Estates Gazette Property Podcasts

Beyond the void: Property guardianship as a strategic ESG solution

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.

Why Europe’s youngest city is the UK’s biggest opportunity

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.

What’s next for the branded budget hotel sector?

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.

Opening the door: Inclusion, leadership and the future of real estate

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 10^th 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.

Offices and the 2026 rating revaluation

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.

The thankless task of office tech – the silent efficiency engine

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.

Investment zones: an incubator for untapped potential

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?

Liverpool eyes offices rebirth

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. 

A vision from Liverpool’s Future Impact Board

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

Where is Liverpool heading next?

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.