EG Property Podcasts

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.

Speakers: Nick Mumby, partner, Gowling WLG  Chair: Tim Burke, editor, Estates Gazette Real estate is increasingly an operational business rather than a passive investment play. As funding conditions stabilise and sentiment improves, private capital is gravitating toward sectors where hands-on operating capability can drive performance and create value beyond traditional financial engineering. This episode explores how investors and operators are navigating today's sustained capital costs defined by viability pressures, constraints and persistent planning friction. With living sectors continuing to attract capital and overseas investors weighing regulatory and macroeconomic risks, the ability to value-add and execute rather than just allocate is emerging as the key differentiator. If returns in 2026 are shaped by delivery, execution and operational discipline, where is private capital placing its bets and what does the next phase of operational real estate activity look like?

Speakers: Stacy Eden, head of real estate, RSM   Kelly Boorman, partner – head of construction, RSM Chair: Akanksha Soni, news editor, Estates Gazette Real estate may be regaining confidence, but the fundamentals are shifting. We're joined by RSM to unpack the findings of its latest Real Estate 360 survey and explore what's really driving market sentiment in 2026. With 64% optimistic about the year ahead, funding conditions easing and living sectors still leading allocations, is the recovery story finally gaining traction or are viability pressures and tax constraints still holding the sector back? From planning delays and rising development costs to the policy levers government can, and can't, pull, this conversation will examine the mechanics of delivery in a higher-for-longer environment. We'll then pivot to technology. With one-third of firms implementing AI this year and smart buildings topping the innovation agenda, how are data, automation and cyber resilience reshaping risk management and occupier experience? If you want to understand where capital, construction and technology intersect in 2026, this is the conversation you won't want to miss.

Speakers: Steve Rotheram, mayor of Liverpool City Region Chair: Evelina Grecenko, senior reporter, Estates Gazette Liverpool City Region arrives at MIPIM 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 of what is being built. In this episode, mayor Steve Rotheram details how the region's largest-ever investment fund is fuelling high-growth clusters in life sciences, AI, advanced manufacturing and clean energy. We'll explore the emerging Mayoral Development Corporation designed to strip away planning friction and fast-track 17,500 new homes across the city's historic North Docks, as well as the planned £5bn transformation of Liverpool Central Station. Join us as we discover why Liverpool is the UK's frontline for institutional capital in 2026. 

Speakers: Chair: Shifali Gorka, reporter, Estates Gazette Jill Anderson, acquisitions manager, Whitbread  Jonathan Langdon, senior acquisitions manager, Whitbread  We're diving into the hotel investment race in London and Edinburgh with the experts leading the charge. Learn how affordable brands like Premier Inn are winning the battle for "impossible sites” and get the inside track on the future of UK hospitality development. We'll also discuss whether there's a shared playbook for growth in both cities, how market conditions compare, and what challenges lie ahead for operators and investors. Whether you're active in the sector or tracking UK hotel investment, this is the MIPIM conversation to catch.

Speakers:  Mike Brough, strategic director regional growth, Cardiff Capital Region  Gemma Clisset, partnerships director, Lovell  Chair: Akanksha Soni, news editor, Estates Gazette  Real estate regeneration isn't just about laying bricks; it's about solving the complex puzzles of stalled sites and brownfield land. Across the UK, thousands of homes remain "unbuildable" due to viability pressures, leaving communities in limbo. But in South East Wales, a new blueprint for delivery is emerging. In this episode, we dive into the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) Housing Viability Gap Fund, a targeted £35m programme designed to breathe life into derelict land. We explore how this "evergreen" approach to investment is converting 230 acres of brownfield into 2,500 new homes.

Speakers: Chris Pilgrim, UK Head of Capital Markets, Avison Young  Richard Day, head of debt advisory, Avison Young Chair: Tim Burke, editor, Estates Gazette For over a decade, London has reigned as the world's most "magnetic" city for capital, but as we move through 2026, the global leaderboard is tightening. While London remains the premier safe haven for international investors, cities like Tokyo, New York and Sydney are strategically competing for the same pool of institutional and private wealth. In this episode, we sit down with Chris Pilgrim (UK head of capital markets) and Richard Day (head of debt advisory) at Avison Young to dissect this shifting gravity. We'll explore how foreign capital is diversifying into high-growth UK assets and how savvy investors are leveraging deep liquidity to secure the next generation of prime real estate.

Speakers: Stuart Woolgar, chief executive, Global Guardians   Chair: Akanksha Soni, news editor, Estates Gazette As the UK faces a widening gap between vacant commercial stock and urgent residential need, the traditional development model is being challenged to move faster. Following a high-level discussion at the London Stand at MIPIM on alternative housing models, this episode serves as a strategic debrief on how property guardianship is reimagining the "standard" build. We're joined by Global Guardian's Stuart Woolgar to discuss how guardianship provides an immediate, risk-mitigating solution for owners of empty buildings while delivering tangible social impact. Exploring 15 years of proprietary data infrastructure, we discuss the ability to mobilise and populate properties in as little as 30 days, turning dormant assets into vibrant community hubs.

Birmingham isn't just growing; it's getting younger. With major projects and investment including HS2, the BBC at Digbeth and the Birmingham Sports Quarter acting as a massive gravitational pull, the city is transitioning from potential to proven delivery. In this episode, Joanne Roney (managing director, Birmingham City Council) discusses how the city's project pipeline is setting new benchmarks for delivery in the UK. We'll explore why Birmingham's status as one of Europe's youngest and most diverse cities is the ultimate de-risking factor, creating built-in, long-term demand for high-quality urban living. We'll also dive into the exciting plans of the Birmingham Central Heart's prospectus, launching at MIPIM 2026. A bold vision reimagining the connection between the business core and the future HS2 terminus. Spanning eight key sites and a partnership of major landowners, these plans are set to transform the public realm. This isn't just about buildings; it's about a city raising its sights through active travel, culture, and civic pride. If the future of investment is shaped by delivery and operational discipline, Central Heart is where Birmingham is placing its biggest bet.

LISTEN Derek Griffin, head of acquisitions at Whitbread, speaks with Estates Gazette reporter Shifali Gorka about how the branded budget hotel sector has evolved in the last decade, why Premier Inn has become such a household name, and what the future holds for affordable travel. Derek talks about what's driving Premier Inn's rapid expansion across the country despite the increasing cost pressures in this tougher economy, and why the real estate industry needs to understand the wider social and economic impact of the hotel sector. A must-listen for anyone who wants to learn about where the budget hotel sector stands today and what the future holds.

What happens when an industry veteran, a NextGen co-chair and Estates Gazette's news editor sit down to talk honestly about diversity, leadership and the changing face of property? Marking Real Estate Balance's 10th anniversary, Sue Brown, managing director at Real Estates Balance and NextGen committee co-chair Kevin Boakye lift the lid on gender parity, social mobility, the fax era, access to the sector and why inclusion isn't a "nice to have"; it's the industry's biggest competitiveness challenge for the decade ahead.

Stephen White, partner at Daniel Watney, joins Estates Gazette to unpack the upcoming business rates changes and their implications for the office sector. From who stands to gain or lose, to how landlords and occupiers can best prepare, this conversation explores the complexities of the upcoming changes and offers some strategies to prepare you for it.

Jack Kelly, CEO of Office Ready Tech, speaks with Estates Gazette reporter Dom Plaskota about the often-overlooked role of technology in driving operational efficiency across office buildings. They explore how tech quietly underpins tenant satisfaction and asset performance but is only noticed when it stops working. A must-listen for anyone looking to future-proof their office operations.

Hear from private sector players about opportunities that innovation zones and knowledge quarters unlock for the built environment. How could we build further on the success of these initiatives?

Kier Property gives fresh touch of paint to Pall Mall as Liverpool City Council unlocks the development. Hear from the firm's development manager Meg Sweeney about the features that differentiate the scheme. 

Hear from young professionals in the built environment about the gaps in employment, skills, and housing. Is this challenge unique to Liverpool or nationwide?

Having positioned itself as a culture and leisure destination, the city looks to become a go-to place for other industries, too. Hear from Liam Robinson, leader at the Liverpool City Council, about turning ambitions into action.  

As cities and towns are being rethought and revamped, Estates Gazette and Avison Young brought together a group of built environment stakeholders to discuss the challenges in urban regeneration, the new thinking they need to show, and the changing mixes of asset classes being brought into focus in new visions. Listen to the panel, conducted at the UKREiiF conference, to hear insight from: Hattie Charlier-Poole, senior development manager, Henley Investment Management Chris Cheap, principal, managing director transactions, Avison Young Matt Cross, deputy director of markets and regions, Department for Business & Trade Mona Hassan, chair, Liverpool City Region Future Impact Board William Scoular, head of business development, Investec  Tom Sleigh, chair of the planning and transportation committee, City of London Corporation Chaired by Tim Burke, Estates Gazette's editor

In this panel discussion, Nathan Atkinson, co-founder of Rethink Food, a not-for-profit with a focus on fighting food insecurity and food waste, discusses the organisation's work with Savills, which has supported the venture since 2019. Speakers: Nathan Atkinson, co-founder, Rethink Food Emma Saunders, director, commercial human resources, Savills Olivia Sutcliffe, associate director, Savills Earth Chair: Tim Burke, editor, Estates Gazette

How would real estate developments differ if the property managers who ultimately run the show when the doors open could be involved earlier – perhaps even during the design of the project? That was the question posed by Savills and guests at an Estates Gazette panel at the UKREiiF conference, which set out to explore the benefits of a more integrated property management mandate that starts before a spade is put in the ground, let alone a key in the door. Listen to the conversation here. Speakers: Matthew King, design director, Savills Heidi Stephenson, director, property management, Savills Craig Bluer, director, Savills Basil Demeroutis, founder, Fore Partnerships Alexia Laird, sustainability director, Landsec Chair: Tim Burke, editor, Estates Gazette  

This year marks the 18th anniversary of the JLL Property Triathlon. As we prepare to return to Dorney Lake on Friday 27 June, Akanksha Soni speaks with JLL community programme manager Natalie Ashwood about this year's charity partner, Age UK, how the event has evolved and some standout moments from previous years.  

Listen to this live discussion from UKREiiF on how tri-tenure developments comprising build-to-rent, for-sale and affordable can be the answer to get large-scale regeneration schemes and stalled masterplans moving quicker.

We sat down with some of our judges for the Estates Gazette Awards for a light‑hearted, informal chat, hosted by Tim Burke, on what makes a winning submission and how market conditions have raised the bar this year. From what peer recognition really means to the “secret sauce” that makes a deal stand out beyond the pound signs, this episode is packed with insider tips.   Listen now to hear discussions on: • What recognition from a judges panel truly signifies • How our revamped, deal‑focused categories will spotlight standout transactions • Why resilience in today's markets matters more than ever • Last‑minute submission hacks to help you shine • The entertainment highlights judges are most looking forward to

Richard Robinson and Estella Prince of property litigation boutique Hägen Wolf discuss developing case law and the pros and cons of having a mobile phone mast on your property, in discussion with EG court reporter James Lumley

EG's legal & professional editor Jess Harrold is joined by court reporter James Lumley to count down the 10 most significant property and planning law judgments handed down during 2024. Their carefully curated list includes such classic staples as forfeiture and the right to manage, major developments in the law of nuisance, and hot topic of recent years including restructuring plans and the Building Safety Act 2022. Not only that, but the year's cases touch on two of the most famous (and well visited) locations in all of the UK. And, if that isn't enough, there is also Weetabix.

Diversity of product offering has been key to surviving a difficult year plagued with economic and political uncertainty, according to Curchod & Co partner and registered valuer Piers Leigh. Curchod & Co sits at the top of the Radius On Demand Rankings for Surrey, with 369,424 sq ft of occupation sales and lettings transacted over 89 deals in the year to date. It has also managed 72 deals in neighbouring Hampshire amounting to 321,751 sq ft. Leigh believes that by having a broad range of property types on its books it has been able to pivot to where the demand is strongest over the course of 2024. He says industrial has accounted for the lion's share of demand, but also says the retail sector has bounced back strongly in some locations but not all, while the office market is achieving super-prime rental figures.

Brighton's high streets are back in business with retail and leisure uptake pushing vacancy rates right down thanks in part to workers returning to the office, according to Newlands Property managing director Rich Lowrey. Lowrey is October's dealmaker of the month, topping the On Demand Rankings for combined deals in the South East with 11 completions totalling 19,603 sq ft. He also did more retail deals last month than anyone else in the UK. The bounceback of the retail sector has definitely been felt in Brighton, says Lowrey, thanks to its cultural diversity and large student population which make it an attractive destination for retail start-ups. He also says the city benefits from a high proportion of local landlords who are more than willing to let to independent retailers.

Jess Harrold is joined by Professor Nicholas Hopkins, the Law Commissioner for Property, Family and Trusts, to discuss the launch of the Law Commission's consultation on the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 and the future of security of tenure for commercial tenants. Hopkins outlines the background to the long-anticipated review of Part 2 of the 1954 Act, and explains the Commission's two-stage approach to the project, before presenting the four options for models of security of tenure on which views are being sought in this opening consultation. Listen to the podcast, then have your say at the Law Commission website: https://lawcom.gov.uk/project/business-tenancies-the-right-to-renew/  

In this EG Property Podcast, EG editor Samantha McClary sits down with Grosvenor's HR director Jo Banfield to talk about the changing nature of the employee/employer relationship. With fresh pressure on employers set to come with changes to National Insurance and the Employment Rights Bills, proper communication, trust and understanding between worker and employer has never been more important. Throw a more varied workforce than ever before into the mix and things get even more complicated. But if real estate businesses are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent to ensure that they continue to thrive in this changing world, understanding the importance of people is a vital skill. Dive into this special EG Property Podcast if you're committed to being a better business.

Car parking and the availability of outside space is more important than environmental or sustainability considerations when it comes to attracting occupiers to the majority of industrial and office space, according to Sibley Pares associate Ned Gleave. Sibley Pares tops the Radius On Demand Rankings for Kent in terms of deal numbers so far this year, with 94 completions totalling 344,000 sq ft of space. Gleave, who operates largely across Kent's industrial market, says environmental considerations such as solar panels and EV charging are still considered sweeteners rather than necessities and that parking is often a more important factor than the building itself. He is also hopeful a middle ground can be found regarding regulation on future EPC minimum standards.

The industrial sector has made huge strides forwards in decarbonisation as landlords, tenants and even the customers of tenants all demand increasingly green credentials, according to Lambert Smith Hampton director of industrial and logistics Elise Evans. Evans was the South East's top industrial dealmaker in the Radius On Demand Rankings in September, with five deals totalling 68,201 sq ft of space. Among them was a 40,000 sq ft letting at Langstone Park in Havant in a building rated EPC A+ and powered entirely through rooftop solar PVs. She says demand for the full spectrum of industrial classes remains strong on her south coast patch, where the docks of Southampton support a thriving logistics sector and advanced manufacturing and engineering flourishes further east.

Legal & professional editor Jess Harrold is joined by Guy Fetherstonhaugh KC to discuss the Renters' Rights Bill currently making its way through parliament. Fetherstonhaugh addresses the social context and political history of residential leasehol that has led to the bill, and its central feature - the abolition of section 21 "no fault" evictions. He goes into detail on how the bill will reform the law in this area, and the ways in which it differs from the Conservative government's failed Renters (Reform) Bill. Fetherstonhaugh outlines the other major provisions in the bill, and highlights some areas for improvement he hopes will be addressed as the bill proceeds through parliament.

In this episode of the EG Property Podcast, EG editor Samantha McClary takes a deeper dive into a special roundtable event held in partnership with Montagu Evans at the London Real Estate Forum. That discussion brought together a panel of leading experts to explore the evolving landscape of alternative living, focusing on the integration of multi-tenure and multi-generational communities in large-scale regeneration initiatives. You can read a write up here: https://www.egi.co.uk/news/can-multigenerational-communities-solve-a-multitude-of-problems/ In this discussion, Simon Century, managing director, housing, asset management division, at Legal & General, Matt Steere, data and insight director at Birchgrove, and Jon Neale, head of research and strategic insight at Montagu Evans take a deeper look at the barriers currently blocking the growth of multi-generational living in the UK. Listen in as the trio discussion funding challenges, the need for greater understanding of the power of the living sector, and the need to turn traditional thinking on its head.

In this episode of the EG Property Podcast, EG senior reporter Evelina Grecenko sits down with Tom Mellows, head of UK science at Savills, Michael Samuelian, founding director – Ubrna Tech Hub, Cornell Tech NYC, and Amy Hockley, head of innovation leasing at British Land to investigate London's unique position to nurture the burgeoning science and technology sectors, and the role that the real estate sector can play to support this.   Listen in for lessons from the United States, how London is maturing and what landlords need to deliver to be able to attract best-in-class occupiers.  

Buckinghamshire is the entrepreneurial capital of England and the demand for space from small and medium sized businesses has helped sustain demand over what, for many, is a quiet summer period, according to Chandler Garvey director and head of agency Joanna Kearvell. Kearvell managed seven completions in August, making her the South East's leading dealmaker in terms of deal numbers. She says demand is particularly strong for smaller-scale industrial units and believes the handbrakes need to come off to deliver more buildings of this type, not just for leasehold disposal but also for owner-occupiers.

Britons fell in love with domestic holidays during the pandemic and the lingering appeal has primed the holiday park sector for a fresh round of inward investment, according to Christie & Co director of UK holiday and residential parks Jamie Keith. Keith says visitor numbers are still up on 2019 levels following the frenzy of the pandemic years, when both bookings and transactional activity went through the roof. He believes corporate interest in the holiday park market has been muted over the past 12 months because of high interest rates, but expects to see purse strings loosened over the coming months from both UK and overseas investors.

LISTEN In this episode of the EG Property Podcast, EG's residential reporter Akanksha Soni sits down with Ealing Council leader Peter Mason, who has just been appointed as the local authority's lead for planning and skills, in addition to his role as deputy chair of the Local Government Association. Mason speaks about the tripartite collaboration of a Labour council, mayor of London and national government, and the borough's goal to deliver 4,000 affordable homes by 2025. Ealing's overarching plans include the building of 28,000 homes over the next 15 years, with key roles for build-to-rent and private developers in providing them. He adds that the borough is open for investment and partnership to deliver homes across underutilised areas such as Old Oak and North Acton, as well as highlighting the lessons learnt from John Lewis's BTR scheme above its Waitrose store in West Ealing.

Every year women from across the built environment get together to take part in the annual PedElle cycling event. The event, run by Club Peloton, raises vital funds for number of charities all focused on enabling better lives for young people. Its principal charity is Coram, one of the oldest children's charities in the UK. In this special EG Property Podcast, EG editor Samantha McClary (and long time PedEller) sits down with three women who took part in the PedElle this year – a lumpy 450km in Poland – to talk about what the ride really means, the importance of the funds its raises, why we need more women to join this very special form of networking, and why more businesses should support the event. Listen in to hear insights and intelligence – and why the PedElle can not only enhance your career but change your life – from Buro Happold associate director Anna Beckett, head of investor relations at SEGRO, Claire Mogford, and Chloe Factor, an asset manager for Legal & General Investment Management's Build-to-Rent fund. If you're inspired by what you hear, please do help the PedElle team reach their £40,000 fundraising target by donating here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/pedelle2024  And if you're interested in joining next year's PedElle, or any Club Peloton ride, find out more at www.clubpeloton.org Big thanks to PedElle 2024's corporate supporters Buro Happold, DP9, Forsters, Knight Frank, Legal & General and SEGRO.

Planning needs to be unlocked for commercial space across Cornwall in order to provide much-needed employment opportunities and ease overreliance on tourism, according to Vickery Holman agent Morwenna Pound. Vickery Holman is the leading regional agent across the South West region on the Radius Rankings for space transacted so far this year and Pound – who works from its Truro office - leads the individual dealmaker rankings for Cornwall, with 67,970 sq ft transacted across 28 deals. Pound says demand is very strong for industrial units of around 1,000 sq ft, but planning headaches and development costs mean these are in short supply. She also believes there is an urgent need for entry-level professional jobs across the county to help change the fortunes of what have become some of Europe's poorest areas.

Momentum is a critical factor for the London office market, and although external obstacles have been placed in its way there is a sense the handbrake is about to come off, according to Harry James, associate director at office specialist The Workplace Co. James was London's top office dealmaker in June, leading the Radius Rankings with 8 deals totalling 7,969 sq ft of space. He oversaw transactions in the West End, City, City Fringe and the Southern Fringe. Activity has been up and down since the start of the year, says James, but he is optimistic about occupiers being in a less cautious mood once they return from summer holidays.

In this episode of the EG Property Podcast, editor Samantha McClary, meets the final two members of this year's Future Leaders cohort - Kitty Eyre, senior project manager at the London Borough of Ealing, and Michael De Los Santos Samson, apprentice surveyor at CBRE - to find out more about how they are feeling as they begin their journey on the intensive programme. Listen in to find out how they both want to push themselves into uncomfortable situations, build deep connections with the industry and make a difference with the powerful talks they will deliver as part of the EG Real Estate Futures event in September. And don't forget to listen to episode one to make sure who know every single one of this year's EG Future Leaders Huge thanks for EG's partners CBRE, Clyde & Co, Knight Frank, Landsec, and Nuveen for supporting the Future Leaders programme.

In this episode of the EG Property Podcast, EG deputy editor Tim Burke sits down with a collection of this year's cohort of Future Leaders to find out how they are feeling at the beginning of an intense journey that will culminate with a 10 minute, un-aided Ted-style talk in front of hundreds at EG's Real Estate Futures event this September. Listen in to hear insight from: Victoria Whiteley, project manager, Knight Frank Avneeth Fernandes, head of financial accounting, Landsec Manuela Apostol, anaplan and BI solutions architect, Logicor Will Game, asset manager, Nuveen Carolyn Morgan-Welker, senior associate, planning & environment, Clyde & Co Huge thanks for EG's partners CBRE, Clyde & Co, Knight Frank, Landsec, and Nuveen for supporting the Future Leaders programme.

Trading conditions across Greater Manchester are challenging, with uncertainty over the economy and the future of work leading occupiers to operate with caution, according to Fletcher CRE director John Fletcher. In terms of deal numbers, Fletcher CRE is the highest-placed regional agent on the Radius On Demand Rankings across Greater Manchester for the year to date, with 15 deals over the line totalling 37,704 sq ft of space. Fletcher believes the towns of Greater Manchester benefit greatly from the success of Manchester city centre, but he believes investment is needed both in infrastructure and the right redevelopment if they are to realise their potential. He is also hopeful that Thursday's general election will remove one element of instability and encourage occupiers to commit to decisions.

EG's legal & professional editor, Jess Harrold, is joined by Vicky Hernandez, partner and head of retail at law firm RWK Goodman, and Allan Wickham, head of occupier sustainability in the ESG consultancy team at CBRE, to discuss the rise of green leases, with a particular focus on the retail sector. Together, they recap what green leases are, with examples of typical green clauses that might arise in retail leases and a focus on the different shades of green that can apply, plus some of the particular challenges faced in retail. They address the recently updated green lease toolkit, from the Better Buildings Partnership, and how that will aid landlord and tenant negotiations on key lease provisions - hugely important, with the growing need for alignment between property owners and occupiers when it comes to improving the sustainability of our buildings.  

In this episode of the EG Property Podcast, EG editor Samantha McClary takes a break from the normal property chatter and instead turns her attention to real estate's love of Lycra, friendly competition and, of course, raising vital fund for charity. Listen in as she catches up with three participants of this year's JLL Property Triathlon – Simon Peacock, Kate Peters and Will Sherlock - to find out how their training has gone, why they choose to don a onesie in front of their colleagues and bosses, and more seriously, what one of the biggest gatherings of real estate professionals achieves for charity. The triathlon – which takes place on 28 June at Dorney Lake –  is in its 17th year and has so far raised more than £2m for charity. For the past three years the event has been raising funds for WWF and by the culmination of this year's races, expects to have raised more than £600,000 for the charity. Find out more about where and how those funds are being spend and what you can do to help encourage our guests as they swim, bike, run their way round Dorney this Friday.

The handbrake is coming off in the West Midlands, where a recent upturn in deals activity shows the age of uncertainly is approaching its end, according to Shepherd Commercial director Kaine Arkinson. Arkinson was the UK's top individual dealmaker for May in EG's On-Demand Rankings. As the month closed he had managed 14 completions, totalling 35,952 sq ft. He says the industrial market is still the dominant force in the West Midlands, with a slew of cash-rich buyers waiting in the wings. However, he also believes there is a distinct shortage of stock at the smaller end of the market, and hopes the planning system can be unlocked to fix it.

In this episode of the EG Property Podcast – recorded live on stage at UKREiiF in Leeds – news editor Pui-Guan Man sits down with a host of experts to discuss how to support social mobility within the real estate sector. While those working in real estate can often come from privileged backgrounds, the sector operates within diverse communities where individuals converge to live, work and socialise. This means that prioritising social mobility is crucial for fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace, as well as for ensuring that the real estate industry mirrors the diversity of its surroundings. In this conversation we look at how we can further advocate for the economic benefits of diversity? What strategies can organisations and individuals employ to drive positive transformations, fostering a more vibrant, adaptable and fair urban landscape? How can tangible opportunities for local communities be provided in the process? Insights delivered from Jennie Colville, head of ESG & sustainability, Landsec Fatima Khan-Shah, inclusivity champion, West Yorkshire Combined Authority David Lynch, director of strategic housing & development, Manchester City Council Julie Simms, partner, joint head of the National Public Sector Real Estate Team and Liverpool managing partner, DWF Brought to you in partnership with DWF.

In this episode of the EG Property Podcast – recorded live at UKREiiF in Leeds – deputy editor Tim Burke sits down with Gowling WLG partner Anjali Bancroft and Vistry Group's partner investment director Kathryn Pennington to look to the future of single-family housing. Single-family housing in the UK is experiencing rapid growth, emerging as a significant component of the country's build-to-rent sector. With investors seeking to broaden their portfolios, what level of investment is currently targeting this sector, and what are the sources of funding and supply? The asset class is strategically positioned to alleviate the shortage of high-quality, energy-efficient and contemporary suburban housing in the UK, but is it resilient amid a volatile macroeconomic environment? Listen in as we delve into the opportunities and challenges for investors, owners and operators, offering insights into the customer experience, community development, amenity provision and the growing interest in joint ventures and collaborations. Brought to you in partnership with Gowling WLG.

In this episode of the EG Property Podcast – recorded live at UKREiiF in Leeds – deputy editor Tim Burke is in conversation with Alexa Culver, general counsel at Environment Bank, Anna Rose, head of planning advisory service at the Local Government Association, and Rico Wojtulewicz, head of policy and market insight at the National Federation of Builders about how to successfully implement a biodiversity net gain strategy. As the BNG market finally starts to unfold, it has become clear that delivering BNG entirely on-site isn't an option in most cases. In this EG Property Podcast our experts explain more about off-site biodiversity units and how the industry can seamlessly integrate them into development strategies. Listen in to find out what's available, how it works, and how it can be effective. Brought to you in partnership with Environment Bank.

Office occupiers from London's traditional markets are increasingly looking towards the City Fringe in search of space and value, according to Belcor agency specialist Rob Elman. Elman was the UK's top individual office dealmaker on the Radius Rankings for April in terms of deals numbers. He managed six completions amounting to a combined 12,500 sq ft of space. He believes City Fringe is still well stocked with the sort of high-quality, characterful office buildings needed to bring workers back, and says occupiers will increasingly look towards it rather than more central areas where rents are at “insane” levels.