Accelerating Careers in Real Estate

Hosted by Macdonald & Company

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133

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Jan 2025

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About the show

In this highly popular real estate careers series, Macdonald & Company - with 30 years of experience recruiting in real estate - presents a compelling theory; From their network and thousands of interviews, they propose that everyone experiences a rapid learning and development phase when starting their career, which eventually slows into a period of consolidation. But what if, during this consolidation phase, we could unlock a way to regain that initial acceleration and continue growing? Join Macdonald & Company as they discuss this intriguing concept with industry experts. Contact: connect@macdonaldandcompany.com Follow us on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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January 22, 202539 min

Authenticity, Decisiveness, and Embracing Challenges - Alison Crofton, Chief Property Officer at Homes England

This week, we sit down with Alison Crofton, Chief Property Officer for Homes England. Alison shares her insights into the importance of authenticity in leadership, misconceptions about government agencies, and the significant impact introverts can have in the industry. From her beginnings at Berkeley Group and other major residential developers to her current leadership at Homes England, Alison's journey highlights the value of decisiveness, mentorship, and embracing challenges. Alison reflects on her achievements, such as becoming one of the first female technical directors, and her experiences balancing career and personal life. She discusses the rewarding decision to join Homes England and the misconceptions about working in the public sector. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

January 8, 202543 min

Relationships, Loyalty and Reputation - Henry Lumby, CCO, Auriens

After a short break, we're back with our first episode of Accelerating Careers in Real Estate for 2025. We sit down with Henry Lumby, Chief Commercial Officer of Auriens, to discuss his remarkable 20-year career in the UK later-living sector. Henry shares insights into the key role relationships play in securing and retaining investors, working with agents, and building loyalty in the construction industry. From his beginnings as a high street agent in Bournemouth, through impactful roles at Savills, Landmark, and Quantum, to his current leadership at Auriens, Henry's journey illustrates the importance of resilience, hard work, and strategic thinking. Henry shares his insights into the later living sector, reflecting on his achievements, setbacks, and legacy in real estate including his experiences during the 2008 financial crisis and COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October 31, 202436 min

How individual passion and values can fuel your career - John Moffat, MD, Capital & Centric

Navigating Career Success in Real Estate Development with John Moffat In this episode of 'Accelerating Careers in Real Estate,' host Nick Carman interviews John Moffat, Managing Director of Capital & Centric. John shares his career journey from a novice in property development to leading significant regeneration projects in the UK. The episode covers his early influences, biggest career challenges, including crisis management and dealing with unplanned events, and his passion for social impact in urban regeneration. John also discusses the skills and mindset necessary for success in property development, and his future ambitions for scaling social impact across the UK. Come and join our LinkedIn community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9054319/ Connect with John at linkedin.com/in/john-moffat-b9559b48 Leave a review on the platform of choice if you've enjoyed this episode 00:00 Introduction and Early Career Struggles 00:29 Welcome and Guest Introduction 01:04 Misconceptions and Major Decisions 01:59 Career Challenges and Worst Days 02:43 Passion Projects and Daily Life 04:45 Early Career and Education 06:55 First Job and Learning the Ropes 12:04 Navigating the Credit Crunch 20:19 Emergence of Built to Rent 21:36 Joining Capital Centric 26:14 Leadership and Management Insights 33:57 Future Goals and Conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October 24, 202441 min

Playing to Win, James Raynor, CEO Grosvenor Property UK

So welcome back to another episode of Accelerating Careers in Real Estate. I'm your host Nick Carman and today I sit down with James Raynor, Chief Executive of Grosvenor Property UK, to dive into his extensive and dynamic career. From his unexpected start at RBS to building a successful business in Paris, and transitioning to Grosvenor in 2004, James shares the pivotal decisions and challenges that shaped his path. We discuss his experiences managing through the global financial crisis, navigating diverse European markets, and leading through the COVID-19 pandemic. James reflects on the importance of seizing opportunities, fostering team collaboration, and adapting to change. He provides valuable insights into leadership, strategic decision-making, and personal growth within the real estate industry. Join us for an inspiring conversation with James Raynor as he shares his journey and the lessons learned along the way. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview 01:21 Quickfire Questions with James Raynor 02:51 James Raynor's Early Career at RBS 08:54 Transition to Grosvenor Property UK 11:05 Navigating Challenges and Learning from the GFC 15:33 Expanding Horizons in Asia 19:03 Navigating Diverse Markets and Cultures 20:25 Transition to Grosvenor UK 20:52 Facing Personal and Professional Risks 24:46 The Impact of COVID-19 33:20 Current Leadership and Strategy 36:30 Work Ethic and Team Dynamics 39:18 Embracing Discomfort for Growth 41:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October 16, 202451 min

DE&I Allyship Confidence mini-series Ep2

In this second episode of the "DE&I Allyship" series on the Accelerating Careers in Real Estate podcast, the focus shifts from personal journeys to how we can all foster advocacy and allyship in real estate. Chair Jane Hollinshead leads a discussion on the essential role hiring and line managers play in creating a more inclusive workplace. Joining the conversation are industry experts Priya Shah, Ceri Moyers, and Sarah Hayford, who share insights on how inclusion efforts impact retention, recruitment, and creating supportive environments. This episode delves into practical strategies for tackling tough DE&I topics, reducing biases in leadership, and how organisations can embed DE&I into their core values, rather than treating it as a separate initiative. Real-life experiences are shared to demonstrate how conscious efforts in allyship can transform career trajectories and workplace cultures. Connect with the Panel: Jane Hollinshead: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-hollinshead-60283a16/ Priya Shah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priya-aggarwal-shah-b1719469/ Ceri Moyers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceri-moyers-79619a15/ Sarah Hayford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahhayford/ Episode Breakdown: 00:00 – Introduction by Nick Carman, framing the importance of DE&I 01:00 – Jane Hollinshead introduces the panel and the episode's focus on early career advocacy 02:00 – Priya Shah on creating inclusive environments and addressing systemic issues 03:00 – Ceri Moyers shares strategies to retain mid-level women in real estate 05:00 – Sarah Hayford discusses outreach to underrepresented youth and early career support 06:00 – Addressing socioeconomic barriers to entry in real estate 09:00 – Understanding bias in hiring and how to challenge assumptions 12:00 – The role of line managers in shaping inclusive workplace cultures 16:00 – Emotional intelligence in management: understanding different work styles 18:00 – Supporting women in leadership and addressing performance biases 22:00 – Managing sensitive DE&I conversations in the workplace 26:00 – Priya Shah on handling microaggressions and exclusionary language 30:00 – Importance of allyship and addressing fear of "getting it wrong" 36:00 – Exploring the backlash against DE&I initiatives and rethinking approaches 40:00 – Final thoughts: creating a culture of learning, empathy, and active support for diversity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October 10, 202410 min

Spotting and Seizing Opportunities - Mark Woodrow, Packaged Living - ESPRESSO edition

In this episode of Accelerating Careers in Real Estate ESPRESSO, host Nick Carman revisits the career journey of Mark Woodrow recorded in the winter of 2020, then joint Managing Director of Packaged Living. The discussion reflects on Woodrow's experience during the 2008 financial crisis while working at Grainger, where he witnessed significant challenges but also embraced opportunities that shaped his career. Mark and co-founder Ed Ellerington navigated these tumultuous times, leading to the establishment of Packaged Living, a leading BTR development investment company. The episode highlights Woodrow's resilience, the evolution of the build-to-rent sector, and the strategic growth ambitions of Packaged Living, set against the backdrop of the 2020 pandemic. 00:00 Introduction to Accelerating Careers in Real Estate 00:45 Mark Woodrow's Early Career and the 2008 Recession 03:07 Grainger's Recovery and the Rise of Build to Rent 06:42 The Formation of Packaged Living 08:42 Ambitions and Future of Packaged Living 10:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October 2, 202440 min

DE&I Allyship confidence mini-series Ep1

So this evening we have a very important episode, I set up the pod to draw a straight line between accelerating in your career with constant learning, so today we have a critical lesson to share. How to be a confident ally is rarely tackled, despite universal support for a more inclusive sector, yet what we can ALL do to improve this is too often throttled by fear. In the first of the two-part ‘DE&I Allyship’ exclusive series of the Accelerating Careers in Real Estate podcast, guest, Sue Brown, Managing Director of Real Estate Balance, hosts the conversation where first-hand experiences, issues, and solutions to foster more inclusive workplaces are discussed. Episode one features Faith Locken, founder of We Rise In and former Development Manager at Countryside and JLL, conferring with Gafar Fashola, Chair of BPF Futures and Vanessa Murray, Founder of The Circle Partnership. Connect with our panel: linkedin.com/in/sue-brown-62a19415 linkedin.com/in/faith-locken-710b2263 linkedin.com/in/gafar-fashola-6b6636112 linkedin.com/in/vanessa-murray-9b032763 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:53 Meet the Panelists 01:46 Gafar's Journey into Real Estate 03:05 Vanessa's Unique Path 05:16 Faith's Story and We Rise In 06:23 Challenges in Real Estate Diversity 12:06 Strategies for Inclusion 20:34 Navigating Career Challenges and Seeking Mentorship 22:00 The Importance of Sponsorship in Career Advancement 23:36 Diversity and Inclusion: From Grad Level to Senior Management 25:02 Real Estate Education and Industry Representation 27:08 The Role of Senior Managers in Promoting Diversity 27:53 Rethinking Qualifications and Career Paths in Real Estate 30:26 Personal Experiences and Microaggressions in the Workplace 33:51 Mentorship Differences and Confidence Building 37:32 The Importance of Allyship and Active Support 40:30 Final Thoughts and Reflections Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September 25, 20248 min

Reach, Adapt, Repeat, creating endless opportunities, Amelia Bright Executive Director Grosvenor UK - ESPRESSO episode

So welcome back to another Espresso episode of Accelerating Careers in Real Estate. I'm your host Nick Carman and today I get to revisit one of our most popular episodes of all time. Amelia Bright, Executive Director of the London Estate for Grosvenor. At the time of recording in 2020, Amelia had built a career of 13 years with the same employer, working in London and San Francisco. So how would she manage to maintain that steep learning curve whilst navigating the obstacles impeding her growth? The conversation highlights her journey from biochemistry student to real estate professional, the critical lessons learned about influencing without direct control, and her leadership philosophy focused on empowering her team. Amelia also reflects on the importance of hard work, seizing opportunities, and the non-linear path to success. Come and join our LinkedIn community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9054319/ Leave a review on the platform of choice if you've enjoyed this episode 00:00 Introduction to the Episode 00:40 Amelia Bright's Early Career and University Days 01:57 Transition to Real Estate and Career Growth 03:07 Challenges and Lessons in Development 04:57 Leadership and Management Insights 07:09 Secrets to Career Success 07:56 Reflections and Future Plans Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September 18, 202435 min

Making REAL Estate change, Emily Hamilton Chief Sustainability Officer, Savills Investment Management

In this episode of 'Accelerating Careers in Real Estate,' I interview Emily Hamilton, the Chief Sustainability Officer for Savills's Investment Management. Emily shares her inspiring journey from an early passion for nature to leading sustainability initiatives in the real estate investment sector. She discusses her transformative experience volunteering in Ecuador, her early career steps, significant roles at Grosvenor, and her current position at Savills Investment Management, where she aims to make a lasting environmental and social impact. Emily emphasizes the importance of storytelling, leadership, and community engagement in driving sustainability initiatives. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:44 Emily's Early Passion for Nature 02:51 First Steps in Sustainability 04:35 Building a Career in Environmental Consultancy 05:41 University of East London Experience 07:36 Joining Grosvenor and Early Challenges 12:39 Transformational Leadership at Grosvenor 23:17 Transition to Savills Investment Management 32:34 Current Role and Future Aspirations 34:56 Conclusion and Reflections Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September 11, 202416 min

People, Balance, Family - Matt Townend, Berkeley, Battersea Power Station, EcoWorld London ESPRESSO Edition

In this espresso edition, recorded in Autumn 2020, I get to revisit my conversation with Matt Townend, to discuss his impressive career spanning nearly two decades with major London developers. Townend shares candid reflections on early set-backs, professional growth, dealing with stress, and the importance of balance in life. Highlights include his impactful tenure at Battersea Power Station and his shift from technical expertise to people management. This episode dives deep into the personal and professional evolution of a real estate leader and the lessons learned along the way. 00:00 Introduction to the Episode 00:38 Meet Matt Townend: Career Highlights 01:04 Early Career Struggles and Lessons Learned 02:25 The Importance of Balance and Mindfulness 03:52 Insights from Colleagues and Mentors 05:50 Battersea Power Station: A Landmark Project 10:20 Evolving Leadership Skills 13:39 Personal Reflections and Legacy 15:59 Conclusion and Closing Remarks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.