London Real Estate Forum: on-demand

The London Real Estate Forum, the annual though-leadership conference took place at the Barbican Centre, 29–30 September 2021. We brought together key decision-makers from the industry, government, investment and business communities to drive sustainable investment and development in cities.

Please see the recordings from day one and day two for the Barbican Cinema 1 Stage.

Barbican Cinema 1 Stage: Day 1

Living - homes for changing needs

In association with JLL
How should our homes of the future be built to meet changing human needs? As we face a rising and aging population, how can the industry assure that the diversity of requirements are met to create sustainable and affordable housing aimed at students, senior living and co-living habitation.

Panel

Simon Hodson, JLL (Chair)
Catherine Raynsford, The Hyde Group
Deborah Owen-Ellis Clark, Places for People
Tim Seddon, Retirement Villages Group

Social value and why it is so important

In association with Trowers & Hamlins
This panel explores the ways in which city investment, planning and development can drive positive social change for city residents, and what long-term strategies are needed to measure the impact and value we bring to communities.

Panel

Sara Bailey, Trowers & Hamlins (Chair)
Marcus Bate, Mount Anvil
Siobhan Jared, Transport for London
Davinia Venton, Countryside
Connor McDonagh, Ealing Council

Retrofit - re-purposing and futureproofing

In association with Waterman Group
Retrofit, transformation and reuse of existing buildings is crucial to support our journey to meeting net-zero carbon targets. Alongside environmental benefits, what are the commercial and social returns of retrofit? How can we design buildings for longevity and future re-use? What kind of investment programmes do we need to make this happen?

Panel

Terri Wills, Waterman (Chair)
Rachael Owens, Buckley Gray Yeoman
Emma Harvey, Green Finance Institute
Richard Whitehead, Waterman Group
Jacob Loftus, General Projects

Building community - are we really serious?

The language of community is everywhere. But whose job is it to create and sustain the social fabric of a neighbourhood? Do developers have the appetite or ability? What should our expectations be of councils? And what about the public and young people in particular: when will they finally get a voice? With the White Paper on Levelling Up due this autumn, this debate will test whether real estate can really move beyond bricks and mortar.

Panel

Matt Bell, Grosvenor (Chair)
Tom Bloxham MBE, Urban Splash
Nazeya Hussain, Kingston Council
Azzees Minott, 2-3 Degrees

Repurposing real estate

In association with Knight Frank
This session explores how we are repurposing buildings to make them fit for purpose - delivering mixed-use schemes that suit post-pandemic behaviours. What impact will new planning policies have on unlocking opportunities for adaption and change-of-use? How can capital flows feed into this? What approaches need to be taken to ensure our future city neighbourhoods are dynamic, socially inclusive, and environmentally resilient?

Panel

Nick Parr, Knight Frank (Chair)
Binki Taylor, The Brixton Project
Deborah Watt, Landsec
John McElgunn, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
Jay Squier, Native Land

Barbican Cinema 1 stage: Day 2

Harnessing data and technology

How can we harness big data to better understand and manage our urban environments? How can technology help us to deliver more efficient and environmentally sustainable buildings? What role will artificial intelligence and digital twins play in shaping our future cities? We discuss how new digital infrastructure, technological innovation and smart buildings will ensure future resilience and improve quality of life.

Panel

Bola Abisogun, DiverseCity Surveyors (Chair)
Theo Blackwell, Greater London Authority
Tomáš Jurdák, MiddleCap
Brett Spindler, Schneider Electric
Gavin Chandler, Sir Robert McAlpine

Future streets and public spaces

This session explores our evolving relationship with our streets and public spaces. How will new transport innovations and a new drive to enable walkable, net zero cities impact our approach to placemaking? What role will public spaces play in creating healthy, equitable and desirable neighbourhoods? What investment do we need to achieve this?

Panel

Yalena Coleman, Connected Places Catapult (Chair)
Dr Chris Pateman-Jones, Connected Kerb
Ruth Duston OBE, Cheapside Business Alliance
Zoe Sellars, Waltham Forest
Peter Heath, Atkins Ltd

Future logistics - a pioneering sector

In association with Savills and Prologis
The logistics industry has had to respond and adapt rapidly during the pandemic, bringing about both challenges and opportunities. Mixing industrial and residential spaces to create industrial hubs around cities is high on the agenda; this panel discusses how solution-based innovation, new tech and automation can pave the way for a strong sector recovery.

Panel

Benjamin O'Connor, NLA (Chair)
Bridget Outtrim, Savills
Robin Woodbridge, Prologis UK
Sarah Birt, Greater London Authority

From knowledge to innovation - the life sciences economy

In association with JLL
Examining the UK’s role in the knowledge economy on the global stage. How can we shape our cities to promote and enable innovation? What are the major and emerging knowledge clusters across the UK and how are these clusters driving innovation? And how can real estate contribute to the companies and occupiers fuelling the innovation economy?

Panel

Chris Walters, JLL (Chair)
Toby Reid, We Are Pioneer Group
Kath Mackay, Bruntwood SciTech
Steve Bates OBE, BioIndustry Association
Sarah Haywood, MedCity

Modular housing

What are the opportunities and benefits that modular housing can bring to provide sustainable regeneration and development in cities? This panel examines the ways in which modern methods of construction can be used as innovative solutions to long-lasting and effective housing.

Panel

Katie Saunders, Trowers & Hamlins (Chair)
Samantha Wait, Swan Housing Group
Katherine Hegab, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
Gareth Bradford, West Midlands Combined Authority

Power of partnerships

What makes partnerships in the built environment durable and effective? This panel examines the opportunities and barriers presented by the pandemic for public private collaborations.

Panel

Sarah Cary, Meridian Water (Chair)
Lisa Ravenscroft, Mount Anvil
Tonia Secker, Trowers & Hamlins
Heng Leong Cheong, Ecoworld
Patricia Brown, Central