Episode 6: Reimagining asset management with Alex Dunkley

Episode 6: Reimagining asset management with Alex Dunkley

In this episode of the Spark London Podcast, we're joined by Alex Dunkley, Co-Founder and Director of Loop Asset Management. Alex shares his journey from project management into asset management, explaining how nearly a decade of delivering complex developments shaped his belief that the industry needs to work smarter, not harder. From handing in his notice at Cushman & Wakefield on crutches to launching Loop with his brother-in-law, Alex talks candidly about the "now or never" leap into entrepreneurship and building a platform-backed asset management business from the ground up. The conversation explores Loop's mission to recycle and reposition existing commercial assets—particularly multi-let industrial stock in regional UK cities by combining forensic CAPEX planning, hands-on tenant engagement, and a deep understanding of both development and investment fundamentals. Alex explains how Loop's custom CAPEX calculator, detailed unit-by-unit analysis, and occupier-first mindset help unlock value in assets that are often overlooked by institutional capital. Beyond Loop's strategy, Alex delivers a thoughtful critique of industry norms, including the limitations of the RIBA Plan of Work, inefficiencies in traditional procurement, and the misalignment of incentives across project teams. He argues for earlier supply-chain engagement, clearer project drivers, and a renewed focus on people, collaboration and productivity. The episode also dives into ESG, AI, and technology in real estate cutting through buzzwords to focus on what genuinely matters to occupiers, particularly SMEs. Alex shares why achieving EPC B ratings, reducing waste and using technology intentionally can future-proof assets while improving returns. This is a wide-ranging, honest conversation about leadership, strategy, productivity, and the future of asset management packed with practical insights for investors, developers, project managers, and anyone shaping the built environment. About Follow Alex on Linkedin here. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-dunkley/] Loop [https://www.loop-am.com/] specialises in acquiring, refurbishing and managing existing commercial assets to create flexible, modern and practical workspaces for SMEs. They're repositioning sub-institutional multi-let industrial assets within high-demand urban fringe locations to help address the shortage of quality space. With 23 workspaces across key growth areas in the UK, Loop acts on behalf of Investors to unlock hidden value in overlooked assets through simplicity and innovation, to create better spaces for people, places and the planet. About Spark Spark London [https://spark.london/] Spark recognises the world is faster, more innovative and more dynamic than ever before. We strongly believe in challenging the standard processes, placing our clients' most common Real Estate Pain Points at the centre of how we approach our services. We consciously restore the balance to high levels of services in a pragmatic, grounded and streamlined way. We believe in being human, authentic and service-focused.

Episode 5: Disorganised Chaos vs Real Strategy in FM & Real Estate with Russell Woods

In this episode, Vince sits down with Russell Woods, a senior facilities and real estate leader with over 20 years' experience across the legal and media sectors. Russell shares how he "fell into" facilities management without a formal degree, progressing rapidly from a barrister's clerk to leading departments at major organisations including Mills & Reeve and FTSE 250 firm Close Brothers Asset Management. Along the way, he reflects on the realities of accelerated career growth, the importance of networks and the challenge of maintaining work–life balance in high-pressure roles. The conversation explores Russell's move into the media sector, driven by a desire to work with larger portfolios, budgets, and complex projects and his determination not to be pigeonholed as a traditional corporate operator. He offers a candid comparison between professional services and media, describing law as structured, strategic and well understood while media is characterised by speed, autonomy and what he calls "disorganised chaos." COVID-19 becomes a pivotal moment, forcing a major real estate consolidation project to pivot entirely and highlighting the risks of reactive decision-making without long-term strategy. Vince and Russell dig into the difference between project management and project strategy, critiquing an industry culture that rushes to act rather than pausing to respond thoughtfully. Russell advocates for aligning facilities management with wider people and real estate strategy, stressing the value of reflection, maintaining a "live CV," and being intentional about personal brand alongside corporate identity. He speaks passionately about relationships over transactions, why people buy into people and the importance of consultants and suppliers truly investing in the businesses they support. He also champions in-house talent, arguing for a blended model where internal teams are empowered rather than overshadowed by external consultants. The episode culminates in Russell's much-discussed "10% rule" the belief that top performers aren't defined by title, but by their ability to think holistically, connect across the business, move at pace and genuinely care. He reflects on ambition, staying in (or stepping out of) your lane, and the role leadership plays in helping people become comfortable with discomfort. This is a thoughtful, honest conversation about leadership, strategy, culture and what it really takes to do meaningful work in fast-moving organisations. About Follow Russell on Linkedin here. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-wood-miwfm-3978674a/] Travers Smith [https://www.traverssmith.com/] treats its clients' business & challenges as its own. The firm's clients know that wherever in the world they or their ambitions lie, the firm will work as one of their team to get things done. Travers Smith acts for publicly listed and private companies, financial services institutions and private equity clients, as well as other business enterprises involved in large and complex UK & cross-border matters, transactions & disputes. Diversity and independence of thought are key to the firm's success. The firm believes that true inclusion can only be achieved if diversity is considered in a broader and more holistic way, which breaks down silos and recognises the multiple identities we each carry. About Spark Spark London [https://spark.london/] Spark recognises the world is faster, more innovative and more dynamic than ever before. We strongly believe in challenging the standard processes, placing our clients' most common Real Estate Pain Points at the centre of how we approach our services. We consciously restore the balance to high levels of services in a pragmatic, grounded and streamlined way. We believe in being human, authentic and service-focused.

Episode 4: Designing the Future: AI, Strategy and Rebalancing the Built Environment with Steven Charlton

In this episode of the Spark London Podcast, Vince sits down with Steven Charlton, Founder and CEO of I/O Atelier and nHabit, to explore how technology, data, and AI are reshaping the design, real estate, and workplace strategy industries. Steven reflects on his career journey, from years at Pringle Brandon (later acquired by Perkins and Will), to working in fast-paced design-and-build environments in Dubai, and launching smaller interior design studios. These experiences exposed deep frustrations with traditional industry workflows and sparked his belief that technology should only be applied once the real problems are truly understood. A major theme of the conversation is speed versus structure. Steven contrasts the "now, now, now" mentality of the Middle East with what he describes as the UK's overly slow, bureaucratic approach. He argues that the future lies in finding a happy medium, one that leverages modern processing power and AI to rethink how design and delivery are done from the ground up. The discussion dives into the founding of I/O Atelier, now three and a half years old, and Steven's ambition to blend creativity with AI. Rather than bolting technology onto existing processes, I/O Atelier was built with multidisciplinary teams, architects, data scientists, machine learning experts, UX and UI designers, working together to create space for experimentation and innovation. Steven candidly shares lessons learned from early hiring mistakes, the benefits of a sprint-based approach, and the advantage of being an early mover willing to take financial and strategic risks. Steven also addresses systemic issues in the design industry, including the "doom cycle" of fee erosion and burnout. He explains how AI can help rebalance time, cost, and quality, freeing designers to focus on innovation, better detailing, ESG outcomes, and strategic value. I/O Atelier's long-term goal, he says, is to become the "McKinsey of design", a strategy-led partner rather than a traditional delivery-focused studio. The conversation expands into data, ESG, and workplace intelligence, with insights from I/O Atelier's Workplace Intelligence Lab and Spatial Intelligence Lab. Steven highlights the industry's failure to "close the loop" after projects complete, advocating for ongoing data analysis to understand whether design interventions actually work. He emphasises that while data can reveal problems, human insight, psychology, and lived experience are essential to understanding root causes. Vince and Steven also explore nHabit, a lifestyle-based property search engine that allows people to find where to live based on how they want to live, rather than starting with a postcode. Powered by geospatial data and machine learning, nHabit shares strong synergies with I/O Atelier and has already impressed organisations like the NHS. The episode tackles broader implications of AI adoption, from changing recruitment patterns and creative talent concentration, to data governance challenges, blockchain, and the future of commercial real estate. Steven offers a balanced view on risk, arguing that innovation always carries risk, but avoiding it is far more dangerous. The conversation closes with personal advice: don't rush, take risks when you're young, learn from failure, and above all, don't do what everyone else is doing. Do it differently. Listeners are encouraged to connect with Steven and Vince via the show notes, follow Spark on LinkedIn, and share the episode with industry peers to help drive more forward-thinking conversations. About Follow Steven on Linkedin h [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammy-kingston/]ere. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-charlton-60738314/] i/o atelier [https://www.io-atelier.com/about-us] have been on a journey to redefine the future of design since our inception. From a bold idea to a thriving team of architects, creatives, engineers, and technologists, they've proven that creativity and data can work in harmony to shape the built environment. Their approach seamlessly integrates technology and artistry, blending data-driven insights with design ingenuity to create spaces that inspire and endure. They are united by their mission to design for people, crafting human-centric, intuitive and meaningful environments. About Spark Spark London [https://spark.london/] Spark recognises the world is faster, more innovative and more dynamic than ever before. We strongly believe in challenging the standard processes, placing our clients' most common Real Estate Pain Points at the centre of how we approach our services. We consciously restore the balance to high levels of services in a pragmatic, grounded and streamlined way. We believe in being human, authentic and service-focused.

Episode 2: Trust, Tenants & Thinking Differently with Sammy Kingston

In this episode, Vince sits down with Sammy Kingston, COO of Adeline Grantham, a fourth-generation, family-run investment and development business that's been shaping London's built environment for nearly 80 years. Sammy's career is anything but conventional. From leaving school at 16 to joining CBRE's apprenticeship scheme, he's since built an impressive career spanning leasing, investment, technology and leadership working across CBRE, Kontor, VTS and now running a family office in the heart of London's West End. Together, Vince and Sammy explore: * Why trust and empowerment are the foundation of great leadership * The difference between corporate experience and entrepreneurial freedom * How empathy and relationship-building drive long-term value in property * Why upfront thinking and due diligence prevent costly project mistakes * The shift towards strategic, tenant-focused and flexible workplaces * How technology and market change are redefining London's office landscape Sammy also shares his candid take on imposter syndrome, the changing dynamics of post-COVID work and why career paths in property no longer need to follow the traditional route. His journey from "being politely asked to leave school" to becoming COO of a legacy business is a powerful story about curiosity, trust, and creating your own version of success. About Follow Sammy on Linkedin here. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammy-kingston/] Adeline Grantham [https://www.adelinegrantham.com/]: Since the post-war period, we have been at the forefront of Central London office property, developing, owning and managing buildings with care and foresight. Our approach is value-driven and long-term, with a strong focus on stewardship and sustainable investment. We continue to own and manage many of the properties our family built decades ago, while actively pursuing new real estate opportunities that align with our principles and vision for the future. About Spark Spark London [https://spark.london/] Spark recognises the world is faster, more innovative and more dynamic than ever before. We strongly believe in challenging the standard processes, placing our clients' most common Real Estate Pain Points at the centre of how we approach our services. We consciously restore the balance to high levels of services in a pragmatic, grounded and streamlined way. We believe in being human, authentic and service-focused.

Episode 1: Thinking Differently with Steve Berridge

In the very first episode, Vince Simpson, founder of Spark London, sits down with Steve Berridge, Director of Fidgens, host of the London Construction and Offices Podcast and founder of BidSense to explore what it really takes to challenge convention in the real estate and construction industry. Steve shares his journey from Davis Langdon and Core 5 to joining the family business at Fidgens and the lessons learned along the way. Together, Vince and Steve discuss: * Why strategy, not assumption, drives project success * The difference between large corporates and director-led consultancies * How empathy and early thinking can transform delivery outcomes * Why many firms promote too quickly and the risk of missing "reps" and real experience * How BidSense is changing the way tenders are scored, making procurement fairer, faster and more transparent * Why time and due diligence are the foundations of every successful project Steve's entrepreneurial mindset, from selling fake IDs at school to launching tech products for the industry, gives a refreshingly honest take on what it means to stay curious, break patterns and keep the "buzz" alive. About Follow Steve on Linkedin here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-berridge-82128b19/]. Fidgens [https://fidgens.com/] area cost consultancy dedicated to helping global clients successfully deliver their commercial office fit-outs. They specialise in helping project teams negotiate with a preferred contractor quickly, providing the financial governance for board approval. BidSense [https://bidsense.co.uk/] gives project managers the tools to run secure real-time RFP & contractor interview scoring. London Construction + Offices Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/6c3Gk6ZnXV3KlAe5JWURv4?si=ec2a0b78c70349e6] is for everyone working in the London commercial sector. They enable industry leaders to share they journey, challenges, wisdom and insights in a relaxed, enjoyable podcast episode. About Spark Spark London [https://spark.london/] Spark recognises the world is faster, more innovative and more dynamic than ever before. We strongly believe in challenging the standard processes, placing our clients' most common Real Estate Pain Points at the centre of how we approach our services. We consciously restore the balance to high levels of services in a pragmatic, grounded and streamlined way. We believe in being human, authentic and service-focused.