The Return: Property & Investment Podcast

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I just interviewed a Former Housing Minister 
And he didn’t hold back. 

UK housing policy generates headlines daily. 
For serious UK housing investors and developers, the challenge isn’t keeping up with announcements.
It’s knowing which policy signals genuinely matter over the next five to ten years.

Lord Gavin Barwell joined the podcast to cut through the noise around UK housing policy, including: 
→ How planning reform is really playing out
And why sentiment and affordability matter just as much as policy

→ The delivery gap: why policy failure is often local
And how investors and developers can influence outcomes in practice

→ Why mainstream housing headlines rarely help investors
And how to filter signal from political froth.

If you’re investing in, underwriting or developing UK housing with a long-term horizon - and want to stay ahead of political noise - this episode is worth your time.

This episode is in association with (and thanks to) Lloyds.

https://www.lloydsbank.com/business/industry-expertise/real-estate.html?utm_source=The+Return&utm_medium=podcast+partnership&utm_campaign=sponsored+episode
Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinbarwell/

Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaclareharper/

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I had to be on my best behaviour for this - interviewing my boss.
Andy Hulme is CEO of The Hyde Group 
One of the largest UK Housing Associations
With 125,000 homes
(Also my employer)

He’s also a former Group MD at Lloyds
Where he helped launch Help to Buy.

No pressure, then.

We covered:
 - What public-private housing partnerships actually are
 - Why housing partnerships fail - despite the best intentions
 - The 3 biggest mistakes (and how to avoid them)
 - Why “if you're reading the contract, you’re already in trouble.”

If you're a developer, investor, housing provider or local authority trying to deliver more homes through partnerships, this episode is a must-listen.

This episode is in association with (and thanks to) Lloyds.

https://www.lloydsbank.com/business/industry-expertise/real-estate.html?utm_source=The+Return&utm_medium=podcast+partnership&utm_campaign=sponsored+episode

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-hulme-b9830a23/

Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaclareharper/

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Even if the land was free, many property deals don’t stack.
Zombie pricing. Rising costs. More regulations.

I asked Nicola Haigh, Head of Real Estate & Housing, Lloyds.
Who’s served 10,000+ real estate borrowers.

How can developers survive and thrive in the 2020s?

She shared 5 things bankable developers Lloyds work with do, including:

1. Keep a cash buffer
→ Don’t borrow the max.

2. Track cash flow weekly
→ Avoid nasty surprises.

3. Plan multiple exits
→ Sell some, hold some.

Listen in to hear what banks really want to see from developers right now.

This episode is in association with (and thanks to) Lloyds.

In association with:
https://www.lloydsbank.com/business/industry-expertise/real-estate.html?utm_source=The+Return&utm_medium=podcast+partnership&utm_campaign=sponsored+episode

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-haigh-55941a56/

Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaclareharper/

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Solving the housing crisis isn’t just about building more.
It’s about the right homes, in the right places, for the people who need them most.
The sharpest edge of that challenge?
Supported housing - for people with learning and physical disabilities, mental health needs and other vulnerabilities. 
It’s vital - but complex.
It demands real care.
And let’s be honest: some players are cutting corners.
This week on the podcast, we covered what actually works for providers who want to grow without compromising on safety, standards or support.
My guests:
John Verge – CEO of Golden Lane Housing, Chair of the Learning Disability and Autism Housing Network
Nigel Walker – Head of Social and Supported Housing at Lloyds Bank
We cover:
→ How to grow when you have a tiny team (and what to say no to)
→ What funders really look for - and the common mistakes that block investment
→ The biggest missed opportunity: turning empty shops and offices into Supported Living
→ How supported housing can save the public £850M+ each year
→ Real examples of deals that worked - and how others can do the same

This episode is for:
 → Housing providers juggling more rules, upgrades and urgent need
 → Developers wondering if supported housing is worth exploring
 → Councils under pressure to meet growing demand
 → Investors looking to make a difference and a return

P.S. Know someone in housing, investment or the public sector who needs to hear this? Tag them below.

This episode is in association with (and thanks to) Lloyds.
In association with:
https://www.lloydsbank.com/business/industry-expertise/real-estate.html?utm_source=The+Return&utm_medium=podcast+partnership&utm_campaign=sponsored+episode

Guest LinkedIn: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnverge/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigel-walker-85225886/ 

Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaclareharper/

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I loved recording a no-fluff episode of The Return 
With Richard Donnell at Zoopla
(Source of the best insights in the industry.)

The headline?
→ Stop investing like it’s 2021.
→ Start investing like it’s 2026.

We covered what 2025 changes mean for 2026 investors.
Then discussed 2026 ‘must-dos’, including:

Re-underwrite your portfolio.
Assume “normal” rent growth (2-3%).
Stress test higher compliance and running costs.

Face the London maths.
If you want income, be honest.
London can work - but mainly as value-add, or very long term.

Go where the spread works.
Follow yield, not headlines.
(We discussed regional cities like Glasgow, Derby.)

Decide your stance early.
Buy / Build / Upgrade / Sell.
Commit to scaling or shrinking.

Act like an operator.
Sell liability-heavy stock early.
Buy only where pricing reflects the cost of capital.

This episode is in association with (and thanks to) Lloyds.

In association with:
https://www.lloydsbank.com/business/industry-expertise/real-estate.html?utm_source=The+Return&utm_medium=podcast+partnership&utm_campaign=sponsored+episode

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-donnell/
Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaclareharper/