The Real Rendezvous Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

On this episode of The Real Rendezvous podcast Caroline Donaghue and Priya Rawal are joined by Ben Taylor — a true pioneer on the UK property scene and one of the first to bring the US real estate brokerage model across the Atlantic. After years of success at the top of the corporate game, Ben is now shaking up the space once again with two businesses he founded: dfine and Fortuna & Co. He doesn’t just talk about transformation — he’s lived it. From boardroom battles to building something of his own, this conversation is for anyone interested in reinventing the rules, rethinking success and doing things differently.

In this episode, we dive into:

-What the UK can learn from the US brokerage model, and why it's more than just a "sales strategy"

-The highs and hard truths of leading in corporate, and why Ben chose to walk away

-The personal moments that reshaped his outlook on business, leadership, and life

-How dfine is set to change the future of real estate in the UK, and what makes it different

Supported by Angel O'Donnell Designs

Follow Caroline @caroline.donaghue, Priya @priya.rawal.london and the podcast page @therealrendezvous on Instagram and LinkedIn. Produced by BBE Podcast Agency.

#therealrendezvous #propertypodcast #realestatepodcast #propertyindustry #proptech #luxuryrealestate #luxuryproperty #leadersinproperty #proptech

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We’ve spent years talking about DEI, but has it really changed anything? According to the latest guest on our International Women's Day episode Geeta Sidhu-Robb, the answer is a hard NO. Hosts Caroline Donaghue and Priya Rawal sit with Geeta, the trailblazing entrepreneur and founder of WCorp who's on a mission to make work places biologically and structurally compatible for women to empower them to be the best. She explains:

📉 Why DEI efforts are backfiring—and making workplaces even more divided

💰 The case for hiring more women (hint: it's all about profit, not pity)

⚖️ How companies can ditch guilt-driven policies and actually move forward

🏢 Why she built WCorp to hold companies accountable for real change

This episode is a reality check and a game plan in one, where Geeta breaks down why inclusion isn’t charity—it’s a profit inducing strategy.

Supported by Angel O'Donnell Designs & V1. Produced by BBE Podcast Agency

#therealrendezvous #businesspodcast #genderequity #DEI #diversityandinclusion

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On this episode, Caroline Donaghue and Priya Rawal welcome Claire Reynolds, Managing Partner of United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty to the podcast!

Claire was introduced into the world of property through her father's interest in renovating derelict houses. From a young age, she was immersed into the world of making beautiful homes, a passion that would lead her to a highly successful 18 year career at Savills. She stepped out of the comfort zone after being headhunted to her current role, tasked with spearheading London’s super-prime market at UK Sotheby’s International Realty, a fun but rather terrifying feat. On the episode, the trio also discuss the importance of embracing video across social media marketing for the luxury property brand, a move that has accumulated positive outcomes for the company and their clients.

Claire also talks openly about her divorce, an experience she says allowed her to 'learn more about myself through that whole journey.' Despite some challenges (and long hours) along the way, this once-upon-a-time shy girl has become one of the highly respected people in the industry.

In partnership with Angel O'Donnell & V1 Architectural Visualisation. Follow Caroline @caroline.donaghue, Priya @priya.rawal.london and the podcast page @therealrendezvous on Instagram and LinkedIn. Produced by BBE Podcast Agency. 

#therealrendezvous #sothebys #luxurylifestyle #superprime #luxuryresidential #luxuryhomes #sellingsunset #luxuryrealestate #luxuryproperty #auctionhouse #propertypodcast #realestatepodcast #womeninrealestate #womeninproperty #realestate #luxurybrands #leadersinproperty #femaleleaders #internationalrealestate #internationalproperty #residentialproperty

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On this episode,Caroline Donaghue and Priya Rawal welcome James Price: Vice President of Residential at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts to the podcast!

James' career started in the golfing industry, pivoting to the stock market before landing his feet into the property industry at Knight Frank. Falling in love with property, his career in branded residences would expose him to the incredible beauty of the international property market. Operating over 53 branded residences properties (and another 30 on the way) globally, James gives us the insight into how branded resi has changed over the years and what it's like to work at the very top tier of international development at the renowned Four Seasons.

He also shares the story of how he met his wife at work and some fantastic nuggets on some of the life lessons he's learnt along the way both in his personal life and career.

Sponsored by Angel O'Donnell & V1 Architectural Visualisation. Follow Caroline @caroline.donaghue and Priya @priya.rawal.london and the podcast page @therealrendezvous on Instagram and LinkedIn. Produced by BBE Podcast Agency. 

#therealrendezvous #propertypodcast #realestatepodcast #womeninrealestate #womeninproperty #leadersinproperty #femaleleaders #internationalrealestate #internationalproperty #luxuryhotels #fourseasons #residentialproperty #residentialrealestate #primeresi #brandedresidences #brandedresi

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On this International Women's Day special, Caroline Donaghue and Priya Rawal welcome Nicola Green (workplace menopause expert). The final installment in our IWD episodes addresses menopause, one of the most unspoken matters that affects women's performance at work.

How does menopause affect women in the workplace you ask? Unbeknowst to many, the symptoms of menopause are far beyond just the infamous hot flushes. The symptoms can be debilitating, affecting work performance and even forcing thousands of women to leave their jobs. Simple things like making small decisions and controlling emotions become incredibly hard, making these women develop anxiety and become more prone to depression in the long run.

While menopause is a personal issue, employers have a very positive role to play and to actively support their female staff, there has to be education and taking the fear out of these conversations which Nicola does on this special.

Sponsored by Angel O'Donnell & V1 Architectural Visualisation. Follow Caroline @caroline.donaghue and Priya @priya.rawal.london and the podcast page @therealrendezvous on Instagram and LinkedIn. Produced by BBE Podcast Agency. 

#therealrendezvous #commercialproperty #propertypodcast #realestatepodcast #womeninrealestate #womeninproperty #leadersinproperty #femaleleaders #womenleaders #leadersinsbusiness #diversityandinclusion #DEI #propertymanagement #internationalwomensday #womensrights #menopause #womenintheworkplace #menopauseawareness #meenopausesupport

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On this International Women's Day special, Caroline Donaghue and Priya Rawal welcome Damian Wild (Managing Director at ING Media), Mark Robinson OBE (High Performance Coach & former professional cricketeer) and Stephen Miles (Executive Coach).

This is the second episode in a series of 3 explosive episodes and this was the first all male panel Caroline/Priya have ever spoken to. The conversation delved into the uncharted territory of men's perspectives on gender equality, allyship and feminism so you can expect it to be a good debate and one that challenges conventional perspectives. The result was an honest conversation, serving as a reminder of the importance of men playing their part in elevating their female counterparts in the workplace, using tangible actions.

Sponsored by Angel O'Donnell & V1 Architectural Visualisation. Follow Caroline @caroline.donaghue and Priya @priya.rawal.london and the podcast page @therealrendezvous on Instagram and LinkedIn. Produced by BBE Podcast Agency. 

#therealrendezvous #commercialproperty #propertypodcast #realestatepodcast #womeninrealestate #womeninproperty #leadersinproperty #femaleleaders #womenleaders #leadersinsbusiness #diversityandinclusion #DEI #propertymanagement #internationalwomensday #womensrights #maleallies #womenintheworkplace #genderequality #propertynews

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On this International Women's Day special,Caroline Donaghue and Priya Rawal welcome Elizabeth Kelly (Senior Project & Procurement Manager at Angel O’Donnell), Holly Friend (Futurist, Writer & Cultural Strategist) and Korinna Williams (CEO of Shadow To Shine).

This is the first episode in a series of 3 explosive episodes, focusing on the next generation of women, GEN Z/GEN Alpha and youth culture today. With the guests, Caroline & Priya delve into social structures and their impact on women's career growth and how GEN Z/Alpha will shape the future of womanhood/feminism, their views on feminism and careers.

This generation has been known to rebel against life's rules as we know them, from opting for non-conventional/9-5 career for 'Instagram' careers to the rejection of feminism. But why is this happening? Well, tune into to find out more.

Sponsored by Angel O'Donnell & V1 Architectural Visualisation. Follow Caroline @caroline.donaghue and Priya @priya.rawal.london and the podcast page @therealrendezvous on Instagram and LinkedIn. Produced by BBE Podcast Agency. 

#therealrendezvous #commercialproperty #propertypodcast #realestatepodcast #womeninrealestate #womeninproperty #leadersinproperty #femaleleaders #womenleaders #leadersinsbusiness #diversityandinclusion #DEI #propertymanagement #internationalwomensday #womensrights #GENZ

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On this episode Caroline Donaghue and Priya Rawal welcome Liz Peace CBE, Adviser on Property, Politics and the Built Environment. A true advocate for social housing, women's rights, sustainability, increased social responsibility and more diversity within the property industry, Liz is the epitome of an inspirational culture change maker.

Liz's career began in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and being one of the only woman in the agency at the time, she made an everlasting impact. She later transitioned to the property industry in 2002 becoming the former Chief Executive of the British Property Federation for 13 transformative years, promoting the property industry to the government. Her influence extends beyond her retirement with a diverse portfolio career and key roles in organisations such as Land Aid, Real Estate Balance and the Government Property Agency. Her efforts reshaped the landscape, breaking down stereotypes while spotlighting the commercial property sector to the world. For her impactful contributions, Liz was awarded a much deserved CBE in 2008.

Sponsored by V1 Architectural Visualisation. Follow Caroline @caroline.donaghue and Priya @priya.rawal.london and the podcast page @therealrendezvous on Instagram and LinkedIn. Produced by BBE Podcast Agency. 

#therealrendezvous #lizpeace #commercialproperty #propertypodcast #realestatepodcast #womeninrealestate #womeninproperty #leadersinproperty #interviewpodcast #femaleleaders #womenleaders #leadersinsbusiness #diversityandinclusion #DEI #propertymanagement

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On this episode Caroline Donaghue and Priya Rawal welcome Adam White, the pioneer of the London brunch revolution and founder of Riding House Cafes. If you're a brunch lover then you definitely don't want to find out the story behind this popular dining phenomena in London.

Born in New Zealand, Adam moved to London with ambitions of designing cars and only £30 in his pocket. After a stint in a Mexican prison and a few rejection letters, he started to work on his career in pubs around London. Coupling his design experience and childhood hospitality influence, he rejuvenated a pub he worked at quadrupling the income with his ingenius methods. Partnering with Clive Watson, the duo opened the award-winning London gastropubs the Garrison and Village East. After noticing a gap in the breakfast market within the hospitality industry, Adam decided to open Riding House Cafe and the rest as they say is history.

Sponsored by V1 Architectural Visualisation. Follow Caroline @caroline.donaghue and Priya @priya.rawal.london and the podcast page @therealrendezvous on Instagram and LinkedIn. Produced by BBE Podcast Agency. 

#therealrendezvous #adamwhite #ridinghousecafes #restauranteer # businessowner #nutrition #luxurydining #luxurylifestyle

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On this episode, Caroline Donaghue and Priya Rawal welcome Daniel Von Barloewen, Regional Vice President of Accor One Living and Head of Mixed-use (EMEA) at Accor the largest hospitality company in Europe and second largest branded residences operator in the world.

Daniel's journey surprisingly starts with his audacious attempt to join MI6 (which he shares his adventures and the ironic twist that unfolded in response to his application). Queue the gasps. He later transitions from potential spy to the dynamic world of international property. After successful marketing internships under the mentorship of the likes of Charles Weston Baker and Jeff Tisdall, Daniel is propelled into the realm of real estate, where he discovers a newfound love for real estate.

He delves into the world of managing branded residences, anecdotes of travels around Europe, work life balance, fatherhood and the importance of family. As if that's not enough, Daniel is also a major in the British Army Reserves and he discusses life in the army, of which he received a distinguished service record in Afghanistan.

Sponsored by V1 Architectural Visualisation. Follow Caroline @caroline.donaghue and Priya @priya.rawal.london and the podcast page @therealrendezvous on Instagram and LinkedIn. Produced by BBE Podcast Agency. 

#therealrendezvous #DanielVonBarloewen #accor #accorliving #brandedresidences #brandedresi #realestate #internationalrealestate #luxuryhotels #luxuryholiday #residences #luxuryresidences #superprime #luxurylifestyle

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