The No Bullsh*t Property Podcast

Join us for Season 2 of The No Bullsh*t Property Podcast! We’re kicking off a new season with a new set and a whole host of new topics, starting with a dive deep into architectural heritage on none other than World Heritage Day. In this episode Howard and Paul examine the changing perspectives on architectural heritage, reflecting on how buildings once seen as eyesores have come to be appreciated for their unique design elements. They share stories from their own experiences with heritage, including the preservation of historical features from projects such as Hilton House in Manchester and Duke and Parr in Liverpool. Throughout the conversation, they question whether we're at risk of running out of buildings to restore and discuss the real challenges facing heritage preservation, including maintaining historical features within modern regulatory frameworks and budget constraints. Wrapping up, Paul and Howard delve into the balancing act between maintaining authentic heritage features and providing modern amenities. They use Duke and Parr as an example to illustrate how the fusion of the old and new can provide a ‘wow factor’ for tenants. Check out our previous episodes to give you the inside track on the ever-growing build to rent sector, and our unique approach to community building and property management.

🎙️The No Bullsh*t Property Podcast is back for 2024! 🎙️ Tune in to the first episode of the year as we navigate the thriving creative hubs that are revitalising urban spaces in Liverpool. Joining Howard and Paul as the first guest of the year is Lynn Haime, CEO of Baltic Creative. Lynn discusses Baltic Creative's approach that creates flourishing ecosystems where profits circle back to nurture a community of digital and creative talents in Liverpool. In the conversation, Howard and Paul draw parallels to Elevator, CERT's creative hub in the Baltic Triangle and Baltic Creative's neighbour, emphasising how Elevator mirrors a shared dedication to community values. We then delve into the ingredients that make such a community - from the importance of a vibrant events calendar to fostering tenant relationships. Lynn highlights the importance of creating opportunities for networking, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among the diverse range of businesses in the Baltic Triangle. Wrapping up, we explore the potential for urban transformation, looking at the Baltic Triangle's evolution from a neglected district to a vibrant hub of creativity, nightlife, and residential innovation. We ponder if this model could serve as a blueprint for other areas hungry for change. The discussion doesn't stop at geography; we touch on the importance of user-friendly lease terms in attracting businesses and how events like Eurovision can catapult a city like Liverpool onto the world stage. Have something you want us to discuss? Send us a DM over on Instagram or Twitter @cert_property, or send us an email to info@certproperty.co.uk Check out our previous episodes to give you the inside track on the ever-growing build to rent sector, and our unique approach to community building and property management.

🎙️That's a wrap on The No Bullsh*t Property Podcast for 2023!🎙️ Join Paul and Howard in the final episode of the year as they navigate the challenges and trends of the 2023 property landscape, with a focus on the cost of living increases affecting the industry. Paul and Howard discuss the rising rents in the residential market and the shift in commercial leases towards energy-conscious decisions. Energy costs have been a hot topic, and they predict they'll remain a central concern in 2024 as well as the need for more energy-efficient properties. Listen to hear the rest of Howard and Paul's predictions for 2024. Throughout this year, we've had the pleasure of hosting inspiring guests who are truly passionate about what they do. Notably, individuals like Atul Bansal, Rebecca Coley, and Sky Mapson, bringing incredible energy and inspiration to our discussions. We want to express our gratitude for the valuable insights and knowledge these guests have shared, especially in areas like planning, finance, and development. All our guests from 2023 have played a substantial role in enhancing the depth of our conversations. To catch up on previous episodes click here. At CERT, 2023 marked a year of achievements, from the creation of our CERT Life app to reaching full occupancy at Hilton House, and earning multiple award nominations for Duke & Parr. Our collective efforts as a team have made these accomplishments and future goals possible. Don't miss our last episode of 2023 as we close the chapter on this eventful year! Have something you want us to discuss? Send us a DM over on Instagram or Twitter @cert_property, or send us an email to info@certproperty.co.uk Check out our previous episodes to give you the inside track on the ever-growing build to rent sector, and our unique approach to community building and property management.

🎙️Episode 18 is out now!🎙️ Join Howard and Paul for the newest episode of The No Bullsh*t Property Podcast with guest Rebecca Coley, Head of Planning and Development at Trafford Council. Together they explore her journey and passion for planning as we unravel the world of urban planning and development. Howard and Paul discuss with Rebecca the challenges of urban planning and development, and the need for collaboration between developers and local authorities to deliver high-quality design that addresses market needs. We also broach the topic of co-living, examining mixed views on its success and the root causes driving its necessity. Finally they explore the crucial aspect of engaging younger generations in urban planning, and the need for a shift in the narrative to attract younger talent to the profession. Have something you want to discuss? Send us a DM on Instagram or Twitter, or send us an email to info@certproperty.co.uk.

Our latest episode of the No Bullshit Property Podcast is now live! 🎙️ Howard and Paul, are joined by our very own Head of Innovation and Ventures, George Konstantakopoulos. Join us as we dive deep into the dynamic landscape of innovation and business in Manchester. In this episode, George discusses his path to CERT and his approach to innovation. He shares his perspective on how innovation can occur at all levels and sometimes, the simplest changes can be the most impactful. We delve into the crucial role technology plays in modern businesses and the ways it's revolutionising the property sector. Listen in as we explore the potential of AI and Mixed Reality technologies, the concept of 'copying' competitors to stay in the game, and adapting to overcome the people ahead of you. Rounding off our discussion, we explore the challenges and costs of innovation in the property industry, touching on issues like regulations, industry acceptance, and land acquisition. Have something you want us to discuss? Send us a DM over on Instagram or Twitter @cert_property, or send us an email to info@certproperty.co.uk Visit our website certproperty.co.uk for the latest industry updates, downloadable guides, and much more to help you on your investment journey.

In this episode Howard and Paul are joined by guest Ged McPartlin, from Ascend Property, as we discuss the rise of the suburban build-to-rent landscape. He provides us with a perspective on the momentum of this sector, the transition from traditional buy-to-let properties, and the unique edge these suburban locations offer. Ged discusses the intricacies of property management within urban properties versus suburban houses, highlighting the different expectations of tenants and the associated challenges. We also dive into the technological aspect, as Ged shares how Ascend developed their technology to manage properties, ensuring a premium service that has been instrumental to their success. Finally, Howard and Paul explored with Ged the average tenancy length, the changing demographics of tenants, and the reasons behind the increasing number of people choosing to extend their stay in their properties. Have something you want us to discuss? Send us a DM over on Instagram or Twitter @cert_property, or send us an email to info@certproperty.co.uk Visit our website certproperty.co.uk for the latest industry updates, downloadable guides, and much more to help you on your investment journey.

The No Bullsh*t Property Podcast is back with its 15th episode! This time we’re joined by Ben Hall, Managing Director of LOFT. Ben shares his journey of starting Loft in 2003 with a student loan and how his experience studying in the United States inspired him to create better quality accommodation for students in Manchester. Howard and Paul discuss with Ben how the rental market is changing the landscape of interior design. They discuss expectations of how student renters are spearheading the rise of professionally managed, amenity-rich Build to Rent residences and the transformation of the furniture market. Discover how furniture suppliers are influencing market trends and how LOFT is navigating these changes, while also touching upon the importance of branding in residential developments. Have something you want us to discuss? Send us a DM over on Instagram or Twitter @cert_property, or send us an email to info@certproperty.co.uk Visit our website certproperty.co.uk for the latest industry updates, downloadable guides, and much more to help you on your investment journey.

In this month’s episode Howard and Paul caught up with our very own Head of Construction, Nigel Pearce, as we navigate the complexities of the construction landscape. Nigel sheds light on the challenges of maintaining a budget across the entire product lifecycle, from inception to maintenance and highlights the importance of innovation in overcoming obstacles within the sector. We explore the high costs of acquisition, the worker shortage, and the need to add value to the entire build process, while also discussing the significance of sustainable homes and consumer-friendly grading systems. Discover how smart thinking can lead to economic savings for new builds, and how collaboration and knowledge sharing could help to reduce the need to reinvent the wheel. Have something you want us to discuss? Send us a DM over on Instagram or Twitter @cert_property, or send us an email to info@certproperty.co.uk Visit our website certproperty.co.uk for the latest industry updates, downloadable guides, and much more to help you on your investment journey.

In this episode of The No Bullsh*t Property Podcast, Howard and Paul are joined by fellow developer Harry Dhaliwal, Managing Director of Step Places. Similar to CERT, innovation and sustainability are at the forefront of their approach, with Harry featuring alongside Howard on Insider Media’s 2021 ‘Property Disruptors’ list, which showcases the individuals ripping up the rulebook in the property industry. A self-confessed design junkie, Harry prides himself on only delivering developments he would be happy to live in, and is a firm believer that developers have a major role to play in tackling climate change, with plans for Step Places’ first net zero carbon scheme underway. Harry, Paul and Howard discuss their favourite part of the job, common misconceptions about developers, and what opportunities developers have when it comes to improving the industry.

It’s The No Bullsh*t Property Podcast’s 12th episode! And what better way to celebrate that we're 12 months into our podcasts, than to be talking all things planning with CERT’s favourite planning consultant, Matt Dixon. Matt is one of the founders of Enabl, a specialist planning, cost management and project management consultancy based in Manchester. CERT have worked with Enabl on a number of projects, making Matt the ideal guest to talk all things planning. Howard and Paul want to know what the UK planning system gets right, what it could do better and how such a regulated sector can keep up with the evolution of how people want to live - both post-pandemic and mid cost of living crisis. Matt also shares his ideas on how build-to-rent products are shaping the future of the property industry, as well as his top planning tips.

Community is one of our core values here at CERT, a value shared by today’s guests Josh & Ruben, owners of the F45 fitness studio, not a gym but a community offering life-changing team training in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Paul & Howard are regulars of the 45 min cardio and resistance classes and have seen firsthand the community that Josh and Ruben have built. The guys have had their fair share of challenges on their journey, coming from Australia and navigating the London commercial market, before settling up north and opening up their studio, only for the pandemic to hit weeks later. But they adapted and overcame, and their community is a testament to their hard work and determination. Paul and Howard want to know how landlords can support occupiers in their spaces, what they would do differently in the future and how BTR developments can take advantage of communal facilities to foster communities within their buildings. Fancy seeing what the F45 fuss is about? Get a FREE class when you DM us on Instagram!

For the milestone 10th episode of #TheNoBullshitPropertyPodcast, we are joined by a very special guest and a friend of CERT. If you work in property in Manchester, this man needs no introduction. His motto is ‘love what you do’ - a phrase he epitomises in everything he does; today's guest is Atul Bansal of Sheila Bird. In this episode, Atul shares with us the history of Sheila Bird, his thoughts on the future of the office space, and his love of happy endings… as well as what loving what you do really means when it comes to joining the dots between buildings and the communities inside them.

The No Bullsh*t Property Podcast is back for 2023! After recapping the key figures from Q4 and 2022 as a whole, Howard and Paul are joined by our first guest for 2023, Sky Mapson from Maslow Capital. An award-winning development finance company, Maslow Capital support experienced developers to deliver successful projects, with a main focus on the living sector. Howard and Paul ask Sky about his take on the current market from a lenders perspective, from current market conditions and trends to where the market is heading for 2023, and Sky teaches Paul a few things about risk premiums and gilt rate! Sky also shares his thoughts on the development finance industry and what it means to be data and tech driven in an ever evolving environment.

For the final episode of 2022, Howard & Paul reflect on the year past and look forward to the year ahead. They discuss the key things we saw in 2022, from the Autumn mini-budget to rising rents and energy bills, and predict what 2023 will mean for the UK residential and commercial property markets. 2022 definitely threw us a few curveballs - after emerging from the shocks of covid, we ran straight into the spillover from the war in Europe, and the impact of the cost of living crisis. Whilst the year has seen some projects take longer than anticipated due to complications, challenges, or issues created by the economic headwinds, we have continued to make progress with a range of other projects which has set us up well to have a really successful 2023. We’ve collectively created something really special at CERT, and the biggest achievement of 2022 for us is to really see that come together with our diverse team of dedicated and motivated individuals really gelling and settling during the course of the year. All we have done and all we seek to achieve is only possible with the team that we have, and the efforts we collectively make drive the business forward in unison.

This month, Howard & Paul are joined by Ben & Alex of Liverpool Arts Bar (@liverpoolartsbar) to discuss the hospitality industry from a property perspective and what operators are looking for from their landlords and the properties that they occupy. Ben and Alex, along with Jordan and Tom, set up the Arts Bar in the heart of Liverpool’s iconic Hope Street to connect creatives and support emerging artists in the city. The creative entrepreneurs have had quite the journey, from providing a space for local creatives, to hosting virtual pub quizzes and open mic nights during lockdown, to taking over the Masonic Hall and growing an online audience of 18,000. Listen for a podcast exclusive about the exciting next stage of their journey! Find out about the lessons they have learned in marrying the arts with the food and beverage sector, the property challenges they faced, how they believe tenants and landlords can work together towards a shared vision, and whether they think the cost of living crisis will pose a bigger challenge to the industry than covid did. This is a conversation not to be missed!

The cost of living crisis is something that's becoming increasingly hard to ignore. A massive 91% of adults have reported an increase in their living costs compared with a year ago, while 73% say that costs have become more expensive in the last month alone (ONS). Whether it's increasing interest rates, rising rents, or escalating energy bills, the cost of living crisis will affect us all in some way. Some of us will be faced with the choice of returning to the office in a bid to reduce our bills at home, or even upping sticks to the suburbs to escape the cost of city centre living. This month, Howard and Paul discuss the changes (and challenges) we as a nation have faced over the last month, from the mini budget and mini budget reversal, to not one, but two new prime ministers. How will these factors affect the property market and what does the future hold for landlords, homeowners, investors and tenants alike?

To continue the theme of equality and inclusivity, this month Howard and Paul are joined by Helen Spencer, Executive Director of Growth at Great Places, a profit-for-purpose housing association. Helen is one of a fairly limited number of women in senior leadership roles in the property development sector and shares with us her insight on the challenges faced by women in senior roles and how to ensure fair representation at decision-making stages. Howard, Paul and Helen also discuss their shared goals of creating inclusive and equal communities, striving for net zero carbon, and the pressures of delivering environmental impact.

Inclusivity and equality are engrained into our core values here at CERT, and this month’s guest is perfectly placed to discuss how we can all create a more inclusive culture within our communities. Howard and Paul are joined by CERT’s marketing executive Johnny V to discuss unconscious bias, accurate representation in senior positions, and challenging the norm. Johnny also talks about his New Normal exhibition supported by CERT - a trail of art, music and performance showcasing queer art and culture across Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

In this episode, we celebrate #SocialWellnessMonth and embark on a journey to understand how building human connections within the spaces we occupy contribute to our overall feeling of belonging. Howard and Paul are joined by wife-and-wife duo Kiera and Aimie Lawlor-Skillen, Founders of the Feel Good Club, who have made incredible strides in building an authentic and community-led wellbeing café and events space in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Discover how their excitement and passion for making other people feel good turned into establishing the go-to events space in Manchester and why social wellness is essential to their approach to creating a community-first business.

To continue the #WorldEnvironmentDay theme, hosts Howard Lord and Paul Shakeshaft caught up with CERT's Head of Design, Chris Hosty, about the property industry's environmental impact, the responsibility of property developers, and how new construction methods are shaping the property market's future. We would love your feedback! If you are interested in helping to shape the future of living, please complete the survey on the link below. 👇 https://forms.gle/fCECJeJf98942xgLA