Around the Table: A podcast by Building Relations

Building Resilience in Property- Mental Health, Leadership and Staying Active

In this episode of Around the Table, Rachel Colgan is joined by Andrew Link of Property Sports Network, adventurer and mental resilience speaker Alex Staniforth, and Caroline Richardson of Vistry to explore mental health, leadership and staying active in the built environment. Together, they discuss why resilience is not just about pushing through pressure, but about creating healthier workplaces, stronger teams and better communities. From active networking and leadership culture to social value, placemaking and access to green space, this is a conversation about how the property sector can better support wellbeing while improving performance and retention. Music credit: Uppbeat  OAKTY4TYK7ENPSSW

Zero Bills Living: How it works for housebuilders

Zero Bills homes are moving from headline to delivery reality, but what does it actually take to make them work? In this episode of Around the Table, Rachel Colgan is joined by Hannah McCarthy (Octopus Energy), Leon Beale (Thakeham) and Oliver Luard (Greencore Homes) to unpack how Zero Bills living works in practice - from solar, heat pumps and batteries through to fair use allowances, commissioning and customer handover  We explore what housebuilders need to get right from the outset, the lessons learned from early adopters, and why performance-led developers are now building Zero Bills into their standard house types  If the housing sector is serious about decarbonising at pace while offering greater certainty on running costs, this conversation makes one thing clear: joined-up delivery models are fast becoming the direction of travel. Music credit: Uppbeat  OAKTY4TYK7ENPSSW

Skill, Baby, Skill: Solving the UK’s Construction Workforce Crisis

Britain’s ambition to build 1.5 million new homes is under serious threat from a growing skills shortage. In this episode of Around the Table, host Rachel Colgan, of Building Relations PR is joined by William Walsh of Barratt David Wilson Kent and Roger Morton from NHBC to explore how the sector can rebuild its workforce. Together, they discuss apprenticeships, training hubs, new career pathways, digital skills and the policy interventions needed to attract, train and retain the next generation - turning “build, baby, build” into “skill, baby, skill.” Music credit: Uppbeat  OAKTY4TYK7ENPSSW

Can we build 'New Towns' that work for people, economy, and planet?

The UK Government’s 'New Towns Strategy' sets out the boldest housing ambition in a generation - but can we really build at scale and create great places to live? In this episode of Around the Table, host Helen Tinlin from Building Relations is joined by: • Paul Silver, CEO, Dorchester Living(developers behind Heyford Park, recently announced as one of the Government’s new towns) • Andrew Matthews, Co-founder, Proctor & Matthews Architects • Melanie Leech, Chief Executive, British Property Federation Together they explore what it really takes to plan and deliver modern new towns - from design, placemaking and sustainability to funding, political commitment and community trust. Drawing on lessons from Heyford Park and decades of planning history, our guests ask whether new towns can become the generational legacy Britain needs. Music credit: Uppbeat  OAKTY4TYK7ENPSSW

Housing Needs Architects

With more architects involved in designing new homes, the results can be better for everyone - from developers to communities. Host Natalie Daniels is joined by Keith Bradley (Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios) and Simon Vernon-Harcourt (City & Country) to explore how design can shape thriving neighbourhoods, balance local character with innovation, and meet modern expectations around sustainability, wellbeing, and accessibility.  Music credit: Uppbeat  OAKTY4TYK7ENPSSW