Tell Me More with Ruslan Hajduk

#012 – Paddy Allen – Kinetic Capital: Strategy, Scale, and the Student Housing Revolution

Paddy Allen is the CEO of Kinetic Capital - a specialist lender transforming the European student housing market. In this episode of Tell Me More, we dive deep into his personal and professional journey: from building global experience in real estate to leading an investment platform focused on purpose-built student accommodation. We discuss: * Why student housing is more resilient than traditional real estate asset classes * How Paddy built conviction in the idea for Kinetic Capital * The entrepreneurial mindset behind leading a fund and earning investor trust * Market trends shaping student housing across Europe and globally * Lessons in leadership, team building, and making long-term decisions in high-pressure environments Whether you're an emerging leader, a real estate investor, or a founder building something new, this episode offers practical insights and real-world experience from someone actively reshaping the industry. Subscribe for more conversations with the people redefining real estate, capital, and leadership across the globe.

#011 – Laura Kairienė – Vilnius City: Leadership, Digitalisation & the Architecture of Tomorrow

In this episode of Tell Me More, I sit down with Laura Kairienė, Chief Architect of Vilnius City, to explore how digital transformation and human-centric design are shaping one of Europe’s most innovative capitals. Laura shares her journey from her early days in architecture to leading the city’s vision for sustainable growth, smart infrastructure, and urban regeneration. She explains how Vilnius integrates data, design, and dialogue between citizens and government to create a city that works for people, not against them. We discuss the evolution of Vilnius’ skyline, the role of technology in modern planning, and how architects can balance heritage with innovation. Laura also reflects on leadership in public architecture, lessons learned from European cities, and her mission to make Vilnius a global benchmark for future-ready, livable cities. Highlights: * Digitalisation & data-driven design in urban planning * How Vilnius builds smarter, greener, and more connected communities * Balancing heritage with innovation in a growing European capital * The power of architecture to shape human experience * Laura’s leadership vision for the city of tomorrow Whether you’re passionate about architecture, urban planning, or the future of cities, this episode offers a rare glimpse into how one of Europe’s most forward-thinking capitals is being designed for the next generation.

#010 – Jerzy Wojcik – Concrete Visions: Sustainability, ESG, and Scaling a Real Estate Company

In this episode of Tell Me More, Ruslan Hajduk sits down with Jerzy Wójcik, the founder and CEO of JWA – one of Central and Eastern Europe’s leading consultancies in sustainable real estate development, ESG strategy, and green building certifications. Born in Kraków, Jerzy studied architecture at the Cracow University of Technology, the University of Tennessee, and spent time at Gensler in New York, working on the LEED-certified Bank of America Tower. These formative years shaped his vision of combining design with sustainability. In 2011, Jerzy founded JWA – bootstrapping the company without external investors – and has since grown it into a market leader certifying over 15 million m² of real estate across Poland, CEE, and even Mexico. In this conversation, we dive into: * * How Jerzy pivoted from architecture to entrepreneurship * * The early years of JWA and how he scaled the company without outside capital * * Why ESG, carbon neutrality, and green finance matter for the future of real estate * * The role of data, advisory, and certifications in creating long-term asset value * * Building trust with developers and investors in an evolving regulatory landscape Jerzy also shares his perspective on the future of ESG in CEE, insights from international markets like Mexico and Spain, and advice for young professionals who want to succeed in real estate while making a positive impact. Whether you are an investor, developer, or sustainability leader, this episode offers valuable lessons in entrepreneurship, resilience, and building a values-driven business in the real estate sector.

#009 – Guy Pinsent – Vision, Value, and Velocity: A Real Estate Entrepreneur’s Journey

In this episode of Tell Me More, I sit down with Guy Pinsent, Founder & CEO of Less Mess Storage - one of Central Europe’s leading and most successful self-storage companies. Born in London and raised in the English countryside, Guy’s path took him from Eton College and Cambridge University to a career in investment banking at Citibank. Driven by a passion for being at the heart of business, he later joined the British Embassy in Poland, strengthening UK–Poland business relations for 6.5 years. From there, he transitioned into real estate with Colliers before founding Less Mess Storage in 2014, growing it into a benchmark for the self-storage sector in Central Europe. Highlights: • How #economics, incentives & behavior drive smart decisions. • Fundraising highs & lows – and knowing when to walk away. • Product segmentation, customer pathways & storytelling. • Why data and focus are key to scaling in real estate. We also dive into Guy’s passion for economics, his reflections on free markets, and the key lessons learned from decades of dealmaking in multiple industries. Guy’s Book Recommendations: * The Undercover Economist – Tim Harford * Freakonomics – Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner * The Infidel and the Professor: The Friendship of Adam Smith and David Hume – Dennis C. Rasmussen Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, economist, or real estate professional, this episode offers powerful insights into self-storage, real estate innovation, and the philosophy behind successful business leadership.

#008 – Lars Sommerer – SwissPropTech: Swiss Real Estate, Startup Ecosystem, Investment Insights, Network Power

In this episode of the Tell Me More podcast, host Ruslan Hajduk speaks with Lars Sommerer, Managing Director of SwissPropTech and Advisory Board Member at Swiss Circle. Lars shares his career journey from working at UBS in banking to becoming a key voice in the Swiss PropTech ecosystem. The conversation covers the evolution of digital innovation in real estate, the current trends shaping the Swiss residential market, and the unique funding dynamics of the local startup scene. Lars highlights three standout PropTech startups tackling real-world challenges and emphasises the importance of solving core industry problems through technology. He also shares practical insights on relocating to Switzerland, the country’s high quality of life, and its stable yet complex real estate landscape. The episode concludes with Lars’s book recommendations and lessons learned from a life bridging finance, innovation, and real estate.