Estates Gazette Property Podcasts

The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill explained

EG's deputy legal and professional editor speaks with Helena Davies and Nikki Whittle, partners at Brabners, about the draft Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill, published last week in response to the Covid-19 crisis.

Davies and Whittle outline the key provisions of the bill, which promises the biggest reform of the UK's restructuring and insolvency framework in years, concentrating on what the changes it will introduce mean for the commercial property sector.

 

 

Life after lockdown: hopes for a kinder real estate

As the world eventually recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, there is an invaluable opportunity to re-set priorities and re-focus business beyond just the bottom line. In this final Mental Health Awareness Week podcast from EG, our guests ask whether a kinder, more compassionate real estate industry could be one silver lining from these painful months.

EG deputy editor Tim Burke is joined by

• Howard Morgan, founder and MD, RealService
• Zoe Sinclair, founder, This Can Happen 
• Juliet Smithson, head of operations, Lion Heart 

On the Case: Supreme Court rules on rating of supermarket ATMs

EG's deputy legal & professional editor Jess Harrold is joined by John Webber, head of rating at Colliers International, and Catherine Dear, an associate at Irwin Mitchell, to discuss the eagerly-awaited Supreme Court ruling in Cardtronics Europe Ltd and others v Sykes (VO) and others [2020] UKSC 21; [2020] PLSCS 95 - finally providing a definitive answer to the question whether ATMs in supermarkets and convenience stores should be rated separately.

Webber and Dear discuss the long history of the case, how the Supreme Court approached the matter, the huge number of sites potentially affected - and the massive sums riding on the outcome.

Managing post-pandemic workplaces and work practices for wellbeing

As companies map out a way for teams to return to the workplace after the Covid-19 pandemic, how can they ensure they are managing their buildings and the process itself in a way that supports the mental wellbeing of employees? And how can companies bring the best of our experiences from lockdown back into the business?

For this discussion to mark Mental Health Awareness Week, EG deputy editor Tim Burke is joined by

• Dan Roberts, head of workspace consultancy service, Hollis
• Hannah Roman, head of human resources, Bidwells
• Anna Scally, director of workspace, Avison Young

Mental health and Covid-19: Lessons from a crisis

The coronavirus pandemic has been an unexpected and unprecedented test of companies’ mental health and wellbeing strategies. Initiatives designed with the traditional workplace in mind have been tested by a workforce in isolation, while for many employees the crisis has been a source of concern and anxiety the likes of which they have never known.

To discuss the lessons learned, EG deputy editor Tim Burke is joined by

• Andrew Heath-Richardson, co-head of development for Europe, Hudson Advisors 
• Henrietta Frater, head of HSE and wellbeing, The Crown Estate
• Ben Channon, head of wellbeing, Assael Architecture

Are soulless, post-pandemic offices really the answer to the return to work problem? Plus, Sam McClary tries her hand at Everesting on the latest episode of We're Still Here

On this week's episode of EG's We're Still Here podcast it's all about soul and cycle.

First up host Emily Wright is joined by EG editor Sam McClary for a round-up of the week's news and analysis trends. Following the release of government guidance they delve into the suggestions around creating safe, post-pandemic office spaces and wonder how many people will be happy to return to a workplace devoid of collaborative space or soul.

Then, McClary joins two industry heroes, Dan Higginson of Greycoat and Dan Campbell of architect Stiff + Trevillion to try her hand at Everesting  - tune in to find out exactly what that is - and to find out more about their quest to raise money for Feed the Frontline. The duo put in " a 12-hour shift" cycling in their homes to virtually climb the height of Everest to support the charity which provides NHS key workers with healthy food as they work longer hours during the current crisis.

To find out more or to support Dan & Dan visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/dans-12-hour-shift-bike-ride. 

For information on this and the week's top stories, tune in to this week's We're Still Here.

Hammerson boss: Sustainability is what we do, stopping it would be impossible

This episode of the EG Property Podcast is all about sustainability and the importance of it in business today.

Joining EG editor Samantha McClary to talk about their journey are Hammerson chief executive David Atkins and group head of sustainability Louise Ellison.

Hammerson was one of the first property companies in the world to set a goal to be carbon net positive . An ambitious goal that it says it will not let slip despite the challenges all businesses, particularly those with a big footprint in retail, face right now.

Sustainability is what we do, says Atkins, stopping would just be impossible.

Listen in to find out why sustainability is so important to the business, how it implements its sustainability goals, what it has learnt along the way and why Covid 19 is actually strengthening its resolve on sustainability.

The  conversation was recorded via teams so while the audio quality may not be up to the EG studio standard you’ve come to expect, the content quality absolutely is.

On the Case: What the Supreme Court ruling in Duval means for lease covenants

Joanne Wicks QC and Emer Murphy of Wilberforce Chambers discuss the significance of the Supreme Court judgment in Duval v 11-13 Randolph Crescent Ltd with EG's deputy legal and professional editor, Jess Harrold.

Wicks and Murphy, who represented the appellant landlord in the case, discuss the court's reasoning, the wider application of the ruling and the issues it will raise for landlords and tenants of blocks of flats. In addition, they address how practitioners may adapt their lease drafting moving forward.

Bricks & Mortar: APC study and assessment during lockdown – what’s different?

In this week’s episode of Bricks & Mortar, EG’s Sarah Jackman is joined (virtually) by Jen Lemen – co-founder of Property Elite – for a look at how APC candidates should proceed in the current climate.

With the RICS having temporarily moved its assessments online, there are positives to be drawn, including, says Lemen “the ability for candidates to control their assessment in terms of external variables. Things like the stress of being in an assessment centre; travelling and potentially needing to stay overnight; being able to manage nerves better and being in a familiar environment might give a lot of candidates a confidence boost.”

But what happens if a candidate doesn’t have good internet connectivity or a good home working environment in which to take the exam remotely? Lemen talks through the options for deferral, as well as giving advice to those who have been furloughed or made redundant part way through the process. She rounds off with her top tips for anyone currently preparing for APC assessment, including keeping in touch with established support networks, forming a remote study group and planning the all important outfit.

 

The secret of bringing joy, creativity and heart into communities

In this episode of the EG Property Podcast we are talking about the value of creative space and the role it has to play in delivering and sustaining vibrant communities.

EG editor Samantha McClary is joined – over the medium of Teams – by the crew from Creative Land Trust, a charitable organisation set up last year by the Mayor of London with to aim of securing affordable workspace for artists in perpetuity.

EG caught up with the team following the appointment of former Eden project boss Gordon Seabright as CLT's new CEO and the launch of a new £2.3m culture at risk business support fund by the GLA that will provide cash for grassroots music venues, LGBTQ+ venues, artist workspaces and independent cinemas across the capital.

So sit back, grab a cuppa and relax for the next twenty minutes or so and join me in discussion with co-chairs Alex Notay and Catherine Webster and chief executive Gordon Seabright as we take a look at the role of the charity and why bringing creativity into the built environment matters.

And, remember, as this discussion has been recorded over Teams, the sound quality might not be quite as expert as you have come to expect from Team EG, but we promise that the commentary – at least from Alex, Catherine and Gordon – absolutely will be.