Brady has been listening to a variety of podcasts since 2019 and often thought about starting his own podcast, but could never think of a topic or format to get underway. It dawned on him to have conversations with the people who we interact with on a daily basis in and around our company and industry.
The Active Insight was created, with the concept being a conversation based video format podcast. Brady speaks to the people involved in and around the BM/FM/BC world to give you an insight into what really goes on in our unique industry. We will also be profiling our great team and the personalities behind the scenes at Active Building Management. You can view it here or online via LinkedIn, YouTube and Spotify. We hope you enjoy #theactiveinsight.
The Active Insight Episode #1 – Kylee Williams
Welcome to the very first episode of The Active Insight. It is only fitting that the first guest is Kylee Williams. Kylee is a co-founder and managing director of Active Building Management. We discuss Kylee’s career before building management, her role at Active, the challenges ahead and the industry in general. and his experiences in the industry so far.
How it all started- Building Management
Jared Freeland is a Building Manager at Active Building Management with a portfolio based around Parnell in Auckland. In this episode, Jared provides insight into his career prior to joining Active and his experiences in the industry so far.
Check out the other Active Insight Clips for Jared to find out more about a couple of Jared’s passions including his love of cars, media, his own podcast and some political chat to make things interesting.
The Active Insight Episode #3 – Kris Morris-Vette – Watershed Group
Kris Morris-Vette is the Managing Director of Watershed Group, a multi-disciplined property management company. Kris is the mainstay of the business, and the original founder/Director. He has extensive experience in project and facility management in educational and local body institutions and is also recognized as an industry leader in the management of aquatic facilities; having been involved both as an operator and in a supervisory capacity since the mid 1990’s. In this episode, Kris provides insight about the origins of Watershed, their industry experience in relation to apartment building remediation and the challenges ahead.
The Active Insight Episode #4 – James Pearse
James Pearse is a Senior Building Manager and Team Leader at Active Building Management, joining the company back in 2015. In this episode, James provides insight into his career in engineering prior to joining Active and his experiences in the industry so far. Outside of work, we get to know more about James including his love of cars, golf and family.
The Active Insight Episode #5 – John Maybury Jr.
John Maybury Jnr is a well known Presentation Coach providing Video Training & Workshops, Small Business Speaker Coaching and Livestream Interviews. John has a strong presence and following on LinkedIn, is an enthusiastic BNI Ambassador and an Auckland City apartment resident. In this episode, John provides an insight into apartment life in Auckland City
The Active Insight Episode #6 – Scott Williams – NZ Detector Dogs
NZ Detector Dogs provide a valuable service to many of our buildings with their team of highly trained handlers and dogs helping to keep our buildings safe and drug free. Scott Williams, one of the owners of the company along with his wife Janet, is a handler and canine trainer. Scott was a member of the NZ Police for over 31 years. Twenty-one of those years being a NZ Police Dog handler and Regional Training Sergeant in the Auckland Police Dog Section. During his 21 years of Police Dog handling experience, Scott trained and worked five General Purpose patrol dogs and also served on the Armed Offenders Squad as a dog handler. In 2008 Scott was promoted to the Regional Training Sergeant in the Auckland Dog Section and was responsible for the training and operational performance of the patrol dogs and handlers. His responsibilities included the training of new handlers, training new dogs and the retraining of experienced dog teams ensuring all operational aspects of Police dog handling were up to the national standards. Scott provides a great insight into how effective their service is in the apartment and commercial sector.
The Active Insight #7 – Kevin Williams – Clip
Tips to embrace health and safety.
The Active Insight #8 – Richard Madden – Kone Elevators
As building and facility managers we understand how crucial lifts are the successful operation of a building. Richard Madden is a Key Account Manager for Kone Elevators with 17 years experience in the elevator/lift industry. Richard shares his insights on the industry including the history of lifts, new lift installations, lift maintenance/refurbishment, health and safety. We also discuss new technology being developed and implemented for the purpose of moving people in buildings.
The Active Insight Episode #9 – Ian Redshaw – BC Group
Ian Redshaw is a shareholder and director of Building Compliance Group Limited (BC Group) and is the Managing Director of the company. In this episode we gain valuable insight in to the BWOF/Compliance industry. We discuss the technology developed by BC Group for the benefit of their team and clients, building warrant of fitness requirements, challenges ahead for the compliance industry and lots more. If you want to know more about building compliance in Auckland/New Zealand, this podcast is well worth your time. Enjoy.
The Active Insight Episode #10 – Dave Hammond – Clip
Why should you maintain your property?
The Active Insight Episode #11 – Kayne Storie – NZ Facilities
NZ Facilities is a well regarded Auckland-based property maintenance company providing an extensive range of professional maintenance, cleaning and restoration services. Their expertise covers high rise & general window cleaning, pressure washing, building washing, glass restoration, floor cleaning & restoration, painting and general property maintenance and repair. In this episode, Kayne Storie, the original “Streak Freak”, founder and company director at NZF, provides insights in to their range of services, working at height and his business journey from one-man-band to where the business is today.
ApexAir Ltd was incorporated in 2006 as a quality air-conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration product and services provider. ApexAir specializes in the design, installation, service & maintenance of commercial HVAC (Heat, Ventilation & Air Conditioning) systems. ApexAir is 100% kiwi owned and operated. In this episode, Ashwin Patel, Director of Apex Air and former president of IRHACE NZ provides an insight in to the HVAC industry, the services provided by Apex Air and the challenges currently facing the HVAC industry. Ashwin also shares an insight in to his motivations for starting the business as well as his passion for motorbikes and the All Blacks. Stay tuned to the end of the full episode where Ashwin flips the script and asks me a question!!??
The Urban Butler emerged following a 2016 trip to Europe by founder, Jon Lawry. Jon was inspired to recreate the experience for travellers to New Zealand on his return and purchased a single property in Ponsonby to begin his guest experience renaissance. The Urban Butler has now grown to offer a portfolio of beautiful apartments in central Auckland which favour amenity over formality and perfectly balance privacy with local connection. In this episode, Jon provides an insight in to the world of short term rental accommodation, Urban Butlers unique selling points and the future of professionally managed short stay accommodation.
Company Founder Russell Hogg has over 20 years of Fire and Security Industry Experience. His skills were honed in his home City of Portsmouth in England where he completed a multidiscipline Fire & Security Apprenticeship, then went on to spend many more years working on a wide range of projects as a qualified engineer. He holds qualifications in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, fire Alarm/detection, installation, maintenance, design and commissioning, plumbing and Construction Site safety management. Russell has been working in the NZ Fire Protection industry at a wide range of different levels now for 8 years. In this time, he has become an Independently Qualified Person (IQP) and been awarded his Producer Statement Authority.
@Height Ltd are rope access and building cleaning specialists servicing New Zealand residential, commercial and industrial buildings for construction companies and body corporate managers. Co-owners Ben and Martin have over 35 years combined experience (Ben 18 years, Martin 17 years) in the Industrial rope access and building cleaning industry. In this episode, Ben Sharp provides an insight in to the world of abseiling, the equipment, what type of training and qualifications are needed, health and safety as well as the challenges ahead for his company and industry.
Ben Sturmfels is the Head of Fundraising and Partnerships at the Rugby Foundation. A solution seeker with a reputation for adroitly mixing strategic intent with a ‘hands-on, can-do’ attitude and relationship focus. Ben’s financial and commercial acumen has been crucial to the Foundation since he joined in 2009 to maximise revenue generation and drive all commercial initiatives with a strong ‘money in’ focus.
Drew Hilton, is a Body Corporate Account Manager and formerly Building Manager and Operations Manager at Active Building Management from 2012 to 2021. In this episode Drew provides an insight into the similarities and differences between BC management and building management in the body corporate industry and what its like being involved in the same industry from a different role/perspective.
Monique Turner is a Building Manager and Team Leader at Active Building Management. In this episode, Monique provides a great insight in to the world of building management, her time in London, the struggles of trying to get home to NZ during the pandemic and her inspiring weight loss journey.
Jay Huggett is the Key Accounts Manager at Active Building Management. Jay spent a couple of years with Active as a building manager prior to taking on this new role with the company. In this episode Jay provides a valuable insight in to 5 Start Service, his career in the service and hospitality industry and the concept of 5 Star Service that we aspire to.
Brady Williams is a founding director of Active Building Management, along with his wife Kylee. In this episode, the script is flipped, putting Brady in the hot seat to get an insight in to the building and facility management industry in New Zealand, being a business owner and what makes him tick.
Rohan MacMillan is a 3rd generation plumber and owner of MacMillan Plumbing along with his brother Angus MacMillan. In this episode, Rohan provides an insight into the plumbing industry, plumbing in highrises vs houses, company culture and carrying on the family business that was founded in the 1930’s.
Roger Shephard has been in the Body Corporate industry as senior Body Corporate Manager for over 20 years, he is well regarded in the industry for his ability to build long term strong relationships, based on trust, with his clients. He is a business partner at Auckland Body Corporate Ltd. In this episode, Roger provides an insight into the body corporate management industry. We discuss the origins of Auckland Body Corporate, the role of a BC Manager and the day to day challenges they face in the body corporate industry.
Dean Thompson is a body corporate owner, investor, chairperson and a newly elected member to the BCCG (Body Corporate Chairpersons Group) Auckland executive. In this episode, Dean provides an insight into the body corporate industry from the perspective of an owner, investor and chairperson as we discuss the many challenges of the industry and where it is heading. Dean is also the director of a couple of industry related businesses; Moved Forward Ltd; offering support and long term strategic planning to body corporates and www.tradechecka.co.nz; a tool for homeowners and principal contractors to conduct checks that are not commonly available to the average person to help find the right contractor for their next project.
ILD is acknowledged worldwide for quality leak detection and integrity testing procedures, plus the development and installation of integrated sustainable flat roof protection systems. ILD is a multinational organization with an excellent reputation. Here in New Zealand, managing director Thomas McLaughlin heads up the ILD team. Thomas is a certified plumber and gas-fitter, having graduated from Unitec in 2009. While based in Auckland, Thomas regularly travels throughout New Zealand doing leak detection work. In this short clip, Thomas explains how the ILD process works. In the full episode Thomas provides an insight into how he became involved with the business as an opportunity, the construction industry practices that could be changed and the challenges of being a business owner trying to convince an industry of the need for the service.
Crime Scene Cleaners are a leading company in forensic decontamination and remediation. They provide specific tailored solutions for each client and their situation. Crime Scene Cleaners offer a 24 hour service which specialises in crime scene and trauma cleanup, Meth P-Lab decontamination, hazardous contamination cleanup, rental property restoration, hoarding cleanup and filth and odour remediation. Company founder and director Carl Loader provides a fascinating insight into the origins of the business and various services they provide.
Established in 1999, Rubbish Direct is proud to be 100% New Zealand owned and operated. They provide a range of waste collection services in Auckland. From rubbish and recycling collection, to inorganic, skip hire, and waste management planning, they can assist with all areas of waste disposal for your business. Rubbish Direct service apartments, hospitality venues, offices, and special events or functions. In this episode, Shone Smith, General Manager at Rubbish Direct, provides an intriguing insight into the company origins, culture and behind the scenes initiatives.
Rob Creemers is the founding director of APS with over 30 years experience in project management in the property refurbishment industry. He has been involved in the majority of major contracts APS has undertaken, oves a difficult challenge and has a science degree from Massey University. In this episode, Rob provides several fascinating insights including the origins of APS, their environmental policy, being an industry leader in health and safety and the company’s commitment to their community.
Chris Laycock is an owner and director of Constant Building Management, along with his wife Camille. Chris has a strong trade history, having worked for 12 years as a cabinetmaker with related experience in the marine and residential industries. He has an active interest in the practical aspects of building management, and his knowledge and personable nature mean he relates well to the variety of tradespeople who come through the door. In this episode, Chris provides an experienced insight into the wonderful world of building management, the origins of CBM, working as a husband and wife team and the challenges we face in the industry.
With over 15 years operating in the NZ security industry – ICE Security has the right stuff to manage, monitor and maintain all aspects of your security requirements. They provide a professional, performance based technical and system support service which is reviewed and updated on a regular basis. In this episode, company founder and director Jason Binedell provides an insight into the origins of his business, the services they provide, the team he has built and the challenges presented in the current environment where crime is increasing.
MethSolutions is a Nationwide leader in education and innovation on the issues of Meth in New Zealand. Since 2008, we have been assisting buyers, investors,property management and home owners in how to manage the risk of meth contamination in properties. Meth Contamination can have a profound effect on home owners and occupiers, many of which are not obvious. In this episode, Miles Stratford provides an educational insight into the scourge that is Meth, his companies services and the political response to this destructive substance.
Neil Hemraj is an experienced Front Office Manager and a passionate Guest Relations Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the hospitality industry. Neil is in charge of the concierge team at The Pacifica, New Zealand’s tallest luxury residential building, and responsible for creating a welcoming and enjoyable environment for Pacifica residents. In the full episode, Neil provides an insight in to his journey to NZ from South Africa, how the hospitality industry compares between the two countries, 5 star service and winning industry awards. For the record, we didn’t wear headphones for the podcast so we could let Neil’s hair “shine”, and an added bonus, you get to see my ears 😂. And yes the fire alarm does go off right at the end of the podcast!!
Doug Wilson is Strata’s Senior Body Corporate Manager (BCM) acting as team leader for the overall BCM group. He has a BCom in commercial law and management from the University of Auckland. He joined Strata as a BCM in 2006 having previously worked in commercial banking, real estate and launching a start-up café business. Doug worked up to managing Strata’s largest portfolio prior to shifting gears slightly to join the Strata management team. He has been a guest speaker at the annual ADLS/SCANZ half day conference and is very passionate about the industry, also being a shareholder in Strata. In the full episode, Doug provides an informative insight in to the body corporate management industry and we discuss the dispute process in depth. In this clip, Doug outlines the BC managers role in a dispute.
Residential and Commercial Building and Facility Management