Guy co-founded HSPG in 2015 to provide high-quality accommodation for vulnerable people. As CEO, he leads fundraising and acquisitions, overseeing over £500m in investments in UK affordable housing.

With a background as a Sales Analyst at RBS and launching Europe’s first digital property crowdfunding platform, Guy is a passionate entrepreneur focused on ventures with social impact.

He holds a BSc in Mathematics from the University of Nottingham and has studied Real Estate Finance at MIT and completed an Executive MBA at Harvard Business School.

I sat down with Guy to discuss a broad range of subjects which covered some of the following topics:

• Breaking into real estate and scaling HSPG into an institutional-grade investment platform.
• Hiring, retaining, and developing top talent.
• Tackling affordable housing and homelessness through initiatives like Homeless Affordable Rent and Project Westminster, delivering 2,000 units in London.
• Partnering with institutional capital to create inflation-linked, long-term cashflows while delivering social impact.
• Lessons from scaling, "failing forward," and navigating challenges.
• Personal growth through music, yoga, and breathwork.

Oh and one last question - who are the People, what Property, and in which Place Guy would invest should he have £500m of capital at his disposal.

Catch the full episode which will be live on Youtube, Spotify and Apple NOW!

The People Property Place Podcast is powered by Rockbourne - the team recruit Leadership & Future Leadership hires for Real Estate Funds, Owners, Investors & Developers.

Who do you want to see on the Podcast?

Max Bassadone is a Gibraltarian, but is of Italian and Austrian heritage. Prior to co-founding Tokoro, he obtained his investment experience at Brockton Everlast, Brockton Capital, Nuveen (formerly named TH Real Estate and TIAA) and Colliers International. He is a qualified Chartered Surveyor.

I sat down with Max to discuss a broad range of subjects which covered some of the following topics:

• How he got into real estate and his early career moves.
• Grit, determination, and focus needed to achieve goals.
• The story behind naming his business Tokoro and its meaning.
• Launching Tokoro in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown.
• Tokoro’s USP, approach to raising capital and generating alpha in real estate.
• Tokoro’s investment thesis: thematic style and fund structures.
• Social impact initiatives: becoming a B Corp and supporting 1% for the Planet.
• Attracting, empowering, and retaining talent through purpose-driven leadership.
• Current trends in capital markets and their impact on real estate allocation.
• Max’s vision for the future of Tokoro.

Oh and one last question - who are the People, what Property, and in which Place Max would invest should he have £500m of capital at his disposal.

Catch the full episode which will be live on Youtube, Spotify and Apple NOW!

The People Property Place Podcast is powered by Rockbourne - the team recruit Leadership & Future Leadership hires for Real Estate Funds, Owners, Investors & Developers.

Who do you want to see on the Podcast?

Richard Pearce is the Founder of TCN, a leader in transforming buildings and communities into thriving spaces.

Starting with a £185k loan, he built a business with 30 employees, £8m turnover, and a £120m portfolio. Over 20 years, he has led regeneration projects across the UK, including ventures with the BBC in White City and Bath Council to drive economic growth and job creation.

A pioneer in the Flexible Workspace market, Richard has created a standout brand in the sector. He also founded The Curious Network, a platform connecting SMEs with each other and higher education to foster collaboration and innovation.

Key takeaways from my chat with Richard:

• How he got into real estate & his early career moves
• How he built the foundations & skills to launch his own business – from management, valuation, leasing, investment, asset management and financial literacy
• How he launched TCN with a £185k loan, following a deal celebration meal
• Creating distinctive destinations with an emphasis on provocative branding & community
• How he took on a struggling construction company with 32 employees and successfully restructuring and repositioning it.
• Founding The Curious Network, a digital platform connecting SMEs and higher education, offering instant access to thousands of coworkers and opportunities.

Oh and one last question - who are the People, what Property, and in which Place Richard would invest should she have £500m of capital at his disposal. Catch the full episode which will be live on Youtube, Spotify and Apple NOW! The People Property Place Podcast 🎙️ is powered by Rockbourne. The team recruits Leadership and future Leadership hires for Real Estate Funds, Owners, Investors, and developers. Who do you want to see on the Podcast?

This week on the People Property Place Podcast 🎙️we’re taking a slightly different approach…

 We’re heading to Paradise – a brand new development by Bywater Properties & Sumitomo Forestry in SE11, Lambeth.

This best-in-class mass timber office project spans 63,000 sq. ft. of sustainable workspace, is designed to lock away the equivalent of 60 years of tenant operating emissions, and is set to be completed in Q1 2025.

Since joining forces with Sumitomo Forestry, Bywater Properties has been on an incredible growth journey, acquiring several office redevelopment projects across the UK and launching a brand new Living strategy.

At Rockbourne, we’ve had the privilege of calling Bywater our clients, partners, and friends and have loved playing a small part in helping build their exceptional team.

A few weeks ago, I packed up the podcast gear and sat down on-site at Paradise with Theodore Michell, Co-Founder and COO, and Pavlos Clifton, Head of Development.

We delved into some of the key questions surrounding timber construction, sustainable building practices, embodied carbon, and how these trends are shaping investment, development, and leasing in the real estate sector.

The full conversation drops on Thursday this week, on Youtube, Spotify & Apple. I hope you find our conversation insightful and inspiring! Do let me know your feedback by shooting me a DM.

The People Property Place Podcast 🎙️ is powered by Rockbourne. The team recruits Leadership hires for Real Estate Funds, Owners, Investors, and developers.

#peoplepropertyplace #podcast #rockbourne #realestate

Bella joined Greystar in 2014 as one of the first members of the new European business, where she was engaged with the platform's growth across the region.

Today, she is responsible for asset execution across student and multifamily properties and leads the company’s Asset Management and Operations teams in Europe.

Prior to Greystar, she worked in the residential real estate sector covering serviced apartments, PRS and BTR at Native where she was responsible for portfolio growth, investor relations and asset management. 

Bella started her career at The UNITE Group, having graduated from Oxford University where she studied Geography.

I sat down with Bella to discuss a broad range of subjects which covered some of the following topics:

* How she got into real estate: Understanding her motivation and path into the property sector.

* Early career moves: We explore the key transitions in her career 

* Joining a scale-up in the UK: Being one of the first 10 employees in the UK & reflecting on her role in helping establish Greystar’s UK business during its early days.

* Managing diverse asset types: BTR, PBSA, and Co-Living—across various regulatory and geographic landscapes requires balancing Greystar’s global operating model with the specific demands and nuances of each local market.

* Key considerations when onboarding a portfolio: Insights into the critical factors and strategies involved in bringing new portfolios into the business.

* What excites her most: Discuss the trends or opportunities in real estate that she’s most passionate about.

* Sabbatical experience: What she gained from her recent time away and how it shaped her outlook.

Oh and one last question - who are the People, what Property, and in which Place Bella would invest should she have £500m of capital at her disposal.

Catch the full episode which will be live on Youtube, Spotify and Apple NOW!

The People Property Place Podcast?? is powered by Rockbourne. The team recruits Leadership and future Leadership hires for Real Estate Funds, Owners, Investors, and developers.

Who do you want to see on the Podcast?

This week I sit down with Adam Goldin, Head of UK at CC Land, the Hong Kong-listed real estate powerhouse.

Adam oversees some of London’s most iconic real estate, including the Leadenhall Building (famously known as the Cheesegrater) and the Whiteley.

Adam brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles, including Head of UK Investment at Resolution Property and eight years at Delancey, where he played a key role in transforming projects like East Village and the Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre redevelopment.

I sat down with Adam to discuss a broad range of subjects which covered some of the following topics: * Early Career Foundations – The pivotal experiences and key lessons that shaped his journey in real estate.

* Transitioning from Advisor to Principal – Overcoming the challenges of shifting from advisory roles to principal investment positions.

* The Whiteley Redevelopment – Insights into one of London’s most iconic building transformations.

* Leadenhall Building (Cheesegrater) – managing customer relationships and improving the rental profile of this landmark London skyscraper.

* Gut Feel vs. Spreadsheet – The balance between intuition and data-driven decisions in real estate investments.

* Leveraging Social Media – Harnessing the power of digital platforms to build brand awareness and engage stakeholders.

* Embracing Opportunism – Identifying and capitalising on real estate & career opportunities

Oh and one last question - who are the People, what Property, and in which Place Adam would invest should he have £500m of capital at his disposal. Catch the full episode which will be live on Youtube, Spotify and Apple NOW! The People Property Place Podcast 🎙 powered by Rockbourne - the team recruit Leadership & Future Leadership hires for Real Estate Funds, Owners, Investors & Developers. Who do you want to see on the Podcast? #peoplepropertyplace #podcast #rockbourne #realestate

Elmar Schoonbrood was appointed Co-CEO of Multi Corporation in January 2022. He brings nearly two decades of experience in European real estate and debt markets. Prior to this, he served as Managing Director at Blackstone and has previously held roles at Oaktree Capital Management and Morgan Stanley. He holds an MA in Real Estate and a BA in Business Administration.

I sat down with Elmar to discuss a broad range of subjects which covered some of the following topics:

* How he got into real estate & early career moves

* Navigating the intersection of e-commerce and traditional retail

* Harnessing Data & AI for to create forward predicting decision making

* Acquiring and revitalising Multi

* Strategies for building and leading high-performing teams

* Crafting a compelling vision and tracking progress with the team

* Enhancing operational efficiencies for sustained growth

* Driving value from the portfolio through development work

* Personal sacrifices involved in establishing a business

* Managing a €5bn real estate portfolio effectively

Oh and one last question - who are the People, what Property, and in which Place Elmar would invest should he have £500m of capital at his disposal.

Catch the full episode which will be live on Youtube, Spotify and Apple NOW!

The People Property Place Podcast ?? is powered by Rockbourne - the team recruit Leadership & Future Leadership hires for Real Estate Funds, Owners, Investors & Developers.

Who do you want to see on the Podcast?

Duncan Garrood, CEO of Empiric Student Property, a FTSE 250 company with a portfolio valued at over £1 billion, delivering premium accommodation to students across the UK.

Duncan has a proven track record in transforming companies and driving customer-centric success. He’s led teams across various industries, including retail, pubs, hospitality, food and entertainment, always with a focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences and fostering motivated, high-performing teams. I sat down with Duncan to discuss a broad range of subjects which covered some of the following topics: * Career Foundations – The early experiences that shaped his leadership style.

* Scaling Global Brands – His insights from taking brands international.

* Turning Around Struggling Companies – The strategies behind reviving underperforming businesses.

* Proving Doubters Wrong – His approach to overcoming challenges and silencing critics.

* Navigating Complex Legislation – How he adapts strategies to meet government regulations.

* Operational Excellence – Driving efficiencies in student accommodation cluster management.

* What It Means to Be Truly Customer-Centric – Redefining customer-centricity in real estate.

* Investing in Innovative Assets – Comparing cookie-cutter accommodations with boutique, character-driven designs.

* UK Student Accommodation – Understanding supply vs. demand and market segmentation.

Oh and one last question - who are the People, what Property, and in which Place Duncan would invest should he have £500m of capital at his disposal. Catch the full episode which will be live on Youtube, Spotify and Apple NOW! The People Property Place Podcast 🎙️ is powered by Rockbourne - the team recruit Leadership & Future Leadership hires for Real Estate Funds, Owners, Investors & Developers. Who do you want to see on the Podcast? This podcast was recorded just before ESP held a successful 10% equity raise, to fuel the growth that Duncan refers to in the interview.

#peoplepropertyplace #podcast #rockbourne #realestate

Josh Liaw, CEO of Elite UK REIT, brings over 20 years of expertise in real estate fund management, banking, and treasury. Throughout his impressive career, Josh has held key roles at leading institutions such as Citi Bank, Standard Chartered, and Lendlease. 

His vast experience spans multiple regions, including Singapore, Malaysia, and the UK, where he has successfully invested in and managed a broad array of asset classes.

I sat down with Josh to discuss a broad range of subjects which covered some of the following topics: * Early Career Moves – Foundational experience, key moves and skills acquired.

* Team Leadership – Managing high-performing teams across regions.

* Government-Backed Income – Acquiring assets let to the UK Government.

* UK Market Opportunity – Insights on investing in the UK from an international viewpoint.

* SGX-Listed UK REIT – The significance of being listed in Singapore while operating in the UK.

* ESG application– Integrating environmental, social, and governance principles.

* Countercyclical Investment – Navigating market cycles and downturn opportunities.

* Personal Sacrifice in the UK – Challenges faced while working abroad.

Oh and one last question - who are the People, what Property, and in which Place Josh would invest should he have £500m of capital at his disposal. Catch the full episode which will be live on Youtube, Spotify and Apple NOW! The People Property Place Podcast 🎙️ is powered by Rockbourne - the team recruit Leadership & Future Leadership hires for Real Estate Funds, Owners, Investors & Developers. Who do you want to see on the Podcast? #peoplepropertyplace #podcast #rockbourne #realestate

Prior to Evonite, Paul was head of PATRIZIA’s (formerly Rockspring Property Investment Managers) international discretionary fund management business which had close to €10bn AUM. He was also a member of the firm’s senior leadership group, its real estate Investment Committee and its Fund Review Committee.

Leading a team of professionals based in London and Continental Europe, he provided oversight across a number of co-mingled funds, separate accounts and joint ventures. His focus was on markets, strategy formation (including the creation of thematic programmes), equity raising, deployment and overall performance. A significant proportion of his time was devoted to the value-add TransEuropean Fund Series.

I sat down with Paul to discuss a broad range of subjects which covered some of the following topics: * Early career journey and foundational experiences

* Emphasis on the significance of people, purpose, and alignment

* Why the timing is right to launch Evonite now

* Complementary skill sets within the partnership

* Personal sacrifices and challenges of launching the business

* Evonite’s unique selling propositions and differentiators

* Returning to fundamental principles and strategies

* True alignment with LP’s

* Is there a gap for smaller fund series

* Key market trends

Oh and one last question - who are the People, what Property, and in which Place Paul would invest should he have £500m of capital at his disposal. Catch the full episode which will be live on Youtube, Spotify and Apple NOW! The People Property Place Podcast 🎙️ Podcast 🎙 is powered by Rockbourne - the team recruit Leadership & Future Leadership hires for Real Estate Funds, Owners, Investors & Developers. Who do you want to see on the Podcast? hashtag#peoplepropertyplace hashtag#podcast hashtag#rockbourne hashtag#realestate