Fisher German Talks

Listed building regulations are stringent, and unauthorised works can lead to criminal liability with significant fines or even imprisonment. So what are the regulations and how can you stay compliant? To find out Thomas Blake, Associate Partner at Fisher German, is joined once again by a panel of experts: Paul Wakefield – Partner and Joint Head of Legal Planning at Shakespeare MartineauHannah Hamilton Rutter – Heritage Director at MarronsScott O’Dell – Planning Consultant and Associate Partner at Fisher GermanRecorded in the historic Malt Cross pub in Nottingham - a Victorian music hall dating back to 1877 0- they discuss everything you need to know on listed buildings: when is consent required for works, and what are the key considerations for property owners and developers? What are the implications of curtilage-listed structures? What are the risks associated with unauthorised works on listed buildings? Before you get involved with a listed building, you’ll need proactive planning, professional guidance, and an understanding of the evolving landscape of heritage asset management. You’ll find it here.For further insights, visit fishergerman.co.uk/insights. Don’t forget to follow Fisher German Talks wherever you get your podcasts, and listen back to part 1 here: https://www.fishergerman.co.uk/insights/podcasts

Rising interest rates, changing lending policies, and evolving property investment strategies - navigating the mortgage market can be overwhelming. But what’s really happening, and what should buyers, investors, and homeowners expect in the coming years?Stuart Flint, Partner at Fisher German, is joined by two industry leaders: John Yates, Managing Director of Cherry Street Finance, and Steve Smith, founder of Poundland and now a leading figure in property, finance, and green energy. Together, they unpack the latest trends in the UK mortgage market, dispel common misconceptions, and offer expert guidance for borrowers. You’ll hear:Where are interest rates headed? Lender appetite and eligibility Bridging finance explained Government interventionSustainability incentivesJohn and Steve also share real-world case studies on complex funding scenarios, offering insights into how tailored financial solutions can unlock opportunities for buyers and investors.For more insights and to listen to previous episodes, visit fishergerman.co.uk/insights

The government has introduced a new version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), aiming to accelerate housing delivery. But with new targets, greenbelt policies, and planning processes, how will these changes impact real projects on the ground?Luke Brafield and Angela Brooks, Partners at Fisher German, are joined by Tom Mascari, Executive Director at Bentley Project Management. Together, they break down the key shifts in planning policy and discuss what landowners and developers should do next. Angela heads up the strategic planning team, and with Luke and Tom she casts an expert eye over:Why the NPPF needed an update The impact on planning applications Viability concerns Opportunities for landownersAre these changes a step in the right direction, or will delivery still face roadblocks? For more insights and to listen to previous episodes, visit fishergerman.co.uk/insights

Is AI really coming for our jobs? With over 70% of businesses now integrating AI into their workflows, change is already here. But according to Jos Pink, AI isn't about replacing jobs: ‘it’s about making them more efficient.’ Jos is managing director and co-founder of Landstack, a data-driven, AI-powered platform for planning new developments across the UK.  James Beverley, senior associate at Fisher German, sits down with Jos to discuss how AI is already reshaping the planning and development industry, from streamlining site assessments to automating report writing. Jos shares his insights into the challenges of adapting AI to the nuanced UK planning system, and why professionals who embrace AI will stay ahead of the curve. Plus, how are platforms like Landstack harnessing AI to provide real-time planning insights? Could they help local authorities with complex applications? Could AI help solve the industry’s staffing shortages and planning bottlenecks? And what about AI-driven tools for site analysis and policy interpretation? Answers to these questions and more, right here.  For more information and to listen back to our other episodes go to fishergerman.co.uk/insights 

The interior of a home helps with the saleability of the property, arguably more than anything else. The interior design, especially of a new build, is hard to get right – but it’s vital. So how does the industry approach this challenge?To find out, Ellie Lockwood, Southern Regional New Homes Manager at Fisher German, and Ella Pearson, Head of New Homes, sit down on the statement sofa (as you’ll hear, that’s a real thing) to discuss the latest trends in interior design.From minimalist styles and rustic designs to the more art deco and modern – there’s infinite possibilities. Karl Openshaw is creative director at Blocc Interiors, the UK’s leading interior design company. He joins Ellie and Ella to talk through his approach to design. Plus, Aimee Beard, marketing exec at Blocc takes us through the way she looks at elevating sales potential.Blocc Interiors have brought their expertise in aesthetic and interior design to many of our new build show homes, helping elevate sale potential and bringing the residential developments to life. Hear how they do it.

Traditional concrete solutions have long dominated the underground infrastructure industry, but growing environmental concerns and the need for innovation are driving change. In this episode of Fisher German Talks, Sam Parton is joined by Yannick Joubeaux, CEO of Overpipe, to discuss how their high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plates and mesh are transforming asset protection.Yannick shares the origins of Overpipe, born from a devastating pipeline accident in Belgium in 2004, which led to a demand for safer, more efficient alternatives. Over four years, Overpipe developed lightweight, customisable plates that offer superior protection and environmental benefits compared to concrete slabs.The conversation explores the key features of Overpipe’s products, including integrated water drainage, anti-slip surfaces, and a 50-year lifespan. Yannick highlights the plates’ global adoption, from legacy assets to emerging technologies like hydrogen pipelines. He also touches on the future of infrastructure safety with smart plates incorporating sensors for enhanced monitoring.As Overpipe’s exclusive UK distributor, Fisher German is bringing these innovative solutions to projects across the country.

Short-term decision making has dominated economic, environmental and social governance in recent years. Economic decisions in particular have appeared to be made without proper long-term foresight. In this episode of Fisher German talks, we highlight the importance of thinking long-term when you’re planning a sustainable business. Here’s how to plan effectively for the future.Andrew Bridge, Managing Partner at Fisher German, is joined by Sarah Walker-Smith and John O’Brien. Sarah is CEO of Ampa, Chief Executive of Shakespeare Martineau, Chair at the Eden Project Morecambe, Past Governor at NTU and advisory board member at Anthropy. John is the Founder and Chairman of Anthropy, and the Former EMEA Managing Partner of Omnicom’s 100 Agency Group and a veteran of the British Army. He has over 40 years of multi-sector leadership experience and has run organisations in over 20 countries, and is a best selling business author with a WH Smith no3 & Forbes Top 125 Leader’s Read.Together they discuss the importance of a purpose-driven business model (one that goes beyond short-term profits), connecting personal purpose with business (Sarah discusses the ways in which she uses workshops and initiatives to inspire innovation), and the evolution of corporate responsibility to ESG governance (the focus should be on embedding ethical practices into a companies DNA, John explains).

In the four years since the COVID pandemic, we've seen huge changes in demand for office space, as well as a shift in expectations from employees. Companies are having to adapt to rapid evolution in how they plan, manage and utilise offices.  What does the future hold? What can owners and occupiers expect to see in the coming years? To answer this, Charles Warrack, Partner at Fisher German, is joined by Marcus Baumber and Richard Suart. Marcus is a Commercial Surveyor within the Manchester Office. Richard Suart is Property Director at Calthorpe Estates, leading the company’s asset management team.  Together they explore the trends in the Manchester and Birmingham office markets, and the difference in attitudes to the office across generations. Office demand post-Covid has declined, bringing with it a host of challenges and opportunities. How do owners improve secondary spaces? What sustainability and environmental schemes exist? And how do landlords attract occupiers in changing times?

As part of the Environmental Act of 2021, regions in the UK must adhere to the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, a plan for environmental conservation. Divided into 48 geographical sections, each LNRS will be tailored to its specific area and contain a local habitat map and a written statement of biodiversity priorities. What does this mean for landowners and what are the plans for the next ten years?  To answer this, Vicky Povey, Agribusiness Consultant at Fisher German, is joined by Tristan Baxter-Smith, Land Advisor at Nene Rivers Trust. Nene Rivers Trust promotes green infrastructure and supports the protection of the environment from climate change.  The LNRS has wide-reaching impact on farmers and landowners. Getting involved has numerous benefits, as Tristan explains. How will the role of farmers evolve across the next decade? Listen to find out.  

Many of the buildings in the UK are classified legally as ‘listed’ – which means they’re legally protected due to their historic or architectural significance. Managing, preserving and improving these listed buildings requires adherence to strict regulations surrounding something called LBC (Listed Building Consent). Thomas Blake, Partner at Fisher German, is joined by Scott O’Dell, Associate Partner at Fisher German and guest Hannah Hamilton-Rutter, Heritage Director at Marrons, to explore the unique set of challenges and complexities that listed buildings can present for owners, sellers and developers. Hannah and Scott discuss the importance of talking with local authorities before applying for planning permission to handle challenges better and build good relationships with conservation officers.  How do government policies and economic factors affect listed buildings? Where should property owners go to get the best advice? What’s the best use of a heritage property to ensure its long-term maintenance and preservation? Listen to find out.

The warehouse market, often referred to as the ‘shed market’, is well-known for being fairly traditional. Historically, leases operate on a minimum 5-year basis, but could all that be about to change? Is flexibility coming to the shed market? There’s a lot of talk at the moment around mixed-use developments that combine logistics and residential spaces; the combination can transform local communities.  To discuss the future of the shed market, host Rob Champion, Partner at Fisher German, is joined by Mike Price and James Hemstock. Mike is Head of Commercial Transactional at Fisher German, while James, heads up Capital Deployment and Leasing at Prologis UK, the leading developer and owner of industrial, warehouse, distribution and logistics property in the UK. Together they explore the shift towards flexibility in the shed market, the impact of ESG and quality demands on warehouse spaces, and the trends in the market that are driving evolution.  Existing and potential occupiers are demanding agility and flexibility. How can the industry meet the demand? Listen to find out.

We last discussed Diversification on this podcast in November 2022, where we looked at the opportunities for landowners to add additional revenue streams to rural property. Inflation was then, and still is, creating a huge amount of risk for rural businesses. Diversification is a way to offset that risk.So, in this episode, host Ellie Savage sits down with Emily and Sophy, creators of Watersedge, a wellness hub near Bishampton, Worcs, to understand how their rural business is thriving. Their story involves the transformation of a family-owned lake into a community-focused wellness centre, with swimming, yoga, paddle boarding and fitness. Listen to find out how they overcame obstacles with planning permission, managing increased visitor numbers and ensuring safety and insurance compliance. Their diversification journey, guided by Ellie and the team at Fisher German, is a blueprint for managing risk and opening up new revenue streams.For more information head to fishergerman.co.uk/insights

Matthew Allen and Richard Gadd are joined by Adam Saunby, Senior Associate at Forsters LLP, to analyse the rural property market.Economic uncertainties and inflation pressures are causing a cautious start to the year, but there’s been a variable supply in rural properties across different regions. Some have seen noticeable increases. Adam highlights the importance of thorough preparation before properties are marketed. Listen to the episode to hear the latest trends in rural property, an expert’s voice on conveyancing, practical tips on legal preparations for sales, strategic decision making and how to address common challenges.Find out more at fishergerman.co.uk/insights00:00:50: Analysing the market00:03:14: Discussing buyer profile and price predictions00:04:21: The country house market00:06:12: Upcoming stock of new instructions00:06:33: Discussing the conveyancing process for property sales00:07:06: Pre-sale preparation00:09:02: Addressing planning issues00:10:08: Importance of site visits00:11:43: The conveyancing process explained00:14:16: The importance of replies to inquiries00:15:09: Preparing a data room and gathering information00:16:24: Drafting the contract and final steps00:18:23: Explanation of holdover for crops, farmhouse, and farm machinery auction.00:18:57: Discussion on overage and its complexities.00:20:28: Going through the selling process - inquiries, responding, tying up loose ends.00:21:15: Explanation of exchange and completion terms in the selling process.00:22:30: Discussing key challenges in the process.00:23:09: Post-completion works and undertakings.00:23:51: Key takeaways from the discussion on the sales process.00:24:27: Importance of taking accountancy advice early.

Featuring Philip Nell, Director of Property & Investment at Birmingham City Council, and Dav Bansal from Howells architects, the third and final episode in the series explores the ambitious "Big City Plan" for Birmingham's future.  With Stuart Flint back in the host’s chair, they discuss the plan's objectives, focusing on sustainable development, innovative architecture, and balancing economic growth with social values. Key questions address the integration of sustainability into city planning; what is the architectural vision shaping Birmingham's future, and the strategies for creating a liveable, innovative city? 

In this episode, we look at Birmingham as a city in 2023. What’s happening right now, that’s shaping it as a cultural and business hub? Who are the influential people driving the evolution of the city? Stuart Flint, member of Fisher German’s membership team and head of the National Country Agency Team, is joined by Nicola Fleet-Milne, Chair of the Colmore Business District, and Alex Claridge, Birmingham's Night-time Economy Advisor, to discuss the city's current status as a cultural and commercial epicentre.  They explore the role of the Colmore Business District in shaping Birmingham's modern identity, the resilience of the city through various recent challenges, and the thriving nightlife contributing to its appeal. The conversation focuses on how Birmingham is adapting to the 21st century, the impact of global events like COVID-19 and Brexit, and the city's approach to maintaining its vibrancy and appeal in challenging times. 

Fisher German has landed in the centre of Birmingham. To celebrate, we’re shining a spotlight on the people who have shaped this city’s past, present and future. In the first of three special podcast episodes, Nicola Turner MBE, CEO of United by 2022 Legacy Charity, and Ian Metcalfe OBE, a pivotal figure in the 2022 Commonwealth Games bid, join Stuart Flint to explore Birmingham's evolution from an industrial past.  They delve into how Birmingham navigated through economic struggles to a vibrant, cultural hub. They examine the city's strategies for reinventing itself, the transformative impact of the Commonwealth Games, and the evolution of Birmingham's unique identity. How have these changes redefined the city's place on the global stage? Join us to learn more about the inspiring transformation of the city.  

The UK has net zero targets fast approaching. The government is investing tens of billions of pounds over the next decade in infrastructure, but there will be knock-on impacts to country-wide networks. Some are gearing up to mitigate the risks with new infrastructure - reservoirs, pipelines for water, hydrogen or new electricity upgrades.  Every Utility and Infrastructure operator will start to see the impact on their networks of schemes, management, and the need to maintain resilience. This high-pressure competition for resources and time means more interactions, and increases the risk of asset strikes.  This puts awareness, management and maintenance as a priority for every operator. Rachel Bridge, Partner at Fisher German, returns to the host chair on the podcast to discuss the exponential growth in infrastructure in the UK, and the essential work management and maintenance teams do to manage what is known in the industry as the 4th emergency service. Joining her are Geoff Glover, Pipelines Manager at Sabic, and Murray Peat, Manager of Linewatch. They both highlight the need for awareness of the hazards of high-pressure pipelines, and how safety is always the top priority. Why is the sector called the 4th emergency service? How does the race to net zero contribute to the challenges of operating vast infrastructure projects? And how can we ensure all new projects are as safe as they can be? For more information visit fishergerman.co.uk.

Recent government policies, such as the development of local nature recovery strategies and the introduction of biodiversity net gain, have put sustainability high on the priority list in the agricultural sector. Meanwhile, with a reduction in government subsidies, increasing pressure financially, and stretched supply chains, landowners and farmers are looking at new ways to improve their profit margins. It’s a two-handed approach; juggling sustainable practices with cost-efficiencies. From business efficiency measures to diversification, sustainable farming techniques are changing. As the industry moves towards a net-zero emission goal, the integration of sustainable principles in residential and rural property development is becoming the new norm. Joining host David Kinnersley, Partner and Head of Agribusiness at Fisher German, on this episode is Anna Woodley from Trinity Agtech. Anna is Managing Director of Business Development at Trinity, and she explains how their industry-leading software Sandy is helping to boost profitability and sustainability in agriculture. Farmers are utilising Sandy’s advanced software to make better decisions around the use of natural capital - the natural assets underpinning the ecosystem like soil, air, water, or animals. These technologies enable farmers to model scenarios, analyse impacts, and optimise their farming operations, making profitable and sustainable decisions easier to achieve. Together they explore the role of natural capital in bolstering business resilience and diversifying income generation. Understanding, measuring, and efficiently managing natural capital presents a real business opportunity for farmers and landowners. Embracing these practices doesn't simply fulfil environmental or policy obligations. Instead, it paves the way for more profitable and resilient farming systems, while delivering positive environmental impacts at the same time. 

Despite economic headwinds, demand for industrial space continues up and down the country. In a post-Covid world, the industrial and logistics property market has seen year-on-year growth, contributing to the jobs market and economy as a whole: it provides the infrastructure and space that support businesses, who in turn drive economic growth and foster innovation. Rob Champion, Partner at Fisher German, sits down with Jason Rockett, Managing Director of Potter Space – an owner of industrial spaces and business parks – to explore this world and dive into the most active sector of the commercial property market of recent times. The rise in demand for medium sized spaces (sub-100,000 square foot) is ongoing despite the recent economic turbulence; they represent 95% of the whole I&L property market in England, and account for 56% of the sector’s entire floorspace. Jason explains why this is, and examines other trends in the market such as the impact of interest rate rises on the business. With an extensive and varied career (including a stint as a professional footballer), Jason is well-placed to join Rob in explaining the importance of this sector of the property market.

Interest rates are at their highest level for over 15 years, due largely to high inflation which recently has come down slower than anticipated. This has contributed to record low commercial property investment transaction volumes in Q4 2022 and reduced activity so far this year.  Looking ahead, where are transactions continuing to take place? Which sectors remain liquid? Where has pricing strengthened, and most importantly, what are some of the key fundamentals that will continue to drive commercial real estate investment looking forwards? Commercial real estate investment is in part influenced by debt markets. Host, Oliver Deme, Senior Surveyor in the Investment Team at Fisher German, sat down with Greg Manson, Director of OakNorth Bank and specialist in real estate debt finance, to film and record an instalment of the third series of 'Fisher German LLP Talks', delving into the above, and much more.  Together Ollie and Greg give us insights into the real estate market and explore the challenges and opportunities for commercial investment in the months and years to come.