Explore every episode of the podcast Around the Table: A podcast by Building Relations

With more architects involved in designing new homes, the results can be better for everyone - from developers to communities. Host Natalie Daniels is joined by Keith Bradley (Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios) and Simon Vernon-Harcourt (City & Country) to explore how design can shape thriving neighbourhoods, balance local character with innovation, and meet modern expectations around sustainability, wellbeing, and accessibility. 

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Passivhaus is often called the gold standard for low-energy homes - but why has it been slow to take off in London? Host Kathryn Reucroft is joined by Attzaz Rashid (Barratt London), Dr Joel Callow (Beyond Carbon), and Sarah Lewis (UK Passivhaus Trust) to explore the challenges, misconceptions, and opportunities of scaling Passivhaus in the capital, and what Barratt’s landmark rollout could mean for the future of sustainable housing. 

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 Is downsizing the key to solving the UK’s housing crisis? With £2.9 trillion of property wealth tied up in under-occupied homes, host Laura Hellon-Hughes talks to Lucian Cook (Savills) and Steve Bangs (Pegasus Homes) about breaking barriers, reshaping perceptions, and why “rightsizing” could unlock homes and transform later living. 

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 In this powerful and timely episode of Around the Table, we ask not just how many homes the UK should build – but how we build, and how we want to live.

As the government announces a landmark £39bn housing boost, our panel explores the bold ideas behind Human Nature’s new “How Shall We Live” report – a radical yet practical vision to tackle climate breakdown, housing unaffordability, social isolation, and economic fragility, all through how and where we build.

Host Rachel Colgan, Founding Director of Building Relations PR, is joined by:

• Joanna Yarrow - Chief Impact Officer, Human Nature
• Brogan MacDonald - Head of Sustainability, Ramboll UK (Buildings)
• Jon DiStefano - CEO, Greencore Homes

Together, they explore:

• Why we need to move from building units to building communities
• How nature-based materials can remove carbon at scale
• What radical affordability really means – beyond house prices
• The role of place in supporting health, connection, and belonging
• Real delivery models proving that better is not only possible – it’s already happening

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In this insightful episode, we explore the dramatic rise of Single Family Housing (SFH) as one of the UK’s fastest-growing residential sectors – and ask what it means for renters, investors, housebuilders, and communities.

Host Rachel Colgan from Building Relations PR is joined by:

• Piers de Winton (Savills) – lead author of the latest SFH report and a key voice on UK residential investment strategy
• Lottie Outen (Kennedy Wilson) – sharing a global investor’s perspective on the scale, ESG demands, and opportunity ahead
• Simon Pendlebury (Dandara) – offering boots-on-the-ground insight into delivering 200+ purpose-built homes at Linmere

Together, they unpack the trends reshaping the Build-to-Rent landscape and why institutional investors are betting big on houses, not just apartments.

Topics include:

• Why SFH now makes up over 50% of Build-to-Rent investment
• What renters really want – and how housebuilders are adapting
• How institutional capital is driving better ESG standards
• The future of design, delivery, and operational models
• Practical lessons from delivering sustainable homes at scale

A must-listen for developers, investors, planners, or anyone curious about how SFH is redefining suburban renting – and the long-term shape of the UK housing market.

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In this thought-provoking episode, we ask whether sustainable housing really needs to come with a higher price tag. 

Host Charlotte Radcliffe from Building Relations PR is joined by Michael Pratt (Invertay Homes & Timber Engineering UK), Professor Robert Hairstans (Edinburgh Napier University and NMITE), and Sue Riddlestone OBE (Bioregional) to explore how to build greener, more affordable homes without compromising on quality or ambition.

Topics include:

• The cost myths around sustainable homes
• Benefits of fabric-first design and modern methods of construction (MMC)
• Circular economy principles and material reuse
• Policy, finance, and skills gaps impacting delivery
• Real-world insights from sustainable housing pioneers

A must-listen for anyone working in housing, development, construction, or policy who wants to scale sustainability without scaling cost.

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In this episode of Around the Table, we hear the inspirational journey of Zaiba Qureshi, CEO of Housing for Women, as she shares her leadership story and their mission to provide safe, affordable housing for vulnerable women.

Hosted by: Natalie Daniels, Sustainability PR Director, Building Relations PR

Our guest:
🔹 Zaiba Qureshi, CEO of Housing for Women

We discuss:
✅ Zaiba’s personal journey, the barriers she has overcome, and what drives her
✅ The critical housing challenges women face in London
✅ Innovative solutions for social housing and gender equality
✅ The power of leadership, partnerships, and advocacy in making lasting change

Tune in for an empowering conversation ahead of International Women’s Day!

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In this episode of Around the Table, we explore the transformative role of neuro-architecture, a design approach that prioritises inclusivity, sensory well-being, and accessibility for all.

Hosted by: Rachel Colgan, Founding Director of Building Relations PR

Our guests include:
🔹 Jean Hewitt, Inclusive Environments Technical Lead at Buro Happold and Technical Author of PAS 6463 (Design for the Mind – Neurodiversity and the Built Environment)
🔹 Magdalena Arent, Building Performance Consultant at Holmes Miller Architects and a Neurodiversity Champion
🔹 Velimira Drummer, Associate Director & Senior Architect at Stantec, specialising in interior design for workplaces, healthcare, and education 

We discuss:

• The fundamentals of neurodivergence and why it matters in design
• How lighting, acoustics, biophilic design, and sensory zoning impact well-being
• The challenges and misconceptions in designing neurodivergent-friendly spaces
• How businesses, housebuilders, and architects can integrate these principles into their projects

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In this episode of Around the Table, we explore the Future Homes Standard, a transformative regulation set to launch in 2025, and its implications for the housing sector. 

Hosted by Charlotte Radcliffe, Senior Account Manager with Building Relations PR,  the discussion features insights from three industry experts: 

• Lynne Sullivan OBE, Architect, LSA Studio, RIBA & Chair of Good Homes Alliance
• James Snelgar, Technical Director, Dandara Southern
• Alex Jahanshahi-Edlin, Associate Director, McBains

Some key topics discussed:

• The goals and challenges of the Future Homes Standard and its expected impact on industry practices.
• Lessons learned from implementing Part L of the building regulations as a precursor to the Future Homes Standard.
• Innovations like modern methods of construction (MMC) and the role of renewable energy in creating sustainable housing.

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In this episode of Around the Table, we dive into the Autumn Budget announcement and its significant impact on the UK housing industry. 

Hosted by Ramsay Jones CBE, Public Affairs Consultant with Building Relations PR, the discussion features insights from three industry leaders: 

• Tim Collins, Group Corporate Affairs Director at Barratt Redrow
• Melanie Leech CBE, Chief Executive of the British Property Federation
• Sean Ellis, Managing Director of Fernham Homes. 

Together, they analyse key budget measures, including affordable housing funding, social housing rent caps, and support for small and medium-sized developers, providing valuable perspectives on what these changes mean for the sector’s future. 

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In this episode of Around the Table, hosted by Rachel Colgan, Managing Director at Building Relations PR, we explore the critical issue of how the housing sector can navigate the declining demand for Section 106 homes. As housing associations in many parts of the UK are stepping back from bidding on these homes, the resulting decrease in affordable housing has led to delays in broader housing delivery.

Our expert panel—Maggie Rafalowicz, Director at housing consultancy Campbell Tickell, and Kush Rawal, Director at Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing—discuss the wider implications of this collapse, including its impact on the government’s housing goals. They also share insights into the challenges and potential strategies to overcome this crisis, offering listeners a comprehensive view of what the future holds for affordable housing in the UK.

Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on the housing sector’s most pressing issues and possible solutions.

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 In this episode of Around the Table, hosted by Natalie Daniels, Sustainability PR Director from Building Relations PR, we delve into the concept of creating social value through the built environment. Our expert panel—Nathan Spencer, Managing Director at UKREiiF; Joanna Dahlgren, Head of Social Value & SROI at London Borough of Waltham Forest; and Danielle Buckley, Regional Social Value Manager at Wates Group—discuss how developers, planners, and policymakers are embedding social value into their projects. The conversation focuses on the tangible impact of these initiatives beyond just numbers, emphasising long-term legacy, community collaboration, and the role of local expertise. The panel also highlights the challenges and opportunities of creating social value, such as the need for standardisation, better collaboration, and removing barriers like postcode restrictions that limit impactful partnerships. 

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Following recent negative press coverage about shared ownership, we bring the experts together to tell us the truth about shared ownership. This episode will explore the role shared ownership can play in solving the UK’s housing crisis.

Hosted by:

• Laura Hellon-Hughes, Senior Account Manager, Building Relations PR

With panellists:

• Esaiyas Mollallegn, Head of Marketing at Metropolitan Thames Valley
• Stuart Hensby, Director of Sales & Marketing, Abri Group

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In this episode we discuss the upcoming election with two leading property experts to understand their views on the housing-related aspects of the major political party manifestos. We reflect on which party might be best for the housing sector, their current plans, and what they should prioritise for this sector in crisis.

Hosted by:

• Ramsay Jones, Public Affairs Consultant with Building Relations

With panellists:

• Tim Sargeant, Owner of City & Country 
• Kate Faulkner OBE, Property Expert

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Welcome to a special episode of the 'Around the Table' podcast, marking World Environment Day on June 5th. In this episode, we explore how architects and interior designers can create sustainable homes, both inside and out, to drive a greener tomorrow for our sector.

Participants:

- Gareth Price: Architect and Founder of Counterbalance XYZ

- Alicia Storie: Eco-conscious Interior Designer and Founder of ADesignStorie

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Welcome to our fourth episode of ‘Around the Table’: a property-focused podcast by Building Relations dedicated to exploring the changing landscape in the built environment.  As we approach UK Construction Week, this episode dives into the construction industry’s evolving landscape, exploring everything from the adoption of new construction methods and increased safety standards, to the growing need for green skills within the sector.

Participants:

• Mat Ilic: Co-founder and CEO of Greenworkx, spearheading initiatives and new jobs to address the green skills gap.
• Blair Harvey: Site Manager at Barratt David Wilson Homes covering the Southern Counties region. She has been with them for nine years, having joined the business in 2015 as part of a graduate scheme. 

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Welcome to our third episode of ‘Around the Table’: a property-focused podcast by Building Relations.

Here, we aim to unpick current housing stories including the transition to net zero, rising construction costs, recruiting and retaining talent as well as new policies and legislation affecting the housing sector.

This episode is slightly different, however, as this month, we are celebrating International Women’s Day.

In this episode, I am joined by two very inspirational guests who will share their unique career journeys and experiences as women in the property industry.

They will also be discussing what International Women’s Day means to them as well as some of the unique attributes they bring to an industry that has historically been dominated by men.

Participants biographies: 

Violet Pugh, who was awarded “Woman of the Year (Leadership)” at the Women in Housing Awards in 2021 and works as Senior Manager in Marketing and Communications for Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing. Violet is also Chair of the 'Rise' ethnicity colleague network group at MTVH. 

Helen Moore is Group Director of Orbit Homes, and responsible for the operational delivery of all developments across the business. 

She has recently joined the Home Builders Federation board. Helen has worked in the property development industry for 30 years, initially at Countryside, before joining Crest Nicholson. 

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Welcome to our second episode of ‘Around the Table’: a property-focused podcast by Building Relations. 

In this episode, we hear from two experts on how they are helping to push biodiversity up the agenda in the built environment and create green spaces in urban areas.

New legislation came into force this month which requires developers to create a mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain of 10%.

This will affect more than 100,000 planning applications every year, so new strategies are needed to allow nature to thrive.

So, what does Biodiversity Net Gain actually mean – and how will housebuilders achieve it?

We’ll be exploring all of this and so much more. 

Our guests: 

• Andy Pankhurst – a Director at Southern Ecological Solutions, a specialist ecological consultancy service with a range of clients including housebuilders. With an impressive history of delivering complex projects, Andrew specialises primarily on supporting clients with Biodiversity Net Gain. His passion for place making and holistic solutions has seen Andrew lead the company’s habitat creation team. Welcome Andy. 
• Ed Gritten – an Engagement and Insights Officer at the Quality of Life Foundation. This organisation helps local communities, professionals and policy makers to create homes and neighbourhoods to benefit people’s health and wellbeing.

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In this episode, we will be focusing on the retrofit challenge and how we decarbonise our existing housing stock. 80% of buildings that will be standing in 2050 have already been built, therefore the industry needs to find sustainable design solutions and green financing methods to help support the drive to decarbonise our housing stock.

 We would love to hear your thoughts on this episode, please do let us know and don’t forget to subscribe via Spotify, Apple or through other podcast platforms and do remember to visit our website at www.building-relations.co.uk 

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