Better Places

Nick Dines speaks to the CEO of Hub about BTR, co-living and unlocking stalled sites. On this episode of the Better Places Podcast, Concilio’s Nick Dines is joined by Robert Sloss, CEO of Hub, for a deep dive into how Build to Rent has evolved in the UK and what it takes to drive true regeneration. From transforming Maidenhead town centre to unlocking complex sites in Romford and Croydon, Robe...

Shaun joins Concllio's Managing Director to discuss commercial real estate in the City Fringe and how Compton seeks to stand out by challenging industry norms. — In the latest edition of the Concilio Better Places podcast, Shaun Simons, founder of Compton, joined Concilio's Managing Director Nick Dines to discuss the evolving landscape of commercial real estate in London’s city fringe. Shaun...

How TfL’s land is being transformed into new homes, places, and genuine social value In this episode of Better Places, Concilio’s Siddo Dwyer is joined by Graeme Craig, CEO of Places for London, and Mark Walker, the organisation’s Strategic Engagement Lead. Together they discuss how Places for London is reshaping the capital by unlocking land around transport hubs to deliver thousands of new h...

Concilio’s Managing Director, Nick Dines, sat down with the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Paul Bristow, at UKREiiF to discuss Our Time is Now – the Mayor’s bold vision for unlocking the region’s full potential.

Leader of Ealing Council, Cllr Peter Mason, joins Concilio’s Managing Director Nick Dines to discuss housing, regeneration and Ealing’s future. In this episode of the Better Places podcast, Cllr Peter Mason, Leader of Ealing Council, sits down with Concilio Managing Director Nick Dines to explore how Ealing is planning for a future built on housing delivery, local identity, and innovation. T...

Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee at the City of London Corporation, Shravan Joshi, joins Concilio’s Account Director Luke Tatton for a deep dive into the Square Mile’s future. In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places podcast, Account Director Luke Tatton sits down with Shravan Joshi, Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee at the City of London Corpo...

Alex Woolf, COO of Romulus, on reimagining a former shopping centre for a new era of local living, leisure and flexible working. In this episode of the Better Places podcast, Concilio’s Managing Director, Nick Dines, sits down with Alex Woolf, Chief Operating Officer at Romulus, to explore how the team turned the struggling Centre Court shopping centre into Wimbledon Quarter - a thriving, comm...

Leader of Barking & Dagenham Council, Cllr Dominic Twomey joins Concilio’s Account Director Siddo Dwyer to discuss how bold, community-focused leadership is transforming one of London's most dynamic boroughs. In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places podcast, Account Director Siddo Dwyer is joined by Cllr Dominic Twomey, Leader of Barking & Dagenham Council, to discuss how bold, commun...

In this must-listen episode of Concilio’s Better Places Podcast, Siddo Dwyer is joined by Chris Worrall and Eve McQuillan from Labour YIMBY, leading voices pushing for transformative housing policy within the Labour Party. With Britain's housing system in crisis, Chris—a prominent housing policy expert—and Eve, who formerly led planning in Tower Hamlets, share their insights into how Labour ca...

In this episode, we are joined by Councillor Stephen Cowan, leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council. Stephen shares his journey from being first elected in 1998 to leading the council through significant transformations. He discusses the borough's industrial strategy, the collaboration with Imperial College, and the council's commitment to delivering better value for residents. Tune in to hear...

The founder and CEO of MARK shares the 10 year story of how this iconic London building has been transformed In this episode, we explore one of London’s most ambitious regeneration projects—The Whiteley. With C C Land as the chief investor, the project is repurposing a historic shopping centre into a world-class mixed-use destination, featuring luxury homes, premium retail, and the UK’s first...

Camden Council’s Cabinet Member for New Homes & Community Investment, Cllr Nasrine Djemai joins Concilio’s Account Director Siddo Dwyer to discuss the future of Camden. In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places podcast, Account Director Siddo Dwyer sits down with Cllr Nasrine Djemai, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Community Investment at Camden Council, to explore the future of Camde...

Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor of London and Lisa Fairmaner, Head of the London Plan, share insights on planning, regeneration, and how the London Plan can be used to shape regional Spatial Development Strategies.

Sarah Cary discusses how White City is fostering innovation, sustainability, and community through thoughtful design and strategic collaboration. In this episode of Better Places, Concilio's Managing Director Nick Dines in conversation with Sarah Cary, White City Development Director at Imperial College London. Sarah discusses the White City Deep Tech Campus, a thriving hub for innovation, su...

On this episode of the Better Places Podcast, Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development at Westminster City Council, joins Account Director, Yiannis Sophocleous for an discussion about the administration’s key priorities for the year ahead, the City Plan Partial Review, and major policy developments at both the London and national level. Key topics discussed ...

In this episode, we explore how the planning system approaches data centres, what their designation as Critical National Infrastructure means, and the emerging proposals for AI Growth Zones. Other key topics we discuss include: - The Labour Party’s manifesto pledge to remove planning barriers for data centres. - The Government’s recent classification of data centres as Critical National Infras...

In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places podcast. Account Director Siddo Dwyer sat down with Lambeth’s Cllr Rezina Chowdhury – Deputy Leader of the Council (Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air). The episode focused on current challenges and policies that she has overseen not just in Lambeth but ones that have had a London wide effect. This included: How Cllr Chowdhury’s upbringing and ...

We are delighted to share with you the first episode of Concilio’s Better Places podcast for 2025. Our Managing Director Nick Dines sat down with the country’s highest rated planning solicitor – Simon Ricketts, Partner at Town Legal. In this latest episode of the Better Places podcast Nick and Simon sought to summarise the key planning and local government changes announced by the Government i...

On the latest edition of the Concilio Better Places Podcast, Account Director Siddo Dwyer sat down with the Leader of Southwark Council, Cllr Kieron Williams. The interview focussed on the Southwark Council’s recently published Securing the Future of Council Housing report. Over 100 councils formed an unprecedented coalition to identify five practical solutions for a fairer funding deal and re...

On the latest edition of Better Places, we sat down with leading industry professionals across the property and planning sectors. We were delighted to interview Andy Cox - Director at Trigon development managers, Cat Fraser – Director at Turley planners, and Arron Taggart – Head of UK Investment at Cheyne Capital on their perspective as professionals in the field. Hosted by our very own Siddo ...

On our latest episode, Director Catherine Rose (https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-rose-9a9776140/) and Account Director Siddo Dwyer (https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddo-dwyer-655374100/) hosted a live recording of our Better Places Podcast at Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. The panel explored the ways in which English devolution can be delivered in support of the new Labour government’s...

On our latest edition of the better places podcast, we have a Haringey special and are joined by the trio of Cllr Ruth Gordon –the Cabinet Member for Housebuilding, Placemaking and Development, David Joyce –the Corporate Director for Housing, Regeneration and Planning and Robbie Erbmann –the Assistant Director for Housing. In an insightful conversation with our Account Director Siddo Dwyer, a c...

Cllr Anthony Okereke the Leader of the Council of the Royal Borough of Greenwich joins us for the latest instalment of the Better Places podcast. Anthony provides great insight into the past decade of growth in the borough and the measures his local authority is taking in enhancing its town centres, creating new places, the Royal Borough's Cultural Hub, and renewing its estates to meet the incr...

In our latest edition we are joined by Cllr Andrew Judge the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable Development in the London Borough of Merton. In a detailed and wide-ranging discussion Andrew lays out the plans for regenerating Merton’s high streets and town centres and touches on Merton’s cash injection from the Mayor of London. Andrew also examines the significance of initiatives that h...

In this episode, we are joined by Cllr Omid Miri, Chair of Hammersmith & Fulham's Planning and Development Control Committee and aspiring London Assembly candidate for the London-wide list. Councillor Miri provides an insight into his experience as the Chair of Hammersmith & Fulham's Planning and Development Control Committee, the barriers to building more homes in the borough and the challenge...

In this episode, Concilio’s Nathan Parsad-Wyatt is joined by Councillor Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning & Economic Development in the City of Westminster, to discuss all aspects of planning and development in 2024. Councillor Barraclough provides a comprehensive update on policy, outlines the key priorities of the administration, and shares his insights on a significant year of e...

Cllr Shaun Davies, leader of Telford and Wrekin Council and Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Telford joined the latest edition of the podcast. In a wide-ranging discussion Shaun provides an insight into the challenges facing local government across the UK, housing and infrastructure across the West Midlands, Labour’s plans for planning and development, and how he plans to overturn a 10,000+...

Cllr Anne Clarke AM, London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden and Cabinet Member for Community Wealth Building joined the latest edition of the podcast. Anne discusses the role of the London Assembly, her experience as a councillor, how Labour historically won Barnet off the Conservatives in 2022 and a look ahead to the elections in 2024!

Concilio’s Nick Dines (Managing Director) was delighted to be joined by Opportunity London’s Chief Executive. Jace outlines the strengths and challenges of the capital,   bringing investment to London, his new position and the role of Opportunity London in helping shape the London of the future.

In our first podcast of 2024 we are delighted to have been joined by two excellent guests from the London Borough of Newham. James Asser - Deputy Mayor of Newham, Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainable Transport and Chair of Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee & James Beckles - Chair of Newham’s Local Development Committee, member of the LLDC Planning Committee and aspiring Lab...

In our latest edition we were delighted to be joined by Cllr Helen Dennis, Southwark Council’s Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development. In a wide-ranging discussion, we cover the council’s newly announced Local List, the council’s sustainability approach particularly in relation to retrofit first vs demolition, and the approach regarding biodiversity net-gain and much more.

Cllr James Small Edwards, Labour candidate for the London Assembly seat of West Central joined Concilio for the latest edition of our Better Places podcast. Elected in 2022 as Labour won Westminster City Council for the first time, in the key swing ward of Bayswater, James is currently serving as WCC Deputy Cabinet Member for Planning. James was selected by Labour Party members to contest the m...

Concilio’s Head of London Luke Francis is joined by the Brent's Cllr Shama Tatler, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Growth. The pair review a hectic few months in property, planning and politics - discussing everything from the mounting challenges facing residential development across London and to local authorities look for in a good JV partner.

Concilio’s Managing Director Nick Dines sits down with the Co-Chairs of the London Housing Directors’Group, Joanne Drew, Strategic Director for Housing and Regeneration at Enfield Council and Jamie Carswell, Director of Housing and Safer Communities at the Royal Borough of Greenwich

Labour Party Conference Special: Concilio’s Luke Francis and Oscar Harman interview Westminster City Councillors Ellie Ormsby and James Small-Edwards about their experiences at Labour Party conference in Liverpool, their focus on housing and the first 18 months of Westminster’s Labour administration.

Concilio’s Head of London Luke Francis is joined by the Leader of Barking & Dagenham Council Darren Rodwell. In a wide ranging conversation, the pair discusses how political vision and pragmatism have helped to transform one of the UK’s most deprived boroughs. Looking ahead to Labour Party Conference, Cllr Rodwell also discuss the reasons behind his decision to stand for Parliament and what he ...

In this episode, Concilio's Katie Brown is joined by Colin Brown, Head of Planning and Development at Carter Jonas (or as she personally calls him, Dad!) to discuss the ambitious plans set forth by the Secretary of State for Levelling up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove aimed at supercharging Cambridge as Europe’s science capital. Is it an attainable vision, or does it remain a distant pi...

In this episode, Nathan and Luke dive into a discussion on major political events. Our guests are two of the City of Westminster's most senior councillors: Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning & Economic Development, and Cllr Tim Roca, Cabinet Member for Young People, Culture, and Learning. Together, they reflect on their first year in office and share insights about what is comi...

Nathan and Luke touch on the fall out from the May 23 local election results and how housing is becoming an election issue. Luke then interviews Cllr Anthony Okereke, Leader of Greenwich to discuss delivering homes in an increasingly challenging development environment, the importance of engaging residents and challenging NIMBYism and abseiling down 17 story buildings for charity!

Concilio’s Katie Brown is joined by Claire Flowers, Head of Housing Development Agency at Cambridge City Council to discuss how the public and private sector can work together on housing delivery.

In this episode, Nathan and Luke are joined by Islington’s Cllr Diarmaid Ward – Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Finance, Planning and Performance. They discuss - responding to post-Covid ways of living and working in inner London, why development policy ‘red lines’ matter in Islington and Innovative approaches to delivering for local residents.

Concilio's Managing Director Nick Dines is joined by Simon Ricketts, Partner at Town Legal the leading planning law firm in the UK. The two discuss the Government’s proposed planning reforms, planning law evolution, the establishment of Town Legal, fire safety regulations and Simon’s top three desert island discs!

In the first podcast of 2023, Nathan and Luke focus on the politics of tackling the housing crisis. Featuring an in-depth interview with Dr Nick Bowes, Chief Executive of Centre for London, formerly Mayoral Director of Policy at the Greater London Authority.

Nathan & Luke discuss the latest national developments on planning reform. In the final episode of the 2022 they are joined by the first ever directly elected Mayor of Croydon - Mayor Jason Perry - to discuss Croydon's financial challenges, why he went into politics, what he would like to see from developers and the local plan.

Concilio's very own Cambs and South Cambs expert Katie Brown focuses on the growing Life Sciences sector - in conversation with two experts in the field  - Guy Kaddish, Head of Cambridge Planning at Bidwells and Max Bryan Head of Science & Technology at Bidwells.

Nathan & Luke discuss the latest political developments, London parliamentary selections and are joined by Cllr Cem Kemahli - Lead Member for Planning, Place and Environment in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea to talk about planning and development in the Royal Borough.

As well as reviewing the big political stories of the week, Nathan and Luke are joined by Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning & Economic Development in the City of Westminster to talk all things planning and development and the priorities of the new administration.

In the first episode of the new series, Nathan and Luke take a look back at their experiences of the Labour and Conservative Party conferences and the key policy announcements that impact development and planning. They’re joined by friend of the show and Brent Cabinet Member Cllr Shama Tatler to get her take on what it means for local government.

In the latest episode of Polls Apart, Nathan and Luke talk about the candidates vying to be the next Prime Minister and their views on housing. They are then joined for by Cllr Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader and Housing and Regeneration in Waltham Forest.

In the latest episode of Polls Apart, Nathan and Luke talk all things housing. Featuring an interview with the Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development - Tom Copley, who discusses how to tackle London's housing crisis, the impact of rising construction costs and the relationship between City Hall and London councils.