Estates Gazette Property Podcasts

Tech Talk Radio: What can property learn from fashion?

On this week’s Tech Talk Radio, tech and global reporter Lucy Alderson is joined by Skwire chief executive and co-founder Elisabeth Kohlbach to talk about how tech can be used to make savvy PRS investment decisions.

 

Kohlbach set up Skwire to help spur change in the PRS sector, and ultimately show investors that they can provide homes which aren't always "magnolia with someone's old brown leather sofa and Oak Furniture Land circa 2008 furniture".

 

Having started her career in real estate overseeing acquisitions for Duschel, Kohlbach then dipped into the fashion industry, using data to predict key trends. She returned to property in 2018 to set up Skwire, and outlines how important it is to learn from other industries to bring new skills and ideas to the table.

 

Kohlbach also outlines the challenges of navigating a business through a pandemic, and Skwire's plans for the future.

On the Case: TFS and the automatic stay of possession proceedings

Joanne Wicks QC, of Wilberforce Chambers, and Mark Galtrey, of Falcon Chambers, discuss the Court of Appeal decision in TFS Stores Ltd v The Designer Retail Outlet Centres (Mansfield) General Partner Ltd and others.

 

The case concerns Practice Direction 51Z and the temporary stay on possession proceedings as a result of Covid-19.

 

Wicks and Galtrey address how the Practice Direction operates in practice, and its particular implications for the litigation in TFS Stores, involving the perfume chain The Fragrance Shop.

 

 

Going green: Derwent chiefs unveil their journey to net zero

Establishing a carbon accounting method, utilising its Scottish estate to enable full circle carbon offsetting and focusing on energy usage throughout its supply chain all form key elements of Derwent London’s pathway to becoming a net zero carbon business by 2030.

 

Derwent was one of more than 20 businesses that in September last year signed up to the Better Buildings Partnership’s Climate Commitment, committing it to not only be carbon net zero by 2050 - or 2030 in Derwent's case - but to publish exactly how it was going to get there in a public document before the end of 2020.

 

In this podcast Derwent's chief executive Paul Williams and head of sustainability John Davies talk to EG editor Samantha McClary about what sustainability means to the UK REIT and what measures they have put in place to ensure that Derwent's pathway to net zero can be travelled.

 

Read the story in full and access the pathway by visiting EG's Sustainability Hub at www.egi.co.uk/sustainability 

 

DISCLAIMER: This interview was recorded over Teams so while the quality of the content can be guaranteed, the quality of the sound may not always be to the standard you have come to expect from an EG audio production

Bricks & Mortar: University College of Estate Management – a new offering for the post-lockdown era

The University College of Estate Management has had a busy few months preparing and launching a range of new courses, including a full time online BSc in real estate management, which was brought forward by a year following the lockdown.

To discuss the enhanced offering, Bricks & Mortar presenter Sarah Jackman is joined by Stephen Bartle, UCEM’s Director of Commercial and Business Development for a look at the range of options now available and how the institution is well set up to offer the online learning that people are now exploring in greater number.

He also reflects on what the lockdown could mean for the number of people joining the institution through its traditional part time route and how furlough has helped to drive a substantial increase in those taking CPD training.

"We knew this was coming." Hundreds of real estate jobs at risk in "severe"pandemic fall-out, so will we see a redeployment of talent?

On this week's episode of EG's We're Still Here podcast deputy editor Tim Burke joins host Emily Wright for a round-up of the week's big news. And there can be no sugar-coating this one. 

 

As the severity of the COVID-19 fall out on the real estate sector looms, Tim delves into the possible extend of widespread industry redundancies. From JLL to Knight Frank and from CBRE to Avison Young, major agencies have put hundreds of at risk as they look at reshaping their businesses for a post-pandemic world. 

 

With cuts currently expected across the businesses, Tim discusses who is at risk before urging the sector to act with compassion and kindness in already challenging and unprecedented times. 

 

Trying to find a silver lining, we also discuss how the industry's talent might potentially be redeployed to reflect the changing shape of the sector and the wider world. 

 

For more tune into this week's episode of We're Still Here. 

 

Commonhold, enfranchisement and right to manage: the Law Commission's proposed reforms

Property law commissioner Nick Hopkins speaks with EG's Jess Harrold, outlining the Law Commission's extensive proposals for the future of home ownership in England and Wales.

 

Hopkins summarises the key reforms put forward across three reports, including how commonhold can become the preferred alternative to leasehold for new homes going forward - and how enfranchisement and right to manage can become easier and cheaper for existing leaseholders.

A flurry of planning, an uptick in deals and the first signs of a tentative return to work. Is now the time to put our faith back in the London market?

On this week's episode of We're Still Here host Emily Wright is joined by EG's London editor Louise Dransfield for a round-up of the biggest news from the capital.

From the news this week that Slovakian developer JTRE beat off competition from 10 other bidders to acquire the Aldgate development site being sold by 4C Hotel Group and Transport for London to JLL's agreement to take up circa 132,000 sq ft at British Land's 1 Broadgate, EC2 it seems the London market is picking up.

With a flurry of planning applications being approved and questions being raised over it really is a buyers market out there, Louise gives an overview of the biggest news, trends and analysis from the capital before urging listeners  - and particularly those who live and work in London - to "have faith" and show their support for local businesses by returning and, hopefully, injecting some much needed hustle and bustle into the city.

 

Bricks & Mortar: Lucy Winzer on her journey from apprentice to head of acquisitions at Pret a Manger

This week’s episode of Bricks & Mortar sees Sarah Jackman catch up with Lucy Winzer – head of acquisition at Pret a Manger.

After undertaking a work experience placement at a property firm aged 16, Lucy “fell in love” with real estate and “realised that was definitely the route that I wanted to take.” Through the Chartered Surveyors Training Trust, she found an apprenticeship at a local firm, where she was given a range of responsibility and in 2009 – following the financial crash – graduated from the University College of Estate Management with her diploma in surveying practice.

A further five years working at property firms followed, during which time she gained her BSc in real estate – again via UCEM. In 2014 she joined Pret a Manger and, in so doing, adopted an occupier’s perspective. “It’s such a dynamic way of working and one that I absolutely love.”

She reflects on what it was like to graduate at the height of the last recession, the effect on her peer group and what the graduates of 2020 can do to increase their profile and reach. “Be dynamic. Go out there and see who you can help, so that we can all weather the storm and get through it together.”

"It's legal but it's just not cricket". From Tesla to Frasers, will well-capitalised businesses continue to get away with sidestepping rental obligations?

On this week's episode of EG's We're Still Here podcast host Emily Wright is joined by editor Samantha McClary to discuss the mounting issue of well-capitalised companies taking advantage of the UK government's measure to protect struggling businesses throughout the pandemic.

Under the new government rules, a blanket moratorium on rents has been extended from March to September with another extension anticipated.

But as Elon Musk's Tesla continues not to pay rents despite having a market value of £199bn and Mike Ashley's Frasers plans to withhold rental payment indefinitely the industry is calling for government to put perimeters on the amount of rent that occupiers can sidestep and take the capitalisation of the business into account.

"What these companies is doing is not illegal, but it's just not cricket," says Samantha as mounting concerns build up among landlords around the "injustice" that certain companies are able to avoid paying rent despite being in a position to meet their obligations.

For more on this plus details on the launch of the world's first smart building council and EG's talent issue tune in to this week's episode of We're Still Here.

The Future of Manchester - Devolution 2.0: Doing it our way

Manchester has always had a reputation as being progressive and people-centric. But as we prepare to emerge from this pandemic there are challenges ahead. How will the city ensure communities are at the heart of Manchester’s rebirth?

• Will there be a rise in community working hubs?
• Should social development be policed?
• What will become of Manchester’s satellite towns?
• How will devolution help drive this agenda?

Speakers

Victoria Armstrong, chief executive & founder, The Oasis Centre

Chris Cheap, principal, managing director, Avison Young

Mark Fletcher, chief executive, Manchester Pride

Adam Wisher, regional director North West, partnerships and property, LCR