The Team Around the Table: A CRE Podcast

In this episode of The Team Around the Table, we explore how corporate real estate and HR can join forces to create people-centric workplaces that drive engagement, well-being and performance. Cushman & Wakefield’s Despina Katsikakis, Global Lead, Total Workplace, Global Occupier Services, and Carol Wong, APAC Lead, Total Workplace, Global Occupier Services, team up with Prudential’s Sheela Parakkal, Group Head of Talent, Leadership, Learning and Culture and Regional CHRO, Prudential plc., to discuss how the power of intentional leadership, wellbeing ecosystems, and purpose-driven design to create spaces where employees thrive. Sheela introduces Prudential’s innovative "well-being ecosystem," which integrates safety, belonging and self-leadership into workplace strategy. Building on this, Carol shares data-driven insights from Cushman & Wakefield’s Experience per Square FootTM (XSF) survey, highlighting the critical role of choice in employee satisfaction. The conversation also delves into intentional leadership, the evolving purpose of the office, and how thoughtful design can reflect and reinforce company values.  This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to bridge the gap between people and place to drive long-term business value.

Partnerships, workplace excellence and sustainability were front and center in the latest episode of The Team Around the Table podcast conversation between Bank of America’s Kristen Landis and President of Client Delivery GOS, Pedro Vasquez.  Together, they unpacked the challenges and opportunities in creating workplace environments that attract talent, align with business goals and support sustainability. 

In this special episode of The Team Around the Table, join host Aubrey Waddell as she talks with Shelley Boland, Global Head of Real Estate at Standard Chartered, about the bank’s approach to managing their global real estate footprint at this transformative moment.  Shelley shares insights into the challenges of managing a global portfolio, the importance of strategic partnerships, and how Standard Chartered is redefining client and employee experiences while prioritizing sustainability.

In this episode of The Team Around the Table, Global Head of Portfolio Lease Administration, Phillip Kelloff, explores the critical role of data management in handling expansive real estate portfolios. Joined by Kimberley Burn, EMEA’s Head of Portfolio Administration; Ashley Metcalf, Regional Director of Lease Administration Brokerage Accounts, and Rory Murray, Vice Chair, Transaction Management, they discuss the necessity of meticulous data management for compliance, strategic decision-making, and the advantages of outsourcing to ensure data accuracy, optimize asset management, and drive organizational success.

In this episode of The Team Around the Table, Steven Zatta, Global Lead for Total Workplace Research & Innovation, gets a global perspective on the complexity of hybrid work environments with Total Workplace colleagues Kim Yong, Associate Director, in Singapore, and Gerda Stelpstra, Partner, in the Netherlands.  Together, they explore the multifaceted challenges—and opportunities—presented by hybrid work environments, focusing on the interplay between human experience, workplace design and technology, and recognizing the importance of social capital.

In this hybrid era of work, real estate is key to talent engagement and retention. Workplace experience means making sure employees feel heard, productive and connected to company culture. In this episode of The Team Around the Table, Bryan Jacobs, President, Growth & Strategy, Global Occupier Services, talks with Chief Experience Officer Suzanne Mehta. Together, they explore the parallels between consumer brand loyalty and employee affection towards their employers. It’s a conversation about operationalizing workplace experience in the age of hybrid work, where employees—and their well-being—are at the center of it all.  

Sal Companieh, Chief Digital & Information Officer, talks to Richard Middleton, President, International Client Delivery (Global Occupier Services), about technology, data, and people— highlighting the pivotal role that data and technology play in shaping corporate real estate operations and organizational strategy.

In this episode, we are talking about space management and workplace optimization. Kay Barrett, Global Head of Space Management, Planning, and Occupancy, and Laura Bailey, Global Director of Spatial Analytics, talk about the combination of design and data to reshape the way businesses utilize their offices.  Don’t miss this engaging conversation, where Kay and Laura share strategies for navigating the complexities of the modern workspace. 

In this episode of The Team Around the Table, we uncover the importance of aligning corporate real estate to overall business strategy—and why it’s at the top of the C-suite agenda. Cushman & Wakefield’s Global Head of Integrated Portfolio Management (IPM), Richard Middleton, leads this conversation with Michele Barkinge, Senior Managing Director, Global Portfolio Insights & Analytics, and Dimitris Vlachopoulos, International Partner, Head of Portfolio & Location Strategy. Find out how proactivity and robust decision-making are at the heart of successful integrated portfolio management.

In today’s complex business environment, establishing trustful and transparent relationships between buyers and suppliers has become crucial for strategic success. Join Kate Vitasek, a renowned authority in collaborative business relationships, and Bryan Jacobs, President, Growth & Strategy, Global Occupier Services (GOS), Cushman & Wakefield, as they explore the power of “vested outsourcing” – a methodology that fosters win-win scenarios in contractual agreements, enabling buyers and suppliers to achieve strategic outcomes together through shared values and goals.

In this episode, we continue our conversation about the power of partnership—this time, with one of our own most enduring relationships: our 25-year partnership with H&R Block. Cushman & Wakefield’s Shannon Koenigsdorf, Executive Managing Director, Account Management, Global Occupier Services (GOS), is back, and she joins H&R Block’s Shawn Moore, to share their journey through the complexities of managing the 6,600 corporate locations within H&R Block’s vast real estate portfolio. Shannon and Shawn explore how H&R Block navigates the unique challenges posed by their seasonal business model. This episode is a deep dive into the power of partnership, strategic thinking, and the importance of agility and flexibility in the ever-changing landscape of CRE.

Commercial real estate transitions can be challenging and intimidating. Smooth transitions, however, are possible with strategic planning, transparency, and true partnership. Join Sarah Wiseman, Executive Managing Director, Commercial Strategy, Global Occupier Services (GOS) and Brandy Avery, Platform Operations & Strategy Leader, GOS, in this episode where they explore the critical role of change management and the importance of client engagement. They also share the challenges of data management and the art of balancing risk and expectation. We learn big and small ideas about transforming the intimidating task of CRE portfolio transition into making change a positive and value-driven journey.

What does excellence look like in the relationship between occupiers and their corporate real estate (CRE) outsource providers? Join us as we kick off our first episode of The Team Around the Table, where we dive deep into the composition of a successful CRE team, and the impact it has on the client relationship and in driving value. Cushman & Wakefield’s Pedro Vasquez, President, Client Delivery, Global Occupier Services (GOS), Jamie Ergle, Executive Managing Director, Account Management, GOS, and Shannon Koenigsdorf, Executive Managing Director, Account Management, GOS, define “destination accounts,” talk about keys to success, and uncover the values and capabilities essential for your next CRE team.

Embracing a 4-day work week is a strategic move for enhancing business operations through increased efficiency rather than extended hours. This approach emphasizes prioritizing the well-being of organizations' most vital business asset – their employees. 4 Day Week Global champion the 100-80-100™ framework, advocating for full pay for 80% of the time while ensuring 100% productivity in return. Join host Michael Creamer, Despina Katsikakis, Executive Partner & Global Head, Total Workplace at Cushman & Wakefield, and Charlotte Lockhart and Andrew Barnes, co-founders of 4 Day Week Global, to understand how the discourse surrounding work should transition from time to outcomes in terms of productivity.

Join Michael Creamer and Hanna Afolabi, MRICS, founder of BWRE (Black Women in Real Estate) and Joelle Allotey, Associate Director at Cushman & Wakefield, as they explore the unique challenges of black women navigating the real estate landscape. They talk about creating spaces for people to connect, empower one another and grow their reach and influence through a combined voice. BWRE has been established with the purpose of building a network that can serve as a supportive community within the industry. Their next event entitled ‘Phenomenal Women Panel’ is on 18th of October. 

Join host Michael Creamer and Stephen Day, Chief Procurement Officer at Kantar, a leading marketing data and analytics company, to explore the intricate connections between technology, procurement strategies, and property management. They share their insights, experiences, and predictions with a special focus on how AI (Artificial Intelligence) is reshaping the landscape of procurement within the real estate industry. Stephen Day is an accomplished international executive, with expertise in operations management, specializing in supply chain, purchasing, multi country transformation and change.

The rise of remote work and hybrid teams has brought new opportunities and challenges for managers everywhere. To unlock potential in today’s workplace, managers should view the office as an essential tool within their management toolkit, facilitating collaboration, innovation, and alignment among team members. Join host Michael Creamer and Bella Vuillermoz, Strategic Advisor and Non-Executive Director as they discover the importance of equipping managers with the knowledge and skills required to lead hybrid teams effectively. Bella is an experienced senior leader with 25 years’ experience in strategy, communications, D&I, commercial and operational areas, having worked at two FTSE100 companies. They discuss: [3:49] - Ways to improve the performance of already successful real estate teams [7:17] - How to define the purpose of a team [11:14] - The role of culture for real estate executives and teams [14:31] - Reverting to pre-pandemic office practices out of convenience [20:24] - Laying down the rules [24:12] - Reasons for the office

In today's evolving work landscape, the social value of real estate takes centre stage as we explore the compelling reasons behind the resurgence of interest in office spaces. Amid the era of technology, individuals seek the tangible connections and shared experiences that the physical office environment can offer. Join Michael Creamer, Despina Katsikakis, Executive Partner, Global Head of Total Workplace at Cushman & Wakefield and current President of the British Council for Offices, and Rob Harris, Principal at Ramidus Consulting as they delve into the deeper connections, collaborative opportunities, and sense of belonging that draw people back to the office, shaping the future of work and community engagement.

Join Michael Creamer and Chris Kane, Co-founder of Everythingomni, as they discuss how the commercial real estate industry can address current challenges that impact businesses financially and employee satisfaction, and how to turn them into opportunities. The latest edition of Chris’s book, published after the recording of this podcast, offers a flexible framework that enables leaders to harmonize their approach to managing workspaces with the requirements of their business and employees. Get a copy of ‘Where is My Office? Reimagining the Workplace for the 21st Century’ here.

In this episode, Michael Creamer is joined by Brian Elliott, advisor, author, co-founder of Future Forum, and Bryan Berthold, Global Lead, Workplace Experience at Cushman & Wakefield. They discuss how today’s employees want choice in when and where they work, and delve into the power of flexible work arrangements and how they can unlock the true potential of the workforce.   Brian Elliott is co-author of the book ‘How the Future Works: Leading Flexible Teams To Do The Best Work of Their Lives’. The book presents a detailed plan for harnessing the power of flexible work, and provides a roadmap for establishing the essential principles and guidelines that empower agile and high-performing teams.