Battle and Co Talking Property

Send us Fan MailIn this latest episode, Matthew and Alfie spoke to Charlie Collins, who heads up Savills' Guildford office.Charlie gave a range of insight into the topics that uniquely impact Surrey's property market, including its impending LGR solution, Grey and Green Belt constraints, and the industry within the region.Additionally, Charlie spoke upon his recent appointment as part of the editorial board for our "Southern Snap" journal, and UKPF's recent events programme within his patch.Covering all things Surrey, this episode is packed with detail to give a well-informed view of the property market in one of the UK's most interesting regions.The Battle & Co Talking Property podcast Interviews the people making the headlines across property markets of Reading, Oxford, Cambridge and west London, loosely labelled the 'The Golden Triangle'.Additional notes and details can be found in the weekly journal The Forum published by UK Property Forums.www.ukpropertyforums.com

Send us Fan MailIn this latest episode, Matthew and Alfie spoke to Charles Bushe and Paul Vicary of DevComms - on the topic of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).Charles and Paul helped to explain in detail exactly what LGR is, what the various decisions issued across the countries actually mean for local residents, and how the next year and a half could look like as councils prepare to implement decisions ahead of April 2028.If you are unclear on parts (or all) of what LGR could mean for you, this episode gives an info-packed roadmap for the future.Additionally, have a look at the interactive LGR map composed by DevComms: https://www.devcomms.co.uk/lgrThe Battle & Co Talking Property podcast Interviews the people making the headlines across property markets of Reading, Oxford, Cambridge and west London, loosely labelled the 'The Golden Triangle'.Additional notes and details can be found in the weekly journal The Forum published by UK Property Forums.www.ukpropertyforums.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Matthew Battle speaks to a range of guests live at Bicester Motion, from their recent morning seminar, hosted by Edgars: "Place, Challenge, Delivery: Unlocking complex commercial development".The topics of conversation centered around Bicester Motion's new 10-year masterplan, with the motor related cluster currently containing over 50 businesses in the mobility sphere, and plans for growth following the key phrase: "Live, work and thrive".Building upon a series of interviews with the key individuals who have been involved with the site over the past 10 years, this episode gives exclusive insight into one of the most exciting business clusters in the UK.Timestamps1:05 - Jonty Ashworth, development director at Bicester Motion.6:06 - Jon Westerman, director at Edgars.10:09 - Liz Sparrow, architect, partner, and sector lead for science and research at Ridge.14:39 - Andy Stockwin, senior project manager at Kier Construction.The Battle & Co Talking Property podcast Interviews the people making the headlines across property markets of Reading, Oxford, Cambridge and west London, loosely labelled the 'The Golden Triangle'.Additional notes and details can be found in the weekly journal The Forum published by UK Property Forums.www.ukpropertyforums.com

Send us Fan MailIn this latest episode of the Battle & Co podcast, Matthew and Alfie spoke to Bart Janaszek - managing director of Digital Trading Creative Ltd.Bart has a strong background in technology and computers, starting with coding at school, studying at Plymouth University, and then working at Digital Trading.Given his expertise in the field, Bart was able to speak at length on how AI has been influencing the businesses he works with, the future of its development, the ways it can be utilised best, and how all of this translates to the property market. Bart provides examples of how AI can enhance the way that the property sector operates and a review of the scope of the opportunities which could be generated. The Battle & Co Talking Property podcast Interviews the people making the headlines across property markets of Reading, Oxford, Cambridge and west London, loosely labelled the 'The Golden Triangle'.Additional notes and details can be found in the weekly journal The Forum published by UK Property Forums.www.ukpropertyforums.com

Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, Matthew Battle was accompanied by UKPF's newest hire, Alfie Morse, who has taken over from Alan Bunce as news editor on The Forum and is leading news coverage in all our journals. Matthew and Alfie spoke to Tom Bridgman, deputy chief executive of place at Oxford City Council, about all things Oxford, notably the cities direction, its potential, and the role the reopening of the Cowley Branch Line may play. Tom is also very involved with new initiatives such as the refurbishment of the Covered Market and OxPENS.Tom also spoke about the earlier part of his career, having worked on important regeneration projects for the London Borough of Lambeth, and Renaisi - a social enterprise company based in Hackney. The Battle & Co Talking Property podcast Interviews the people making the headlines across property markets of Reading, Oxford, Cambridge and west London, loosely labelled the 'The Golden Triangle'.Additional notes and details can be found in the weekly journal The Forum published by UK Property Forums.www.ukpropertyforums.com

Send us Fan MailFor the latest episode of Battle & Co, our Managing Director Matthew Battle travelled to Leeds for the renowned UKREiiF, speaking to attendees gathered from across the property market about what they think has changed since last year’s edition.With guests spanning from Bidwells and EIT Oxford, all the way to The Oxford Growth Commission, this episode is packed with insight from one of Europe’s most info-packed property events.Guest timestamps:1:22 - Neale Coleman CBE, Chair, The Oxford Growth Commission4:10 - Oliver Luard, Director of Partnerships, Greencore Homes7:40 - Jennifer Makkreel, Director of Capital Projects, EIT10:04 - Matt Allan, Senior Executive Director, Bidwells + Supercluster Board14:44 - Robin Rogers, Director in Economy & Place, Oxfordshire County Council18:30 - Charles Butters, Consultant, Sulgrave Advisors + Oxfordshire Developers Forum21:36 - Andy Jansons, Managing Director, Jansons PropertyThe Battle & Co Talking Property podcast Interviews the people making the headlines across property markets of Reading, Oxford, Cambridge and west London, loosely labelled the 'The Golden Triangle'.Additional notes and details can be found in the weekly journal The Forum published by UK Property Forums.www.ukpropertyforums.com

Send us Fan MailAfter several years of planning and construction, the Oxford North development has rapidly become one of the most talked about and significant real estate developments in the UK.Oxford North’s masterplan will deliver million sq ft of new labs and workspace, surrounded by public parks and amenities, in the city of Oxford's flagship and best-connected innovation district. Billed as an Innovation District rather than JASP (Just Another Science Park), Oxford North managing director Simon Ruck and his team are developing an impressive mixed-use development which includes 480 homes and three new public parks. The first phase is now open and will welcome its first occupiers in 2026.The podcast explores the backstory behind Simon's journey and the development masterplan led by Stanhope and Fletcher Priest Architects. Simon explains the project's future development and leasing plans as it begins welcoming new tenants and becomes part of the Oxford community.   The Battle & Co Talking Property podcast Interviews the people making the headlines across property markets of Reading, Oxford, Cambridge and west London, loosely labelled the 'The Golden Triangle'.Additional notes and details can be found in the weekly journal The Forum published by UK Property Forums.www.ukpropertyforums.com

Send us Fan MailOliver Luard, partnerships & investment director for Greencore Homes joined us for the latest Battle & Bunce Talking property podcast with one change - Alan Bunce was replaced by my Oxfordshire colleague Hugh Blaza.Oliver has been involved with various roles throughout his land and planning career for a range of living based companies such as Vistry Homes and McCarthy Stone. Building on this experience, he joined the sustainable homes developer Greencore Homes last year to lead their move into Partnerships and alternative investments.Backed by the £5bn M&G Catalyst Fund, Greencore Homes is developing sustainable homes across the Golden Triangle region, with homes in various stage of completion located in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire with plans for more locations. Oliver talked about the unique off-site design of the buildings which ensure quicker build times and higher quality levels. Using modular design, Greencore is developing healthier homes with low carbon design, built for the future and offering lower running costs for consumers.The Battle & Co Talking Property podcast Interviews the people making the headlines across property markets of Reading, Oxford, Cambridge and west London, loosely labelled the 'The Golden Triangle'.Additional notes and details can be found in the weekly journal The Forum published by UK Property Forums.www.ukpropertyforums.com

Send us Fan MailRyan Harris, regional director for the Western division for The Hill Group joined us for the latest Battle & Bunce Talking Property podcast.Ryan, who has been 17 years with the housebuilder, described his route through education, where he (briefly) joined the academic world, before opting for more practical hands-on roles at building sites.He joined Lovell Partnerships and became an assistant site manager after undertaking a management training programme, then a site manager for Balfour Beatty before joining The Hill Group in 2008.Ryan discussed the planning hurdles, the market and the remarkable growth being planned for The Hill Group.The Battle & Co Talking Property podcast Interviews the people making the headlines across property markets of Reading, Oxford, Cambridge and west London, loosely labelled the 'The Golden Triangle'.Additional notes and details can be found in the weekly journal The Forum published by UK Property Forums.www.ukpropertyforums.com

Send us Fan MailBen Denton is head of strategic growth for L&G with a focus on growing the affordable housing business - both in terms of scale and attracting investment.  He was previously managing director of L&G's affordable housing division, following a long senior career in the housing sector.L&G's Affordable Housing Fund, launched last year, has raised £510 million of funding and the business is on track to have delivered, or have in the pipeline, 10,000 homes by next year.Through its growing number of affordable housing developments in and around the Golden Triangle, L&G, and other affordable housing providers, are key enablers of regional growth. He talked to us about the booming Oxford-Cambridge corridor and how that has to be balanced with the affordability crisis, such as in Oxfordshire where average house prices are around 10 times average earnings.The Battle & Co Talking Property podcast Interviews the people making the headlines across property markets of Reading, Oxford, Cambridge and west London, loosely labelled the 'The Golden Triangle'.Additional notes and details can be found in the weekly journal The Forum published by UK Property Forums.www.ukpropertyforums.com