We’re excited to share that our very own Tom Young, Associate and Blue-Green Infrastructure Specialist at TEP, was recently a guest on The Grand Challengers Podcast, a show that explores the journeys of inspiring individuals working at the cutting edge of science, engineering, technology, and design.
In Episode 43, Tom joins host Peter Bach for a wide-ranging conversation that brings together seemingly unrelated topics; green roofs, beer, Wimbledon, mushrooms, bespoke rating systems, golf courses, and cowboys… and shows how they all feed into Tom’s unique perspective on sustainable development.
Tom shares insights from his diverse career, spanning his academic beginnings at the University of Sheffield to his role at TEP, where he leads innovative projects focused on water-sensitive design, blue-green roofs, and landscape-scale water strategies. His experience also includes time with STRI Group and as a Nuffield Farming Scholar, with a focus on water security across different sectors.
A passionate advocate for using nature-based solutions in the built environment, Tom talks about his work with organisations such as the National Trust, The R&A, and Anglian Water, and his contributions as a board member of the Green Roof Organisation (GRO), helping develop the UK’s first green roof British Standard (BSI 8616:2019).
One of the key takeaways from the episode is Tom’s holistic and often humorous approach to sustainability and stakeholder engagement. Whether it’s designing smart blue-green roofs or creating a pub map of Sheffield, Tom’s philosophy is that good ideas often come from unexpected places, and that making sustainability relevant to local context is vital.
If you’re curious about how green infrastructure, stormwater management, golf courses and green-roofed sheds all connect, this is one not to miss!
