Hugh Amoyal is the CEO of Bueno Analytics, a global smart building platform delivering data-driven optimisation across commercial real estate and grocery sectors. Since taking the helm in 2022, Hugh has led the company’s international expansion, helping clients use building data to improve energy performance, reduce emissions, and streamline operations at scale.
With over two decades of executive experience in data analytics, SaaS, and business strategy, Hugh has held senior leadership roles across technology, sustainability, and market intelligence organisations. His background includes driving innovation and digital transformation for clients in government, infrastructure, and enterprise environments.
Known for his pragmatic approach and commercial acumen, Hugh is passionate about helping the built environment move from ambition to action—using data as a lever for better building performance and smarter decision-making.
How did you become involved in the Smart Buildings industry?
I fell into this space. My background is in the use of data to inform marketing strategy. I worked in consumer research and utilising big data sets to optimise consumer strategies for my employers. I met the founders of Bueno, Leon and Richard through a mutual connection at a time when Bueno was looking to expand its customer base globally. I loved the idea of using data to decarbonise the planet.
What excites you about the Smart Buildings industry?
I love technology and wow smart buildings are at the cutting edge of many technologies. Building systems are varied and complex, I love that, and the opportunities to make buildings more energy efficient is our speciality which really helps our clients.
Are there any particular technologies that we should be aware of?
I love how AI is making complex software easier for our customers to use. Our building optimisation industry relies on very specialised experts, and they are reducing in number. AI now means that na artificial expert can assist younger less experienced engineers to do amazing things to building settings and optimise building performance.
What services does your organisation offer?
Bueno offers a software platform that continually analyses the building and equipment settings and makes recommendations on ways to reduce energy consumption. There are 2 main types of recommendations, the first are broken equipment or faults in equipment (not just electricity meters) and the second type is a range of recommendations that optimise the building performance. These are not broken things, but ways to make them more efficient. We have been doing this for clients for over 12 years, we have built our expertise in Australia, the most energy efficient commercial real estate sector in the world, driven by a government mandate called NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating system) established in 1998.
Are people aware of the regulations that they will need to comply with in the near future?
I think most people are aware of the direction of regulations and mandates around decarbonisation. Basically you need to get the energy consumption of your buildings / assets down. I am not sure people are aware of the latest tools that exist to make that happen. Most people use analysis of the energy consumption based on their energy meters or their bills. This can only achieve 1/3rd of the potential reductions. You need equipment level analytics software to get the remaining efficiency opportunities. Over the last few years, that technology has become much cheaper and easier to deploy.
What are the benefits of a smart building?
Ha that is a very broad question depending on your definition of smart. If you define a smart building as one where the data from that building and all of its systems is digitised, then the benefits are all about being able to measure and then take action to optimise it. There are many definitions of smart, I like this basic one.
Who has been the biggest influence in your career?
I worked for Ipsos about 15 years ago, a French market research company. The founder and CEO Didier Truchot was very inspiring and influenced me and my career in many ways.
What is the question you are most often asked in your business life?
Can you drop the price? A classic question, I do spend a lot of my time working with prospects, partners and clients.
What are the best/worst things about your job?
The best thing about my job is that I work for a company that just does its thing well. We don't brag, we don’t spruik, we just do what we say we will. That makes my job so enjoyable, I can help clients achieve their goals with complete confidence. The worst part of my job is hearing when a client has tried something in the past and it didn’t work so they give up. That depresses me because decarbonisation through energy efficiency is not hard, but it is a specialised skill and just because it didn't work in the past doesn’t mean it's not the right thing to do. Please try again, maybe with another vendor that has a proven track record.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?
Our industry has been very slow to adopt change. Make it your goal to help the industry change faster. We account for 40% of the world’s carbon footprint, we have a responsibility to decarbonise quicker.
What living person do you admire and why?
Roger Federer has always inspired me because of how he conducts himself. Humble even when he was the best in the world.
Where would you most like to live?
The south of France. I love the food, the weather and everything actually. Might not be the most practical place to work from though.
What is your favourite book?
I have always loved Enid Blyton’s secret seven.
How do you relax?
I like to play golf and tennis. I find sport takes me away from every stress in life.
What sports team do you support?
Chelsea Football Club. When we lived in England back in the 90s I started following the English premier league. I picked the ground that was closest to my house, as advised by my work colleagues and have been a loyal ‘supporter’ ever since, much more than a fan. I have a blue car with white seats, it has CFC number plates and its called Chelsea, I have signed memorabilia all over my office, I go to Stamford Bridge whenever I get to London and there is a game.
What is your desert island disk?
I am an 80s music tragic.
What is your ideal holiday?
Its somewhere sunny and hot with a pool a BBQ, golf and tennis nearby, with family.