The Downtown Den Podcast

The latest positive announcement on investment into the city’s Knowledge Quarter, the health and safety challenges for the construction industry moving forward and MIPIM were all up for discussion in this Liverpool Property Club Roundtable, which includes contributions from Colin Sinclair (Knowledge quarter), Alan Robson & Max Meadows (Project 4) and Stephen Cowperthwaite (Avison Young).

The terrible twosome get together for their regular rant on the world of politics and their thoughts on the latest government response to COVID19 – Not for the faint hearted, Sedulo boss Paul Cheetham and DIB chief executive Frank McKenna have some harsh words for the government, the PM and Piers Morgan.

Downtown Chief Executive Frank McKenna chats with Liverpool Legend Pete Price.

The chief executive of Leeds City Council joined Downtown Chief Executive Frank McKenna in the Downtown Den on Wednesday 3rd June.   Tom Riordan was discussing the city's plan for economic generation and growth post-lockdown, how Leeds is preparing for the arrival of Channel Four and the new devolution deal announced recently by the Chancellor for West Yorkshire.

In conversation with DIB boss Frank McKenna, Sir Howard Bernstein shared his thoughts on the future of cities in a post-COVID19 world, the prospects for the high street, the future of devolution in England’s regions and much more.

Lancashire County Council cabinet member for Economic Development, Planning & the Environment, Cllr. Michael Green joined Downtown boss Frank McKenna in the Downtown Den on Tuesday 19th May to discuss the future of the county's business community post the COVID-19 crisis.

Professor Paul Cadman, Chair of Downtown Birmingham chats to Dr Ben Sinclair in the Downtown Den.

Born and brought up in the Lozells neighbourhood in Birmingham, the area he represents, Councillor Waseem Zaffar OBE is the Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Birmingham City Council and joined Kevin Johnson from Urban Communications in the #DowntownDen.

One of Great Britain’s leading female athletes, Goldie Sayers, joined DIB boss Frank McKenna in the #DowntownDen.   A three-time Olympian, British record holder and 11- time UK Champion, Goldie dominated her event and is one of athletics’ most popular ambassadors.   In the business world, Goldie has become a successful property entrepreneur, heading London-based Athlete Property Investment Ltd.

The latest guest in the #DowntownDen is 'Business Coach Extraordinaire', Michael Finnigan. Michael joined Downtown CEO, Frank Mckenna to share some interesting anecdotes from his career.

DIB boss Frank McKenna talks to one of the founders of the Forgotten Ltd campaign Gina Broadhurst.

Downtown London Chair, Simon Danczuk spoke to four leading business personalities to discuss Professional Services and how the sector has been impacted by COVID-19. Joining Simon in this discussion was: Mark Fennessy, Partner at Proskauer Rose LLP. Anne McNamara, CEO at ShineX. David Orchard, President & General Counsel at WGP Global. Christina Wadlow, UK Director at Western Union.

Simon Danczuk, the Chair of Downtown London discusses all things social media with Katy Howell from Immediate Future. Katy joined us in the #DowntownDen to discuss why now more than ever it is important to have a proper social media strategy to help you grow your business.

Downtown CEO Frank McKenna, caught up with Chris Bolland the Managing Partner of leading Architecture firm Brock Carmichael. They discuss a variety of topics including how Brock Carmichael has adapted to the COVID-19 crisis and the new partnership between Brock Carmichael and DIB. Also on the agenda was MIPIM, Birmingham, Liverpool, the economy and the future post-COVID lockdown.

The Chair of Downtown London, Simon Danczuk spoke to the Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, Jules Pipe. They discussed how inspiring Londoners have been during the pandemic, the impact the crisis has had on the economy, what it means for regeneration and house building across the Capital, and how the positives to come out of this challenging time could be a greater sense of commun...

Bruntwood boss Chris Oglesby joined DIB chief executive Frank McKenna in the Downtown Den to discuss life in the new world we are living in and how companies like his need to respond to the crisis to secure a strong recovery moving forward. He also gave an update on initiatives that Bruntwood are involved in across the country, including projects in Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham. Hav...

Lancashire County Council’s head of economic development Stephen Young gave a detailed brief of how the county had responded to COVID19 – and more importantly what his hopes and aspirations are for the future, including a more influential place at the Northern Powerhouse table for Lancashire.

The former John Lewis MD and current Metro Mayor for the West Midlands, Andy Street CBE, Joined Paul Cadman in the #DowntownDen for a discussion on how the current pandemic has affected the region.

The co-founder of Property giant Urban Splash Tom Bloxham MBE visited the Downtown Den to talk about his fascinating career to date. He also gave his views on what he thinks the future of high streets and cities will be post-Coronavirus and provided progress reports on the projects Splash are currently involved with across the country, including regeneration schemes in Birmingham, Manchester and t...

We welcome James Forrester from Barrows & Forrester and Stripe Homes into the #DowntownDen for a chat with Downtown Birmingham Chair, Paul Cadman.

Downtown London Chair, Simon Danczuk chats to four leading personalities from the world of Impact Sourcing. We welcome Traci Freeman, Jonathan Yarlett and Mauricio Velasquez into the #DowntownDen to discuss what Impact Sourcing is and how the current COVID-19 Pandemic has affected it.

Downtown CEO Frank McKenna has a 'Totally Frank' conversation with Head of Operations of The Festive Group, Paul Lally.

Downtown CEO, Frank McKenna spoke to the Principals of two of the North Wests leading colleges in the #DowntownDen to talk about the work their organisations do to help and support the business community. Elaine Bowker from the City of Liverpool College and Preston’s College boss Lis Smith talked about what a 21st Century academic institution needs to look like and deliver now and in the future.

When your guest says “Getting blown up in Afghanistan was the best thing that ever happened to me” you know you are listening to an incredible tale of courage, commitment, and fortitude. Ex-Marine Andy Grant has been in the Downtown Den and sharing his amazing story with DIB boss Frank McKenna. This is a ‘much watch’ interview with a man who takes you through the lows and highs of his life. An ins...

Downtown CEO Frank McKenna has a 'Totally Frank' conversation with Make events CEO, Holly Moore. Holly discusses how and why she started up Make Events, how she is staying positive in the current climate and how she has ensured her staff and their partners feel a part of the 'Make Events' family.