Our podcasts
Winning the war for talent with greater diversity
What do refugees, prison leavers and the neuro-diverse have in common? Could they hold the key to winning the war for talent?
Paul Thornton, Talent Acquisition Director at Kier Group and Siyanda Mngaza, project co-ordinator for Kier’s inclusive recruitment team, and a prison leaver herself, join Camargue Director Isabel Stanley to explore the answer.
Cities, urbanism and ‘Designing for the Future’ – with The Academy of Urbanism
What’s The Academy of Urbanism all about, what happens at its annual Congress and why should you care? Listen to Chair Jas Atwal and Congress lead Shane Quinn in conversation with Ben Copithorne and you’ll find the answers.
Cities need solutions across everything from accessibility to inclusivity and sustainability to affordability. The Academy is at the forefront of learning, sharing, and leading and is a great place for anyone involved in design, development, planning and any aspect of placemaking to grow their knowledge.
Five quick takeaways from UKREiiF
Last week a Camargue contingent attended the latest edition of UKREiiF, now in its second year. Covering a range of topics from Net Zero through to housing and universities, hear from members of the team on some of their key takeaways on themes arising from this year's gathering of the UK real estate industry.
Hear from Matt Sutton on conversations around Net Zero (01:00), Richard Pia on the logistics sector (02:10), Holly Bryden discussing universities attending this year's conference (04:00), Jenny Marshall's assessment of some of the housing discussion across the three days (05:15) and James Snowdon covering the devolution agenda (08:20).
Local elections: For local policy, or against national politics?
As the dust settles on the results of local elections, the Camargue team sits down to discuss some of the key local and national dynamics emerging across the country - including housing, sustainability, and the cost of living - as well as the impact of new voter ID requirements, and what this might mean for the upcoming general election.
Host Roxy Blake is joined by director Will Scawn, who stood as candidate in Windsor and Maidenhead, and Hugh Deery, who acted as a poll clerk at his local polling station.
What is the future for hydrogen?
There is so much going on in the hydrogen sector at the moment both in the UK and around the world. New projects are springing up around the country and last month we saw the UK’s first official Hydrogen Week. So what better time for Tim Read to sit down and talk through all things hydrogen with Kerry-Ann Adamson, global strategic adviser for hydrogen at Worley.
Sustainable real estate: hitting the target but missing the point?
As real estate grapples with ambitious environmental goals, we talk with BNP Paribas Real Estate’s sustainability transformation manager Josh Spencer about the operational and asset management challenges facing the industry and how a more holistic mindset when delivering decarbonisation and biodiversity measures could benefit us all.
Water wise: can the water sector work smarter to keep the taps flowing?
With massive investment planned to meet growing demand and achieve net zero targets, how can the water sector work smarter to mobilise the supply chain in delivering these aims? Rachel Lewis and Shaun Stevens from British Water discuss the role of structural reform and greater collaboration in unlocking innovation for the benefit of the water sector and the UK as a whole.
Is your office working? The changing workplace and trends for 2023 with LOM architecture and design
We’re all aware of the impact that Covid has had on how we work, where we work, and what we need in order to do our work – and there have been some pretty existential questions about the role and future of the office.
In this episode we’re asking the question ‘Is your office working?’ and exploring the changing workplace together with predictions for what we’ll see in the world of offices and corporate workspace in 2023. Our guests are LOM architecture and design directors Richard Hutchinson, John Avery and Ben Taylor.
Is your office working? For more of Richard, John and Ben’s expertise on the changing face of the corporate workspace, read more here:
Reflections from Director Richard Hutchinson on what occupiers want from their workspaces – giving his insight on their appetite for maximum flexibility with 100 per cent functionality.
Mind the gap: Home vs office – what makes a workspace?
LOM Director John Avery gives his insight on home workspace versus the office, occupier and employee expectations, and the challenge of ‘having it all’.
Till shock: how grocery inflation is changing the way we shop
As prices rise across the supermarket shelves, we speak to shopper behaviour expert, Fraser McKevitt, Kantar's head of retail and consumer insight, about how our habits are evolving, what we can learn from past periods of inflation and where we might be heading next.
The price cap, the energy market and the cost of living crisis
The energy price cap is due to rise by record levels in April 2022. In the new edition of the Camargue Podcast we speak exclusively to Ofgem about the price cap, the supplier market and what the cost of living crisis means for consumers.
Between sea and land: climate change challenges for coastline development
Coasts are the buffer zones between sea and land. With the majority of human habitation located along waterfronts, coasts are a key scientific and political frontier for climate change.
In this episode of The Camargue Podcast, Emma Rendle from Resilient Coasts speaks to Camargue's Jonny Brownsteen about how a global community of engineers, researchers and scientists is balancing the needs of the natural world and built environment.
Active Buildings: changing construction practices to meet the climate challenge
Buildings account for 40% of carbon emissions in the UK, yet the built environment has only been allocated half a day at the upcoming COP26. Are we doing enough to improve construction practices in housebuilding, including energy capture and storage?
In this episode of The Camargue Podcast, Chris Brierley from the Active Building Centre speaks to Camargue's Jonny Brownsteen about what needs to happen in the housebuilding sector to make the home of the future a reality.
A transition to net zero can prevent climate change, save lives and generate profits for those who invest in the technology to make it possible. But will market opportunities drive the changes or should government intervene? And what role does COP26 play in this?
In this edition of the Camargue Podcast, scientist and financial analyst Dr Mathew Hampshire-Waugh discusses the research and recommendations in his new best-selling book, Climate Change and the Road to Net Zero.
Concrete and the circular economy
Across the built environment there has been an increasing focus from architects and designers on the circular economy. Many are beginning to embrace opportunities and take new approaches in the collective effort to tackle the climate emergency.
In this episode Elaine Toogood, Head of Architecture at The Concrete Centre, joins Giles Venn to reflect on the ways that the materials we use can have a major influence on the performance of our buildings, now and in future.
Offshore wind: past, present, future
More than 40% of all Europe’s wind energy is based off UK shores. But even with this, some predict we need to increase the rate of deployment by as much as eight times to meet our Net Zero commitment.
Olivia Thomas, Head of Marine Planning at The Crown Estate, talks to Mike Cheshire about the successes of the young industry to date, and the challenges and opportunities ahead.
New homes in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc: how should we do it and what’s the recipe for success?
This episode investigates the question how do we have the new homes and create the new communities that we want and need in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc? Joining Camargue Director Ben Copithorne are guests Annabel Le Lohe from Storey Homes, James Cochrane of Grosvenor and Joe Marshall from Catalyst. Considering sustainability to affordability, innovation to placemaking, and design to deliverability, the conversation takes in everyone’s ‘vital ingredient’ in the recipe for success. Enjoy!
The social sector generates £200bn of value to the economy each year, but funding imbalances and fundraising shortages during the pandemic mean that it is approaching a crisis. In this episode, Nicole Sykes of Pro Bono Economics provides expert insight into the importance of thriving communities, the opportunities available to government, and the benefits which businesses can unlock from supporting voluntary organisations.
Mayoral election: brand vs policy
As part of our in-depth look at the May elections, today’s @CamargueUK podcast examines the impact of personal brand in the race for mayor. Sadiq Khan, Andy Burnham and Andy Street have all made the most of their strong regional profiles. But after their first term in office, how will they use that to defend their seats, records and political affiliations?
We discuss the candidates’ positioning of themselves and each other, the interplay of local issues and party politics and the celebritizing effect of the office.
Mayoral election: #LevellingUp
With polling day fast approaching, we take a look at the role of combined authority mayors, what the #LevellingUp agenda means across the country, and the role of national vs local in the mayoral elections of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Tees Valley Combined Authority and West of England Combined Authority.
Join Jonny Brownsteen, Roxanne Blake, Michael Philps and Katherine Wingate in this latest episode of the Camargue Podcast.
Rolls-Royce and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
Rolls-Royce is leading the SMR Consortium looking to bring small modular nuclear reactors to fruition. Smaller, swifter, cheaper and more flexible, each SMR can power a city the size of Leeds.
Sophie Macfarlane-Smith, Head of Customer Business at Rolls-Royce, talks to Mike Conway about the technology and its potential to deliver local low-carbon power for the UK.
Everything Sustainable: A New Goal for Football
Given the power of football clubs to inspire and influence their communities, does football hold the key to the community-focused sustainability movement? Thom Rawson, founder of Sustainable Football, joins Camargue's Katherine Wingate to explore football’s role in our collective shift to a sustainability mindset.
Can chemistry clean our city air?
Local authorities and cities are expanding clean air zones and congestion charges in the fight to protect our city air, but these changes will take time. Does science offer a speedier solution?
Professor Anthony J Ryan OBE, Director of The Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures & Professor of Physical Chemistry at The University of Sheffield and James Pack , of Sentinel RPI, An Energy, Carbon & Sustainability Consultancy for the Built Environment & PureTi join Mike Conway, Director at Camargue, to explore possible solutions to the question of cleaning our city air.
Bitesize Budget podcast: Energy
How will Wednesday’s Budget tackle the UK’s energy challenge? Toby Barker gives us his predictions in just a few minutes in our final bitesize Budget forecast.
Bitesize Budget podcast: Business
It’s Rishi Sunak’s much-anticipated Spring Budget this Wednesday. Camargue MD Jo Lloyd gives her thoughts on what we might expect and how the Budget will back British business, in our latest bitesize podcast special.
Bitesize Budget podcast: Transport
Transport - whether road, rail or plane - is at a crossroads. Which will Rishi Sunak back in his Spring Budget on Wednesday 3 March? Greg Phillimore gives his quickfire take in the latest of our Camargue Bitesize Budget podcast specials.
Bitesize Budget podcast: Housebuilding
What should be in next Wednesday’s Budget for the residential sector? In the first of our Bitesize Budget podcasts in the lead-up to Rishi Sunak’s Spring 2021 Budget, Jenny Marshall gives her views on what might be announced to support housebuilding.
What’s the point in high streets?
It’s been a tough decade for high streets. The financial crisis fallout, rise of internet shopping and topped off with a pandemic. How do we make sure this isn’t a killer cocktail and help town centres thrive into the future?
Jonathan Werran, chief executive of neo-localist thinktank Localis, and Nicole Roe, Planning Associate at Barton Willmore and a member of the High Streets Task Force, join James Snowdon. They consider how the planning system and local governance can create sustainable and viable town and city centres.
Estate regeneration: transforming homes, lives and communities
Often controversial. Always sensitive. Not to be taken lightly. At the heart of estate regeneration are real people and existing communities. It’s about their homes, their lives and their futures.
Paul Quinn, director of regeneration at social landlord Clarion Housing Group, joins associate director Daniel Knight to talk about the human and emotional focus of his work, the many obstacles to overcome, and why the rewards make estate regeneration so worthwhile.
Nuclear Fusion and the STEP programme
This episode looks at the current state and the future of nuclear fusion in the UK. For over 60 years we’ve relied on nuclear fission to power our homes and businesses. With recent exciting technological advancements, Verity Barr, Senior Consultant at Camargue speaks to Saranne Postans from the UK Atomic Energy Authority on how the STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme is working towards delivery of nuclear fusion energy and how that could change the landscape of energy production here in the UK and around the world.
Solving Britain's housing crisis
Former Estates Gazette and Building editor Peter Bill on his new book, 'Broken Homes: Britain’s Housing Crisis, Faults, Factoids and Fixes'.
Among topics covered, he talks to Mike Conway about why the Planning for the Future White Paper and proposed planning reforms won’t be the key to unlocking more homes getting built.
This episode looks to go beyond the bricks and mortar of the construction sector – instead focusing on how construction companies can leave a lasting positive legacy in the communities they work in.
Account Manager Chris Tutton is joined by Kevin O’Connor, Head of Social Responsibility & Inclusion at Durkan, to talk about social value in construction and how the industry can maximise what it can offer.
The Oxford-Cambridge Arc: ambitions and actions for good growth
What’s your ambition for the Arc? What action do you want to see taken to secure good growth?
In this episode, we explore economic, spatial, social and environmental ingredients for sustainable development in the Oxford to Cambridge corridor. And we talk about leadership, collaboration, design, opportunity and, of course, the impact of Covid-19 on how we view the Arc and its potential.
Joining Camargue Director Ben Copithorne are Nigel Tipple, CEO at OxLep, Sarah Murray, Director and Co-founder at edge Urban Design and Alan Divall, Director at Walsingham Planning.
Time is running out for decisions to be made on UK energy policy. Does new nuclear generation form a vital part of reaching Net Zero by 2050? And if it does, how can we find a funding model that embraces the significant upfront costs?
For this episode of #StrictlyInfrastructure, Camargue’s Toby Barker speaks to Kirsty Gogan, managing partner at the international consultancy Lucid Catalyst and global director of Energy for Humanity, a non-profit organisation focused on solving climate change and enabling universal access to modern energy services and Leon Flexman, corporate affairs director at Horizon Nuclear Power. Together they explore the lessons that can be learned from the offshore renewables sector and explain why building new nuclear power plants is a little bit like assembling flat pack furniture.
There’s no denying the increased shift towards cycling in recent months, although it is hard to say whether this new appreciation for non-motorised transport is in response to Covid-19 or whether it has been a long time coming.
As we slowly return to workplaces many are now reluctant to step back on to trains and buses and instead are looking for an independent way to travel. Added to the governments £2billion package to create alternative ways to travel and the cycle Infrastructure Design Guidance Note issued in July, there’s a clear appetite for the UK population to get on their bikes.
Camargue Director Mike Conway is joined by Ed Watson, Director at Ed Watson & Associates, Phil Jones, Director at PJA transport planners, and Irene McAleese, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at See.Sense, to find out what this all means.
UK ports – Brexit, Freeports and levelling up coastal communities
This episode looks at the future of the UK port industry, from the impact of Brexit and the importance of frictionless trade with Europe and the world to Freeports, digital innovation and progress towards net zero.
Mike Conway, Director at Camargue, is joined by Tim Morris, CEO of UK Major Ports Group, for a wide ranging discussion of the challenges and opportunities the sector faces moving forward.
Public consultation – how to adapt to a new world without public events
This first episode looks at how the planning and consultation processes have shifted in the current lockdown situation from a variety of perspectives. While some projects have been put on hold, for those that are going ahead it brings a whole host of challenges, but also offers opportunities.
Aled Rowlands, External Affairs Manager at National Grid, Tracey Crews, Director Planning at Cheltenham Borough Council, and Mike Conway, Director at Camargue, discuss how organisations are innovating and increasingly using digital tools to keep projects moving.