Personalities in Property

In this episode we talk to Amos Simbo, the Managing Director and Founder of Winway Services and also the Founder and Chairman of BPIC Network (Black Professionals in Construction).

Amos shares with us his route into the construction industry and presents some thoughts on how the industry could promote itself more widely and increase its appeal. He also explains his involvement in diversity in the industry, some of his main aims and lets us know some of his secrets on how to cultivate a live and fruitful network.

In this episode we talk to Nick Sanderson, the Founder and CEO of Audley Group, a leading UK developer and operator of private retirement villages. Nick has acted as an advisor to public and private sector organisations and he is also Chairman of the Associated Retirement Community Operators (ARCO).

Nick shares with us what attracted him to the property sector, what career he would have pursued if he hadn't gone down this route, his background, the toughest period of his career and his own definition of success!

In this episode we talk to Peter John, an experienced civil law barrister at Five Paper, formerly Leader of the Southwark Council for a decade. Awarded an OBE for his political services and services to local government, Peter is also a member of the Board of the Old Vic Theatre, a Trustee of the St Olave's and Bermondsey United Charities and Chair of Governors at a Southwark primary school.

Peter sheds light on what his experience was like to work in the property sector, how his previous career before the involvement in Southwark helped him to succeed in his leadership role and what his advice would be for the young graduates entering the property sector.

In this episode we meet with Liz Peace, formerly CEO at British Property Federation and now pursuing a multi-faceted portfolio career with a range of advisory, non-executive and charity roles in the built environment. Awarded a CBE for services to the property industry, Liz is also a founder member and Chair of Real Estate Balance.

She shares with us her route into the industry, her perspective of the property sector, as well as the tougher periods of her career and how she's chosen to adapt. A chance to listen to the views of an experienced leader and hear what makes her tick.

In this episode we talk to Sadie Morgan, a Founding Director of Stirling Prize winning architecture practice dRMM. Sadie chairs the Independent Design Panel for High Speed Two (HS2) and is a commissioner of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) and the Thames Estuary 2050 Growth Commission. Sadie lectures internationally on the work of dRMM and the importance of infrastructure which connects back to people and place.

Sadie sheds light on what was the reason behind her involvement in the industry, her achievements, beliefs, inspirations and the toughest period of her career. 

In this episode we meet Mark Richardson, Director of Delivery for U+I and previously a senior Director at Laing O'Rourke, an organisation he remained with for almost 37 years. Mark has worked on some of the capital's most recognisable projects, including One Hyde Park, The Francis Crick Institute and Leadenhall.

Coming from a farming background, Mark shares with us what attracted him to the world of construction and property, his career route and which role he enjoyed the most during his time at Laing O'Rourke including some of his own highlights and achievements as well as his own definition of success. 

In this episode we talk to Mark Farmer, CEO and a Founding Director of Cast and former Equity Partner of EC Harris. Mark has 30 years experience in construction and real estate and is a recognised international commentator on a variety of industry and policy related issues. He has been admired for authoring the review of the UK's construction labour model entitled 'Modernise or Die' and was appointed as the government's independent champion of Modern Methods of Construction in Housebuilding in 2019.

Mark sheds light on his route into the industry, the proudest moment in his career, motivations and what it takes to succeed.

In this episode we talk to Vivienne King, a prominent business leader with an outstanding breadth of experience across the real estate industry spanning 30 years. Former Director of Business Operations and General Counsel for The Crown Estate and more recently CEO of Revo and Soho Housing Association, Vivienne is also a founder and chair of Real Estate Balance, a membership organisation campaigning for gender diversity at senior levels in real estate. 

We hear about Vivienne's challenges, inspirations and successes during her career, learn about the characteristics which have helped her in her roles and find out how she became accustomed to the demands of leadership.

In this episode we talk to Richard Crosby, Director of Blacc, a pioneering organisation which specialises in advising on, managing and delivering Modern Methods of construction (MMC). Richard has successfully helped to deliver programmes such as the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and established the Department for Education's offsite component frameworks which influenced the government's decision to favour offsite construction in procurement. 

Richard shares with us his route into MMC and how he likes to challenge the basic process in construction.

In this episode we talk to Jonathan Goring, currently working with SYSTRA on High Speed 2 and previously having worked with U + I, Lovell, PA Consulting and Capita Defence and Infrastructure Organisation.

Jonathan shares with us his route into the industry and how he has got to where he is today, he picks out some of his particular highlights and explains some of the challenges he’s faced along the way.