EG Property Podcasts

A vibrant city centre, competitive rents and strong connectivity have helped maintain a solid deals pipeline in Leeds and the surrounding region, according to Carter Towler. Associate director Hazel Cooper and agency surveyor James Jackson spoke to EG in the latest Voice of the Region podcast. Carter Towler is comfortably top of the Radius On Demand Rankings for West Yorkshire for the past 12 months, both in terms of the number of deals done and the amount of space transacted, with 1,019,926 sq ft either let or sold for occupational use across 178 deals. Both the office and industrial sectors face issues around the supply of new stock, although Jackson says new office developments in Wellington Place and Aire Park are being supplemented by high quality refurbishments of existing space.

There will be a sharp rise in the number of distressed property assets being brought to market this year, according to Watling Real Estate director Jamie Lamond. Lamond, who is the Radius dealmaker of the month for March with 160,000 sq ft of disposals, says that although the lending markets are structured very differently compared to previous downturns, appointments of administrators and receivers have begun to surge this year and tougher times lie ahead. He identifies hospitality and the high street as particularly vulnerable, but also expects problems for some assets in the logistics sector as well as London’s office core. However, Lamond believes the situation will not be as profound as the global financial crisis of 2007-2008 due to the weight of money still in the market.

In this episode of the EG Property Podcast, Tim Burke, EG’s deputy editor, sits down with the founders of Vectr7 Investment Partners Mary Criebardis Singh and Dominic Wilson to talk about climate technology investment in the real estate space. The pair are raising $25m (£19.7m) for the fund, which will invest in companies across Europe with a specific emphasis on greenhouse gas capture or avoidance in the real assets industries, including real estate, infrastructure, transport and utilities. The fund is targeting cheque sizes of $1m to $3m and will look to invest in around 15 ventures. It has already backed three companies: machine learning powered smart sockets company measurable.energy, hybrid-work management software company Kadence, and local office space and events company Patch. In this 20-minute discussion, we dive into what the pair hope to achieve with the fund, how we need to redefine how the real assets industry utilises technology to address sustainability issues more widely and the changing nature of investment.

In this EG Property Podcast, we delve into the transformative world of workplace environments, focusing on the EG Power Properties List, powered by HqO. Listen in as EG editor Samantha McClary sits down with Samuel Warren, senior vice president of sales at HqO, for an in-depth discussion on what it takes for companies to not only make it onto this coveted list but also to achieve the distinguished HqO Best Spaces to Work certification. The conversation looks at the critical importance of curating superior occupier experiences in today’s competitive landscape and uncovers why HqO has spearheaded the Real Estate Experience platform. This initiative aims to arm businesses with actionable insights drawn from comprehensive data on how end-users engage with their workspaces. Join us as we question the future of workplace design, investigate the role of data in shaping occupier experiences, and reveal the strategies that companies can employ to transform their spaces into hubs of innovation and productivity. Find out more about how to make it on to the Power Properties list here

High streets are awash with opportunity for occupiers willing to take advantage of historically low start-up costs and find new ways of using space, according to Flude surveyor Alice Masterman. Operating from Flude’s Portsmouth office, Masterman was 2023’s top individual dealmaker in the Radius rankings for the South East region. She transacted 86 deals and more than 150,000 sq ft of space. Masterman says the relatively high cost of industrial space means many brands which become online-only are now taking advantage of low retail rents and returning to the High Street. She also believes the health sector, from aesthetics to dentistry, is playing an increasingly important role in the overall mix.

In a recording of 'The Great Workplace Reset' panel, held in partnership with Avison Young and Shoosmiths at MIPIM on 12 March 2024, Samantha McClary asks expert guests what the future holds for our places of work. Nuala Gallagher, corporate director, city development at Liverpool City Council; Theo Michell, co-founder & COO, Bywater Properties; Nathan Rees, partner and co-head, real estate investment group, Shoosmiths; and Nick Walkley, principal and UK president, Avison Young, discuss the major questions facing the sector. Does the central business district still exist? What do people actually want from the places they work? What kind of buildings will we need, and is there still a place for big, shiny towers? How can we get more young people back into town and city centres? And can planning decision-makers keep up with the pace of change?

The industrial sector has begun the year with a degree of caution but activity is hotting up in the small to medium size end of the market as opposed to sheds, according FHP joint founder and director John Proctor. Proctor is EG’s Dealmaker of the Month for February after finishing the month top of the individual dealmaker Radius Rankings, with 116,155 sq ft of space either let or sold. He says there are reasons for cautious optimism for the industrial sector, with demand picking up since the turn of the new year, particularly for units up to 50,000 sq ft. He also welcomes the fact that ESG has become intrinsic to the market, extending right the way down to the process of obtaining finance.

Welcome to The School of Hard Knocks, a six-part series brought to you by EG Property Podcasts that will off up a bounty of lessons from those who have experienced a rough time or two that will enable us to better navigate the tough times ahead. Over the course of this series, we’ve been meeting people who have lived through some of the highs and lows of this wonderful business of real estate and through our conversations we will dig deep into the skills, the mindsets and the structures you need in place to successfully navigate tricky times. Joining EG editor Samantha McClary for our penultimate lesson in the School of Hard Knocks curriculum is founder extraordinaire and all-round real estate expert Neil Sinclair. With more than 60 years’ experience in real estate, some high highs and some low lows, Sinclair has managed to stay grounded throughout. He is driven by honesty, a passion for his charitable work and the desire to keep testing the grey matter. This lesson is ram-packed with advice about how to take a hard knock and how to stay passionate about the work that you do. So, sit back, get your pen and paper ready, because it is time to enrol yourself in EG’s School of Hard Knocks. Listen hard and enjoy. Click here to listen to episode one with Scarborough Group's Kevin McCabe Click here to listen to episode two with Harworth Group's Lynda Shillaw Click here to listen to episode three with JLL's Katie Kopec Click here to listen to episode four with Canary Wharf Group's Jane Hollishead

English and Scottish law have increasingly diverged in recent years, not least in property law. To talk listeners through those key differences, EG’s Sarah Jackman is joined by Daniel Black, barrister at Falcon Chambers. Following an overview of the basic differences between the two systems, they discuss three key areas of practice: Are there things that one system could learn from the other? And what are the key pieces of legislation currently passing through each Parliament that listeners should be aware of?

Glasgow’s industrial market is in rude good health, with demand outstripping supply leading to strong rental growth and high deal volumes, according to GM Brown Property Consultants founder and director Gregor Brown. With 134 deals over the line in 2023, Brown was the UK’s biggest individual dealmaker in the Radius On Demand Rankings, letting more than 300,000 sq ft of space across all major use types in and around Glasgow. Brown also says Glasgow has a glut of vacant office space and believes much of this may need to be repurposed for alternative use. He says there are various BTR developments in the pipeline for Glasgow city centre which he believes will prove important in bringing back demand for the city’s shops, bars and restaurants.

Welcome to The School of Hard Knocks, a new six-part series brought to you by EG Property Podcasts that will off up a bounty of lessons from those who have experienced a rough time or two that will enable us to better navigate the tough times ahead. Over the course of this series, we’ll meet people who have lived through some of the highs and lows of this wonderful business of real estate and through our conversations we will dig deep into the skills, the mindsets and the structures you need in place to successfully navigate tricky times. Joining EG editor Samantha McClary for our fourth lesson in the School of Hard Knocks curriculum is Jane Hollinshead, chief people officer at Canary Wharf Group, who shares vital advice around the power of diversity of skills, the value of your network, and finding balance. Hollinshead isn’t afraid of hard knocks – not only in the boxing ring where she keeps herself fit and grounded – but in life. She’s prepared to take leaps of faith and she understands that sometimes you need to be pushed over the edge – and push others too. But if you are pushing, says Hollinshead, be nice because real estate is all about connections and relationships. And guaranteed that one day you’ll be across the table from someone you really wish you’d probably been a bit kinder to. So, sit back, get your pen and paper ready, because it is time to enrol yourself in EG’s School of Hard Knocks. Listen hard and enjoy. Click here to listen to episode one with Scarborough Group's Kevin McCabe Click here to listen to episode two with Harworth Group's Lynda Shillaw Click here to listen to episode three with JLL's Katie Kopec

Welcome to The School of Hard Knocks, a new six-part series brought to you by EG Property Podcasts that will off up a bounty of lessons from those who have experienced a rough time or two that will enable us to better navigate the tough times ahead. Over the course of this series, we’ll meet people who have lived through some of the highs and lows of this wonderful business of real estate and through our conversations we will dig deep into the skills, the mindsets and the structures you need in place to successfully navigate tricky times. Joining EG editor Samantha McClary for our third lesson in the School of Hard Knocks curriculum is Katie Kopec, international director of JLL, who shares her experiences of working in the same business for 40 years. But Kopec has definitely not had just one job. A persistent learner, Kopec shares her wisdom on the development market, coping with a complete lack of activity and finding strength in flexibility. So, sit back, get your pen and paper ready, because it is time to enrol yourself in EG’s School of Hard Knocks. Listen hard and enjoy. Click here to listen to episode 1 with Scarborough’s Kevin McCabe Click here to listen to episode 2 with Harworth’s Lynda Shillaw

“Don’t be afraid to push yourself and put yourself out of your comfort zone” is just one piece of advice Rider Levett Bucknall’s Carolyn Brady has for developing a career in the sector. In a wide-ranging discussion with Bricks & Mortar host Sarah Jackman, Carolyn reflects on her journey in surveying, what it means to win the RICS Matrics Surveyor of the Year award and why it is important to give back to the industry that she loves. She also discusses her work as a STEM ambassador and the joy of opening young people’s eyes to the possibility of a career in the sector.

The North East’s office sector is defying the tentativeness of the broader market thanks to the vibrancy of its town centres and the region’s strong transport links, according to Patrick Matheson, partner at Knight Frank’s Newcastle office. Matheson is the UK’s highest-placed office agent in the Radius On Demand Rankings for January, with 38,727 sq ft transacted across seven deals. He believes occupiers are now more settled in how they want to operate space post-pandemic, and says workers are welcoming the return thanks to the ease of commute and the pull of the city centre. Although availability in Newcastle city centre is tightening, Matheson says there are requirements for a further 230,000 sq ft of space across the North East, making him optimistic about the year ahead.

Jess Harrold is joined by Rebecca Francis, associate director at Osborne Clarke, to discuss the most significant decision yet under the Building Safety Act 2022: Triathlon Homes LLP v Stratford Village Development Partnership and others, involving remediation of cladding that poses a fire safety risk at five residential blocks in the former Olympic Village in east London. Francis talks through the various parties involved and the remediation contribution order applied for, and explains how the First-tier Tribunal made its decision on where the responsibility for footing the bill for remediation works should lie. According to Francis, the decision really "shines a light" on the importance of the 2022 Act and its implications may come as a "bit of a shock" in particular for building owners and landlords that were not involved in the construction of a relevant building.

Today's episode of Bricks & Mortar features the story of residential surveyor, Neil Trewick, who tells EG's Sarah Jackman how he changed his career from teaching to real estate. He discusses his motivations, the practicalities of studying while still working in teaching and why he has no regrets about making the move and setting up his own practice.

Teesside is in a period of dramatic development and reinvention thanks to huge sums of public investment through which it is establishing itself as a player on the world stage, according to Parker Barras founder and director John Taylor. Middlesbrough agency Parker Barras sits at the top of the Radius On Demand Rankings for 2023 in the two counties which Teesside straddles: in North Yorkshire it let or sold 136,549 sq ft of space across 43 deals, while in County Durham it is out in front in deals numbers, with 15 through which 33,950 sq ft of space was transacted. Taylor believes developments such as Teesside’s freeport are prompting an unprecedented level of international interest and it will spark a boom in the local supply chain which will have far reaching benefits for commercial property across the entire region.

This week’s guest on Bricks & Mortar is James Simondson, associate director in the strategic communications team at planning and development consultancy Turley, who discusses the growing importance of social value and how it can be delivered through the planning process. Simondson emphasises the importance of community engagement in the process and talks through examples of how that might look in practice. He also discusses Turley’s approach to delivering social value, as well as reflecting on how strong credentials in the field can help to attract and retain talent in a business.

In on the Act kicks off its 2024 series with a deep dive into the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill. Part of the government’s commitment to leasehold reform, the Bill was introduced in November 2023 and is now working its way through the Parliamentary process. To unpack its detail, EG’s Sarah Jackman is joined by Stephen Jourdan KC, barrister at Falcon Chambers, who sets the scene by discussing the drivers for leasehold reform and recent work undertaken by the Law Commission in the area. He then details the main provisions set out in the Bill, including changes to the lease extension term for houses and flats, as well as covering other elements such as the administration of service charges and buildings insurance costs. He also highlights the Bill’s omissions, notably commonhold and a ban on new leasehold property. But with a general election looming, how likely is the Bill to make it onto the statute books in 2024?

Welcome to The School of Hard Knocks, a new six-part series brought to you by EG Property Podcasts that will off up a bounty of lessons from those who have experienced a rough time or two that will enable us to better navigate the tough times ahead. Over the course of this series, we’ll meet people who have lived through some of the highs and lows of this wonderful business of real estate and through our conversations we will dig deep into the skills, the mindsets and the structures you need in place to successfully navigate tricky times. Joining EG editor Samantha McClary for our second lesson in the School of Hard Knocks curriculum is Lynda Shillaw, the chief executive of Harworth Group who very nearly let her 18-year old self’s dream pass her by. With decades of experience in a range of different businesses from BT, to Scottish Widows, Manchester Property Group and Town Centre Securities, Lynda shares her story of the ups and downs of deal making, regeneration and very nearly deciding to take it a little bit easier. The conversation is packed with insights and intelligence and tips of how to make it through the tough times and rides the waves well, with people, planning and persistence all featuring heavily. So, sit back, get your pen and paper ready, because it is time to enrol yourself in EG’s School of Hard Knocks. Listen hard and enjoy. And, if you missed part one, click here to listen now.