Propertyshe Podcast

Nick Leslau, 60, has been Chairman and Chief Executive of Prestbury group of companies, which invests in and manages over £3bn of property assets, since he founded it in January 1998. 

Des was born in Kandy, Sri Lanka, and has lived in London for most of his life. He went to school in Wimbledon and studied economics at Bristol University before qualifying as a chartered accountant at Ernst & Young in 1981. 

 Peter Freeman read history at Balliol College, Oxford and then qualified as a solicitor. He and his brother, Michael, founded the Argent Group of property companies in 1981 and floated them in 1994. In 1996, in the first ever industry-wide awards, Argent was Developer of the Year and the Freeman Brothers shared the Property Personality of the Year Award. 

Imagine combing an Indian river for the fish made famous by Rudyard Kipling’s poem, The Golden Mahseer. Picture yourself perched atop a thoroughbred racehorse as it gallops at top speed over six furlongs. Visualise a Native American tribal ceremony, with you as the Honorary Eagle Dancer. Steve Edge has done it all, and much, much more.After winning a National Young Artist of the Year award aged 15, Steve’s sculptures and design work soon led him to work with acclaimed film director George Lucas, who enlisted Steve to work in the art department for such films as Star Wars and Raiders of The Lost Ark.In 1985, Steve founded his own branding agency, Steve Edge Design, and over the past 30 years he’s worked with some of the world’s biggest names, from Christian Dior and Fortnum & Mason to Rules Restaurant, Cartier and Purdey Guns.Steve puts part of his creative success down to his dyslexia, which allows him to see the world from new and original perspectives. He has spoken extensively on dyslexia and creativity, highlighting the importance of thinking laterally, not literally.His belief in the inspirational over the informational has sparked his latest venture: The Outer Thinking Division, which publishes articles and hosts roundtable discussions on a whole range of topics set to touch our lives in the near and distant future. 

Chief Executive Officer and founder, Mark Dixon is one of Europe's best known entrepreneurs. Since founding the Regus Group in Brussels, Belgium in 1989, he has achieved a formidable reputation for leadership and innovation. Prior to Regus and IWG he established businesses in the retail and wholesale food industries. A recipient of several awards for enterprise, Mark has revolutionised the way business approaches its property needs with his vision of the future of work.

Patricia Brown advises and guides civic and business leaders advises and guides civic and business leaders on urban change and development.

As CEO of the successful coworking hub, Runway East, and Chair of the ICE List, Natasha’s core interests lie in nurturing high-growth startups and building collaborative tech communities.

Kathrin is leading a team of 30 people as Almacantar’s Property Director.Originally from Berlin Kathrin has led masterplans and large scale developments in central London for more than 17 years. Her extensive experience of mixed-use projects in London and in-depth knowledge and understanding of the market enables her to provide bespoke solutions to complex sites.

Scott Malkin is the founder and Chairman of Value Retail, the co-founder and Chairman of Value Retail China and the founder and Chairman of SD Malkin Properties.These organisations focus on the development of fashion led, open air retail projects and also on the development of four star boutique hotels. As well, they are leading the creation of a new sports and entertainment arena complex that will serve the New York City market.Value Retail’s eleven retail venues are known as The Bicester Village Shopping Collection and comprise the most productive retail portfolio in the world in terms of sales per square foot. These destinations serve fashion brands and cater to “luxury travelling consumers”.Bicester Village, outside of London, generates the highest sales per square foot of any purpose built retail location in the world. The Bicester Village Shopping Collection projects focus on tourism spend and are rooted in SD Malkin Properties’ award winning 2 Rodeo Drive development, built in Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, California.Scott is a graduate of Harvard College, Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School. He serves on various committees at Harvard as well as on non-profit boards, including those of The New York Public Library, The Carnegie Endowment For International Peace, Lincoln Center and Partners In Health.He was raised in New England, and he and his family have lived in London since 1991.

Steve Norris was a Conservative Member of Parliament for Oxford East and then Epping Forest from 1983 to 1997. In 1992 he was appointed Minister for Transport with a special responsibility for all London transport.  After retiring from Parliament in 1997 he was twice his party’s candidate for Mayor of London.