In 30 years’ time around 6 billion people will live in cities. That’s an extra 2.5 billion. This will shift expectations for how we live and play, but also how we work. In what are already the most populated areas, that’s 40% more people needing employment, 40% more people commuting to work. But with Artificial […]
Call me an optimist but I think most companies and people want to do the right thing. We are just conditioned by falling into the trap of repeating things we’ve always done. Gender Pay Gap (GPG) reporting is compulsory in the UK. I think that’s a good thing, as it exposes this legacy practice. It […]
Just before Christmas I spoke at an event in London alongside the British politician Michael Gove MP, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The event, “Waste to Wealth Summit”, was hosted by responsible business organisation Business in the Community (BITC), which was set up by Prince Charles. Prince Charles remains […]
I recently wrote a column about football, transparency and the Russian real estate market. Russia were great hosts of the 2018 World Cup finals – to the surprise of many people. I’ve been to the capital, Moscow, a few times, and the reality is very different to the perception. As a mega metropolis (did you […]
In the UK, women first got the right to vote 100 years ago. But there have been more female Prime Ministers than there are female CEOs of FTSE100 real estate companies. I’m CEO of a large real estate company, and have worked in this industry my whole working life. Like many in the industry I […]
The world seems upside down when after nearly 10 years of growth in property values all forecasts are predicting more of the same. What happened to our traditional property cycle? In 2018 and beyond historical trends will be replaced by new trends, and property, in the short term at least, will benefit. 1. Money, Money, […]
In terms of Brexit winners and losers, the UK’s resilience and attractiveness will shine through in the end – but the reality is that it will lose jobs. So if businesses have to relocate roles, who will benefit most? For example, the prestigious European Medicines Agency and European Banking Authority will leave London following Brexit. […]
You know what a 21st century unicorn is, right? It’s a start-up company valued at $1billion. Crazy! But we live in a crazy world. I know what you’re thinking – how can something so small be worth so much? It’s because the people behind unicorns are trying to do something magical, to change the world…..and […]
I took part in my first marathon last month, in Milan. That’s not the whole truth. It was part of a marathon in a relay of 10K each – so we essentially helped each other cross the finish line. Teamwork! And whether it’s running, or swimming or cycling, I love being active. Getting fresh air, […]
All industries are experiencing technological disruption. And real estate is adapting less quickly than others. But I hope we’re starting to get it. If not, that disruption can very easily lead to destruction, as it has for many businesses. Tech disruption in commercial real estate I was in Madrid speaking at an event to celebrate 30 years […]
