In the latest episode of Reinventing Real Estate, hosts Jenna and Jamie Harris sit down with Marcus Weeks, Director & Head of Living at Firethorn, to explore what it takes to scale conviction-led Living strategies in tougher market cycles - blending entrepreneurial speed with institutional discipline.Marcus shares the unfiltered story behind his journey, from the import-export business he built at just 15 years old to the leadership lessons that shape how he builds platforms today. As the youngest guest to join the podcast, he offers a candid perspective on earning trust early in an industry that can still default to “time served” over talent.The conversation spans leadership, culture, hiring, investor alignment and the realities of delivery - alongside what Firethorn’s Living strategy looks like in practice. Key topics include:- Building and scaling Living platforms when the market turns- How Marcus leads a young team: pace, ownership, and delivery discipline- Hiring beyond the CV — what he looks for in high-performing talent- Why investor alignment is won (or lost) in the day-to-day sponsor relationship- Setbacks that sharpened his approach, and what tough cycles reveal about operators- Firethorn’s thesis on platform-building across the Living sectors“Marcus brings a refreshing mix of pace, clarity and real delivery focus,” said Jamie Harris. “He’s built credibility early by staying close to the fundamentals - product, people, partnerships, and his perspective on platform-building in today’s market is both timely and sharp.”If you’re developing, investing, operating, or building a career in the Living sector, this episode is a clear-eyed framework for how to lead, deliver, and keep conviction when conditions get tough.Follow, subscribe and join the conversation as we continue to reinvent real estate.Stay up to date: 👉 Subscribe now to stay updated on upcoming episodes!👉 For more insights, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/harrisassociates• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrisassociates/👉 Listen on Apple Podcasts or watch on Spotify.• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reinventing-real-estate/id1707988579• YouTube: https://youtu.be/TIFzl0qzHsM----This episode was pre-recorded in December 2025. Consequently, certain discussions regarding market conditions and interest rates may no longer reflect current circumstances. We appreciate your understanding.

In the latest episode of Reinventing Real Estate, hosts Jenna and Jamie Harris sit down with James Whidborne, Head of UK Residential Fund Management at Edmond de Rothschild REIM, to discuss what it takes to build resilient residential portfolios. 

With more than 20 years’ experience across Build to Rent (BTR), PBSA and European commercial real estate, James brings a measured perspective shaped by market cycles, early-stage innovation and long-hold thinking.

From his early career at Savills Investment Management, where he was responsible for two residential funds alongside a strategic land fund, to joining Edmond de Rothschild in 2016, James reflects on how lessons from the Global Financial Crisis continue to shape his approach to risk, capital and long-term value. He goes on to challenge conventional asset class boundaries, arguing that student housing, Co-living and Build to Rent should not be treated as separate silos, but as closely related forms of multifamily living, anchored by demand rather than short-term trends. 

Key topics include:

• Why PBSA, BTR, Co-living are variations of multifamily, not separate asset classes

• The investment case for mid-market and affordable housing built on demand, income resilience and longevity

• Lessons from the GFC on capital structure, debt negotiations and decision-making under pressure

• Why “amenity-light, location-heavy” strategies often outperform over-amenitised schemes

• The growing importance of on-site management, operational data and brand loyalty in BTR

• Why the next decade of UK real estate will be defined by repricing and repurposing, not new development

• Career reflections on patience, passion and why real estate is a long game

“James brings a rare combination of technical depth and long-term perspective,” said Jamie Harris, Co-Host of the Reinventing Real Estate Podcast. “His experience across cycles and his clarity on what genuinely drives value makes this a hugely relevant conversation for today’s market.”

With thoughtful reflections, practical insight and a clear-eyed view on where capital needs to be braver, this episode offers a grounded framework for navigating the UK’s evolving Living Sector and a reminder that long-term success is built on conviction, not noise.

Follow, subscribe and join the conversation as we continue to reinvent real estate.

Stay up to date: 

👉  Subscribe now to stay updated on upcoming episodes!

👉 For more insights, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/harrisassociates/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrisassociates/

👉 Listen on Apple Podcasts or watch on YouTube.

• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reinventing-real-estate/id1707988579

• YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@HarrisAssociatesLondon

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This episode was pre-recorded in April 2025.  Consequently, certain discussions regarding market conditions and interest rates may no longer reflect current circumstances. We appreciate your understanding.

In this episode of Reinventing Real Estate, we sit down with David Hirschfield, Group Managing Director of Galliard Homes, London’s largest privately owned residential developer and one of the most influential players shaping the future of the UK Living Sectors.

David shares his remarkable journey from corporate real estate lawyer to joining Galliard as their first in-house Legal Director, before rising to Group Managing Director. Through candid conversation David reveals how legal training can be a powerful commercial advantage, how regeneration has become part of Galliard’s DNA and why long-term partnerships built on trust continue to fuel the company’s growth.

Together, they unpack:

• The evolution of Galliard’s vertically integrated model
  

• How regeneration-led development is transforming cities like Birmingham and Bristol
  

• The resurgence of forward funding and institutional capital
  

• Why PBSA, Build to Rent, Co-living and single-family housing are increasingly converging
  

• The impact of AI and technology on future development strategies
  

• And more…
  

Whether you’re an investor seeking clarity on market direction, a developer navigating today’s challenging environment, or a future leader looking for inspiration, this episode delivers strategic insight, practical wisdom and a compelling look inside one of the UK’s most dynamic property groups.

Tune in to hear how Galliard is redefining regeneration, building communities at scale and staying ahead in an evolving real estate landscape.

Follow, subscribe and join the conversation as we continue to reinvent real estate.

Stay up to date: 

👉  Subscribe now to stay updated on upcoming episodes!

👉 For more insights, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/harrisassociates/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrisassociates/

👉 Listen on Apple Podcasts or watch on YouTube.

• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reinventing-real-estate/id1707988579

• YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@HarrisAssociatesLondon

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This episode was pre-recorded in June 2025.  Consequently, certain discussions regarding market conditions and interest rates may no longer reflect current circumstances. We appreciate your understanding.

In this episode of Reinventing Real Estate, Jenna Harris and Jamie Harris are joined by Dominic Butler and Neil MacLeod, Founding Partners of Halcyon - one of the most exciting names in London’s Co-living scene. From their beginnings as lawyers at Nabarro, to helping shape the early days of The Collective, and now leading an award-winning development company with over 800 Co-living units delivered and 1,400 more in the pipeline, Dom and Neil share their journey, philosophy and blueprint for the next evolution of urban living.We explore:- The evolution of Co-living - how the sector has matured from concept to institutional-grade asset class and where it’s headed next - Halcyon’s development philosophy - pairing design-led, community-focused schemes with commercial discipline- Sui Generis vs. C1 - examining the rise of C1 in Co-living delivery and the benefits and challenges of both planning routes- Design intelligence - why a perfectly planned 18 sqm unit outperforms a larger, less efficient one- Operational excellence - lessons from Folk and how energy management, data and retention define performance- Investor Insights - strong demand, exceptional retention and the road to yield convergence with BTR- Partnership and purpose - why Halcyon only builds with aligned capital and aims to leave a lasting legacy in LondonIf you’re an investor, developer, or forward-thinker exploring the living sectors, this episode offers a masterclass in how to build Co-living that’s smart, scalable and sustainable.Follow, subscribe and join the conversation as we continue to reinvent real estate.Stay up to date: 👉 Subscribe now to stay updated on upcoming episodes!👉 For more insights, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/harrisassociates/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrisassociates/👉 Listen on Apple Podcasts or watch on YouTube.

What happens when an acclaimed CEO within the hospitality industry takes the helm of a £1bn student accommodation platform?

Welcome back to Reinventing Real Estate, the podcast where industry visionaries reveal what’s shaping the future of property development and investment. 

In this episode, we speak with Duncan Garrood, CEO of Empiric Student Property -  the FTSE 250 owners of Hello Student. Drawing on decades of leadership experience, Duncan offers a masterclass in operational transformation, customer-first strategy and cultural agility. Duncan’s bringing a new mindset to UK real estate: build for people, obsess over service and brand like your business depends on it - because it does.In this episode, Duncan unpacks:

• Lessons from global B2C markets and how they apply to real estate and student living 
• The danger of “one size fits all” in housing. 
• The real opportunity with postgraduates and how Empiric is responding 
• The brand effect: how Hello Student is winning trust and referrals
• Why service, not square footage, defines the future of residential
• How to lead in moments of change and growth

If you’re a developer, investor, operator - or an aspiring CEO -  this is one for the notebook.Hosted by Jenna and Jamie Harris, this is a conversation full of insight, candour and big ideas for anyone serious about the future of real estate. 

Stay up to date:   Subscribe now to stay updated on upcoming episodes! 

For more insights, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/harrisassociates/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrisassociates/ 

Listen on Apple Podcasts or watch on YouTube.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reinventing-real-estate/id1707988579

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@HarrisAssociatesLondon

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This episode was pre-recorded in November 2024. Consequently, certain discussions regarding market conditions and interest rates may no longer reflect current circumstances. We appreciate your understanding.

Welcome back to Reinventing Real Estate, the podcast where industry visionaries reveal what’s shaping the future of property development and investment. In this episode, Jenna and Jamie Harris sit down with Richard Simpson, CEO of Olympian Homes.

From his early career in the British Army to leading some of the UK’s most respected real estate firms, Richard shares powerful lessons on resilience, transparency and the importance of followership.

He reflects on his time at Unite and Watkin Jones, unpacking Olympian’s growth strategy and offers a compelling vision for the future of the Living sector. We explore the evolution of PBSA, the growing importance of tenant experience and the seismic opportunity in co-living. Richard also issues a rallying call to capital markets: back innovation earlier and don’t underestimate the power of repositioning legacy stock for long-term value.

This episode is essential listening for capital investors, developers and next-generation leaders looking to build resilient teams, back the right trends and think differently about UK real estate. 

Topics covered:

• Leadership lessons from the military
• Transitioning into property and growing Olympian Homes
• How to energise teams in challenging markets
• The evolution and future of PBSA and co-living
• Why the “squeezed middle” of real estate is most at risk
• Strategic insights for long-term real estate investing
  

Stay up to date:  

Subscribe now to stay updated on upcoming episodes! For more insights, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/harrisassociates/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrisassociates

Listen on Apple Podcasts or watch on YouTube:

• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reinventing-real-estate/id1707988579
• YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@HarrisAssociatesLondon

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This episode was pre-recorded in October 2024. Consequently, certain discussions regarding market conditions and interest rates may no longer reflect current circumstances. We appreciate your understanding.

Welcome back to Reinventing Real Estate, the podcast where industry visionaries reveal what’s shaping the future of property development and investment. 

In this insightful episode of Reinventing Real Estate, Jenna and Jamie Harris sit down with James Hunt, Global Head of Real Estate at GSA, to explore how GSA is transforming student housing on a global scale. James shares his journey from the pioneering days of student housing at Unite to his current role, where he oversees one of the most ambitious expansion strategies in the sector. Discover how GSA leverages the UK’s experience to meet diverse international demands, builds consumer trust and adopts data-driven decisions to drive long-term growth.

From the evolution of student housing to the unique challenges of building in high-cost markets like Japan and Europe, James sheds light on the innovative solutions GSA is championing. He also emphasizes the importance of brand recognition, resilience during crises like COVID-19 and how partnerships with universities create positive impacts on student living experiences. 

This episode is a must-listen for capital investors, developers and real estate professionals eager to stay ahead of trends and explore innovative growth strategies in student housing.

Listen in to gain valuable insights into GSA's vision for a more adaptable, sustainable, and diversified student housing landscape, designed for the next generation of learners. 

👉  Subscribe now to stay updated on upcoming episodes! 

👉 For more insights, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram. 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/harrisassociates/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrisassociates/

👉 Listen on Apple Podcasts or YouTube.

• Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reinventing-real-estate/id1707988579⁠

• YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@HarrisAssociatesLondon

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This episode was pre-recorded in June 2024. Consequently, certain discussions regarding market conditions and interest rates may no longer reflect current circumstances. We appreciate your understanding.

Welcome back to Reinventing Real Estate, the podcast where industry visionaries reveal what’s shaping the future ofproperty development and investment.

In this episode, hosts Jenna and Jamie Harris are joined by Dan Batterton, Head of Residential at Legal & General Investment Management, who shares his 17-year journey from pioneering Build to Rent (BTR) in the UK to redefining rental living as we know it.

Dan explores the foundations of BTR, revealing how he’s crafted a housing model that prioritises lifestyle and community. He discusses the power of data-driven decisions, the art of tailoring developments to local cultures, and the importance of amenities that elevate resident experiences. As the conversation unfolds, Dan offers a compelling look at how BTR is evolving to attract younger generations seeking lifestyle-focused alternatives to traditional homeownership.

Whether you’re a developer, investor, or new to the real estate scene, this episode offers insights into how BTR is not just a housing option but an aspirational lifestyle choice. Get ready to explore how Dan and his team are building for the long haul - creating sustainable, vibrant communities that meet the needs of today’s renters.

👉  Subscribe now to stay updated on upcoming episodes!

👉 For more insights, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

·       LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/harrisassociates/⁠

·       Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/harrisassociates/⁠

👉 Listen on Apple Podcasts or YouTube.

·      Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reinventing-real-estate/id1707988579⁠

·      YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HarrisAssociatesLondon⁠

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This episode was pre-recorded in May 2024. Consequently, certain discussions regarding market conditions and interest rates may no longer reflect current circumstances. We appreciate your understanding.

Welcome back to the Reinventing Real Estate Podcast; the podcast that grants you access to the industry's top leaders.

In this episode, hosts Jenna and Jamie Harris sit down with Anil Khera, Founder and CEO of Node, to explore the rapidly evolving world of co-living.

With over seven years of experience within the co-living sector and a decade at Blackstone, Anil shares his journey to pioneering a global co-living movement that is reshaping the real estate landscape.

Anil offers his insights on the future of co-living, discussing the key differences between the US and European co-living markets. He shares his lessons on entrepreneurship, the importance of branding, and how Node is addressing the unique needs of urban dwellers. Anil also explores the challenges of adapting co-living models to diverse urban environments and the substantial growth of this innovative housing concept.

Get ready for an insider's look at the future of urban living and the potential for continued innovation in the co-living sector.

Whether you are a developer, investor, industry newcomer, or simply curious about the evolving face of real estate, this episode is packed with insights into the future of urban living and how co-living is not just changing where we live, but how we live.---- 👉 Remember to hit that subscribe button to stay informed about our upcoming episodes!👉 Follow for market updates here: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/harrisassociates/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrisassociates/👉 Tune in on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@HarrisAssociatesLondon---- This episode was pre-recorded in June 2024. Consequently, certain discussions regarding market conditions and interest rates may no longer reflect current circumstances. We appreciate your understanding.

Managing Director at Vertus, Alastair Mullens, joins host Jenna Harris, Head of Co-Living, and Alex Matthews, Head of Build To Rent (BTR) on the seventh episode of 'Reinventing Real Estate’ - the podcast brought to you by the innovative investment agency, Harris Associates.

In this illuminating discussion, Alastair delves into Canary Wharf's metamorphosis, from a business district to a thriving mixed-use destination - welcoming 67 million visitors last year, of which only 40% were office workers. Alastair details the different phases of development, including the introduction of residential offerings and the upcoming "Canary Wharf 3.0" focused on biodiversity.

He shares his top tips for managing exceptional BTR assets, speaks to the importance of customer experience, and the need for the UK market to adopt an inward-looking approach tailoring services to local preferences and subtleties. The conversation also turns to discussing the integration of AI in real estate and Vertus' approach.

A real tour de force, Alastair doesn't just share his insights; he offers a captivating glimpse into his personal journey. He recounts the challenges he faced and the path he took to build Vertus into the successful brand it is today.

Packed with actionable tips, this episode is a must listen for anyone seeking to understand more about one of the fastest-growing asset classes in real estate.

Eager for more innovative property insights? Follow us on LinkedIn here!

This episode was pre-recorded in April 2024. Consequently, certain discussions regarding market conditions and interest rates may no longer reflect current circumstances.