Sustainable Partnerships in Facilities Management

Mr. Julien Watel graduated with a master’s degree in Energy and Mechanical Engineering at Polytech Marseille University (France). Fully engaged in sustainability and local decarbonization solutions development for giving a brighter future to the next generations, he has over 23 years of experience in energy performance and building services engineering. Over his career Julien has developed an extensive international experience in construction, operation and maintenance services with the aim of integrating operations and energy efficiency from the design and installation phase.

In Veolia, Julien has been promoting implementation of smart energy services in the Middle East and Central Europe. He is now assigned by Veolia to lead the Energy Business line in HK focused on building services (Southa) and District cooling systems (HKDC).

My Sustainability Goals for 2024:

1. To promote and accelerate the development of energy performance services.
2. To integrate IA for energy efficiency in daily operations in HVAC systems and District Cooling Systems.

Melanie is the Sustainable Solutions Strategist at JEB Group & Sustainable Office Solutions, she possesses a unique blend of design knowledge and a deep passion for sustainability. Having studied architecture in both Hong Kong and London, Melanie brings a diverse perspective to the industry.

Her journey towards sustainability began with a strong personal commitment, starting with personal lifestyle changes. Recognizing the crucial role industries play in driving sustainable practices, Melanie cofounded a sustainable product start-up and explored the intersection of architecture and sustainability in previous roles.

Since 2019, Melanie has focused her efforts on sustainability advisory, developing expertise in project management with a track record of successful delivery of supply chain projects addressing human rights and environmental risks. She has worked across a wide range of industries, from finance and property development to manufacturing, F&B, and waste management, Melanie has consistently demonstrated her ability to implement sustainable practices to make a positive impact.

My Sustainability Goals for 2024:

• More enforced regulations from government to accelerate ambitious climate action in the business sector.
• Higher quality education and awareness building around sustainability to inspire and empower individuals in Hong Kong to be part of the change!

– Serves as a Senior Property & Facility Manager of Kai Shing Management Services Limited
– Experienced professional for managing Grade A commercial development
– Leads the team in providing high-quality and attentive services to tenants
– has spearheaded the implementation of energy-efficient technologies and waste reduction programs in the development
– has been instrumental in promoting recycling and environmental responsibility among tenants

My Sustainability Goals for 2024:

1. Increase Adoption of Solar Energy:
• Expand the installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels on building façades and rooftops across Hong Kong.
• Provide incentives and streamline the approval process for building owners to install solar energy systems.
2. Promote Energy-Efficient Building Retrofits:
• Implement a building retrofit program to upgrade existing commercial and residential buildings with energy-efficient technologies.
• Encourage the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to optimize building performance and monitor real-time energy consumption.

Phoebe Leung is the Senior Sustainable Development Manager of Swire Properties. Her work involves supporting the Company’s Sustainable Development (SD) 2030 Strategy as well as action plans and programmes to improve the company’s overall SD performance.

She leads the planning and execution of Swire Properties’ SD tenant engagement strategy and bespoke tenant programmes, such as the Green Performance Pledge and Green Kitchen Initiative, fostering landlord-tenant partnerships to incorporate sustainability throughout the design, fit-out and occupancy stages.

In addition, she drives the Company’s Resource and Circularity Taskforce, made up of representatives from portfolio teams and hotels, to regularly analyse waste performance and facilitate new initiatives. She leads the development of new partnerships and innovations to design out waste, encourage reuse and enhance resource recovery. Her recent projects include the Taikoo Place Smart Reusable Cup and Food Box Programme, and launching the Smart Waste Reduction Challenge which utilises smart scales and a digital engagement platform to gamify the Company’s collective sustainability journey with tenants.

Phoebe is a Chartered Environmentalist and also holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University.

Joshua Sharman, Chief Commercial Director of ISS Hong Kong, has over 15 years of Facility Management experience.

Joshua joined ISS in 2020, having already worked in FM in Hong Kong and around the Asia Pacific region for the previous 7 years and in the FM industry in the UK prior to that in a variety of Business Development and Operational roles.

Joshua was born and raised in Hong Kong. Joshua’s career to date has included helping different clients to review their contracts so as to identify areas for savings, operational gaps, reducing wastage, improving productivity through alternative business models and driving the ESG agenda.

Joshua has a passion for ESG and the unique strength our industry has to help drive it, as well as trying to attract new talent to the FM industry that he himself has gained so much learning and benefitting from.

My Sustainability Goals for 2024:

• To proactively stoke a clear sense of urgency;
• Achieve concrete quantifiable progress to be proud of, which is as good for business as it is for the ESG agenda;
• To help finally end the ‘but this is the way it’s always been done’ mentality that can still be found in some parts of the industry.