Episodes
This latest episode of Bricks & Mortar features Jones Hargreaves senior associate partner, Sammi Johnstone, discussing her route into real estate and what she loves about surveying.  As she prepares to return to Scotland and head up Jones Hargreaves new Glasgow office, she tells EG's Sarah Jackman why she made the decision to change career into real estate, how her career has evolved since and the joy she derives from the role, not least the variety.
Published 12/13/23
On the latest weekly round-up, Jess Harrold is joined by senior writers, Julia Cahill and Piers Wehner to discuss the latest news in real estate. Wehner tackles the 35% rise in planning fees for major projects and the industry reaction that suggests it does not go far enough to meet the funding gap that is slowing down our planning system - and threatening the finances of our beleaguered local authorities. Cahill dives into worrying findings in the latest RICS Global Sustainability Report...
Published 12/10/23
To meet both national and global decarbonisation targets there is a crucial need to improve the condition of existing real estate stock. Embracing the core principles of the three Rs – reduce, reuse, recycle – should play a big part in real estate ESG strategies. In this EG podcast we will hear how Hollis has created its own version of the three Rs to review decarbonisation through reduction, renovation and renewables. We will investigate how reduction can optimise existing systems to perform...
Published 12/07/23
In the latest episode of the politics and property podcast, former housing minister Mark Prisk and EG journo Piers Wehner plunge into the Autumn Statement, like giddy schoolboys attacking a pile of fallen leaves. The chancellor pitched it as a boon for business, with the biggest ever business tax break sat at its heart, but is it as good as all that for the industry? Or are there, lurking beneath the golden leaves, a couple of snares lying in wait?    
Published 11/24/23
This ESG podcast investigates how real estate can look to amplify and intensify its deployment of renewable energy, address climate change and transitioning towards a viable energy future.
Published 11/24/23
In this ESG podcast, EG hears more on the legal requirements and implications of the 2021 Environment Act for biodiversity net gain. How planners can collaborate with developers, local communities, landowners and farmers to deliver BNG beyond the development site and the challenges and opportunities of developing Local Nature Recovery Strategies for BNG.
Published 11/23/23
Oxford Street has long been the backbone of London’s retail scene. It has been the capital’s high street for decades, but over recent years has lost some, if not all, of its shine. Covid hit the street hard and if you believe everything you read in some of our less expert media, the street is now full of Candy Stores and tacky souvenir shops. The truth, of course, is something quite different. Oxford street is very quickly being reborn, with a fresh mix of retailers, a fresh mix of uses and a...
Published 11/23/23
Investor demand for hotels in the tourist hotspots and national parks of the south coast sparked a recovery in the transactional hotel market, which has now returned to pre-covid levels of activity, according to Christie & Co regional director of hospitality south Ed Bellfield. Christie & Co comfortably leads in the Radius On Demand Rankings for investment sales in the hotel and leisure sector, with almost £70m of sales across 43 deals for the UK as a whole. It also leads the sector's...
Published 11/22/23
In this ESG podcast we delve into carbon development decisions that will have an impact on real estate and the planet.  Do we need to build any new buildings or are we headed to a future where retrofit and refurb is the only option?
Published 11/22/23
Jess Harrold is joined by deputy editor Tim Burke and senior writer Piers Wehner to round up the week in real estate. Burke discusses his EG Interview with Tim Roberts, chief executive of Henry Boot, about the developer’s first HQ move in almost a century – and addresses the state of the London office market, with insights of optimism from British Land’s chief executive, Simon Carter. Wehner outlines Landsec's £1bn disposal strategy and how it plans to boost its development pipeline, and...
Published 11/19/23
In this latest podcast, EG's Sarah Jackman speaks to Nick Martyn, partner and lead for the leasehold enfranchisement team at RWK Goodman, about leasehold reform and whether developers are changing the way they view the asset values of new build residential freehold blocks. They cover a range of legislation, both proposed and enacted, including the Leasehold and Freehold Bill announced in the King's Speech, the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 and the Building Safety Act 2022.    
Published 11/17/23
MAPP's head of people and talent, Sean Greathead, joins EG's Sarah Jackman to discuss the range of policies that the firm has implemented to help create and support DEI within the business. In a wide-ranging discussion that covers both recruitment and staff retention, they discuss gender and ethnicity pay gap reporting, the positive role of employee forums in capturing staff sentiment and ideas, and the significance having role models within the business.  As Greathead says: "There's a joy,...
Published 11/16/23
This latest edition of In on the Act features Falcon Chambers barrister, Mark Galtrey, discussing the recent Law Commission recommendations to reform the Arbitration Act 1996, which were published in early September, alongside a draft Bill. Following the announcement in last week's King's speech that an arbitration Bill will be included in this Parliamentary session, Galtrey delves into the detail of what the Law Commission has proposed and what practitioners can expect to see should its...
Published 11/15/23
Jess Harrold is joined by offices reporter Chanté Bohitige and senior writer Piers Wehner for the latest weekly round-up. Bohitige tackles the fallout after WeWork filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US, looking at what comes next for the brand and its UK leases. Wehner addresses the key real estate proposals in the King's speech, and the major question marks they leave over leasehold reform - as well as the latest on Donald Trump and on Home REIT. But what UK grime track will...
Published 11/10/23
In the latest episode of the property and politics podcast former minister Mark Prisk and EG journalist Piers Wehner look at the runners and riders in this year's King's Speech.  Will the Renters (Reform) Bill have an easy ride? Will the Leasehold and Freehold Bill fall at the first hurdle? Will they all simply run out of time? And what other stalking horses might appear and which may fail to make it out of the gate?
Published 11/10/23
Brighton’s reputation as a home of the cool and the quirky - with a little help from more flexible Class E provisions - have helped the south coast city remain buoyant through turbulent times, according to Eightfold commercial property director Max Pollock. Eightfold currently sits at the top of the Radius On Demand Rankings for lettings and occupational sales across Brighton. It has disposed of 50,395 sq ft of space across 34 deals so far in 2023, which is more than any other agent on both...
Published 11/08/23
This month’s In on the Act features Falcon Chambers barrister, Camilla Chorfi, discussing the Electricity Act 1989 and whether it is still fit for purpose in light of changing energy demands and last Autumn’s consultation on land rights and consents for electricity network infrastructure. Chorfi discusses the background to the 1989 Act and how it operates in practice, before running through the consultation detail and reflecting on what the future might bring by way of legislative change.     
Published 11/06/23
For the latest weekly round-up, Jess Harrold is joined by editor Sam McClary and head of events Natalie Roberts to discuss the event of the season, the 2023 EG Awards. McClary shares her favourite memories from a special night, including co-hosting with the iconic Ruby Wax, and honouring the winner of this year's Outstanding Individual Award, the similarly legendary Sue Brown, managing director of Real Estate Balance. Roberts offers insights on what it takes to put on an event of this...
Published 10/22/23
In the latest episode of the politics and property podcast, EG's senior writer Piers Wehner and former government minister Mark Prisk are joined by special guest Melanie Leech, chief executive of the BPF, to recap the party conference season and take a look at some of the policies unveiled. Are we seeing a new level of focus on planning and development from both the government and opposition? Will the sledgehammer taken to HS2 North prove disastrous for developers? And just what is Labour...
Published 10/17/23
In the rapidly evolving landscape of workplace design, sustainability has emerged as the key consideration. In this podcast, EG, in collaboration with Peldon Rose, will explore how we can create workspaces that minimise environmental impact while maximising employee wellbeing and productivity. We will discuss the possibilities of balancing the use of sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems without compromising on design aesthetics and ask whether sustainable design can truly...
Published 10/16/23
In this podcast, Samantha McClary is joined by Pooja Agrawal, chief executive, Public Practice, Rokhsana Fiaz, mayor of Newham, Kirsten Hewson, partner & head of real estate, Shoosmiths, Thomasin Renshaw, chief development officer, Pocket Living, Cath Shaw, deputy chief executive, Barnet Council and Lucy Wood, UK climate solutions leader, Stantec. They debate what progress is being made to go above and beyond planning compliance to deliver better places to live and work and rebuild trust...
Published 10/12/23
In August 2022, Whitbread announced it had acquired 5 Strand for a hub by Premier Inn hotel. The 700-bedroom development will create one of the largest budget hotels in central London, a stone’s throw from Nelson’s Column. In this exclusive EG podcast, the team behind the £125m acquisition will lift the lid on why they were so attracted to the location, how the opportunity came about and the task of planning for such a large hotel in the heart of the West End. And we ask what will it bring...
Published 10/11/23
Co-living has been gaining in popularity as a housing trend, especially in urban areas among young professionals and digital nomads. The attraction of co-living spaces lies in their ability to offer affordable, social and flexible living arrangements while also providing access to vibrant communities of individuals with shared interests and values. In this EG podcast, in collaboration with JLL’s head of living capital markets, Simon Scott – whose team has a proven track record of working with...
Published 10/10/23
The concept of flex space continues to gain popularity as businesses recognise the advantages of a more agile and cost-effective approach to office space. Flex space is bringing additional variety to the office market, allowing businesses to scale their offices up or down quickly. Versatility, scalability and location are some of the key features and benefits of flex space. How does flexible workspace enhance the offer of an office building? And how is flex space driving value to occupiers...
Published 10/09/23
For the latest weekly round-up, Jess Harrold is joined by editor Sam McClary and news editor Pui-Guan Man. Man dives into the results of EG's extensive survey on what RICS members want from the beleaguered organisation going forward, and shares details of her EG Interview with the current leadership of the RICS: chief executive Justin Young, board chair Martin Samworth and regulation board chair Nigel Clarke. McClary shares her passion for EG's Future Leaders program and the lessons learned...
Published 10/08/23