The Balancing Act

In the next episode of The Balancing Act, we're joined by Virginia Blackman, a specialist in regeneration, site assembly and compulsory purchase, to explore the practical tools being used to move schemes from impasse to delivery.  Drawing on Virginia’s experience working with public bodies and development partners, the conversation takes a ground‑level look at how early intervention, land owne...

In this episode of The Balancing Act, we're joined by Paul Oster, part of the team behind Mayday Saxonvale – a community‑led initiative aiming to deliver one of the UK’s largest town centre regeneration schemes in Frome. Drawing on Paul’s experience shaping the vision and fundraising strategy, the conversation explores how local ownership, aligned capital and strong governance can enable commu...

In this episode of The Balancing Act, we're joined by Pete Gladwell, Group Managing Director for Public Investment at Legal & General, to explore how credible partnerships, place‑led ambition and long‑term capital combine to deliver regeneration that lasts. Pete has vast experience in deploying institutionalinvestment across cities and communities, with the conversation looking beyond trad...

In Episode 4 of The Balancing Act, we're joined by Paul Clark, co‑founder of Stories, to explore what really underpins long‑term regeneration when plans evolve and certainty is in short supply. Drawing on experience across public and private sector models, Paul looks beyond formal structures to examine how trust, leadership and intent shape decision‑making when things don’t go to plan. The con...

In Episode 3 of The Balancing Act, we're joined by Sophie White, Regeneration Sector Head at Aviva Capital Partners, for a deep dive into partnership working and the role of patient capital in unlocking regeneration across the UK. Drawing on her experience at Aviva and her previous senior roles at Homes England, Sophie offers her perspective on how regeneration projects are funded, enabled and...

How do you keep regeneration moving when viability is tight, expectations are rising and risk aversion dominates decision making? In Episode 2 of The Balancing Act, we're joined by Caroline Harper, Managing Director at Be First – Barking and Dagenham Council’s regeneration arm – and Chair of Future of London, for a discussion about what it really takes to deliver regeneration at scale. With th...

In the launch episode of The Balancing Act, we're joined by Nicola Mathers, Chief Executive of Future of London, to set the scene for a new podcast series of honest conversations about the realities of regeneration in London and beyond.  Drawing on her experience working with local authorities, housing providers and developers across the capital, Nicola explores what feels hardest right now –...