University of the Built Environment

University of the Built Environment

University of the Built Environment (formerly known as UCEM) is the leading provider of supported online education for the built environment. Tune in for discussions about the real estate and construction industries, as well as insights into what it's like to study with UCEM and conversations with the institution's students, alumni, supporters and staff. Find out more at ube.ac.uk

  1. 6 days ago

    Episode 23: If hybrid working is here to stay, why are the best London offices thriving?

    "I think the office is becoming more important. It's not shrinking at all." It's a view that may surprise anyone who has spent the past few years reading headlines predicting the decline of the office. But according to Sam McClary, Chief Executive of the British Council for Offices, the real story is very different. So if the office isn't disappearing, what exactly is it becoming? In this episode of the BE Sustainable podcast, presenter Mike Speight explores why some workplaces are flourishing in the age of flexible working while others risk being left behind. Joining the discussion are three guests with very different perspectives on the future of the workplace. Alexander Morris, Managing Director at BGO, brings the investor viewpoint. Sam McClary offers an industry-wide perspective on the changing office market. Meanwhile, Gustaf Sedihn, a current student at The London School of Architecture, shares fresh thinking from the next generation of workplace designers, including research into how offices could incorporate childcare and wider social infrastructure. Together, the panel examines the growing divide between prime and secondary office stock, asking what separates a thriving office from one that risks becoming obsolete. They discuss whether the role of the office has fundamentally changed, how employers increasingly view workplaces as part of their talent strategy, and why occupiers are placing greater emphasis on quality, sustainability and employee experience. Featured in the discussion is BGO's landmark 105 Victoria Street development in Westminster [pictured above]. Described by BGO as the UK's largest 100% electric, net zero carbon office development, the scheme combines premium workspace with 25,000 sq ft of greenspace and terracing, a 200-metre walk-and-talk track, an urban farm, extensive cycling facilities and community-focused public spaces. Rather than simply adding amenities, the development reflects a broader shift in thinking: that successful offices must function as destinations that support wellbeing, sustainability, social connection and everyday life, giving people a compelling reason to spend time there. The conversation also explores whether offices could play a much broader role in society. Could workplace design help tackle challenges such as childcare? What responsibility do offices have to the neighbourhoods around them? And how can developers create places that people actively choose to visit rather than simply attend out of obligation? Whether you believe the office is being reinvented or merely refined, this episode explores what the workplace of the future might look like, and why the buildings attracting the most demand today may offer important clues about where the sector is heading next. Resources ·       ONS hybrid working data ·       Cushman & Wakefield Q1 2026 Central London Marketbeat ·        Savills Q1 2026 Central London Office Market Watch  ·       Deloitte London Office Crane Survey  ·       BGO 105 Victoria Street  ·       BCO appointment/profile

    30 min

  2. 21 May

    Episode 22: Are degree apprenticeships the future, or just the cheapest fix?

    Guests Rosie Jackson - StaceMark Ashby - StaceRobert Brown – PRE SurveyorsTouted as the answer to skills shortages, spiralling student debt and widening access to professional careers, degree apprenticeships are growing rapidly across the UK, particularly within the built environment. The pitch is undeniably attractive: earn while you learn, avoid tuition fees, gain practical experience from day one and enter industry already embedded in the workplace. But beneath the optimism, more difficult questions are emerging. Are apprenticeships genuinely transforming opportunity, or are they being oversold as a catch-all solution to complex workforce challenges? And what might be lost if traditional university routes begin to lose ground? In this episode of the BE Sustainable podcast, we explore the growing tension between vocational and academic pathways into the built environment, asking whether apprenticeships represent the future of higher education or simply a more cost-efficient route for employers under pressure. Joining the discussion from independent construction and property consultancy Stace are Rosie Jackson, Senior HR & Learning and Development Advisor, and Mark Ashby, Partner. Offering a graduate perspective is Robert Brown, who completed a Building Surveying degree apprenticeship at the University of the Built Environment, sponsored by PRE Surveyors, after previously studying archaeology through the traditional university route. Together, the panel examines a range of topics, inlcuding whether apprenticeships are being positioned too heavily as a silver bullet for the sector’s skills crisis, the realities of balancing full-time work with study, and whether young people are being encouraged to specialise too early.  Find out more Latest apprenticeship statistics from the UK Government:  Explore education statistics: apprenticeships and traineeships Find out more about degree apprenticeships at University of the Built Environment.

    33 min

  3. 28 Apr

    Episode 21: 'Proud to call home': Can the UK build more homes without sacrificing quality?

    Britain is aiming to build 1.5 million new homes this Parliament, backed by nearly £39 billion in public investment. But a key question around the deadline and the amount of homes needed to be built is: are we building them well? In this episode of BE Sustainable, we explore the findings of the ‘Proud to call home’ report, which calls for quality to be embedded across every stage of housing delivery — from policy and planning through to design, construction and long-term performance. Host Mike Speight is joined by Mike Reader MP, Chair of the APPGEBE - the All-Party Parliamentary Group that commissioned the report, alongside Mark Robinson, Group Chief Executive at SCAPE, and Ashley Wheaton, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Built Environment. Together, they debate whether the UK can realistically deliver on its housing ambitions without compromising on standards.  Drawing on insights from across government, industry and education, find out where the panel feels breakdowns occur, where accountability lies, and what can be done with the growing pressure on the construction sector.  With just 8,620 apprentices qualifying in 2022/23, and industry bodies such as the Construction Industry Training Board highlighting the need for tens of thousands of new workers each year, the conversation turns to whether the sector has the capacity and the skills pipeline to deliver both volume and quality at scale. Links and resources ‘Proud to call home’ report – All-Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment Mike Reader MP SCAPE Group Construction Industry Training Board

    37 min

  4. 31 Mar

    Episode 20: Modular promises, measurable impact?

    With Dirk Vennix, James Pritchett and Jason Phelps Overview Modern methods of construction (MMC) are frequently presented as a critical solution to some of the built environment sector’s most pressing challenges. Faster delivery, improved quality control and reduced environmental impact are often cited as key advantages, particularly as the UK seeks to accelerate housing delivery while progressing towards net zero commitments. In this episode, we explore whether modular and offsite construction methods are delivering measurable carbon impact in practice - and why the evidence base is still so thin. The discussion considers how embodied carbon is currently measured across MMC projects and examines the extent to which emissions reductions are genuinely being achieved. Looking beyond contemporary debates, the episode explores the long historical roots of offsite construction, while customer expectations and queries form another key strand of the conversation.  Bringing together research, industry practice and academic insight, the panel consists of Dirk Vennix, Chief Executive of the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA), James Pritchett from sustainable homebuilders Greencore Homes, and University of the Built Environment senior lecturer Jason Phelps, whose PhD thesis compares historical and contemporary approaches to offsite fabrication. Links CIRIA – Construction Industry Research and Information Association Case study request: Net Zero Carbon Offsite Champions Greencore Homes  Greencore Homes Group Jason Phelps

    31 min

  5. 24 Feb

    Episode 19: Homebuying and selling reforms – can we fix a broken system?

    With Luke McMath, Katie Napier and Jordan Turner Buying a home is one of life’s most significant milestones. Yet in England, the process is widely seen as slow, opaque and prone to collapse at the final hurdle. In this episode of BE Sustainable, we examine the UK Government’s proposed reforms to the homebuying and selling system in England. The changes aim to reduce delays, minimise fall-throughs and rebuild confidence in a process that has struggled to keep pace with modern expectations. At the centre of the debate is conveyancing – the legal transfer of property ownership. Often blamed for delays, conveyancing is also one of the least understood parts of the process. The discussion considers the role of upfront property information, including the proposed ‘property passport’, and questions who will bear the additional costs.  It also examines how increased regulation, compliance requirements and growing workloads have transformed conveyancing, highlighting the structural and practical challenges involved in modern property transactions. Bringing together academic insight, legal expertise and lived experience, the episode explores whether reform can genuinely improve the system, or whether deeper structural and technological changes are needed. Drawing on his academic research and recent analysis of the proposed reforms, Jordan Turner explores the structural realities behind modern property transactions. From a legal and frontline perspective, Luke McMath from Blandy & Blandy solicitors offers insight into the operational pressures faced by conveyancers. Providing a lived perspective, Katie Napier reflected on her experience as a first-time buyer completing on a property in late 2025. Links: Home buying and selling reforms - can the Government really fix a broken system? - University of the Built Environment Home buying and selling reform - GOV.UK Luke McMath - Residential Property Conveyancing Solicitor/Lawyer - Reading, Henley-on-Thames & Wokingham

    32 min

  6. 27 Jan

    Episode 18: Are Britain’s New Builds Really Fit for Purpose?

    Overview “A crack in the window, a hole in the door, a chipped sink, up in the loft there’s no insulation – we see these things every day of our lives.” The words of the man who invented snagging inspections, which uncovers a vast array of significant defects at new-build homes.  John Cooper, founder of New Home Quality Control, was a guest on this episode that discussed: Are Britain’s new homes really being built to last, or are we prioritising speed over quality in the race to deliver more housing? With the UK Government committed to building 1.5 million new homes this Parliament, concerns about build quality have become increasingly visible, not least because of the work of John, who has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers across social media and is a TV regular.  Through his social media channels, John documents alarming workmanship failures, from basic construction errors to issues that affect safety, energy performance and long-term durability. His content has struck a chord with homeowners and first-time buyers, helping to bring concerns about new-build quality into the public conversation. This episode explores whether the problems highlighted by New Home Quality Control represent isolated ‘bodge jobs’ or point to deeper structural pressures within the housing system. Are regulations and oversight keeping pace with the speed of delivery? Is public confidence being undermined by what people are seeing online, or are these concerns well founded? Alongside John’s frontline experience, the discussion draws on national survey data from an important report authored by David Parry, Senior Parliamentary & Public Affairs Officer at the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Hear his expert insights, including  consumer protections in place to hold developers to account for quality failures in new-build housing.  Our senior lecturer in Real Estate, Jordan Turner, tackled the issue from a real estate and policy perspective, discussing structural pressures, consumer confidence, targets, planning delays, and margin pressure, amongst many other topics.  We invited both the Home Builders Federation and the National House-Building Council to contribute to this episode, but neither organisation was available for comment at the time of recording. As pressure to deliver new homes intensifies, this episode asks a fundamental question: not just how quickly we build, but whether Britain’s new homes are truly fit for purpose, now and for generations to come.    Links:    TikTok: New Home Quality Control Instagram: New Home Quality Control YouTube: New Home Quality Control CIOB: New-Build Housing Report Articles by Jordan Turner: Overheating Britain: Can our buildings cope? - University of the Built Environment Home buying and selling reforms - can the Government really fix a broken system? - University of the Built Environment Why we must rethink the UK’s obsession with the Energy Performanc

    37 min

  7. 17/12/2025

    Episode 17: Inclusivity in the Built Environment - Progress or PR?

    Are the construction and property industries really making progress on inclusivity, or just making promises? Are we still seeing discrimination and unconscious bias within the built environment sector? Or are we happily witnessing progress? What does inclusivity really look like in practice - and are we genuinely moving the dial, or just reshaping the same conversation? On paper, the sector looks more diverse than it once did but there is still a long way to go. If we look at gender alone, women make up around 15 per cent of the UK construction workforce and roughly 31 per cent of partners or directors in architecture practices. Despite the number of public pledges, the gender pay gap in construction still sits at around 17 per cent, barely shifting in the past five years. Representation of ethnic minorities in construction hovers near 7 per cent, compared to about 14 per cent across the overall UK workforce, showing that racial diversity also lags behind national averages. (Statistics from the Office for National Statistics and the Construction Industry Training Board.) Guests: Marsha Ramroop, author of Building Inclusion and founder of Unheard Voice; Sarah Hayford, CEO and founder of The Land Collective and driving force behind Black Girls in Property; Rebecca Lovelace, Deputy Chair of CIC’s EDI Committee and founder of Building People; and Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick, CEO of RIBA. Links to discussion topics: Building Inclusion by Marsha Ramroop https://www.buildinginclusion.info/ The Land Collective https://thelandcollective.com/ Black Girls in Property https://bgip.thelandcollective.com/ Building People https://www.buildingpeople.org.uk/ CIC - Equity, Diversity and Inclusion https://www.cic.org.uk/committees-and-networks/diversity-and-inclusion-panel

    33 min

  8. 24/11/2025

    Episode 16: Sustainable housing in the UK - is it just for the middle classes?

    Sustainability is meant to be for everyone but when it comes to housing and communities, is sustainable living actually more of a luxury? In this episode of BE Sustainable, we ask a bold question: are ‘sustainable communities’ genuinely inclusive, or are they the preserve of the middle classes? The discussion comes in light of the UK Government’s latest New Towns proposal, which calls for 12 new settlements and at least 10,000 homes in each - with 40% designated as affordable and with an eye on environmental sustainability. But are ‘sustainable’ new builds more expensive to build? And if so, are we pricing lower-income workers and families out of the sustainable housing market? In this studio debate, host Mike Speight is joined by two leading voices shaping the future of British housing: Professor Samer Bagaeen, Head of Town Planning at the University of the Built Environment and Vice-President-elect of the Royal Town Planning Institute.Dr Elanor Warwick, Head of Strategy, Policy, Evidence and Research at Clarion Housing Group, the UK’s largest social landlord.  Sources of ‘Sustainable Housing UK’ topics discussed:  1. UK Government’s New Towns proposal 2. Clarion Housing Group Annual Report 3. Annual UK Fuel Poverty statistics - 2024 4. Energy Efficiency of Housing in England and Wales: 2025 5. The Guardian article on increases in housing Service Charges

    29 min
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About

University of the Built Environment (formerly known as UCEM) is the leading provider of supported online education for the built environment. Tune in for discussions about the real estate and construction industries, as well as insights into what it's like to study with UCEM and conversations with the institution's students, alumni, supporters and staff. Find out more at ube.ac.uk

Information

  • Creator
    University of the Built Environment
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    93
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 University of the Built Environment
  • Show Website
    University of the Built Environment