The Future Homes Podcast
Unpacking new homes and communities
Short, expert‑led discussions exploring how new homes and places are being delivered across the UK — from regulation and energy to design and delivery at scale.
About the podcast
The Future Homes Podcast is a series from the Future Homes Hub, designed to share practical insight across the homebuilding ecosystem.
Hosted by housing sustainability expert Chris Gaze, each episode features clear, jargon‑free conversations with industry leaders and subject experts.
We focus on what’s changing, what’s working, and what housebuilders and their advisors need to know to deliver better homes — at pace and at scale.
Episodes are released fortnightly and are grounded in real‑world experience, making them ideal listening for busy professionals.
Subscribe to the Future Homes podcast
Latest episode
This time, we're exploring the principles of good ventilation design. What does it take to ensure good ventilation and air quality in a Future Homes Standard home?
Joining Chris Gaze for this one are:
- Ian Mawditt from Four Walls consultants, a specialist in building performance
- Peter Clennell
- Group Technical and Innovations Director at Persimmon
Previous episodes
Heating
List of services
-
Starting the heat pump journey
Episode 3 | 27th May 2026
Electric heating in. Gas heating out. All UK home builders can see the direction of travel. One solution is heat pumps.
But what do you need to know to start your heat pump journey?
Joining Chris Gaze for this episode are:
- Lizzie Wilkinson, Product Director from Ideal Heating
- Tim Hartwell, Group Design Director of Miller Homes
- Jamie Bursnell, Group Technical and Innovations Manager from Bellway
Starting the heat pump journey
-
Heating systems for individual homes with especially low heat demands
Episode 6 | 15th July 2026
This episode is one of a set of three looking at heating options for Future Homes Standard homes.
We look at heating systems that work well with individual dwellings with especially low space heating demand. This includes exhaust air heat pumps, direct electric heating, and heat pump cylinders.
Joining Chris Gaze for this episode are:
- Peter McBride, UK Sales Director, Specification at Mixergy
- Jerry Gorman, National Sales Manager - New Build at NIBE
- Mark Lufkin, Chief Product Officer at Wondrwall
- Linda Field, Head of New Build and Social Housing at Qvantum UK
Heating systems for individual homes with especially low heat demands
-
Getting the design right on heat pumps
Episode 7 | 29th July 2026
This is the second of three episodes that are looking at heating system solutions for Future Homes Standard homes.
To discuss air source and ground source heat pumps for individual dwellings, Chris is joined by:
- Hannah Rapson, Research and Innovation Manager at Vistry Group
- Nick Houghton-Best, National Head of New Build at Daikin
- Neal Stone, Managing Director at Renewable Energy Domestic Design
Getting the design right on heat pumps
-
Commissioning with care - why it really matters
Episode 8 | 12th August 2026
This time, we're examining the topic of commissioning, particularly when it comes to heat pumps and ventilation systems.
Joining us are:
- Debbie Haynes, Carbon Reduction & Sustainability Manager at OX Place
- Ian Mawditt, Development Director at Four Walls Group Consultancy
Commissioning with care - why it really matters
-
Getting the design right on heat networks
Episode 10 | 16th September 2026
Why are we seeing more interest in heat networks in 2026?
In this episode - one of three looking at heating options for Future Homes Standard Homes - Chris speaks with:
- Ed Levein, Business Development Manager at Rendesco
- Jon Ponting, Future Homes Standard Policy Lead at AES Sustainable Consultants
Getting the design right on heat networks
Future Homes Standard
List of services
-
Leading early and learning fast on the Future Homes Standard
Episode 1 | 27th May 2026
To prepare effectively for the FHS, every homebuilder regardless of size will benefit from establishing pilot sites with a clear, structured plan for embedding learning across their organisation.
Joining Chris Gaze for this first episode of the Future Homes Podcast are:
- Danielle Michalska-Morris, Director of Research and Technical Innovation from Taylor Wimpey
- Matt Underwood, Commercial and Technical Director from Lioncourt Homes
- David Adams, Strategic Advisor at the Future Homes Hub
Leading early and learning fast on the Future Homes Standard
-
Rethinking the customer journey
Episode 9 | 26th August 2026
What does it mean to 'own' the customer journey when thinking about Future Homes Standard homes?
This time, Chris speaks with:
- Katie Gilmartin, Head of Business Development & Innovation at Platform Housing Group
- Tom Dollard, Partner at Pollard Thomas Edwards
Rethinking the customer journey
-
Evolving your design for optimum performance - the devils in the details
Episode 11 | 30th September 2026
In this episode, as part of the Future Homes Standard Essentials series, Chris Gaze chats with Steph Okey from the design and planning team at L&Q, and Richard Partington from Studio Partington Architects.
We divide the conversation into four broad areas:
• site layout, including placemaking
• home layout
• building physics
• the lived experience of the home
Evolving your design for optimum performance - the devils in the details
-
Ensuring good indoor air quality - ventilation for healthy homes
Episode 12 | 21st October 2026
This time, we're exploring the principles of good ventilation design.
What does it take to ensure good ventilation and air quality in a Future Homes Standard home?Joining Chris Gaze for this one are:
Ian Mawditt from Four Walls consultants, a specialist in building performance.
Peter Clennell, Group Technical and Innovations Director at Persimmon.
Ensuring good indoor air quality - ventilation for healthy homes
Infrastructure and Energy Systems
Nature and Placemaking
Building Design and Performance
List of services
-
Build as designed
Episode 4 | 10th June 2026
If the clever designs and technical innovations don't translate from the plans to the build, you've potentially got big problems.
You've got a gap between the intended home - and what is built in reality.
Joining Chris Gaze to discuss the practicalities of 'building as designed' are:
- Debbie Haynes, Carbon Reduction & Sustainability Manager at OX Place
- David Robbins, Director of Central Technical Services at Places for People
- Matt Crawford, Head of Design and Technical Standards at Onward Homes
Build as designed
-
Commissioning with care - why it really matters
Episode 8 | 12th August 2026
This time, we're examining the topic of commissioning, particularly when it comes to heat pumps and ventilation systems.
Joining us are:
- Debbie Haynes, Carbon Reduction & Sustainability Manager at OX Place
- Ian Mawditt, Development Director at Four Walls Group Consultancy
Commissioning with care - why it really matters
-
Evolving your design for optimum performance - the devils in the details
Episode 11 | 30th September 2026
In this episode, as part of the Future Homes Standard Essentials series, Chris Gaze chats with Steph Okey from the design and planning team at L&Q, and Richard Partington from Studio Partington Architects.
We divide the conversation into four broad areas:
• site layout, including placemaking
• home layout
• building physics
• the lived experience of the home
Evolving your design for optimum performance - the devils in the details
All podcasts
List of services
-
Leading early and learning fast on the Future Homes Standard
Episode 1 | 27th May 2026
To prepare effectively for the FHS, every homebuilder regardless of size will benefit from establishing pilot sites with a clear, structured plan for embedding learning across their organisation.
Joining Chris Gaze for this first episode of the Future Homes Podcast are:
- Danielle Michalska-Morris, Director of Research and Technical Innovation from Taylor Wimpey
- Matt Underwood, Commercial and Technical Director from Lioncourt Homes
- David Adams, Strategic Advisor at the Future Homes Hub
Leading early and learning fast on the Future Homes Standard
-
Planning for Biodiversity Net Gain
Episode 2 | 27th May 2026
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) forms a core part of planning approval for many new housing developments, calling for at least a 10% measurable improvement in habitats on or off site to ensure that development leaves biodiversity in a better state than before.
But exactly what is it, why it’s been brought in, and how can homebuilders stay compliant? Chris Gaze's guests for this episode are:
- Becky Moberly, Principal Consultant (Environment) from the Planning Advisory Service
- Paul Dodd, Head of Design Advice at Urban Design Learning
Planning for Biodiversity Net Gain
-
Starting the heat pump journey
Episode 3 | 27th May 2026
Electric heating in. Gas heating out. All UK home builders can see the direction of travel. One solution is heat pumps.
But what do you need to know to start your heat pump journey?
Joining Chris Gaze for this episode are:
- Lizzie Wilkinson, Product Director from Ideal Heating
- Tim Hartwell, Group Design Director of Miller Homes
- Jamie Bursnell, Group Technical and Innovations Manager from Bellway
Starting the heat pump journey
-
Build as designed
Episode 4 | 10th June 2026
If the clever designs and technical innovations don't translate from the plans to the build, you've potentially got big problems.
You've got a gap between the intended home - and what is built in reality.
Joining Chris Gaze to discuss the practicalities of 'building as designed' are:
- Debbie Haynes, Carbon Reduction & Sustainability Manager at OX Place
- David Robbins, Director of Central Technical Services at Places for People
- Matt Crawford, Head of Design and Technical Standards at Onward Homes
Build as designed
-
Grid connections - setting your development up for success
Episode 5 | 1st July 2026
Connecting to the grid has become ever more complicated, and it's critical for developers and the supply chain to fully understand.
Joining Chris Gaze to unpick the jargon around DNOs, iDNOs, ICPs and all the rest are:
- Nicola Kennedy, Head of Strategic Sales at E.ON Next
- David McDonald, Networks Director at iDNO Advanced Electricity Networks
- Dan Neasham, Head of Sustainability and Performance at the Future Homes Hub
Grid connections - setting your development up for success
-
Heating systems for individual homes with especially low heat demands
Episode 6 | 15th July 2026
This episode is one of a set of three looking at heating options for Future Homes Standard homes.
We look at heating systems that work well with individual dwellings with especially low space heating demand. This includes exhaust air heat pumps, direct electric heating, and heat pump cylinders.
Joining Chris Gaze for this episode are:
- Peter McBride, UK Sales Director, Specification at Mixergy
- Jerry Gorman, National Sales Manager - New Build at NIBE
- Mark Lufkin, Chief Product Officer at Wondrwall
- Linda Field, Head of New Build and Social Housing at Qvantum UK
Heating systems for individual homes with especially low heat demands
-
Getting the design right on heat pumps
Episode 7 | 29th July 2026
This is the second of three episodes that are looking at heating system solutions for Future Homes Standard homes.
To discuss air source and ground source heat pumps for individual dwellings, Chris is joined by:
- Hannah Rapson, Research and Innovation Manager at Vistry Group
- Nick Houghton-Best, National Head of New Build at Daikin
- Neal Stone, Managing Director at Renewable Energy Domestic Design
Getting the design right on heat pumps
-
Commissioning with care - why it really matters
Episode 8 | 12th August 2026
This time, we're examining the topic of commissioning, particularly when it comes to heat pumps and ventilation systems.
Joining us are:
- Debbie Haynes, Carbon Reduction & Sustainability Manager at OX Place
- Ian Mawditt, Development Director at Four Walls Group Consultancy
Commissioning with care - why it really matters
-
Rethinking the customer journey
Episode 9 | 26th August 2026
What does it mean to 'own' the customer journey when thinking about Future Homes Standard homes?
This time, Chris speaks with:
- Katie Gilmartin, Head of Business Development & Innovation at Platform Housing Group
- Tom Dollard, Partner at Pollard Thomas Edwards
Rethinking the customer journey
-
Getting the design right on heat networks
Episode 10 | 16th September 2026
Why are we seeing more interest in heat networks in 2026?
In this episode - one of three looking at heating options for Future Homes Standard Homes - Chris speaks with:
- Ed Levein, Business Development Manager at Rendesco
- Jon Ponting, Future Homes Standard Policy Lead at AES Sustainable Consultants
Getting the design right on heat networks
-
Evolving your design for optimum performance - the devils in the details
Episode 11 | 30th September 2026
In this episode, as part of the Future Homes Standard Essentials series, Chris Gaze chats with Steph Okey from the design and planning team at L&Q, and Richard Partington from Studio Partington Architects.
We divide the conversation into four broad areas:
• site layout, including placemaking
• home layout
• building physics
• the lived experience of the home
Evolving your design for optimum performance - the devils in the details
-
Ensuring good indoor air quality - ventilation for healthy homes
Episode 12 | 21st October 2026
This time, we're exploring the principles of good ventilation design.
What does it take to ensure good ventilation and air quality in a Future Homes Standard home?Joining Chris Gaze for this one are:
Ian Mawditt from Four Walls consultants, a specialist in building performance.
Peter Clennell, Group Technical and Innovations Director at Persimmon.
Ensuring good indoor air quality - ventilation for healthy homes