Estates Gazette Podcasts

Chair: Akanksha Soni, news editor Speaker: Emmanuel Day, senior director new business - Living sector, RentGuarantor With the Renters’ Rights Act now in force, the UK living sectors are entering a defining phase. The removal of fixed-term tenancies, rising compliance expectations and continued planning and building safety pressures are reshaping how rental housing is developed, operated and financed. At the same time, capital continues to flow into alternative living formats, from single-family rental to co-living and operationally intensive purpose-built student accommodation, creating a more diversified but increasingly complex market. This podcast, recorded at UKREiiF, will explore how investors and operators can move beyond short-term regulatory adaptation and instead embed resilience into their long-term strategies.

Chair: Tim Burke, editor  Speakers:  Lee Gordon, partner, Walker Morris Paula Hirst, director, Harlow and Gilston Garden Town The UK is standing at the edge of a new urban frontier, fuelled by a government mandate to build the first "New Towns" of the 21st century. But between the political ambition and the first spade in the ground lies a high-stakes landscape of fragmented land ownership, staggering infrastructure costs, a myriad of stakeholders and the relentless pressure of long-term viability. This episode, recorded at UKREiiF, goes beyond the headlines to explore the "heavy lifting" required to develop a new community from scratch. We’ll look at the strategic foundations and practical lessons relating to other new town and new settlement projects to address common challenges. This is a deep dive into both consenting and delivery aspects, including the role of public-private partnerships and where funding must align perfectly with private sector momentum to bridge the viability gap. This episode will move past the dry legalities of planning to tackle the "infrastructure-first" mandate and the strategic art of creating an eco-system long before the first resident moves in.

Chair: Tim Burke, editor Speakers: Nicola Hanser, director, Holistic Sophie Eastwood, managing director, Holistic Ahead of this year's UKREiiF conference, the team at Holistic Insight surveyed almost 10,000 attendees to gauge sentiment in the UK's real estate sector. In this podcast, Sophie Eastwood and Nicola Hanser of Holistic Insight tell editor Tim Burke about the findings – and why such a snapshot is so important in tracking where the next deals and opportunities will come from. 

Chair: Akanksha Soni, news editor Speaker: Simon Reid, assistant director of business growth, Liverpool City Region Liverpool City Region has entered 2026 with a record £11bn pipeline and a 10-year mandate to expand the economy by a further £10bn. This is no longer a vision of what could be; it’s a roadmap for what is being built. In this episode, recorded at UKREiiF, Simon Reid, assistant director of business growth, explains how the region's £2bn Investment Fund is fuelling a new era of place-based funding. We’ll explore how the HMT Green Book revision is serving as a pilot to unlock major regeneration projects, including the transformative £5bn redevelopment of Liverpool Central Station and its vital role in Northern Powerhouse Rail. We’ll also hear about the emerging Mayoral Development Corporation, designed to remove planning friction and fast-track 17,500 new homes across the North Docks, anchored by the new Everton FC stadium and Kings Dock schemes. Join us as we discover how innovation-led growth is positioning Liverpool as the UK’s frontline for institutional capital. 

Chair: Tim Burke, editor  Speaker: Leigh Thomas, group managing director, property, Kier Property When it comes to town and city regeneration, the near-term challenges for developers are stark, but the need for action is pressing and the long-term benefits still clear. In the case of Kier Property, the role of master planner places it in a pivotal position to drive change and overcome challenges. In this podcast, recorded at UKREiiF, Estates Gazette speaks with Kier managing director Leigh Thomas about the projects that prove what can be achieved, what our cities need more of – and less of – from the built environment, and the reset required in public-private partnerships.

Chair: Jess Harrold, legal & professional editor  Speakers:  Ben Rich, chief executive, Radix Helen Wheddon, partner, Stevens & Bolton Darren Cleveland, head of BD, marketing & client services, Portland Design   This podcast, recorded at UKREiiF, explores the urgent transformation of the UK high street, shifting the focus from declining retail to the untapped potential of health as a new asset class. While there is near-universal agreement that bringing healthcare into town centres is a catalyst for both public wellbeing and economic regeneration, progress is often stalled by systemic friction and fragmented leadership. We’ll dive into the institutional barriers, from mismatched investment timescales to a risk-averse culture, that prevent the widespread development of Neighbourhood Health Hubs. We’ll also introduce the upcoming Health on the High Street Commission and highlight the plan to unblock planning and financial obstacles, positioning health as a resilient, long-term opportunity for real estate to diversify and repurpose stranded assets. By filling empty shopping centres with vital services, can we increase footfall, drive dynamic growth and deliver wide-reaching societal benefits to the heart of our town centres? 

Chair: Akanksha Soni, news editor  Speaker: Nicola Haigh, national head of real estate & housing, business & commercial banking, Lloyds The British workplace is reaching a tipping point where a building's carbon footprint is becoming as critical as its postcode. As the divide between high-spec green spaces and ageing "legacy" offices widens, a massive national mission is underway to transform yesterday’s concrete into tomorrow’s essential assets. Delivery depends on partners with the reach and financial innovation to turn that ambition into action.   Joined by Lloyds at UKREiiF, we explore the high-stakes reality of retrofitting the UK’s regional skylines and the market-leading debt distribution capability required to bridge the gap. Drawing on regional expertise, we discuss how the shift toward sustainable workspace is powering UK growth and redefining the map of commercial opportunity.

Chair: Jess Harrold, legal & professional editor  Speakers:  Janine Nightingale, corporate director – communities, Bridgend County Borough Council James Brown, managing director, The Urbanists Mary Ann Brocklesby, county councillor, Monmouthshire County Council Regeneration is often discussed through the lens of city skylines and urban hubs, but the heart of a region’s success frequently lies in its towns and rural communities. In these areas, the challenges are unique: tackling hidden social deprivation, nurturing local talent, and creating a sense of "place" that encourages people to stay, grow, and invest their futures locally. In this episode, we are joined by county councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby, Nicola Denning of Cardiff Capital Region and James Brown from The Urbanists to explore rural and town centre revival. We dive into the Cardiff Capital Region’s guiding philosophy of 'Live, Work and Thrive' and what it actually takes to build a sustainable community where high-quality employment and a fulfilling lifestyle coexist. Regeneration isn't something that should happen to a town; it’s a journey that must be travelled with its residents. From fostering deep community integration to enhancing the everyday quality of life, we explore how thoughtful placemaking can bridge the gap between social necessity and economic opportunity.

Chair: Jess Harrold, legal & professional editor  Speaker: Stuart Woolgar, CEO, Global Guardians In an era of rising urban density and acute housing pressure, leaving buildings dormant is no longer just an oversight. It is an unnecessary direct cost. Across the UK, public and private sector property owners and agents hold significant volumes of empty offices and underutilised assets, often without a clear, viable route to bring them back into use. This episode, recorded at UKREIIF, explores how empty buildings can be repositioned from liability to strategic asset through practical, immediate solutions. Instead of focusing only on long-term redevelopment alone, we examine how intelligent interim use, through approaches such as property guardianship, can reduce holding costs, improve security and activate buildings in real time. Stuart discusses what prevents assets from being used, where traditional models fall short and how a more agile, operational approach can unlock both commercial value and social impact. This brings buildings, and the communities around them, back to life.

Chair: Tim Burke, editor  Speaker: Derek Griffin, head of acquisitions, Whitbread Premier Inn provides 12% of the UK’s hotel accommodation stock – the highest of any hotel operator in any market in the world. This extraordinary success has been delivered through a continual 20-year expansion programme underpinned by a unique business model and flexible property requirements. This April, the company unveiled a new business strategy and five-year plan focused on the continued expansion of Premier Inn, but with greater emphasis on recycling capital from the company’s largely freehold estate to fund future bedroom expansion. Greater emphasis is also being placed on leasehold opportunities to drive estate growth. During UKREiIF, Derek Griffin, Whitbread’s acquisition head, sat down with Tim Burke to discuss the principles of the new business strategy including how the company plans to go about recycling £1.5bn of property, where it is focusing its new growth, and the future for its popular hub by Premier Inn brand.

Chair: Tim Burke, editor  Speaker: Guy Windsor-Lewis, CEO & founder, Locale Operational drag is the silent killer of asset value. For owners and asset managers, the challenge is clear: how do you deliver more with less, while meeting the rising demands of a multi-generational workforce? This podcast, recorded at UKREiiF, takes you inside the engine room of the UK’s most innovative properties. Partnering with Locale, we examine how digitising the occupier journey, from seamless access to on-demand amenities, removes the friction that hinders productivity. We look at the data-driven insights that allow managers to optimise every stage of a building’s life. If you want to understand how to align your operational strategy with the evolving needs of your tenants to create a truly resilient portfolio, this is the conversation for you.

Chair: Jess Harrold, legal & professional editor  Speakers:  Joanna Deffley, partner residential development, Shakespeare Martineau James Scott, group director strategy & planning, Urban & Civic  This episode explores the intricate mechanics and strategic rewards of large-scale developments delivered through complex, multi-partner frameworks. Join Joanna Deffley and James Scott, recorded at UKREiiF, as we unpack the blueprint for managing significant expansions that define regional growth. We’ll delve into the "multi-partner offering," examining the critical balance between contractual control regulations and the collaborative synergy required to deliver multi-tenure homes at scale. The discussion highlights the shift toward infrastructure-led growth, where fully integrated green infrastructure and sustainable transit are woven into the masterplan from day one. From navigating the inherent risks of long-term projects to seizing the strategic opportunities of a shifting planning landscape, this conversation reveals how diverse partners can align to turn ambitious housing targets into thriving, future-proof communities.

Chair: Evelina Grecenko, senior reporter Speakers: Huw Davies, partner head of ESG, Jones Hargreaves Today, the most successful assets aren't just "green"; they are commercially resilient, high-performing spaces that occupiers actually want to inhabit. In this episode, recorded at UKREiiF, we sit down with Huw Davies, head of ESG at Jones Hargreaves, to challenge the traditional view of sustainability. Huw argues for a shift in language and mindset: moving away from the narrow lens of ESG toward the broader, more strategic framework of responsible investment. We’ll explore why investors are no longer looking for minimal compliance, but for a clear return on their social and environmental capital. As occupiers demand more flexibility, better amenities and authentic placemaking, the buildings that thrive will be those that treat these demands as commercial opportunities rather than overhead costs. Reflecting on recent projects, from the heritage-sensitive retrofitting of York’s historic assets to the delivery of high-spec ESG-led refurbishments in Central London, Huw shares how Jones Hargreaves is bridging the gap between "doing good" and "doing business”. This is a conversation about how the buildings of tomorrow are being built on the responsible investment decisions of today.

Chair: Akanksha Soni, news editor Speakers:    Steven Calder, head of connected buildings  Bob Allen RCDD, director – smart buildings, Block Solutions For today’s occupiers, a building is only as good as its heartbeat: the digital connectivity that keeps their business alive. In this episode, we sit down with Elevate to explore how they are redefining the relationship between landlords, agents and occupiers. We move past the traditional "four-month wait" for fibre and look at how smart infrastructure, like London’s innovative rooftop wireless networks, is creating zero-risk connectivity through "Ground to Cloud" resiliency. We’ll dive into the story of the Preconnect® model, a partnership-led approach that removes the headache of individual installations and learn more about the Wayleave agreements that enable landlords to offer "moving-in ready" connectivity, a powerful lever for occupancy and asset value. Join us as we discuss why the future of the smart building isn't just about the hidden digital backbone or the cables in the walls, but the partnerships that ensure a tenant's first day in a new office is their most productive one. 

Chair: Tim Burke, editor Speaker: Dan Westley, head of portfolio, UK, Vastint In major urban regeneration, the "perfect" masterplan on day one is rarely the right one by the time the final phase completes. While location provides the foundation, it is strategic agility that ensures a development remains relevant across decades of shifting market cycles and evolving human behaviour. In this episode, we sit down with Dan Westley, head of portfolio at Vastint UK, to discuss the delicate balance between long-term conviction and the flexibility to pivot. Drawing on Vastint’s major UK schemes, including Sugar House Island in London, Aire Park in Leeds and Cardiff Embankment, we’ll explore why successful regeneration is no longer about delivering static real estate, but about curating resilient places that can absorb change.

Chair: Tim Burke, editor Speaker: Helen Collins, principal & managing director, Midlands, head of UK living and affordable housing, Avison Young When the traditional blueprints for BTR and housing for sale no longer align with economic reality, the industry must look to new models and partnerships beyond the balance sheet. Today, the most valuable asset in a developer's toolkit isn’t just land or capital, it’s the ability to flex and pivot to find the opportunities among the challenges.    In this episode, Helen Collins explores the move toward embedding partnership models. As project feasibility becomes a moving target, Avison Young is seeing a new trend: regional experts joining forces to breathe life into stalled opportunities. We discuss how these collaborative ecosystems are rewriting the rules of delivery, ensuring that vital housing projects move from the drawing board to the community.

Speakers: Tim Burke (chair) | Editor, Estates Gazette Clive Chalkley | Partner, Gowling WLG Luke Tillison | Managing partner, head of transactional, BTG Eddisons Gavin Lacey | CEO, CHPK   Editor Tim Burke talks to some of this year’s judges to find out what makes a standout entry, and how they like to approach the judging process.

Speakers: Tim Burke (chair) | Editor Estates Gazette Kellie Hatton | National head of real estate, Shakespeare Martineau Sam Wallis | CEO, GIA Bruce Evans | Chief commercial officer, RentGuarantor   Editor Tim Burke sits down with some of the judges from our category sponsors to discuss this year's awards

Speaker: Steve Coulson CEO and founder, Kitt  Chair: Tim Burke, editor, Estates Gazette While capital continues to chase a narrow pool of prime trophy assets, the industry may be looking for value in the wrong place. This episode explores the "missing middle", the vast majority of the UK office market consisting of smaller, operationally under-managed buildings that represent the sector's biggest untapped opportunity. We discuss why the future of UK offices isn’t in new developments, but in the strategic transformation of existing stock. Join us as we break down why the modern arbitrage is purely operational and how investment-grade managed space has officially arrived as the next evolution of the office model.

Speaker: Bev Craig, leader, Manchester City Council  Chair: Evelina Grecenko, senior reporter, Estates Gazette  Greater Manchester has spent a decade as the UK’s fastest-growing city region, with productivity consistently outpacing the national average. This success is no accident; it is the result of a long-term leadership approach and a consistent vision that integrates investment in skills and public health to drive a genuine increase in quality of life. In this episode, Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, discusses how the city region is leveraging its trailblazing devolution powers to deliver a £38bn boost to the UK economy by 2035. We explore the launch of the Good Growth Fund, a landmark vehicle designed to pump-prime 2 million sq ft of employment space and nearly 3,000 new homes in its first wave alone.