People Property Place

James Craig, Co-Founder of Oval Real Estate, shares his entrepreneurial journey in the diversified real estate market. He discusses how he pivoted from surveying to property trading, learning to manage and exit deals across Europe. James highlights the significance of building high-trust partnerships and navigating complex projects, particularly in Birmingham's C Factory revitalization. He provides insights on market dynamics, emphasizes the importance of public-private collaboration, and encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to embrace risks in their ventures.

Kevin Mofid, Head of Industrial & Logistics Research at Savills, brings a wealth of knowledge on the UK and European logistics markets. He delves into the evolving role of research in real estate, emphasizing its importance as a strategic tool. Kevin discusses the pressures on build-to-suit deals and rising vacancies despite strong demand. He highlights trends in nearshoring, speculative development, and the growing secondhand stock, ultimately providing insights on the future of industrial demand and the impact of online retail on logistics.

Philip Stott, Co-Founder of Caisson IO, joins me on the People Property Place Podcast this week. We discuss his early career journey to co-founding Caisson IO, a boutique investment management firm that integrates data and technology to, invest and manage multi-let industrial assets across the UK. Philip shares valuable insights on the role of data in real estate, building a tech-enabled investment platform, and how their approach to asset management has evolved. If you're interested in real estate investment management, data-driven strategies, or scaling a specialised platform in the industrial sector, this episode is for you. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: · Early exposure to real estate and how Philip's family business influenced his entrepreneurial mindset · How Philip's career evolved from traditional surveying to tech sales and then pivoting into investment management · Insights from his experience at Yardi, including building their European platform and understanding financial systems and applying this learing to the investment management space · How they launched the business - raising capital from friends and family · How data-driven insights help Caisson IO identify market trends and opportunities in multi-let industrial assets · The resilience and appeal of multi-let industrial assets as a stable income-generating asset class · Building a strong, collaborative team and fostering a culture of empowerment for business growth · Caisson IO's plans for future growth, leveraging specialixed expertise and data-backed strategies And finally... With £500m to invest, which People, what Property, and which Place would Philip choose? Enjoying the show? Follow and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. The People Property Place Podcast 🎙️ is powered by Rockbourne: Giving real estate investors a difficult choice, who to hire. If you're serious about hiring top real estate talent in 2025 and want to do it differently, DM me on LinkedIn.

Philip Gadsden, Managing Partner at Orchard Street Investment Management, brings over 40 years of real estate expertise. He shares insights into his journey from corporate roles to founding Gatehouse. The discussion dives into impact investing, emphasizing the shift toward ESG and decarbonization. Philip highlights the importance of shorter leases, active management, and future-proofing second-hand assets. With £500m to invest, he reflects on strategic choices in the evolving property landscape, showcasing the exciting opportunities in sustainable and residential markets.

Marcus Meijer, the Founder and CEO of MARK, dives into his journey in real estate, shaped by a family legacy and experiences at Goldman Sachs. He shares insights on platform creation and market timing, emphasizing the shift towards sector-specific investments. Topics include the success behind building VR Outlets into a €1bn platform, navigating challenges in mid-market investments, and opportunities in urban logistics. Meijer also discusses his vision for the future of real estate and what legacy and success mean to him.

Jon Lurie, founder of Realty Corporation, is a seasoned expert in real estate investment, having previously managed billions at Goldman Sachs and Blackstone. He shares his journey from accidental landlord to launching his own firm. Lurie discusses navigating financial cycles and the necessity for conviction-led investment strategies rooted in thorough research. He also reflects on the change in real estate’s status within institutional portfolios and underscores the importance of adaptability in the evolving market. Plus, he muses on where he would invest £500m!

Gawain Smart, CEO of International Campus Group and a legal expert with a background in Canada and Wall Street, shares insights from transitioning to real estate leadership. He discusses the intricacies of scaling a private equity-backed business and emphasizes the importance of building strong teams. Gawain explores the evolving European student accommodation market, the role of AI in reshaping decision-making, and the shifting capital flows into Europe. His journey highlights balancing people management with profits and the importance of adaptability in leadership.

Dean Harrison, the mastermind behind Harleyford Capital, shares his inspiring journey from motocross fanatic to real estate entrepreneur. He discusses what shaped his early ambitions and the lessons learned from a decade at InfraRed Capital Partners. Dean candidly addresses the brutal challenges of launching his platform and the importance of discipline, emotional intelligence, and work ethic in his team. He also dives into strategic investments in new economy real estate and how he adapted his lifestyle for personal productivity to scale rapidly, successfully deploying over £250m in just 18 months.

Revisiting: How Developers Are Becoming City Builders – with Morwenna Hall, COO, Related Argent In this special recap episode, we revisit one of our most thought-provoking conversations — with Morwenna Hall, Chief Operating Officer at Related Argent. As we reflect on the highlights from this episode, we explore how Morwenna redefines the role of the modern developer — far beyond bricks, leases, and rent reviews. From rebuilding schools and delivering healthcare infrastructure to cultural placemaking and tenant matchmaking, her insights challenge outdated models of real estate and asset management. 💡 Key themes in this recap: • Why developers now have civic responsibilities • The rise of cross-disciplinary teams in real estate • How to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry • Why curiosity and flexibility matter more than qualifications • What makes someone indispensable in modern placemaking If you missed the full conversation, this recap will give you a powerful snapshot. And if you've heard it before, this is your chance to revisit the big ideas — and reflect on how much the industry has already shifted. Got any thoughts or questions about this podcast? Feel free to share them in the comments, I'm always up for a chat! And if you're enjoying what I'm putting out, don't forget to hit subscribe and turn on the notification bell so you'll never miss out on the next podcast. 🎧 Listen On: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6oCDnwWSTP685l6sn8F0a6 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/people-property-place/id1652694140 The People Property Place Podcast is powered by Rockbourne – Recruiting Leadership & Future Leadership hires for Real Estate Funds, Owners, Investors & Developers. You can also connect with me on social media, I'd love to hear from you there too. Thanks again for hanging out with me! 🔊 LIKE ➡ SHARE ➡ SUBSCRIBE ►Rockbourne Website: www.rockbourne.com ►PPP Podcast LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/people-property-place-podcast/about/?viewAsMember=true ►Matthew Watts LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-watts-51575a57/ ►Business Enquiries: mwatts@rockbourne.com #RealEstate #Placemaking #UrbanDevelopment #Leadership #RelatedArgent #MorwennaHall #Proptech #PodcastRecap #CityBuilding #ModernDeveloper

Natan Lempert, Co-Founder and CEO of Built AI, shares his impressive journey from investment banking to revolutionizing real estate with AI. He discusses the inefficiencies in traditional underwriting and how Built AI transforms deal analysis for investors. Natan's insights on technology adoption and the future of AI in real estate highlight the potential for enhanced efficiency and streamlined decision-making. He also provides valuable advice for investors considering tech integration, envisioning a new era for investment management.