The Real Rendezvous Podcast

On this episode of The Real Rendezvous podcast, hosts Caroline Donaghue and Priya Rawal talk to Hilary Forrester a leader and expert in global real estate marketing. The conversation spans Hilary’s journey from her early days in London, through her extensive experience in the property marketing sector, including her time at Land Securities, British Land and her pivotal role in Battersea Power Station's remarkable international launch. Hilary shares insights into her move to Saudi Arabia, where she led marketing efforts for Red Sea Global and ROSHN Group - two of PIS's leading Giga Projects. The discussion wraps up with quick-fire Christmas questions, revealing Hilary’s plans and intentions for the new year.Supported by Como London and Selway Joyce#TheRealRendezvous #PropertyPodcast #RealEstateMarketing #LuxuryRealEstate #GlobalProperty #LeadershipInsights #BrandStrategy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the Real Rendezvous podcast, hosts Caroline Donaghue and Priya Rawal talk to Randall Siddeley, a renowned landscape designer. Randle shares his childhood experiences, including living with dyslexia and the lack of understanding he faced at school, as well as his love for nature which was evident from a young age. He describes his career journey from working with his famous interior designer father to establishing his own successful landscape design business. Randle highlights key moments, including his inspiration from designers like Repton, his methodology in garden design, and his philosophy of never compromising on quality. He also discusses his personal life, the importance of passion and resilience, and his pride in his family. The podcast delves into his favorite projects, the challenges he faced, and his future aspirations. Additionally, Randle touches on his title as Lord Kenilworth and its historical significance.Supported by Como London and Selway JoyceFollow Caroline @caroline.donaghue, Priya @priya.rawal.london and the podcast page @therealrendezvous on Instagram and LinkedIn.#TheRealRendezvous #PropertyPodcast #LuxuryRealEstate #GardenDesign Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the Real Rendezvous podcast, hosts Caroline Donaghue and Priya Rawal talk to Alex Vaughan, co-founder of Lucas Fox, a leading luxury real estate agency in Spain. Alex shares his journey from being a media lawyer in London to transitioning into real estate in Spain.He discusses his recent years, which included getting married, selling a majority stake in his business and moving his family to Madrid. Alex delves into the challenges he faced and the benefits of diversifying the business. He highlights the importance of resilience, having fun, and trusting one's entrepreneurial instincts.Alex also talks about the significant business partnership with Dils, his views on Spain's booming real estate market and his ambitious future plans for Lucas Fox.Supported by Como London and Selway JoyceFollow Caroline @caroline.donaghue, Priya @priya.rawal.london and the podcast page @therealrendezvous on Instagram and LinkedIn.#TheRealRendezvous #PropertyPodcast #LuxuryRealEstate #SpainProperty #BusinessPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Real Rendezvous podcast, hosts Caroline Donaghue and Priya Rawal explore the inspiring journey of Jenny Weiss and Helen Bygraves, co-founders of Hill House Interiors. From modest beginnings to building one of the UK’s leading luxury interior design studios, Jenny and Helen reflect on the unexpected meeting that sparked an almost 30 year partnership and the trust, resilience and instinct that have kept them going. They share candid stories from childhood, career pivots, and growing a business internationally, including their Dubai studio and signature projects around the world. The conversation also touches on the realities of managing health and energy as women in leadership, and the importance of creating a business that supports the people within it. This episode is filled with warmth, honesty and stories you may not have heard before. It is a true celebration of friendship, ambition and building a life and business on your own terms.Supported by Como London and Selway JoyceFollow Caroline @caroline.donaghue, Priya @priya.rawal.london and the podcast page @therealrendezvous on Instagram and LinkedIn.#TheRealRendezvous #PropertyPodcast #HillHouseInteriors #WomenInBusiness #Leadership #Mindset #InteriorDesign Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the Real Rendezvous podcast, hosts Caroline Donaghue and Priya Rawal interview Matteo Atti, the Global Chief Marketing Officer at VistaJet. They explore Matteo's unique career journey, starting from his early days at Gucci during the Tom Ford era, moving through his experiences in fashion and technology with roles at Bottega Venetta, Paul Smith, and Nokia.Matteo shares his philosophy on luxury marketing, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, customer observation, and building deep emotional connections. He also discusses VistaJet’s commitment to exceptional customer service in private aviation and his educational endeavors as a professor of luxury business development.Throughout the episode, Matteo reflects on his guiding principles, the interplay between creativity and strategy, and how he uses his platform to elevate both people and brands. It’s a thoughtful conversation with one of luxury’s most insightful minds.Supported by Como London and Selway JoyceFollow Caroline @caroline.donaghue, Priya @priya.rawal.london and the podcast page @therealrendezvous on Instagram and LinkedIn.#TheRealRendezvous #LuxuryMarketing #VistaJet #LuxuryLifestyle #Entrepreneur #BusinessGrowth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the Real Rendezvous podcast, hosts Caroline Donaghue and Priya Rawal interview Jenny Naylor, a prominent figure in branded residences and luxury real estate marketing. They discuss her upbringing in Lancashire, the impact of her parents being teachers, and the tragic loss of family members that shaped her outlook on life.Jenny shares detailed insights from her illustrious career, including launching the One & Only luxury brand and overseeing the massive launch of Atlantis - The Palm in Dubai amidst the global financial crisis. The conversation also covers her significant contributions to the prestigious Four Seasons Private Residences and her work with the Old War Office (OWO) project in London. Jenny touches on her current consultancy role with Rhodium and the launch of Brand Atlas, a platform designed to support the branded residences ecosystem.The episode closes with Jenny reflecting on her work ethic, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the personal support she receives from her husband.Supported by Como London and Selway JoyceFollow Caroline @caroline.donaghue, Priya @priya.rawal.london and the podcast page @therealrendezvous on Instagram and LinkedIn.#TheRealRendezvous #RealEstate #LuxuryRealEstate #BrandedResidences #Leadership #WomenInBusiness #WomenInProperty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Real Rendezvous podcast Caroline Donaghue and Priya Rawal welcome Peter Swain, AI Educator & Strategist to ask the questions that are on everyone's minds: Is AI actually good for us? Could it be making society fairer — or just reinforcing bias in new ways? And the question we’ve all thought but rarely say out loud… will AI kill us?Peter is an internationally recognised speaker, bestselling author, and one of the sharpest minds in the world with over 25+ years of digital strategy experience so we had to bring him to discuss all things AI. He is a force to be reckoned with in the tech world, having led over 1400 tech projects, building digital ecosystems with your favourite tech icons like Apple, Microsoft, Google, and the BBC. Peter's current focus through his work at ROAI Mastermind, revolves around helping leaders to not just understand AI, but configure AI system to build more human purpose-driven organisations. This episode breaks down why humans are somewhat afraid of AI, what it is/isn't really capable of right now and the future of an industry that seems to evolve by the second. The trio also discuss whether AI can ever be truly neutral, how discrimination plays out in tech, why fear of AI is often a distraction from more human issues and why embracing AI is crucial for those who don't want to get left behind. Just an open conversation about where we’re heading — and who gets left behind if we’re not paying attention.Supported by Angel O'Donnell DesignsFollow Caroline @caroline.donaghue, Priya @priya.rawal.london and the podcast page @therealrendezvous on Instagram and LinkedIn. Produced by BBE Podcast Agency.#therealrendezvous #propertypodcast #realestatepodcast #AI #futureofAI #londontechweek #techweek Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Real Rendezvous podcast Caroline Donaghue and Priya Rawal are joined by Mark O'Callaghan, the man who helped turn Echlin, an award-winning design and development studio into one of the most revered names in high-end residential development and luxury homes in prime Central London. From designing the elegant penthouses atop the Battersea Power station to interior designing townhouses in across luxury properties in London, Mark shares how Echlin has carved a niche by fusing architectural discipline exploring what it means to create homes with soul while maintaining craftsmanship, light and space.But before we get into all that, the hosts discover Mark’s story, leading one of the most respected brands in luxury property and curating timeless spaces with soul as he shares how he rebuilt his life from the ground up. What follows is a rare and honest conversation about reinvention, resilience, and why building trust and craftsmanship into a brand is just as important as the bricks and mortar. A must-listen for anyone working at the intersection of property, design, and meaningful placemaking.Sponsored by Angel O'Donnell DesignsFollow Caroline @caroline.donaghue, Priya @priya.rawal.london and the podcast page @therealrendezvous on Instagram and LinkedIn. Produced by BBE Podcast Agency.#therealrendezvous #propertypodcast #realestatepodcast #leadersinproperty #primerealestate #primeproperty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Real Rendezvous podcast Caroline Donaghue and Priya Rawal are joined by Ben Taylor — a true pioneer on the UK property scene and one of the first to bring the US real estate brokerage model across the Atlantic. After years of success at the top of the corporate game, Ben is now shaking up the space once again with two businesses he founded: dfine and Fortuna & Co. He doesn’t just talk about transformation — he’s lived it. From boardroom battles to building something of his own, this conversation is for anyone interested in reinventing the rules, rethinking success and doing things differently.In this episode, we dive into:-What the UK can learn from the US brokerage model, and why it's more than just a "sales strategy"-The highs and hard truths of leading in corporate, and why Ben chose to walk away-The personal moments that reshaped his outlook on business, leadership, and life-How dfine is set to change the future of real estate in the UK, and what makes it differentSupported by Angel O'Donnell DesignsFollow Caroline @caroline.donaghue, Priya @priya.rawal.london and the podcast page @therealrendezvous on Instagram and LinkedIn. Produced by BBE Podcast Agency.#therealrendezvous #propertypodcast #realestatepodcast #propertyindustry #proptech #luxuryrealestate #luxuryproperty #leadersinproperty #proptech Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve spent years talking about DEI, but has it really changed anything? According to the latest guest on our International Women's Day episode Geeta Sidhu-Robb, the answer is a hard NO. Hosts Caroline Donaghue and Priya Rawal sit with Geeta, the trailblazing entrepreneur and founder of WCorp who's on a mission to make work places biologically and structurally compatible for women to empower them to be the best. She explains:📉 Why DEI efforts are backfiring—and making workplaces even more divided💰 The case for hiring more women (hint: it's all about profit, not pity)⚖️ How companies can ditch guilt-driven policies and actually move forward🏢 Why she built WCorp to hold companies accountable for real changeThis episode is a reality check and a game plan in one, where Geeta breaks down why inclusion isn’t charity—it’s a profit inducing strategy.Supported by Angel O'Donnell Designs & V1. Produced by BBE Podcast Agency#therealrendezvous #businesspodcast #genderequity #DEI #diversityandinclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.