MEAD, was founded by Kym Mead in 2014 as an independent consultancy specialising in ‘low-energy’ buildings, offering impartial advice to industry professionals and aspiring self-builders with the aim of reducing the energy demand for domestic and non-domestic buildings, whilst also providing excellent indoor air quality and comfort levels. The approach is to cost effectively improve the building fabric and services whilst considering the surrounding environment. Prior to founding MEAD, Kym advised architectural practices construction techniques and sustainability issues before moving to the Building Research Establishment (BRE) as ‘Head of Low Carbon Buildings’. There he led a team that consulted to a wide range of clients including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), large house builders as well as local and national governments. During his time at BRE, Kym frequently travelled to the US, China and South Africa advising on sustainability issues and creating leads for wider BRE business opportunities. His work includes advising on the restoration of listed buildings in Johannesburg, South Africa, supporting government agencies to help establish an innovative development in Portland, Oregon, US and authoring the sustainability framework for a new city in Chongqing, China as part of the ‘Future Cities’ programme. Kym has completed an internship at the Passivhaus Institute in Darmstadt, Germany and has worked closely with Bath and Cardiff Universities as an ‘Industry Supervisor’ for PhD students, whilst also supports the UK Passivhaus Trust as an Associate Director where he promotes the uptake of the Passivhaus standard.