Eg Property Podcasts

Jess Harrold is joined by editor Sam McClary and news editor Pui-Guan Man for the latest weekly round-up. McClary digs into the results of EG's fourth annual  LGBTQ+ Attitudes and Actions in Real Estate survey, which, after a backwards step last year, shows some positive signs in 2022 - albeit still with much work yet to be done. Fingers crossed the whole industry can learn from the 27 companies named by survey respondents as exemplars of inclusivity. Man offers an update on the ever-troubled landscape for retail and leisure, and shares the industry's reaction to plans that could force landlords to rent out vacant shops. But is it time to stop using the word "landlord" altogether? This and other questions await in the quiz of the week.

In this week’s episode of Bricks & Mortar, Sarah Jackman catches up with Colliers’ Paddy Allen to discuss his work for Pathways to Property, which he chairs. The not-for-profit initiative run by Henley Business School at the University of Reading and supported by stakeholders in the real estate industry to increase diversity, social mobility and inclusion within the sector, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and has recently launched the programme for its 2022 summer school, which returns in person after going virtual during the pandemic. Allen reflects on how the initiative has evolved over the last decade, the breadth of support and opportunity that it offers to participants, and the generational change that he ultimately hopes will flow from it.

In a bumper episode of EG's weekly round-up, Jess Harrold is joined by editor Sam McClary, head of special content Emily Wright and senior writer Piers Wehner for a veritable basket full of treats. Wehner discusses the international trial of the four-day week, and how willing - or reluctant - real estate might be to embracing this employment revolution. Wright rounds up the highlights of EG's latest talent special, including the growing impact of youth boards on the industry, and the pioneering climate-risk work being done by Lukky Ahmed's Climate X platform. McClary shares her excitement at the launch of not only the latest Future Leaders program, but the 2022 EG Awards. All that, plus this year's student essay competition and a quick tour through the headlines in the latest quiz of the week.

Michael Beckerman's efforts to inspire the real estate sector to tackle climate change are not always met with positive feedback. The chief executive and founder of CREtech, which runs real estate tech conferences across the globe, says that the move towards real estate addressing ESG is clearer to see in Europe. But in the US there is further to go. "I get a tremendous amount of hate mail," he adds. It's venomous. There are the climate deniers - and these are often people from within the real estate sector. Then there are the people who ask 'why should I be paying for this?' It is really, really hard." That is why, he says, CREtech is set on travelling outside of the States to cities like London and Copenhagen to discuss these issues and bring together the key players required to make significant in-roads in addressing some of the industry's thorniest ESG-related problems.   The hope is that the resulting intel will help to move the US market forward at a more rapid pace. Because, he adds, the time is now. "

The real estate industry continues to strengthen its commitment to investing in ESG-positive assets, offsetting carbon emissions and plans towards achieving net-zero targets. However, this initiative is not just about eco-friendly buildings, but the impact on the community including aspects of diversity. There are opportunities to make a social impact, that will contribute to building “smart cities”. This session will explore how ESG can be used to drive value, increase investment opportunities and how real estate can become sustainable champions. 

Redefining real estate as a product rather than as asset could be the trick to tackling complex and overwhelming ESG targets, says the founder of one of Europe’s most active sustainable urbanism funds. Speaking on an episode of Tech Talk Radio, Mikkel Bulow-Lehnsby, co-founder of Copenhagen-based fund 2150 said that property companies have been lulled into "short-term shareholder timeframes" and that 2150 has been set up to help the industry reframe the urban environment. "We should try not to see real estate as an asset, but as a product," he said on this episode of Tech Talk Radio. "We need to focus on how we make that product more sustainable, customer-centric and efficient." Bulow-Lehnsby, who also co-founded European real estate investor NREP, added that anyone who is still part of the climate change problem within 10 years "won't have a business." He was joined on the podcast by former Sidewalk Labs head of sustainability Nicole LeBlanc who is now platform partner at 2150. She said that with so much tim

In this week's EGLSM, Piers Wehner is joined by Pui-Guan Man and Alex Daniel to examine the latest gender pay gap figures and what they tell us about how well - or poorly - the real estate agency industry is addressing its challenges. Along with a round-up of the news, there's the weekly quiz. Will all things, finally, be equal? Tune in to hear more.

There is no denying that wealth and opportunity needs to be spread more evenly across the UK, but does a focus on levelling up the country, run the risk of leaving London behind? While the UK capital remains one of the most sought after areas for investment, London suffered throughout the pandemic and could run the risk of being left behind some of its global competitors if its importance in generating national revenue is dampened. In this session we will investigate what impact the shift of investment from London to the regions could mean for the capital, where that shift is likely to be felt hardest and what needs to be done to make sure both London and the UK regions prosper.

The pandemic has significantly influenced occupier real-estate strategy, as priorities have shifted in favour of sustainability, wellbeing, and a smarter use of technology. Headquarters and general office relocation are a possibility for many and developers are incorporating new technologies and innovations that are attracting new tenants. Investment opportunities include firms interested in new life science offices as well as campuses. This session will explore the major redevelopments taking place in cities and how brands are making decisions on their next locations.

After a challenging year, we look at how UK cities are gaining foreign investment and their presence on the global stage. How has the pandemic, COP-26 and officially leaving the EU had on the value of investment in the UK from a global standpoint?

As property investors expand their portfolio past commercial spaces, there is significant appetite for capital investment into residential assets. In 2021, BTR investment poured into 26 different cities, compared to 15 in 2020 and just 11 in 2019. Which investment opportunities will bring high ROI, and deliver lasting income streams? Join us with the biggest BTR investors to discuss the value of investing in residential and the exciting next stages in this growing venture opportunity.

Not a day passes without a ‘working from home’ or ‘return to the office’ headline while companies continue to adopt a hybrid format for working. For most companies, the demand for physical space has been directly impacted, and many are questioning their commitment. Occupiers’ shifting priorities are having a major impact on the market. Our session will highlight these priorities including the use of technology, the importance of sustainability and what landlords can do to secure leasing opportunities. 

The life sciences sector has built investment momentum for decades with investors and developers continuously looking for new opportunities. Over the past 21 months, the sector has seen significant capital investment and considerable demand. This competitive market is also facing challenges including the loss of life science professionals with more talent leaving the UK than entering. How will this sector grow and why should we invest in life sciences? Does our industry have a vision for innovation? 

Someone has let Piers Wehner host EGLSM again, but at least Samantha McClary and Evelina Grecenko are on hand to keep the weekly round-up podcast on track. Which is an apt phrase, as Sam tells us about the regeneration of the York Central railway lands... from a train. After 20 years of delays, the 111-acre scheme is breaking ground and making headway. And it is largely thanks to Homes England's new chief, Peter Denton. Evelina has the info on the joint venture between Kadans and Canary Wharf, which will bring 750,000 sq ft of life science labs to the district in the form of a 22-storey tower. But who will win the quiz of the week? And will Piers be able to keep count this time?

Netsanet Tsegaw, founder and principal of Ghebbi Associates in Ethiopia has recently become only the fourth ever person in Ethiopia to gain chartered surveyor status. In this latest episode of Bricks & Mortar he reflects on his achievement, what it means to him to have achieved MRICS status and how he hopes to put his new skills to use over the coming years.

Neil Slater, global Head of Real Assets at abrdn, is taking over from Rob Bould with a focus on social impact. In this latest Future of Real Estate podcast, Slater explains his new approach to EG’s Damian Wild, who is also joining a refreshed LandAid board.

Jess Harrold is joined by the always entertaining Emily Wright and Piers Wehner for a fun-filled episode of the weekly round-up podcast. Emily addresses the latest in tech, from her discussions with the groundbreaking Climate X, whose unique modelling helps predict the impact of severe weather events, to the updated deadline for entries to the fifth annual EG Tech Awards. Piers offers an easy-to-understand definition of a proptech unicorn, and rounds up major news of the week, including a planning boost for Madison Square Garden and its proposals for a spherical arena in Stratford, to the impact of war in Ukraine on Raven Property Group, to the non-event of the chancellor's Spring Statement. But as their knowledge of proptech start-ups and pop culture characters is put to the test, who will triumph in a high-stakes, high-hilarity game of Pop or Prop?

The industrial sector has been flying in Robin Hood county where its central location and strong connectivity make it an incredibly popular choice not just for logistics but for a broad manufacturing base, according to FHP Property Consultants surveyor Anthony Barrowcliffe. FHP racked up an impressive 1.2m sq ft of transactions on the Radius On Demand Rankings in Nottinghamshire last year and industrial specialist Barrowcliffe was responsible for more deals across the broader East Midlands region than anyone, with 76 transactions to his name. It has already comfortably passed the 100,000 sq ft mark in the latest rankings for 2022. Despite concern over global events and upwards pressure on inflation, interest rates and energy prices, Barrowcliffe says 2022 has started strongly and there are still huge logistics requirements in the market while the county is also strong in areas such as engineering, e-commerce and auctioneering.

In a special cross-Channel episode of the weekly round-up, Jess Harrold is joined by Sam McClary and Damian Wild, as they wait for pizza outside a restaurant in Cannes, to share their experiences from the eagerly-awaited return of MIPIM. McClary details her long cycle ride to the event, raising money for charity, while Wild discusses the difficult sartorial decisions he faced while packing. Both share their thoughts on how MIPIM has changed since it was last held, the key themes that have dominated conversation and their overall reflections on a very busy week. But how well have they adapted to their surroundings? Find out, as their language skills are put to the test in a quick quiz we're calling "Pardon my French".

This weeks Bricks & Mortar sees EG’s Sarah Jackman catch up with Logicor asset manager Kerri Cox for a look at how, after leaving school with little knowledge of the real estate industry, she soon developed a passion for the sector and a career first in retail and latterly logistics. Cox explains how she found working alongside studying, why moving sector has helped to expand her skillset and why being proactive can be invaluable in helping to gain the knowledge and expertise needed to pass the APC. She reflects on how the industry has evolved in the last decade and offers practical advice on developing a career in real estate: “Grab whatever opportunity you can. Keep your eyes and ears open and make connections in the right places.”