Charles Russell Speechlys Podcast Channel

Walter Boettcher, Head of Research & Economics at Colliers International, joins Emma Humphreys to share some thoughts on the current economic climate.  How is the UK economy performing so far in 2025 and what are the predictions for growth?  What is the likely impact for the UK of the current uncertainty in the USA?   And how are specific property sectors such as retail, industrial and offices performing? 

In the latest episode of our Retail Collection podcast series, James Broadhurst, Partner in our Corporate team, and co-lead of the firm's Investors and Entrepreneurs Group, sat down with Lorna Hopkinson, Managing Director – Retail Brands of BDO LLP to discuss the challenges the retail sector is facing and how consumer confidence and behaviour is changing. The discussion looks at driving value through brands and the need for retailers to adapt to an evolving market. They also take a closer look at how the M&A market is changing in the retail sector.  

Welcome to the first episode of our Building BioHubs podcast miniseries, where we invite experts to discuss industry trends in the real estate and life sciences sector, focusing on hot topics and recent developments. The life sciences real estate sector has experienced significant growth and transformation over the past five years, driven by various factors including increased investment in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, advancements in medical technology, and the global response to health challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.  In this episode Real Estate Associate Lynsey Inglis is joined by Matt Lee, Partner and Head of Science and Technology at Carter Jonas. Matt and Lynsey take a look ahead at 2025 and specifically consider the leasing trends we are likely to see and the consider the approach to heads of terms agreed between landlords and tenants. 

Managing Partner, Simon Ridpath, and Partner, Richard Davies, are joined by Giles Pocock, VP of Brand Marketing at high-end audio equipment maker Bowers & Wilkins. In this third episode of the second series of Client Conversations, Giles delves into his career journey, the importance of brand partnerships, and how he has steered B&W towards its leading position in a highly competitive global high-performance audio market. About Giles Pocock  Giles is a seasoned brand marketing executive, with more than two decades of experience in the media and technology space. He has worked with some of the world's most prestigious brands – prior to his tenure at B&W, he headed up the entertainment and lifestyle sponsorship team at Nokia and helped to establish Sony Music's brand partnerships team. After joining Bowers & Wilkins in 2022, Giles helped to secure a series of impressive brand partnerships with global icons including David Beckham, Aston Martin, and the James Bond franchise. He has also been instrumental to maintaining the brand's relationship with Abbey Road Studios, which dates back 40 years, and is responsible for all brand and marketing output.

Emma Humphreys is joined by Katie Kopec to review her career to date, following on from her recent Lifetime Achievement Award and during a month when we celebrate International Women's Day. Listen in to hear how Canary Wharf was created as a financial district, the lessons learned from the Millenium Dome and delivering the 2012 Olympics and regeneration of King's Cross. Timings for the key topics are: Canary Wharf: 1m45 The Millenium Dome/O2: 10m15 The King's Cross regeneration: 15m40 Developing for the 2012 Olympics: 21m35 Katie's thoughts on achieving better retail and housing in the UK: 27m10 Katie's career reflections: 35m15 Katie's career tips and learnings: 40m25

Welcome to "Extra Time," the podcast that takes you beyond the final whistle, where we interview leading figures and decision-makers shaping the business of sport. In each episode, we sit down with our guests to learn about the strategies, passions, and stories that drive the business of the sports we love.  We kick off this new series with an International Women's Day special where Sarah Johnson, Associate in our Commercial team welcomes our first guest, Abiola Ijasanmi. Hailed as "the most powerful woman in African football," Abi is the first woman to hold a C-Suite position at the Confederation of African Football. Abi has now started her own venture, African Sports Investor (ASI), which will invest in, develop, and commercialise women's football leagues in Africa, with further plans to develop academies in countries where an ASI league is established. In this episode, Abi and Sarah discuss the business of women's football in Africa, competitive league models in England and the USA (from brand partnerships to broadcast deals), and the importance of athlete empowerment, highlighting the current commercial opportunities in women's football for investors, brands, and athletes.

Landlords and tenants of commercial property face economic challenges and a changing legal landscape. Specialists from our Real Estate, Real Estate Disputes and Insolvency Teams - Ben Butterworth, Emma Humphreys, Harriet Durn and Daniel Moore - discuss the key issues: The current consultation on whether there should still be statutory protection for business tenancies; The new law to allow local Councils to take control of letting High Street properties; Recent insolvency trends, particularly with CVAs and the new restructuring plans introduced by the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020.

We digest and discuss the changes outlined in the 2024 Budget affecting inheritance tax, estates and planning strategies. We take a look at the impact on businesses, farming and pensions. In this podcast, Harriet Betteridge from our Private Client Team speaks to Alexandra Ottridge at Level about the 2024 Autumn Budget and its impact on estate planning, inheritance tax (IHT) and succession strategies. The Level Group are a lending firm providing finance for family and probate proceedings.  Harriet outlines key points from the Budget including the freezing of IHT (inheritance tax) thresholds until 2030, the relief on business and agricultural property being capped from April 2026 and the introduction of IHT on pensions from April 2027. Harriet provides crucial takeaways and solutions to navigate these changes such as the need for early estate planning, life insurance and probate loans to manage the higher tax liabilities, as well as planning ahead by reviewing of wills, updating of pension nominations and taking advice on tax-efficient structures.

In the latest episode of our Retail Collection podcast series, Jason Saiban, Partner in our Commercial team and Acting General Counsel at Stonegate, sits down with Jessica Cooke, Director of Media and Loyalty at Stonegate, and Janine Regan, our Head of Data Protection, to discuss harnessing the immense power of data in media and advertising strategy whilst ensuring compliance with data protection laws.

Emma Humphreys and Laura Bushaway are joined by Guy Fetherstonhaugh KC and Imogen Dodds of Falcon Chambers to look at what lies ahead for property law during 2025.  Themes discussed include the Law Commission's consultation on the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, upcoming appeals related to the Building Safety Act 2022 in March 2025 and an interesting case on injunctions against protestors. The cases and legislation referred to in this episode of Property Patter are: Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (and Guy refers to TFS Stores Ltd v. BMG (Ashford) Ltd & Ors [2021] EWCA Civ 688 – see TFS Stores Ltd v Designer Retail Outlet Centres (Mansfield) General Partner: The end of the road | Falcon Chambers) Leisurespace v. CRT Property Investments – Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Crown Court – Hearing in February 2025 University of London v. Harvie-Clark [2024] EWHC 2895 – Final Injunction to be heard in 2025 (relating to protestors) Building Safety Act 2022 Adriatic Land 5 Limited v. Long Leaseholders at Hippersley Point [2023] UKUT 271 – Court of Appeal hearing on 17 March 2025 Triathlon Homes LLP v. Stratford Village Development Partnership & Others [2024] UKFTT 26 – Court of Appeal hearing on 19 March 2025 Other references: Forthcoming book “Injunctions protecting land” by Falcon Chambers (due for publication later in 2025) The 50th anniversary of the Blundell Lecture series – this is an annual series of four lectures discussing topical issues in Property Law. Guy Fetherstonhaugh KC will be speaking at one of the lectures taking place in June 2025.  The dates for 2025 are 3, 10, 17 and 24 June.

Managing Partner, Simon Ridpath, and Partner, Miranda Fisher, are joined by Mark Ramprakash, a renowned former cricketer who is among just 25 players in the game to have scored 100 first-class centuries. In this second episode of the second series of Client Conversations, Mark talks through his extraordinary achievements both in and outside cricket, as well as his keys to career longevity and his role in training and mentoring the next generation of English cricketers. About Mark Ramprakash Mark is one of England's most celebrated male cricketers of the past thirty years – his illustrious cricketing career saw him play for Middlesex, Surrey and England. He became the only man to have averaged over 100 runs in two successive seasons in the English game, earning recognition as Wisden Cricketer of the Year and PCA Player of the Year in 2007 thanks to his 2026 first-class runs.  Upon his retirement from the game in 2012, Mark became the batting coach at Middlesex, and later served as the batting coach for England in 2015, helping an enviable batting lineup towards a World Cup victory in 2019. Outside cricket, Mark has diversified into a TV personality, trainer, mentor, and journalist. In 2006, he appeared on and won BBC's Strictly Come Dancing alongside Karen Hardy and has since appeared on special editions for Sports Relief. His journalistic endeavours have included opinion pieces on diversity in the game as well as mental health.  Alongside his current role as batting coach, Mark serves as President for Middlesex. Since 2020, he has also been the director of cricket for Harrow School. 

Charlotte Moss, Head of London at Church Commissioners for England, joins Emma Humphreys to talk about the history and future of the Commissioners' Hyde Park Estate. The Estate in London, W2 was developed from 1807 and includes various residential properties, as well as shops, restaurants, hotels and galleries.   Charlotte explains the history behind the Estate and how the Commissioners' team approach the challenges involved, as well as looking ahead to exciting projects such as the Portsea Mews redevelopment and Connaught Village Green. Charlotte also gives her insight into the independent brands and events which can be found in the oasis of Connaught Village, not to mention explaining the background to the newest occupier within the Village - Paddington Bear!

Welcome to "The Retail Collection", a brand-new podcast series from Charles Russell Speechlys. Each episode, we'll sit down with industry experts, legal counsels and insiders to discuss their work, the challenges they face, and the wins they celebrate in the ever-evolving retail landscape. In our first episode Ilona Bateson, Associate in our Commercial team, leading on all things fashion and retail at Charles Russell Speechlys sits down with Ruth Walker, Head of Legal at URBN to discuss key legal and sector considerations for each of their brands including Urban Outfitter, Anthropologie and Free People, as well as fashion trends and ESG considerations for companies operating in the retail space. 

In the sixth episode of the Insolvency Insights podcast series, Nicola Jackson, Partner in the Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency Disputes team, is joined by Matthew Wilde, Co-Head of Teneo's Financial Advisory business in the Middle East. Together, Nicola and Matthew highlight the importance of cross-border recognition from an insolvency practitioner's perspective, consider the practical benefits, and discuss the challenges associated with the lack of a framework for recognition in the onshore UAE, particularly when it comes to creditors seeking to use the UAE courts to gain an advantage.

James Stewart and Lewis Currie from our Tax Team catch up with Emma Humphreys to digest the first Labour Government budget since 2010.  In this episode, we will be looking into the implications the Budget will have on the world of property. What are the key tax changes for those with property investments?  Is there any positive news for business tenants, particularly those in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors? And what's new on the Reserved Investor Fund?

In the latest Insolvency Insights podcast, Nicola Jackson, Partner in the Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency Disputes team, sits down with Paul Leggett and Haroon Ahmed, Partners in Deloitte Middle East's Turnaround & Restructuring practice. Together, they discuss the key changes brought in by the new Federal UAE Bankruptcy Law and address some of the opportunities missed, such as the absence of a framework for cross-border recognition and the potential benefits of intra-UAE regulation. Paul also speaks to his experience as a trustee in onshore restructuring proceedings in the KBBO Group restructuring and imparts practical insight on the realities that such an appointment entails.

Discover the latest episode of our Insolvency Insights podcast series, where Nicola Jackson, Partner in the Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency Disputes team, engages with Bruno Navarro Founder & Managing Director of Ipso Facto and Senior Advisor at Ankura.   Together, they delve into the evolving role of the Chief Restructuring Officer (CRO) in the Middle East, examining the impact of recent market developments and sharing firsthand experiences from high-profile regional restructurings.   This insightful discussion offers valuable perspectives for navigating the complexities of corporate recovery and restructuring in a rapidly changing economic environment.

In the second episode of Insolvency Insights, Nicola Jackson, Partner in the Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency Disputes team based in Dubai, is joined by Colin Diss, Partner and Licensed Insolvency Practitioner in Grant Thornton's Insolvency and Asset Recovery team in London, to talk about how liquidators and other office holders outside of the UAE can seek to maximise recoveries by using processes available to them in the DIFC Courts.

We are delighted to share the first episode of ‘Insolvency Insights,' our new podcast series hosted by Nicola Jackson, Partner in the Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency Disputes team based in Dubai, who delves into critical issues surrounding insolvency and restructuring in the Middle East and discusses examples from her and her guests' experiences. In this episode, Nicola is joined by Nathan Stubing, Managing Director at FTI Consulting in the UAE, to talk about how judgment creditors can potentially maximise recoveries by seeking the appointment of a receiver over shares in DIFC and ADGM companies.

In this episode, Construction, Engineering and Projects Partner Michael O'Connor is joined by Melanie Hardingham and Richard Flenley to discuss some of the key issues being seen in practice following the bringing into law of the Building Safety Act 2022 and its associated regulations, both in the design and construction, and occupation phases. Melanie is an Associate in the Construction, Engineering and Projects team and discusses the key impacts on the design and construction phases. Richard is a Partner in the Real Estate Disputes team and co-leads the firm's Building Safety Team with Michael.  In this Property Patter he focusses on some of the key issues he is seeing in connection with in-occupation Higher-Risk Buildings. All three discuss the future and what is coming on the horizon, as well as drawing together some of the strands from the first two episodes in this miniseries and providing some commentary on the challenges to be faced in the months and years ahead.

Emma Humphreys and Lauren Fraser are joined by Ed Fielding and Mat Oakley of Savills to look at the manifestos of the two main contenders for the next UK government. What is on the horizon for the property market and is there any real difference between what Labour and the Conservatives are offering? And what's missing from the parties' proposals?   For those only interested in commercial property, feel free to skip ahead to 20m 50s for Mat's insights and observations on the prospects for this sector.

In this episode of Property Patter, the co-leads of our Hotels Group, Naomi Nettleton and James Broadhurst, are joined by David Orr, CEO of Resident Hotels since 2018, to discuss the recent trend of private capital investing into hotels, and hotels as multi-generation family businesses.

In this episode of our Property Patter miniseries focusing on London's Great Estates, Real Estate Partner Cara Imbrailo is joined by Andrea Merrington, Director of Planning and Engagement at the Howard de Walden Estate.  The Howard de Walden Estate dates back to the 18th century when it was a quiet country village with a small number of houses dotted along the high street. Today, it spans 95 acres of Marylebone and is one of London's most desirable neighbourhoods. Home to the renowned Marylebone Village and Harley Street Health Area, the estate includes medical, retail, office, educational and residential properties and covers some of the capital's best known streets including Harley Street, Marylebone High Street, Wigmore Street and Portland Place.  Andrea shares the history of the estate and how it has developed over the centuries, the challenges of sustainability, the role of Great Estates play in shaping London, as well as where to go in Marylebone for a really good cocktail. 

In this episode of our Property Patter miniseries focusing on London's Great Estates, Real Estate Partner Cara Imbrailo is joined by Peter Murray, OBE, co-founder of the New London Architecture (NLA). Together they explore what is a Great Estate? How did they evolve over time? What role do they place in 21st century London? And what lessons can modern developers learn from them?   They take a closer look at the evolution of these little towns, neighbourhoods and urban villages, which make London a truly unique global city.    Following the publication of the NLA's latest book ‘Great Estates: Models for modern placemaking' in this podcast miniseries Cara and her guests will examine the role that London's Great Estates play in shaping the capital. Upcoming episodes will include guest speakers from the Howard de Walden estate and from the Church Commissioners for England amongst others.    If you are interested in the additional content and upcoming events from the NLA please follow this link.    You can also purchase a copy of the ‘Great Estates: Models for modern placemaking' book here. 

In this episode, Head of International Arbitration and Dubai Partner, Thomas Snider, is joined by London Partner Richard Kiddell, Hong Kong Partner Stephen Chan, and Singapore Partner Peter Brabant to discuss themes and trends that emerged from the ICCA 2024 Conference held in Hong Kong. They discuss managing the costs that arise in international arbitration, along with methods to make the arbitral process more cost-effective and efficient for clients.  They further consider the use of artificial intelligence within the arbitral sphere, including its advantages, its challenges, and how arbitrators and practitioners should adapt to align with its future growth.  Finally, they shed light on how third-party funding and insurance products can be used to manage the costs of arbitration, while also exploring the challenges and potential hurdles involved in going down this route.

In this episode, Real Estate Disputes Partner Richard Flenley is joined by Michael O'Connor and Oliver Park to discuss Remediation Contribution Orders (RCOs) and Building Liability Orders (BLOs), potentially powerful new causes of action introduced by the Building Safety Act 2022.  Michael in a Partner in the Construction, Engineering and Projects team and discusses BLOs, and the potential implications going forward of BLOs and RCOs for corporate structures and development.  Oliver is an Associate in the Real Estate Disputes team and in this Property Patter focuses in on RCOs, and some of the differences between RCOs and BLOs.  The episode also discusses the key decision of Triathlon Homes LLP, the background to the decision and the significance of the same.  Lastly, Michael and Oliver share their thoughts on how RCOs and BLOs may be used in the future.

In this episode, Construction Partner Michael O'Connor is joined by Melanie Hardingham and Sylwia Jatczak to reflect on the anniversary of the introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022 and discuss the key regulatory changes brought about since that date.   Melanie in an Associate in the Construction, Engineering and Projects team and provides a useful insight into the new statutory landscape for the Higher Risk Buildings at the construction stage.  Sylwia is an Associate in the Real Estate Disputes team and sets out the changes introduced by the Act in respect of the Higher Risk Buildings in occupation.   They discuss the new concepts, definitions, requirements and procedures introduced by the Act and look at the implementation process of the new statutory framework.  Finally, they shed light on the most recent changes to the Act introduced on 6 April 2024 and their impact on the main stakeholders of the Higher Risk Buildings, both in construction and in occupation. 

In this episode Construction Partner David Savage, is joined by Julie Godefroy Head of Net Zero Policy at The Chartered Institute of Building Service Engineers (CIBSE) to discuss the forthcoming UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard, a cross-industry initiative that will bring together Net-Zero Carbon requirements for all major building types. Julie is one of the architects and technical experts behind the Net Zero Building Standard and gives us an insight into where the initiative came from and what it is intended to achieve.  They discuss practical steps that the real estate sector can do to prepare for the transition, and they take a closer look how the standard will deal with the topical question of retrofitting vs. building new.  Finally, they also shed light on how a mindset-change will help to achieve the embodied and operational carbon savings envisaged by the new standard. 

Anne-Marie Balfour, Legal Director, and Syma Spanjers, Senior Associate, discuss handling mental health issues in the workplace. With 14.7% of workers suffering from mental health issues at some point in their working lives and 12.7% of absences attributable to this, this is clearly an issue employers need to address. Anne-Marie and Syma discuss what employers can do to help prevent and manage the situation at work.

Advisers from our Real Estate, Mark White, and Tax, Elizabeth Hughes, teams join Emma Humphreys to analyse the highlights of this year's Spring Budget from a property perspective. Those interested in residential property will find plenty to get their teeth into from the start of this podcast. If you are only interested in commercial property, feel free to skip ahead to around 12 minutes to get relevant comment on the key areas of interest for that sector…

In the second part of our mini-series on filming agreements, Commercial Real Estate Partners, Naomi Nettleton and Richard Davies are joined by Robert Parker, Technical Advisor at Historic Houses and Simon Foster, Director of Tourism, Leisure and Events at Savills. This episode focuses on top tips on what to avoid in the contract and during production. They discuss what owners should be aware in preparation for the filming crew's arrival and they take a closer look on IP rights of the content filmed. The team shares post agreement tips on how to deal with issues arising while filming and look at what happens once the filming has concluded. 

Managing Partner, Simon Ridpath, and Partner, Graeme Kleiner, are joined by one of the best strikers of all time and greatest players in Premier League history, Alan Shearer CBE. In this first episode of our second series of Client Conversation Podcasts, Alan Shearer discusses the world of football and his subsequent media career, as well as the motivation and huge successes involved with his charitable work and the Alan Shearer Centre.

Emma Humphreys and Laura Bushaway are joined by Guy Fetherstonhaugh KC and Daniel Black of Falcon Chambers to look at what lies ahead for property law during 2024 – including areas of the Building Safety Act 2022 which need further clarifying, rights of way involving electric gates and whether the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 needs amendment.  We also debate some areas of law which are in need of change. The cases and legislation referred to in this episode of Property Patter are: Building Safety Act 2022 Adriatic Land 5 Limited v. Long Leaseholders at Hippersley Point [2023] UKUT 271 Bradley & Anor v. Heslin & Anor [2014] EWHC 3267 Bradley & Anor v. Heslin & Anor [2015] EWHC 3950 (costs) Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 S Franses Limited v. Cavendish Hotel (London) Limited [2018] UKSC 62 Clipper Logistics Plc v. Scottish Equitable lc (Unreported, County Court at Shefffield, 7 March 2022) The book referenced during this podcast is “Show Me the Bodies” by Peter Apps – details can be found here.

Our Managing Partner, Simon Ridpath, joins the Focal Point podcast. Simon takes us on a journey through his career, sharing his experiences and insights along the way. From handling a variety of legal matters including insolvency law early in his career to becoming Managing Partner, Simon has a wealth of knowledge to share. Simon holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Kent. Recorded in November 2023 and shared with the permission of LSE Focal Point.

In this episode, Naomi Nettleton Commercial Real Estate Partner at Charles Russell Speechlys is joined by Robert Parker Technical Advisor at Historic Houses and Simon Foster, Director of Tourism, Leisure and Events at Savills. This episode of the two-part mini-series focuses on how a historic house owner can get involved in filming, and we discuss the key terms of filming agreements. Our speakers take a closer look at what happens when the filming team is on-site and share practical tips on how to agree on commercial terms. Stay tuned for part 2, where Naomi, Robert and Simon will also be joined by Richard Davies, Commercial Partner at Charles Russell Speechlys who will share his insights on IP rights.

Managing Partner, Simon Ridpath, and Senior Partner, Bart Peerless, are joined by renowned theatrical producer, theatre owner, and philanthropist. Sir Cameron Mackintosh. In this fourth episode, Sir Cameron discusses his lessons and successes from his forty years in the world of musical theatre as well as his life as a philanthropist.  

Samuel Lear, Vibuhti Parmar and Helena Taynton discussed the contents of this Bill together last month – before the Government indicated that it might be pressing “pause” on its progress. However, the King's Speech has reiterated the Government's commitment to this Bill and this podcast covers the key highlights for those who want to get prepared for the sweeping changes planned… For further updates on the plans for residential property following the King's Speech, see: The King's Speech - Renters Reform King's Speech: Developments on Leasehold and Commonhold Reform remain high on the Government's agenda

It is over 6 years since the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Key reforms have been introduced since then, including through the Building Safety Act. But what are the latest impacts of the new rules and what happens if registration deadlines are missed?   Richard Flenley and Michael O'Connor discuss these points with Emma Humphreys and outline the key issues on the horizon for building owners and developers.

Our Real Estate Disputes Team take a look at the 5 most common problems when it comes to dealing with notices related to property – with principles which can apply to break notices, notices to reinstate leased premises and 1954 Act Notices amongst others.

Following the recent opening of our Singapore office, Emma Humphreys chats to our Head of Asia, Simon Green, about the property market there and in Hong Kong.  What does the future hold for these cities and how does the UK property market look to investors from those areas?

Retail and logistics specialist Eddie Richards and technology lawyer Mark Bailey discuss logistics and distribution and data centres. How are these asset classes performing, what are the challenges they face and how are they approaching ESG considerations?

Nick Hawkins and Sophie Rothwell, from the employment team, take a look at what steps employers can take to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace and discuss the proposed changes to the legislation, the impact it would have and whether it is likely to become law.

Managing Partner, Simon Ridpath, and Senior Partner, Bart Peerless, are joined by Neil Hedges. In this episode, Neil Hedges discusses how he co-founded two successful award-winning communications agencies, Fishburn Hedges and Headland.

In this episode of Property Patter, Emma Humphreys and Georgina Muskett are joined by Chris Sullivan, who is responsible for Dispute Resolution at Hollis, to discuss terminating a business tenancy on redevelopment grounds.  There are various hurdles for landlords to address in their evidence if they are to satisfy “ground (f)” of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 – so what do parties need to watch out for and how has the decision in S Franses affected these cases?

Managing Partner, Simon Ridpath, and Senior Partner, Bart Peerless, are joined by Sir Martin Smith. In this second episode, Sir Martin Smith discusses his lessons and successes from his forty years in the world of finance and his life as a philanthropist. 

Samuel Lear, Senior Associate from our Real Estate Disputes team, Helen Coward, Partner from our Tax team, and Mark White, Partner from our Real Estate team discuss what the Spring Budget means for Property-focused businesses.

In this episode, Fiona Edmond, Construction Partner, Lee Medlock, Head of Real Estate and Robin Grove, Divisional Managing Partner for Construction, Real Estate and Disputes discuss upcoming trends in the UK Real Estate market. They discuss what's coming up for different asset classes such as logistics, life sciences, hotels, and investments in the living sector. They take a closer look at how commercial office investments and developments are changing and how can businesses future-proof their properties in terms of ESG. They also focus on how energy and the cost of energy affect businesses in the UK.

Managing Partner, Simon Ridpath, and Senior Partner, Bart Peerless, are joined by tech entrepreneur and philanthropist, Dame Stephanie Shirley CH. In this first episode, Dame Stephanie discusses her lessons from the world of business and her life as a philanthropist, having founded two significant autism charities: Prior's Court School for young people with complex autism and Autistica, the UK's national autism research charity. About Dame Stephanie Shirley CH Dame Stephanie is a businesswoman and philanthropist, having pioneered a career in the information technology sector. She started her own business in the early 1960s, Freelance Programmers, staffed by women working from home, which was ultimately valued at $3 billion, making millionaires of 70 of her team members. Given the status quo in the sixties, this all-female business was trailblazing and flourished over the following decades. Since then, Dame Stephanie has established The Shirley Foundation, which is one of the top fifty grant-giving foundations in the UK. She has also founded two significant autism charities: Prior's Court School for young people with complex autism and Autistica, the UK's national autism research charity. She was appointed a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in 2017, a membership limited to only 65 individuals globally, for her services to the IT industry and philanthropy. During the podcast Simon and Bart ask Dame Stephanie thought provoking questions about her life and lessons that she wishes to share with listeners. As well as talking about her journey in the world of technology and her successes, Dame Stephanie talks about her struggles with growing an international organisation. "I started off in a very entrepreneurial way and have tried to remain innovative as an organisation so that some of the things I have done have been shock horror types of things, trying to take the whole company, which is quite sizable and profitable, into co-ownership, that took 11 years, and what I have learnt that most of the things that you do in business take that sort of time. My first charity took 17 years to set up. These things are slow and take a lot out of you." Bart comments: "You are the most significant private donor in the field of autism in the country, possibly in the world." He touches on how Dame Stephanie's changing relationship with her business led to moving towards into the world of philanthropy and how one moves into making a difference in the world. Dame Stephanie replies: "I don't like to be bored, I like to do new things, I like to make things happen, so it's worked out quite well for me. Some of the projects that you have helped me with, such as house purchasing and house selling, which is the normal domestic thing, but also, I started to buy houses on behalf of Charities, including one that I bought for £15 million. These are significant changes of scale as far as I am concerned - as well as growing another business with the school I set up, which is the largest charitable project I did, for £30 million, which took five years." Simon asks Dame Stephanie how she stays with her projects and what role she takes in these causes: "The key thing that I do is set the culture, so it's pretty firm. Even when I've left, I am told that the trustees think, and say "What would Steve do in this situation? And although it's a nice to hear, it's not always a good thing, as things then won't change."   If you would like a personally signed copy of either So To Speak or Let It Go. Please email pa@steveshirley.com – all proceeds go to Autistica.

Emma Humphreys and Laura Bushaway are joined by Guy Fetherstonhaugh KC and Taylor Briggs of Falcon Chambers to look at what lies ahead for property law during 2023 – including decisions on service charges, the implications of the Building Safety Act 2022 and changes to the Electronic Communications Code. We also debate whether the government should stay away from property law and discuss the types of dispute we expect to see crossing our desks this year… The cases and new legislation referred to in this episode of Property Patter are: Sara & Hossein Asset Holdings v. Blacks Outdoor Retail [2023] UKSC 2 – read our blog here 89 Holland Park v. Dell [2022] UKUT 169 Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited v. Compton Beauchamp Estates Ltd; Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Ltd v. Ashloch Ltd and AP Wireless II (UK) Ltd; On Tower UK Ltd v. AP Wireless II (UK) Ltd [2022] UKSC 18 Building Safety Act 2022 Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill 2022/2023 Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 (amending the Electronic Communications Code and the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954) Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015

How can property developers create and measure social value? In 2021 we were proud to promote Kerry Stares as our Responsible Business Partner, reflecting how critical responsible business and environmental, social and governance (or ESG) issues are for the success and sustainability of our firm and how critical they are for our clients. Kerry works with stakeholders across our business to understand and improve our own environmental and social impact as a business. She works with our clients to understand their ESG priorities and to ensure that we are providing them with the right advice and support, both in our traditional role as advisors and as business partners. She also works with our intermediaries and wider networks to explore opportunities for thought leadership and collaboration in the complex and fast moving world of ESG. Kerry's conversations are so rich in insights from our clients and intermediaries - many of whom are true sustainability leaders - that we decided to record and share them as a podcast series. We hope that you enjoy and find them useful – please share your feedback. In this episode Kerry talks to Guy Battle, CEO of the Social Value Portal and Liam Ronan-Chlond, Head of Engagement at Socius Development about what creating social value means for property developers and how they can measure and manage it. They discuss what developers are already doing well, where the sector needs to make progress and unpack the different commercial incentives that combine to make a strong business case for developers investing in creating social value.

In this episode of our ‘What's new in employment law' podcast, Employment Partner Nick Hurley and Senior Associate Emily Chalkley look at what we can expect in 2023 in the wake of legislative changes and the impact of hybrid working.