Tap into Something Better: The Podcast

I asked Lucy Dixon what one thing she'd change about the workplace to make it better for everyone.
She didn't say flexible hours. Or better pay structures. Or more time off.
She said dogs.
More dogs, everywhere.
And I mean… the practicality doesn’t necessarily stack up against some of those other things, but at the same time… wouldn’t more dogs make us feel better?
I spent half an hour talking to her about community, about tradeswomen racing across Europe with no phones, about workshops that accidentally change women's career trajectories, and about what a genuinely inclusive industry looks like.
And I could have carried on talking to her for hours. One thing I definitely learned though?
She's earned that answer.
Lucy is Head of Engagement at The Installer Show and has been at the heart of the UK installer community for over a decade. She is one of those people who makes you feel genuinely optimistic about an industry's future.
This episode is well worth half an hour of your time.
🚨 PLEASE SUPPORT THE ALL WOMEN TRADE TEAM taking part in this challenge as a RAISING FUNDS TO SUPPORT a dear tradesman friend in the Industry who is bravely fighting cancer. SPONSOR LINK HERE: https://race-for-change.raiselysite.com/t/lucy-dixon-team 🚨

Are women really leaving construction because of poorly fitting PPE?
 
That’s where the conversation starts… but it’s not where it ends.
 
In the latest episode of Tap Into Something Better, I’m joined by Faye Allen BSc (Hons), PgDL, FRICS, MAE Allen, author of Building Women and expert witness with 30+ years in the industry.
 
After speaking to 1,000+ women, the real reasons are clear:
 
– Feeling excluded early in their careers
– Bullying and harassment
– Lack of flexibility for working parents
 
This isn’t just a women’s issue. It’s a retention, performance, and culture issue for the entire industry.
 
Listen to the Full episode & grab a copy of Faye's fantastic book, Building Women today!

This month, we’re spotlighting incredible women shaping the future of our industry — and we’re kicking things off with Sophie Seddon.
Sophie is a senior construction executive, shareholder at Novus Property Solutions, Non-Executive Director, and Board Trustee at CITB. With over a decade of experience across marketing, HR, client engagement and leadership, she brings a rare, full-spectrum view of what truly drives performance in construction and property.
In this episode, we go beyond projects and pipelines — and into what really matters:
👉 Leadership from both executive and non-executive perspectives👉 Why culture is the biggest driver of business performance👉 The power of psychological safety in high-pressure environments👉 Creating inclusive workplaces where people can thrive👉 The future of construction, facilities management and ESG
One of the most powerful takeaways:
“When people feel safe, everything improves — decision-making, retention, innovation and wellbeing.”
Whether you’re in construction, facilities management, property, or working with high-value clients — this is a conversation about building better businesses, not just buildings.
🔷 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
• How Non-Executive roles change leadership thinking• Why psychological safety is a commercial advantage• How to build cultures that retain and attract talent• The role of inclusivity in long-term industry success• What gives real hope for the future of construction
🔷 WHO THIS IS FOR
This episode is for:
🏗 Construction professionals🏢 Facilities management leaders💼 Property developers & HNW client advisors🌱 ESG & sustainability advocates👷‍♀️ Women building careers in the industry
🔷 KEY MOMENT
“If I could change one thing — it would be genuine psychological safety, where people feel safe to speak openly about challenges and opportunities.”
🔷 SERIES TEASE
This is the first in a special series featuring women shaping our industry.
Coming up next:✨ Faye Allen — Founder of Building Women✨ Lucy Dixon — InstallerSHOW
 
🎧 Follow the podcast for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of construction, property and the built environment.
 
 
 
 

 
In this episode of Tap Into Something Better, host Hannah Freeman Jarvis is joined by Anna Rzepczynski, founder of We Build Too — a groundbreaking platform designed to empower women in construction and reshape an industry that is long overdue for change.
Anna shares the real experiences that led her to build We Build Too, from witnessing talented women being pushed out of the sector to navigating outdated and often patronising systems as a customer herself.
Together, Hannah and Anna explore:
Why women still feel unseen and unsupported in construction
The systemic barriers holding back progress (and why slogans aren’t enough)
The urgent need for better data, safety, and inclusion on sites and in leadership
What the industry could look like in 10 years if women truly thrive
And the one change Anna believes would make workplaces better for everyone
This is an honest, insightful conversation about designing industries that work for all — and building a future where women don’t just enter construction, but lead it.
🎧 Listen now and discover how We Build Too is helping pave the way for the next generation. And please sign up for their newsletter here to find out more about the platform, services & take part in future surveys/research.
 

🎙 New Podcast Episode: Leadership, Veterans & Building Better Workplaces
In this episode of Tap Into Something Better, I’m joined by Alistair Scott — a leader who truly walks the talk when it comes to people-first leadership in facilities management.
Alastair is:
Founding Director of Maze Vanguard Group
Founder of Integrated Estate Management (IEM)
A driving force behind the IWFM Veterans in FM Network
Board member of Veterans Can
Ambassador for Care After Combat
🏆 Veteran Leader of the Year (Veterans Awards, Oct)
We dive into:
Why ex-service personnel are hugely underestimated in FM
How veterans bring real-world leadership, resilience and delivery under pressure
Why compliance and sustainability must be treated as wellbeing and safety issues, not tick-box exercises
A brilliantly simple way to think about building compliance (hint: think MOT, not paperwork)
Why trust — not beanbags or foosball tables — is the single biggest missing ingredient in modern workplaces
This conversation is about more than FM.It’s about leadership, inclusion, purpose and designing workplaces that actually work for human beings.
🔗 Explore Alistair’s work and the organisations we discuss:
Integrated Estate Management (IEM): https://integrated-em.com/
IWFM Veterans in FM Network: https://www.iwfm.org.uk/community/veterans-in-fm.html
Veterans Can: https://www.linkedin.com/company/veterans-can/
Maze Vanguard Group: https://mazevanguard.co.uk/
If you care about:✔ Better leadership✔ Supporting veterans in industry✔ Smarter, safer, more human workplaces
— this episode is for you.

Episode Summary 
Our guest, Sharmin Akter, is a workplace experience and facilities management leader specialising in inclusive, human-centred design. Passionate about shaping environments that prioritise wellbeing, equity, and employee empowerment, Sharmin advocates for transforming FM into a strategic driver of organisational success.
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Tap Into Something Better, host Hannah Freeman sits down with Sharmin Akter to explore what it truly means to design workplaces that empower people to thrive. Together, they unpack how wellbeing, inclusivity, and green spaces can transform workplace culture and why the future of facilities management lies in elevating the human experience. Sharmin shares her passion for creating environments shaped with employees, not for them—from sensory gardens to nap pods—and explains how meaningful innovations can boost productivity, creativity, and connection.
 
Key Takeaways
Real workplace transformation is done with people, not to them.
Sensory gardens and green spaces foster inclusivity, creativity, and wellbeing.
We are human first, employees second.
Listening to employee voices is essential for meaningful change.
Facilities management is shifting from a cost centre to a strategic business driver.
Diversity in leadership is crucial for shaping better environments.
Innovations like nap pods can significantly enhance workplace culture.
Short power naps can deliver major productivity boosts.
The best workplaces are inclusive, human-centric, and experience-led.
Suggested Episode Titles
Transforming Workplaces: A People-First Approach
The Power of Green Spaces in Work Culture
Sound Bites
“Creating a sensory garden for inclusivity.”
“We are human first and employees second.”
“Power naps can boost productivity.”
Chapters
00:00 — Introduction to Transformative Workplaces01:13 — People-Centred Initiatives in Workplace Transformation05:28 — The Impact of Green Spaces on Wellbeing10:36 — Diversity, Equity, and Employee Empowerment15:47 — Facilities Management as a Strategic Driver20:28 — Innovative Ideas for Enhancing Workspaces

In this episode of Tap Into Something Better, Hannah Freeman sits down with Samantha Mant, founder and CEO of Halcyan Water Conditioners, to explore the hidden impact of limescale on energy consumption and carbon footprints.
Samantha shares her journey from conservation to innovation, explaining how Halcyan’s 30-year warranty water conditioners prevent limescale, protect appliances, and drive long-term energy savings. Together, they uncover why water is radically undervalued in sustainability conversations, the importance of accountability in green claims, and how small innovations can create big environmental change.
💡 Key Takeaways:
Halcyan prevents limescale build-up while saving energy.
Limescale dramatically increases energy use.
A 30-year warranty proves durability and trust.
Real sustainability demands honesty and accountability.
Small solutions can drive large-scale environmental progress.
Dogs in the workplace can improve wellbeing too!
🎧 Tune in for an honest conversation on sustainability, innovation, and why it’s time we start valuing water properly.
Follow Samantha Mant, and Halcyan on Linkedin here

In this episode of Tap Into Something Better, Hannah Freeman sits down with Andrew Hulbert, incoming Chair of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM), founder of Pareto FM, and passionate advocate for values-led leadership. Andrew shares why he believes facilities management is — and always has been — about people first. From getting the basics right for frontline teams, to creating environments that drive productivity and wellbeing, Andrew highlights how FM can be both a life-changing career and a force for good. Expect reflections on the “unsexy” side of FM, leading with values in a cost-driven world, and why goats in the office might just be the future.
 
You can follow Andrew Hulbert on LinkedIn here.
And you can find out more about The Tap Specialist here

What if the real reason your culture initiatives aren’t working… is because you’re treating symptoms, not systems?
In this episode of Tap Into Something Better, we sit down with Paula Brockwell — chartered occupational psychologist, culture strategist, and founder of The Employee Experience Project. Paula’s on a mission to dismantle the “fun-washing” culture trend and replace it with something bolder: real, scalable, measurable culture change that starts with capability and ends with accountability.
We talk about:
Why “perks” don’t fix broken systems
Who actually owns culture change (spoiler: it’s not just HR)
How to build alignment without chasing perfection
The role of curiosity in healing fractured teams
If you’re tired of meaningless engagement surveys, one-off workshops, or vibes-based culture strategies… this one’s for you.
Connect with Paula on LinkedIn or visit employeeexperienceproject.com

In this episode of Tap Into Something Better, Hannah sits down with Hattie Hasan MBE — trailblazing plumber, author, and founder of Stopcocks Women Plumbers. From being the first woman at Leeds College of Building, to creating rainwater harvesting systems in drought-hit Kenya, to launching the Register of Tradeswomen, Hattie has spent three decades turning barriers into platforms.
We explore how water quite literally creates civilisation, why visibility and equity in the trades matter, and how self-employment can be both empowering and isolating. Hattie shares stories of resilience, innovation, and community — from building tanks out of gabion baskets to empowering survivors of abuse through DIY Champs.
This is an episode about water, work, and what it takes to change an industry that wasn’t built with women in mind.
Follow Hattie on LinkedIn
Check out the Tradeswomen Together Podcast
Find out more about The Tap Specialist