From Knight Frank Research, Intelligence Talks brings you the latest insights on property market trends and forecasts, along with expert analysis from industry leaders. New episodes fortnightly. Sign up for regular updates from Knight Frank research . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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What does Andy Burnham's first fortnight as Prime Minister mean for the housing market? Tom Bill is joined by financial analyst Michael Brown. They discuss the latest developments in the Middle East and the implications for oil prices, inflation and mortgage rates, before examining the Bank of England's next move. The conversation also explores Burnham's early policy announcements, the fiscal…
With Andy Burnham now Prime Minister, "Manchesterism" has moved from regional talking point to potential national strategy. So what is "Manchesterism", and what does it mean for UK real estate? Will Matthews, Knight Frank's Head of Commercial Insight, is joined by Insight partners Jennifer Townsend and Darren Mansfield to unpack the discussion. The conversation explores why devolution does not…
In this episode of Housing Unpacked , Tom Bill is joined by Alex Webster, Head of Lending at Coutts, for a discussion about wealth, lending and property at a time when political uncertainty and market volatility have become part of everyday life. With speculation mounting over tax policy, interest rates and the economic outlook, Alex explains why many wealthy buyers are continuing to transact and…
Real estate capital is increasingly targeting energy infrastructure, but why now, and what does it mean for traditional investors? In this episode, Will Matthews is joined by Nik Potter, Associate in Knight Frank's Capital Markets Insight team, and Flora Harley, Head of Energy and Sustainability Insight, to explore the rationale, the volumes and the returns shaping investment into energy…
What would a Burnham premiership mean in practice? In this episode of Housing Unpacked , Tom is joined by former Treasury special adviser James Nation to explore which policies will remain longer-term ambitions, and what is realistically deliverable in the near term. Will a coronation create legitimacy concerns? Is an emergency Budget needed? And with fiscal wriggle room tight, who becomes…
After decades being shaped by global investors and rapid price growth, today’s market is more price-sensitive and domestically-driven. In this episode of Housing Unpacked , Tom Bill speaks with Anthony Payne, CEO and co-founder of LonRes, to examine what’s happening at the top end of London’s residential market. They discuss what LonRes data reveals about prices and transaction volumes across…
The same dataset can look dramatically different depending on how it is visualised. Most charts are produced with good intent, but not all of them tell the full story, and some are designed not to. Knowing how to spot the difference could change how you read every market report you pick up. In this episode of Commercially Minded, Will Matthews, Knight Frank's Head of Commercial Insight, is joined…
Tom is joined by Helen Thomas, CEO of Blonde Money, to unpack the political shockwaves around Andy Burnham’s attempt to become an MP, the growing tension between government policy and bond markets, and what it means for mortgages and property prices. With inflation risks building from energy disruption and markets wary of looser fiscal policy, they explore why mortgage rates may stay higher for…
On this episode of Housing Unpacked , Tom Bill is joined by Peter Murray OBE, co‑founder of New London Architecture, founder of the London Festival of Architecture and a former design adviser to two London Mayors. As he prepares his own run for London Mayor in 2028 as an independent, Murray explains the tipping point behind his decision to enter politics, driven by what he sees as a lack of…
For a new edition of Intelligence Talks, Katie O’Neill speaks to LGIM's Head of BTR, Adam Burney, and Head of Residential Development Research, Oliver Knight. She asks; how are investors navigating the current investment landscape? What’s really happening with rental growth, and what does it mean for future development? And importantly, where next? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more…
The innovation sector is widely seen as one of the UK's biggest economic opportunities, and the signals are hard to ignore: OpenAI is establishing a permanent presence in London, US AI companies are expanding their European footprint in the capital, and innovation clusters are emerging across UK cities well beyond the Golden Triangle. But is the real estate industry reading those signals…
In this episode of Housing Unpacked , Tom is joined by Louisa Sedgwick, managing director of mortgages at buy-to-let specialist lender Paragon Bank to explore the Renters’ Rights Act and what it really means for landlords and tenants. They discuss her involvement lobbying two separate governments on issues like the end of Section 21, the shift to periodic tenancies, tighter controls around asking…
If it holds, the Middle East ceasefire will boost activity in the housing market as spring gets underway, but it hasn’t removed the pressure keeping mortgage rates high. In this episode of Housing Unpacked , Tom Bill is joined by Helen Thomas, CEO of Blonde Money, to explain why borrowing costs are unlikely to snap back to mid-February levels. They explore how the conflict will create a lasting…
What does London’s past reveal about its future? Shabab Qadar, Head of London Offices Insight, joins Will to unpack London’s evolution through deregulation, financial crises, political change and the pandemic. They explore how 2020 accelerated the shift towards higher‑quality space, why the “return to office” debate is now outdated, and how AI, supply constraints and long‑term capital are shaping…
In this episode, Tom and Michael Brown unpack how the Bank of England’s unexpectedly hawkish messaging last week helped ignite a sharp repricing across markets already rattled by the Middle East conflict, pushing swap rates up by nearly a full percentage point, and exposing the UK’s fragile fiscal backdrop. They explore why the Bank may be fighting the wrong inflation battle and what this means…
Tom Bill talks to James Nation on Tuesday 10 March about how the fast‑moving conflict in the Middle East is reshaping UK politics, the inflation landscape, and the housing market. James draws parallels with the 2022 energy shock when he worked in the Treasury and explains how geopolitical instability complicates decisions for the Chancellor and the Bank of England. They discuss the risks to fiscal…
Tom Bill and Pepperstone analyst Michael Brown unpack how the Middle East conflict is rippling through global markets, lifting energy prices, reshaping interest rate expectations and influencing sentiment in the UK economy and housing market. They explore what this means for mortgage rates, the validity of the Spring Statement, and the Bank of England’s next move. Subscribe to Tom Bill's UK…
To unpack how ESG is evolving into a conversation about risk, resilience and returns, Flora Harley, Head of Knight Frank’s Energy & Sustainability Research joins us on this week's episode. We explore why ESG is increasingly being reframed as operational performance, how occupiers and investors are prioritising energy efficiency, cost certainty and liquidity, and where sustainability initiatives…
In this episode, Tom Bill talks with Mike Hussey, CEO of Almacantar, about the real‑world challenges of delivering major schemes in London - from tricky 1960s refurbishments to complex new‑builds on constrained sites. Mike reflects on working with different London mayors, how political interventions can slow projects, and why there is so much misunderstanding around viability. They explore…
A fast‑moving start to 2026 sets the tone for this episode as Tom Bill and Pepperstone’s Michael Brown break down a month of relentless global drama and its impact on borrowing costs - from Trump’s tariff brinkmanship and geopolitical flare‑ups to fiscal fears over Japan. We dig into why UK swap rates have risen, how much faith to put in recent UK economic data, why haven demand is rising, and how…
Retail is back on top, ending 2025 as the top performing real estate asset class. How can the sector's resurgence bring insights - and valuable lessons - to apply to other commercial real estate sectors? We dive into Stephen Springham's insight series 'Retail Renaissance' to find out. Host Will Matthews, Knight Frank’s Head of Commercial Insight, is joined by Stephen Springham, Head of UK Markets…
In this episode, we take a deep dive into Los Angeles’ luxury housing market—one of the world’s largest super‑prime residential hubs, currently ranking third globally for $10‑million‑plus sales. Despite a range of challenges in recent years, the market continues to show remarkable resilience and remains a key destination for global private wealth. Liam is joined by Nick Segal to unpack the…
Rob Perrins, Executive Chairman of Berkeley Group, joins Tom Bill to explore the realities behind the government’s housing ambitions, the impact of the Autumn Budget, and what it will really take to deliver 1.5 million homes. With over 30 years at Berkeley, Rob offers a unique perspective on the UK’s planning system and the challenges of delivering homes at scale, particularly in London. He…
In our latest Intelligence Talks episode, Liam Bailey, Global Head of Research at Knight Frank, is joined by Tom Burchfield, Head of Market Intelligence at Liv-ex, the world’s leading fine wine exchange. They unpack a challenging three-year period for the Liv-ex 100, why Tuscany has shown resilience, and what the recent rebound could mean for the end of the downturn. Liam and Tom explore how…
2025 has been the year of not taking anything for granted in student housing. There’s noise in the headlines, nuance in the data, and if you know where to look opportunity in the fundamentals. Katie O’Neill speaks to Knight Frank's Head of Student Housing Capital Markets, Merelina Sykes, and Head of Student Housing Valuations, Neil Armstrong. She asks; how are investors navigating the current…
Former Treasury and No.10 insider James Nation joins Tom Bill to unpack a Budget that has soothed markets but failed to boost Labour’s poll numbers. James talks about how easy it will be to introduce a mansion tax, the politics around an investor visa, and why the next big guessing game might not be related to taxes rises but the identity of the new Chancellor. Subscribe to Tom Bill's UK…
In this second of three post-Budget specials, Tom Bill is joined by Michael Brown from Pepperstone to unpack a chaotic week for Westminster, the markets and the wider economy. From the unprecedented OBR leak and the Treasury’s credibility problem to front-loaded spending, back-loaded tax rises and why gilt markets may be calm for now, Michael explains what really mattered in the Budget, what the…
In this Budget Special, Tom Bill is joined by Nimesh Shah, CEO of tax advisory firm Blick Rothenberg, to break down why he sees this as a “once-in-a-generation” Budget, what the new mansion tax signals for future wealth taxation and how the extra 2% on rental income and frozen thresholds squeeze landlords and middle earners. They also discuss whether markets will accept a fiscal plan that spends…
What market is poised to outpace even the mighty New York? This week the global Head of Research at Knight Frank, Liam Bailey, is joined by President & CEO of Miller Samuel, Jonathan Miller. Jonathan is a legendary New York housing market expert whose insights shape understanding of luxury real estate trends nationwide. Using fresh data from the Knight Frank Global Super-Prime Intelligence Report,…
With tax speculation dominating the headlines, is Prime Central London really stalling or are there opportunities for buyers? Tom Bill speaks to Stuart Bailey, Head of Prime Central London Sales at Knight Frank, about which taxes in the Budget would most impact the market, what buyers should expect in terms of future price growth, how many people are leaving the capital and which areas of London…
What’s happening behind the scenes as the Treasury and the Office for Budget Responsibility prepare for the 26 November Budget? Tom Bill is joined once again by Michael Brown from Pepperstone to share their insights. From the OBR’s “observation window” to the Treasury’s 11 Bloomberg terminals, Tom and Michael discuss how gilt yields, labour market data, and fiscal headroom are shaping Rachel…
Carol Lewis, Property Editor of The Times and The Sunday Times , explains how to navigate the flood of property headlines in the run-up to November’s Budget. Carol speaks to Tom about the Treasury’s use of “trial balloon” tax stories, why house price data often looks contradictory, and how readers can distinguish speculation from fact. She also gives a behind-the-scenes view of how the media…
Former No.10 policy insider James Nation joins Tom to decode the run-in to the 26 November Budget: OBR round-one forecasts, the 10-year gilt “observation window”, and why a productivity downgrade matters for the property market. We ask how credible this summer’s property tax rumours feel, possible sweeteners, and what a “successful” Budget looks like. Plus: Treasury vs Downing St culture, Labour’s…
This week, head of UK residential research Tom Bill is joined by financial market analyst Michael Brown from Pepperstone to assess the state of property and bond markets ahead of November’s Budget. Borrowing costs have been climbing in recent weeks for a number of reasons that include a lack of credibility on financial markets that the government has a coherent plan. Property taxes have been…
What would happen if the rich left the UK? In this episode of Intelligence Talks, host Tom Bill is joined by Leslie MacLeod-Miller, CEO of Foreign Investors for Britain to dig into what the governments changes in taxation mean for non-doms, and what the knock on affect could be for the rest of the country. Listen to find out what Leslie thinks needs to happen to keep money in the UK and what…
This week; sticky inflation, bond market reactions, and the government's role in the property market. We look at recent economic data showing weak growth and high inflation, and try to unpick the implications for the housing market such as increased supply and mortgage rates, and the challenges faced by policymakers. We also look at the US trade deals and Federal Reserve decisions, providing…
This week we discuss how global market volatility is reshaping investment strategies, specifically on the growing popularity of the built to rent sector. Special guests Nick Pleydell-Bouverie, Head of Residential Investment, and Lizzie Breckner, Head of Build to Rent Research, highlight significant milestones, such as a rise in single family and co-living investments, and discuss the impact of…
This week, head of UK residential research Tom Bill is joined by financial market strategist Michael Brown from Pepperstone to assess the state of the UK housing market at the halfway point of the year. With the Bank of England cutting rates twice in the first six months of 2025, Michael explains why more cuts could be on the way before Christmas. They also unpack what the end of Donald Trump’s…
This week we unpack the evolving UK planning landscape. From the implications of Gateway Two and the Building Safety Act to recent updates in the National Planning Policy Framework. Host Katie O'Neill is joined by Chris Benham, Oliver Knight, and Alan McCartney to explore what these changes mean for developers, investors, and the future of urban delivery. They also dive into the shifting role of…
We explore how Britain could benefit from a rise in international students after Trump’s second presidency. We also delve into the latest UCAS application data for 2025, plus key investment and development trends. Anna is joined by Neil Armstrong and Merelina Sykes, joint heads of Knight Frank student property. Produced by Ollie Peart at Rethink Audio . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for…
Housing markets around the world have faced strong headwinds since the pandemic boom period. Household finances and purchasing power fell under pressure from surging household bills and higher borrowing costs, and the outlook for interest rates remains murky at best. So, what does the year ahead have in store for house prices in the UK and more broadly in Europe? Host Anna Ward is joined by Knight…
After a challenging year, what is the outlook for UK commercial real estate in 2025 and has the market turned a corner? Anna is joined by our UK head of commercial research, Will Matthews, London research head Shabab Qadar and associate in retail research Emma Barnstable. We hear from Emma on how attitudes towards the retail sector are the most positive they have been for years, with retail the…
In this episode, we delve into the results of our new Knight Frank Alpine Property Report. Anna is joined by our head of European residential research, Kate Everett-Allen, and partner Alex Koch de Gooryend, to examine the key drivers currently of demand for Alpine properties from declining mortgage rates, tax changes and an increase in year-round amenities. The report highlights a 3% increase in…
UK students are struggling to find housing and demand for accommodation is soaring. Supply is failing to keep up, causing rents to rise on average by around 8% this year, according to the latest Knight Frank data. So what's going on? How can universities, developers, and investors collaborate more effectively to tackle the supply crunch? What emerging trends will shape the future of student…
We take a look at the key risks facing UK housing and retail markets in the aftermath of the Autumn Budget. We focus on the threats and opportunities for both sectors following the biggest rises in taxes at a budget since 1993. Will mortgage rates stay higher for longer as a result? Plus, does the Budget really just spell bad news for the high street or will we see a retail renaissance? Anna is…
You potentially won’t be able to let an office in the UK without an EPC A-B by as soon as 2030. So how can London’s office landlords prepare effectively for this energy efficiency deadline? Currently, 70% of commercial property floor space is rated EPC C or below across England & Wales. So getting ahead of potential future regulation could mean a first-mover advantage, particularly where there is…
Co-living is a small but growing trend in UK cities, driven by urbanisation, rising housing costs, and the need for community in an age of digital isolation. Experts from Knight Frank explore the investment landscape, government policies, demographic appeal, and future prospects of co-living compared to traditional student accommodation. The conversation covers topics such as policy evolution,…
What is the current state of the London office market and how will the next six months pan out? Knight Frank's Head of London Research Shabab Qadar joins host Anna Ward to discuss market activity and what is coming next for development activity and investment in the capital’s office sector. They discuss how a future supply crunch could impact the market, where the new emerging office districts…
Rachel Reeves used her first speech as chancellor to reverse some Conservative housing policy following a Labour landslide. But aside from bringing back local housing targets, how else will the government get Britain building again? In this episode our expert panel dive into getting the balance right between net-zero goals and extensive housebuilding plans, the need for renewable energy and…
In this episode of 'Intelligence Talks,' host Anna Ward discusses the potential implications of Labour and Conservative election pledges on the commercial real estate market with Will Matthews, Shabab Qadar, and Stephen Springham from Knight Frank’s research team. They examine current market conditions, and key manifesto proposals on finance, investment, tax, business rates, and planning laws.…
