Nicole Bremner - From the Wall Street Market to the Property market

Welcome to this week's episode of our podcast, where we're joined by Danny Thorpe, former Leader of Greenwich Council whose passion for transforming places was shaped by his upbringing in the Ferrier Estate in Greenwich.

In this episode, Danny takes us through his route into politics where his passion for social justice and community welfare saw him chosen for the role of Cabinet Member for Regeneration, before taking on the role of Leader of the Council.

Danny discusses his experience of working with the Public and Private sectors to deliver ambitious transformation within the borough.

As the former Leader of Greenwich Council, Danny spearheaded “Greenwich Builds”, the largest council house building programme the borough had ever seen and led responses to critical challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic. His leadership extended to broader roles within London, including overseeing health and care portfolios for London Councils.

Today, Danny continues his impactful role working for Clarion Housing Association where he shapes the future of our cities through housing development and political advocacy.

Join us as we delve into Danny's inspiring journey, his influence on the intersection of politics and property, and his enduring commitment to creating inclusive and thriving urban communities.

In the latest episode of the Urban Forecast, Ben Cross, Development Director at General Projects, shares his transformative journey from The North to the architecture scene in London. After a decade in renowned practices, Ben pivoted to development, realising the innate synergy between creative thinking and solving large-scale, complex problems. At General Projects, he uses his architectural background to navigate the issues that need to be solved when reimagining existing buildings, emphasising the need for creative solutions aligned with business plans and investor expectations. Don't miss this episode for a concise exploration of Ben Cross's unique path, and the insights that he has gained from working at one of the UK’s most pioneering commercial developers. 

In the latest episode of the Urban Forecast podcast, Krupa Sheth, the youngest councillor ever elected in Brent, takes us on a compelling journey from her unexpected entry into politics whilst still at University, to the transformation of the Borough of Brent during her time in Local Government. Reflecting on the constant concerns of the Brent community, including clean environments, education, and housing, Krupa discusses her instrumental part in crafting Brent's climate emergency policies and the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. She explores the delicate balance between urban development and community engagement, emphasizing the importance of transparent dialogue with developers, and with residents. The conversation concludes with insights into the impact of budget cuts on local services and the critical need for national support in investing in local councils. Join us for a thought-provoking episode, where Krupa Sheth's experiences highlights the complex interplay of local governance, urban development, and climate action in shaping the urban forecast.

In this captivating interview, we sit down with Matt Griffiths-Rimmer, the Director of Communications and Impact at Hadley Property Group, to explore his unique journey from being a musician in his twenties and thirties to his role working at Hadley Properties focusing on engaging with Communities and Businesses to re-imagine how Placemaking can be undertaken in Regeneration Projects.

Matt's transition from a "crazy artist" to a community advocate makes him the ideal person to negotiate the complex process of weaving creative communities into the fabric of a new development, and also makes him an ideal guest to talk about the future of cities.

In this episode of Urban Forecast, we delve into the dynamic intersection of artificial intelligence and architecture with guest Allister Lewis. A former architect turned AI enthusiast, Allister shares insights into the evolving landscape of AI tools within the construction industry. The conversation explores:

• The likely significant impact of AI on the architecture and construction industries, particularly in generative design.
• The experimentation phase expected over the next three years, and how the industry will transform over the next 5-10 years
• The potential for AI to unleash Offsite Construction
• The potential for AI to create efficiency and redundancy in the same measure.

The episode concludes with a sneak peek into Allister's startup, which aims to create a comprehensive marketplace for architecture, engineering, and construction software, promising to revolutionise the way professionals discover, test, and adopt these innovative solutions.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the evolving relationship between AI and the future of architecture and construction.

How can we design and build cities that will design a fairer future : Panel debate recorded at the Labour Party Conference 2023 with Cllr Bella Sankey, Cllr Kieron Williams, Marvin Rees, Cllr Krupa Sheth, Cllr Mete Coban and Jon Ackroyd.

Welcome to a very special episode of the Urban Forecast Podcast! Recorded at our exclusive Breakfast Club Briefing, this episode features an impressive lineup of guest speakers who are leading the way in shaping the future of urban development. We had the honour of hosting Cllr Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council; Cllr Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council; Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol City; Cllr Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure, and Climate Action, LB Brent; Cllr Mete Coban MBE, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, LB Hackney; and Jon Ackroyd, an award-winning Chartered Architect and Co-founder of Ackroyd Lowrie. Guiding our discussion as the event's chair is Oliver Lowrie, an Architect and Co-founder of Ackroyd Lowrie.

In this episode, our panel of distinguished speakers engaged in thought-provoking discussions and provided expert insights into designing cities that prioritise fairness, inclusivity, and equity for all. We explore innovative approaches, policies, and strategies that can transform our urban spaces into vibrant, inclusive environments, leaving no one behind.

In this episode of the Urban Forecast Podcast, we sat down with Andrew Teacher, founder of Blackstock Consulting and currently the Managing Director for real estate in ESG at Montfort, whose life story is a testament to the pursuit of creativity and resilience.

We begin by revisiting Andrew's school days, where he and his friends ventured into the world of publishing, creating a magazine provocatively named "Balls." Their enthusiasm led them to cover diverse topics, from sports to music, and even secure press passes to major sporting events, igniting Andrew's passion for photography as well as journalism. However, life took an unforeseen turn when he faced a vision impairment, prompting him to use his talent for journalism and narrative within the Property Industry. Andrew takes us through the founding of Blackstock, from its early startup days to its acquisition last year by Montfort, and the insights he has gained into the property industry along the way.

Tune in to this episode of the Urban Forecast Podcast for a tale of determination, reinvention, and the enduring power of passion.

In this episode of the Urban Forecast Podcast,  we delve into the dynamic landscape of the macro economy behind the UK housing market and its impact on the future of cities. In a post-pandemic world, the economy has seen a seismic shift, influenced by unprecedented government interventions and unique inflationary pressures. Join us as we explore what has led to the economic position we are in today, what the means for the housing market now and how those trends are going to change over the next 3-5 years.

Tenant demand is at an all-time high in the UK, and this is driving the rapid growth of the Built-to Rent Sector. On this episode, we sat down with Polly Simpson, Head of Multifamily Development at Savills London, who has been fully immersed in this emerging sector since its inception ten years ago. We discuss the underlying market forces that are driving the growth of the sector, what is required to deliver a successful BTR scheme, and how the sector is faring in these highly challenging times for the whole UK property market.

Join Jason Boyle, an architect with over 23 years of experience at Seller Limited and a seasoned professional in the nuclear industry, as he takes you on a journey through the world of architecture.

Get ready to dive deep into the human side of the profession, as Jason fearlessly addresses the tough issues that architects grapple with every day – from burnout and undervaluation to the challenges of architectural education. With a passion for mentorship, Jason founded the Global Architect Alliance, offering online mentoring to aspiring architects worldwide. He's on a mission to reshape architectural education, advocating for apprenticeship-style learning and tackling the industry's most pressing challenges head-on. Tune in as he shares insights, stories, and solutions to create a healthier, happier architecture profession.

And in a change to the usual format, Jason interviews the host Oliver!