James Dearsley

James Dearsley is CEO of Verv Energy and co-founder of Unissu, the global PropTech procurement platform, specialising in digital transformation and sustainable innovation across the built environment. Having led a significant funding round to advance Verv's patent-protected F-gas leak detection technology, he uses machine learning to identify refrigerant leaks in real time, replacing outdated manual inspections and targeting the 4% of energy wasted by heating systems. Recognised with the Global Influencer Award in Mexico and twice shortlisted for Commentator of the Year, James has spoken at over 100 conferences across six continents. He equips audiences with actionable strategies to implement digital transformation, demystifying emerging technologies and demonstrating how property and facilities professionals can identify hidden inefficiencies, adopt data-driven decision-making, and achieve measurable improvements in sustainability and operational performance.

Having secured substantial funding to develop patent-protected F-gas leak detection technology, James Dearsley transformed an overlooked environmental challenge into a measurable business opportunity through his leadership of Verv Energy. His work centres on a stark reality: 84% of buildings worldwide lack the systems needed to measure, manage, or maintain their heating and cooling infrastructure, resulting in 4% of all energy being wasted through inefficient operations and undetected refrigerant leaks. By applying advanced machine learning to identify refrigerant loss and abnormal system states in near real time, James has replaced analogue site visits conducted once every three, six, or twelve months with data-driven notifications that enable facilities teams to intervene earlier and prevent costly failures. As co-founder of Unissu, the global PropTech procurement platform he established with Eddie Homes in 2019, James has consistently championed practical digital solutions that help the real estate and built environment sectors navigate technological change with confidence and clarity.

James has spoken at over 100 conferences across more than 30 countries on six continents, establishing himself as a respected voice on digital transformation, the future of work, and the emergence of PropTech. His influence in the sector has been recognised through multiple accolades, including the Global Influencer Award in Mexico for services to the real estate industry and being twice shortlisted by the Property Press Media Awards for Commentator of the Year. Widely regarded as a pioneer who helped create the PropTech movement itself, James combines visionary thinking with hands-on operational expertise, whether guiding start-ups through growth or advising established organisations on technology adoption. His leadership extends beyond property technology into complex regulatory reform projects, including his recent advocacy for robust digital infrastructure capable of handling national-scale veterinary market reforms in the UK, where he has emphasised the importance of building proper data platforms rather than simple website updates.

James equips audiences with actionable strategies to implement digital transformation within their own organisations, demystifying emerging technologies and demonstrating their practical application to real operational challenges. His presentations move beyond theory to show property and facilities professionals how to identify hidden inefficiencies, adopt data-driven decision-making, and achieve measurable improvements in both environmental impact and cost performance. Whether addressing the implications of machine learning for building management, exploring procurement platforms that simplify vendor selection, or examining how predictive maintenance can shift operations from reactive schedules to proactive system understanding, James delivers insights that organisations can apply immediately. His ability to translate complex technical innovation into clear business value makes him an invaluable resource for events focused on sustainability, operational excellence, and the future of the built environment.