Navigating with Bertie Russell

Navigating Risk, Reward & Property Investments

Welcome to another instalment of Navigating with Bertie Russell. Today, Bertie is joined by Will Michell, co-founder of Blue Noble, a real estate investment and asset management business working with family offices, entrepreneurs, and investors across Europe. In this episode, Will shares his journey from managing billions of pounds of real estate assets at HSBC to launching Blue Noble alongside his partners and building the business over the last eight years. Together, they discuss real estate investing, entrepreneurship, family offices, building long-term wealth, identifying investment opportunities, the future of property, student accommodation, data centres, and the realities of growing a business from scratch. We hope you enjoy this episode. Subscribe to our channel to be notified of new uploads. 00:00 - Introduction to Will Michell & Blue Noble 01:30 - Leaving HSBC to start a business 04:00 - Working with family offices & investors 07:00 - Blue Noble's club investment model 10:00 - Why student accommodation in Italy 16:00 - The Milan development success story 18:00 - Data centres & future investment trends 22:00 - Investing for the long term 25:00 - Building bespoke portfolios 27:00 - Growing Blue Noble from scratch 30:00 - Leadership, culture & scaling a business 33:00 - Final reflections Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/navigating-with-bertie-russell/id1756534223 [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/navigating-with-bertie-russell/id1756534223] Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2qL8sCfmVMnjJJ6KU7XXdc?si=df03ac48ae9045bc [https://open.spotify.com/show/2qL8sCfmVMnjJJ6KU7XXdc?si=df03ac48ae9045bc]

Navigating Creativity, Learning & AI

Welcome to another instalment of Navigating with Bertie Russell. Today, Bertie is joined by the team behind Cresconova Labs — an innovative educational space rethinking how children learn and prepare for a rapidly changing future. In this episode, the founders share their backgrounds across finance, investment, technology, design, and education, and explain how their experiences led them to challenge traditional schooling and create a more creative, collaborative, and hands-on approach to learning. Together, they discuss the future of education in the age of AI, the importance of curiosity and critical thinking, learning through failure, creativity in children, and how young people can become active creators rather than passive consumers of technology. We hope you enjoy this episode. Subscribe to our channel to be notified of new uploads. 00:00 - Introduction to Cresconova Labs 01:00 - The founders’ backgrounds and journey 04:30 - Why education needs to evolve 08:00 - Creativity, curiosity & confidence in children 12:00 - AI, technology & future-proofing young people 16:30 - Breaking down silos in learning 20:00 - Collaboration, systems thinking & problem solving 24:00 - Hands-on learning and learning through failure 28:00 - Supporting different types of learners 32:00 - The future of education & human connection 35:00 - Final reflections Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/navigating-with-bertie-russell/id1756534223 [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/navigating-with-bertie-russell/id1756534223] Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2qL8sCfmVMnjJJ6KU7XXdc?si=df03ac48ae9045bc [https://open.spotify.com/show/2qL8sCfmVMnjJJ6KU7XXdc?si=df03ac48ae9045bc]

Navigating Burnout & Success

Welcome to another instalment of Navigating with Bertie Russell. Today, Bertie is joined by Charley Law — executive coach, author, and former commodity trader. In this episode, Charley shares his journey from the fast-paced world of global trading and relentless ambition to experiencing severe burnout that forced him to completely reassess his life, relationships, and definition of success. Together, they discuss personal growth, vulnerability, high performance, family, self-worth, and what it really means to build a meaningful life without regret. We hope you enjoy this episode. Subscribe to our channel to be notified of new uploads. 00:00 - Introduction to Charley 03:50 - Success, ego & commodity trading 08:20 - Severe burnout & recovery 12:10 - Family, vulnerability & accountability 16:30 - Redefining success and fulfilment 20:45 - Coaching high performers & finding clarity 26:00 - Writing the book and helping others 31:00 - Final reflections Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/navigating-with-bertie-russell/id1756534223 [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/navigating-with-bertie-russell/id1756534223] Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2qL8sCfmVMnjJJ6KU7XXdc?si=df03ac48ae9045bc [https://open.spotify.com/show/2qL8sCfmVMnjJJ6KU7XXdc?si=df03ac48ae9045bc]

Navigating Renovations in Dubai

In this episode, I’m joined by Jonathan Mount & Sam McArdle, Co-founders and CEO’s of Project London, an architecture, interior design, and project management studio that delivers end-to-end home renovations and developments. Listen as we delve into how rising construction costs, shifting market dynamics, and increased uncertainty are forcing developers and homeowners to think more strategically about every project - as well as unpack the importance of understanding true end value, building within realistic budgets.

Navigating Families & Interiors

Welcome to another instalment of Navigating with Bertie Russell. Today, Bertie is joined by Cleme de Grivel, an interior designer based in London. Previously known as Lehlo Interiors, the studio has evolved to carry the name of its founder, Cleme de Grivel, reflecting a more personal and expressive identity while remaining rooted in the same values, philosophy and design sensibility established over more than a decade. We hope you enjoy this episode. Subscribe to our channel to be notified of new uploads.