People Property Place #137 Philip Gadsden - Managing Partner at Orchard Street Investment Management
Aug 7, 2025
Philip Gadsden, Managing Partner at Orchard Street Investment Management, brings over 40 years of real estate expertise. He shares insights into his journey from corporate roles to founding Gatehouse. The discussion dives into impact investing, emphasizing the shift toward ESG and decarbonization. Philip highlights the importance of shorter leases, active management, and future-proofing second-hand assets. With ÂŁ500m to invest, he reflects on strategic choices in the evolving property landscape, showcasing the exciting opportunities in sustainable and residential markets.
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Philip's Start in Real Estate
- Philip Gadsden's entry into real estate was driven by a desire to avoid a desk job and the opportunity of being the first in his family to attend university.
- He secured his first job at Jones Lang Wootton through campus interviews and gradually moved from property management to investment roles.
Early Real Estate Finance Lessons
- Early real estate lending required creative financial models like IRRs, managed on primitive calculators like the HP 12C.
- Lending on commercial developments during the late '80s and early '90s gave Philip a first-hand lesson in risk and recovery through the downturn.
Starting Gatehouse Investment Management
- After 18 years at Jones Lang, Philip and a partner decided to create Gatehouse Investment Management.
- Despite hope that big clients would follow, the startup faced challenges securing blue-blooded mandates.