Guest host Neil Watt, Chairman of Hacking & Paterson and a highly respected voice in UK property factoring and block management, takes over the interviewer’s chair to put Brian Welsh, Managing Director of CPL Software and host of Blocktalk, firmly in the hot seat.

Neil leads a candid, wide-ranging conversation shaped by questions submitted by clients and listeners. Together, they explore Brian’s journey into the sector, leadership and business philosophy, the realities facing property managers today, and what lies ahead for the industry across Scotland, England and Wales.

The discussion spans:

• Property factoring and block management across the UK
• Transparency, trust, and industry perception
• The growing role of AI and technology
• Business culture, leadership, and work-life balance
• Regulation, reform, and future challenges

Insightful, honest, and occasionally light-hearted, this episode offers a rare chance to hear Brian Welsh reflect openly on the industry he’s helped shape, guided by someone who knows it inside out.

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube

Deeds of Conditions shape how shared buildings are managed, but they’re often confusing, inconsistent and misunderstood. In this episode, Brian Welsh sits down with:

• Mike Guthrie, Partner at Burness Paull LLP

• Jaqueline Borthwick, Managing Director at The Property Factor Professional

They unpack the realities behind title deeds, from how they’re drafted at site setup to how they’re lived with decades later. Expect honest commentary on:

• Why older deeds are so challenging

• The Development Management Scheme and modern drafting trends

• When deeds become unmanageable for factors

• How sales questionnaires fail to tell the full story

• What homeowners think their deed says vs. what it actually says

• Enforcement, the Property Factors Act, and gaps in regulation

• The balance between transparency, practicality and cost

Whether you're a homeowner, developer, factor or solicitor, this conversation sheds light on a part of property ownership that affects almost everyone, yet is rarely talked about clearly.

In this second special episode of Blocktalk, Brian Welsh is joined by Paul Sweeney MSP and David Doran (Vice Chair, TPI Scotland) for a wide-ranging and urgent discussion on transparency, trust, and the future of Scotland’s tenements.

Prompted by recent coverage in The Times, the conversation explores the complex questions facing homeowners, factors, and government, including who’s responsible for repairs, how costs are shared, and what meaningful reform could look like.

Topics include:

• Inherited debt and conveyancing gaps
• Sinking funds, five-year inspections, and financing long-term maintenance
• Misaligned incentives, reactive repairs, and public confidence
• The case for better transparency, regulation, and cross-sector collaboration

Whether you’re a homeowner, policymaker, or property professional, this episode offers valuable insight into one of Scotland’s most pressing housing challenges.

From inherited debt and tribunal complexity to public trust and proposed legislative reform, this conversation dives deep into the real tensions between homeowners, property factors, and government, and explores what meaningful change might look like. 

We discuss: 

• Why homeowners are receiving unexpected bills for historic debt 
• Whether the First-tier Tribunal is accessible or broken 
• The challenges around switching factors and rebuilding trust 
• Proposed reforms to the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 
• The role of not-for-profit models and public perception 
• What transparency really means in today’s factoring market 

🎧 Note: There were some technical issues with audio on the day. We’ve done our best to balance the sound, but the insight is well worth your time.

Watch on our YouTube Channel.

Like, comment, and subscribe!

What does the merger between PMAS and The Property Institute mean for factoring in Scotland, and for property management across the UK?

In this special episode of Blocktalk, host Brian Welsh is joined by Andrew Bulmer, Chief Executive of The Property Institute, and Neale Bisset, Chair of TPI Scotland and co-owner of PMC Property Management. Together, they explore why the merger happened, what it means for professional standards, and how the sector can build greater trust with homeowners.

They discuss:

• The path to uniting PMAS and TPI
• What Scotland brings to the UK-wide conversation
• The urgent need for qualifications, transparency, and long-term thinking
• How TPI Scotland will support the factoring sector going forward

👉 A must-listen for property managers, developers, and anyone invested in the future of housing in Scotland and beyond.

They explore the realities of factoring in Scotland, how the industry has evolved, and what’s needed to support sustainable business growth. Jacqueline also reflects on her own career journey, her experience working with CPL Software products over the years and shares her thoughts on the rebrand to Proptimo. 

Whether you’re a property professional, housing association, or simply interested in the behind-the-scenes world of factoring, this conversation offers insight, honesty, and plenty of food for thought. 

New Episode: Making a Difference with Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland

In this special episode of the Blocktalk Podcast, we’re shining a light on the incredible work of Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland (SBHS): our Charity of the Year. Host Brian is joined by:

• Kim Kilgour, Community & Fundraising Manager, SBHS
• Carrie McAdam, Storytelling & Communications Lead, SBHS
• Steven Urquhart, SBHS service user
• Helen Doyle, People & Culture Director, CPL Software

Together, they explore the life-changing services SBHS provides, Steven’s personal journey as a service user, and the powerful impact of fundraising. They also discuss the importance of businesses partnering with smaller charities and how CPL Software’s Charity of the Year initiative is making a real difference.

This episode is a celebration of resilience, community, and the power of giving back. Tune in for an inspiring conversation and find out how you can help support SBHS!

Follow the Blocktalk Podcast on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X for more updates.

Blocktalk Podcast: Clientcast - October 2024

What’s New at CPL Software (producers of the show)

Episode Summary:

In this special episode, we’ve got our regular quarterly update for our valued clients on the latest developments and news from the CPL Software team who are producers of the Blocktalk podcast.

Our team has been working hard behind the scenes, and we want to share some important updates and insights into the direction our business is heading. Whether you’re a long-time client or new to our services, this episode will give you a deeper understanding of what’s been happening and what you can expect from us in the coming months.

With: Brian Welsh, CEO; Will McIlmoyle, CTO; Fran Megson, Operations Director and Tom Beswick, Business Development Manager.

Timestamp

00:40 Intro, Brian Welsh, CEO

02:13 Sales & Marketing Update, Tom Beswick, BDM

05:25 Ops Update, Fran Megson, Operations Director

09:40 Dev update, Will McIlmoyle, CTO

**Stay Connected:** Follow us on social media for real-time updates and insights.

**Feedback:** We value your input! Reach out to us with any feedback or suggestions.

This episode is brought to you by CPL Software.

**Thank you for tuning in!** Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an update. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it with your colleagues.

In this episode of the Blocktalk Podcast, we’re delighted to welcome Stephen O’Neill, a seasoned expert in the property factoring world. Stephen is the founder and Chair of Newton Property Management and the original founder of O’Neill Letting, which he started in 1995 and later sold in 2001. With decades of experience in the property sector, Stephen has witnessed dramatic changes in the industry, from letting and property management to market shifts and regulatory evolution.

Join us as we dive into Stephen’s journey, his thoughts on how the industry has transformed, and where it's heading next. Whether you’re a property professional, landlord, or curious about the real estate world, this episode offers valuable insights and expert perspectives.

Tune in for a conversation full of history, expertise, and a look toward the future of property management!

Timestamp

01:35 Stephen's father's background

02:50 How has the landscape evolved?

07:16 Back from retirement

09:25 Embracing change as a self-confessed luddite and elder statesman

14:05 What about the future – what major changes do you foresee happening by 2030?

20:09 Is there ever a time when property managers are replaced by AI?

24:29 Automation and digitisation over the next few years in the industry

29:40 How has legislation changed over the years

35:12 AI and property factoring

36:07 Tell us something about you that people are generally surprised to find out about you?

Subscribe to the Blocktalk podcast and follow on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter for updates.

Not got time for a full podcast? Tune in to Blocktalk Bitesize for a small 8-minute segment from the most recent show, which is with Malcolm Perryman, Chief Commercial Officer at The Property Institute chatting to Brian about the results of the latest wellbeing survey.

In this short chunk, Malcolm is talking about the 'High Happiness' scale measured by the Office for National Statistics.

For the full insightful episode, just head back to last week's show!

Full Episode Timestamp:

01:32 Overview of survey results

06:35 What stood out from the results of the survey?

12:51 Any major changes compared to last year?

16:10 Are attitudes to wellbeing shifting?

21:40 What training does The Property Institute offer?

28:49 Look out for communications to take part in the next survey which comes out in February 2025

For more information visit

https://www.tpi.org.uk/industry-knowledge/property-management/tpi-wellbeing-resilience-survey-2024/

For training visit:

https://www.tpi.org.uk/training-and-qualifications/training-courses/

Please subscribe to the podcast and follow Blocktalk UK on LinkedIn, X and Facebook.