People Property Place

Manish Gudka, CEO of Aprirose, shares insights from his unique journey in real estate, transitioning from a family-run soap business in Kenya to managing around £1bn of assets. He discusses pivotal moments like the 2007-09 financial crisis, emphasizing the importance of resilience and investor trust. Manish reveals his innovative approach to long-term partnerships over blind-pool funds, and reflects on mentorship under his father and collaboration with his wife. Their focus on income-generating assets illustrates a strategic vision rooted in family values.

From billion-euro retail deals to leading Europe's largest apartment hotel operator, and now steering one of the fastest-growing healthcare real estate platforms, Simon Betty's career has spanned multiple cycles, asset classes, and countries. In this episode, Simon shares how his early career choices set him on a path into retail, how he navigated Hammerson through some of its most challenging moments, and what it was really like to run the €2.5B Project Jewel transaction in Ireland. We dive into the lessons he learned leading through the brutality of Covid, why the macro always wins in real estate, and how healthcare has become one of the most thematically supported sectors in Europe today. This is a candid conversation about deals, leadership, and how to thrive in sectors that are built for the future. Key Topics Covered In This Episode: ✅ Project Jewel – Inside the high-stakes €2.5B Ireland loan portfolio acquisition ✅ Retail Realities – The brutal impact of Covid and the £800M rescue rights issue ✅ Macro vs Micro – Why timing beats talent in determining real estate returns ✅ Leadership Lessons – How saying "yes" shaped his career across multiple sectors ✅ Hospitality Shift – What running Adina taught him about operations and culture ✅ Healthcare Growth – Why cure-based facilities are becoming Europe's next big asset class ✅ The Future – Where capital is heading in European real estate over the next decade Oh, and one last thing… In every episode, I ask each guest: Who are the People, what Property, and which Place they would invest in if they had £500m at their disposal? Don't miss Simon's answer in this episode! Got any thoughts or questions about this podcast? Feel free to share them in the comments, I'm always up for a chat! And if you're enjoying what I'm putting out, don't forget to hit subscribe and turn on the notification bell so you'll never miss out on the next podcast. 🎧 Listen On: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6oCDnwWSTP685l6sn8F0a6 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/people-property-place/id1652694140 The People Property Place Podcast is powered by Rockbourne – Recruiting Leadership & Future Leadership hires for Real Estate Funds, Owners, Investors & Developers. You can also connect with me on social media, I'd love to hear from you there too. Thanks again for hanging out with me! Subscribe To My Channel For More Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLeY7xnoJ08uYlGb-Y0j96A 🔊 LIKE ➡ SHARE ➡ SUBSCRIBE ► Rockbourne Website: www.rockbourne.com ► PPP Podcast LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/people-property-place-podcast/about/?viewAsMember=true ► Matthew Watts LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-watts-51575a57/ ► Business Enquiries: mwatts@rockbourne.com

Leo Shapland, Chief Executive of the King’s Cross Group, shares insights from his extensive career in real estate. He recalls how the regeneration of Shad Thames inspired him to enter the field. Leo discusses his pivotal roles at Brookfield, Tishman Speyer, and Aviva, reflecting on lessons in capital raising and mixed-use development. He delves into the unique challenges of managing the expansive King’s Cross estate, which attracts 20 million visitors annually, and shares his perspectives on navigating today’s fluctuating market dynamics.

Jay Kwan, Managing Director at QuadReal Property Group, shares his journey from humble beginnings in LA to leading real estate investment across Europe. He discusses navigating capital cycles and the importance of cultural alignment in partnerships. Jay reveals insights on overcoming market uncertainties, sector convictions, and the flexibility of long-term capital. He emphasizes the potential of oversold sectors, mentions the evolving dynamics of retail and office spaces, and highlights the significance of having mentors outside your organization.

James Craig, Co-Founder of Oval Real Estate, shares his entrepreneurial journey in the diversified real estate market. He discusses how he pivoted from surveying to property trading, learning to manage and exit deals across Europe. James highlights the significance of building high-trust partnerships and navigating complex projects, particularly in Birmingham's C Factory revitalization. He provides insights on market dynamics, emphasizes the importance of public-private collaboration, and encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to embrace risks in their ventures.

Kevin Mofid, Head of Industrial & Logistics Research at Savills, brings a wealth of knowledge on the UK and European logistics markets. He delves into the evolving role of research in real estate, emphasizing its importance as a strategic tool. Kevin discusses the pressures on build-to-suit deals and rising vacancies despite strong demand. He highlights trends in nearshoring, speculative development, and the growing secondhand stock, ultimately providing insights on the future of industrial demand and the impact of online retail on logistics.

Philip Stott, Co-Founder of Caisson IO, joins me on the People Property Place Podcast this week. We discuss his early career journey to co-founding Caisson IO, a boutique investment management firm that integrates data and technology to, invest and manage multi-let industrial assets across the UK. Philip shares valuable insights on the role of data in real estate, building a tech-enabled investment platform, and how their approach to asset management has evolved. If you're interested in real estate investment management, data-driven strategies, or scaling a specialised platform in the industrial sector, this episode is for you. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: · Early exposure to real estate and how Philip's family business influenced his entrepreneurial mindset · How Philip's career evolved from traditional surveying to tech sales and then pivoting into investment management · Insights from his experience at Yardi, including building their European platform and understanding financial systems and applying this learing to the investment management space · How they launched the business - raising capital from friends and family · How data-driven insights help Caisson IO identify market trends and opportunities in multi-let industrial assets · The resilience and appeal of multi-let industrial assets as a stable income-generating asset class · Building a strong, collaborative team and fostering a culture of empowerment for business growth · Caisson IO's plans for future growth, leveraging specialixed expertise and data-backed strategies And finally... With £500m to invest, which People, what Property, and which Place would Philip choose? Enjoying the show? Follow and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. The People Property Place Podcast 🎙️ is powered by Rockbourne: Giving real estate investors a difficult choice, who to hire. If you're serious about hiring top real estate talent in 2025 and want to do it differently, DM me on LinkedIn.

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 £500m to invest, he reflects on strategic choices in the evolving property landscape, showcasing the exciting opportunities in sustainable and residential markets.

Marcus Meijer, the Founder and CEO of MARK, dives into his journey in real estate, shaped by a family legacy and experiences at Goldman Sachs. He shares insights on platform creation and market timing, emphasizing the shift towards sector-specific investments. Topics include the success behind building VR Outlets into a €1bn platform, navigating challenges in mid-market investments, and opportunities in urban logistics. Meijer also discusses his vision for the future of real estate and what legacy and success mean to him.

Jon Lurie, founder of Realty Corporation, is a seasoned expert in real estate investment, having previously managed billions at Goldman Sachs and Blackstone. He shares his journey from accidental landlord to launching his own firm. Lurie discusses navigating financial cycles and the necessity for conviction-led investment strategies rooted in thorough research. He also reflects on the change in real estate’s status within institutional portfolios and underscores the importance of adaptability in the evolving market. Plus, he muses on where he would invest £500m!