James Thomas

James is responsible for the Smart Buildings and Technology strategy at SES Engineering Services and Wates. He believes that digital enablement, data, and smart technology are the key enablers to delivering engaging, healthy, efficient, and high performing buildings.

He believes that digital engineering is the golden thread that connects the concept design right through to aftercare and understands that the wisdom that we gain from data has the power to positively influence occupant experience, optimised performance, future designs, sustainable procurement, and our environment.

James is passionate about promoting the importance that the building services (operational technology – OT) and building communications network (information technology – IT) play in delivering the technological foundation of a smart building. Enhancing this already data-rich environment with the supplementary deployment of IOT technology (sensors) and making it accessible through smart platforms and apps is enabled by the technological foundation that needs to be in place from day one.

He thinks of a smart building as an ecosytem and each system or technology as an enabler for another to operate or for it to share data and functionality with another to improve an outcome, whether that’s operational, performance or occupant experience.