gilkes, Partner in our Infrastructure Consultancy team, and Tim Read from Carmague Communication. They discuss the implications of communicating with thousands of affected parties, share examples of innovation in communicating for major projects, and look at how the pandemic has impacted how we all work.
Rachel said: “We are in a unique position; we are very focused, and our aim is to be efficient as possible to ensure consistency across any one of our many projects. It must be best practice rather than the minimum requirements; everyone needs to understand who is doing what and when so there is no duplication of time and no risk of mistakes being made. It’s essential that we support our clients not only in their ambitions to become net zero but balancing the stable supply of energy. Technology is improving all the time and having a single source of truth where everyone involved can collaborate and feed in their information is crucial.
“Thousands of people are affected by major infrastructure projects including landowners, occupiers, and statutory bodies. Multiplying this up across the major schemes currently around the country results millions of people and businesses being involved at any one time - communication between them all is critical.
“Our podcast series has provided us with a platform for industry experts to discuss key trends, changes in legislations as well as key market updates, delivered straight to the ears of our clients and others interested in these topics within the wider property industry. We are thrilled that the first episodes have been so popular, with almost 13,000 downloads so far. We plan to launch a second series later this year.”
Other topics covered in the series include the future of British farming; biodiversity net gain and the implications on planning applications; the latest insights from the Electronic Communications Code (ECC); achieving net zero in the commercial property sector; and the options for utilising non-operational property assets, featuring guest speakers from CEMEX and Southern Water.
There is also an episode which looks at safe digging and the growth of infrastructure networks across the UK which are required to help us meet net zero targets over the next few decades. Richard Broome, Managing Director of LinesearchbeforeUdig, and a Partner at based at our Ashby office is joined by Neil Clarke from UK Power Networks (UKPN) and Bob Gallienne from Bob Gallienne Consulting Ltd to discuss the implications on safety and working practices.
Anyone can tune in to our podcast series on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, as well as other available podcast platforms. Just search ‘Fisher German Talks’.
