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<h1>All devcast episodes</h1>

<h1>Our guest in this episode of devcast&hellip; is David Young - an acclaimed sports psychologist with an impressive career working with England Cricket and a top Premier League club.</h1>
<p>Hosted by Andrew Deverell-Smith, Global CEO and founder of deverellsmith &amp; Hintel, David shares his journey into the world of sports psychology, revealing how he built his career and became a spotlight-accredited practitioner with Mindflick. Through his work, David has helped organisations, including Hintel and the deverellsmith group, enhance leadership and team dynamics by mapping leadership profiles and leveraging strengths for maximum performance.</p>
<h3>How can businesses within the property industry create high-performing teams?</h3>
<p>During the conversation, David delves into the critical elements of creating high-performance teams. He explores how understanding group dynamics, leveraging strengths, and balancing challenge and support can transform ordinary groups into exceptional teams.</p>

David Young: How to build high-performance

<h1>Our guest in this episode of devcast&hellip; is Tom Venner - Chief Development Officer at the Canary Wharf Group.</h1>
<p align="start">Tom joined Canary Wharf Group (CWG) in July 2022 and oversees the delivery of the Group's development pipeline, which includes major projects at North Quay and Wood Wharf. These developments will bring new homes, hotels, retail, and commercial spaces to Canary Wharf, along with a life sciences campus for London. Additionally, Tom&rsquo;s team manages the final phase of the Shell Centre redevelopment in partnership with Qatari Diar.</p>
<p align="start">Read a snippet from the podcast below.</p>
<h3 align="start"><strong>Back to the beginning</strong></h3>
<p align="start">This podcast episode features the journey of Tom, a chartered surveyor who started his career right after earning his degree from Reading University. He began in consultancy with Montagu Evans, where he quickly honed his skills and gained diverse experience working with high-profile clients, including Landsec and British Land.</p>
<p align="start">A pivotal moment came when a client from Landsec invited him to join their team. Recognising a rare opportunity, Tom took the leap and joined Landsec in 2007. His early years there were filled with excitement, as he worked on designing and developing shopping centres during a vibrant period for retail. However, the global financial crisis soon transformed the landscape, presenting new challenges and shifting his focus. Landsec asked him to step into asset management, refilling and revitalising vacant shopping centres, and ultimately preparing them for sale. Tom embraced this unexpected role, which took him to places he hadn&rsquo;t yet explored and left him with lasting memories.</p>
<p align="start">A few years later, as the market stabilised, Tom returned to Landsec&rsquo;s London development team. This marked a transformative phase, as he contributed to the regeneration of Victoria, helping to open up spaces and modernise buildings from the 1950s. Reflecting on this time, Tom shares invaluable lessons learned and fond memories from working with talented people, who shaped both his career and his enduring passion for urban development.</p>
<h3 align="start">​</h3>
<h3 align="start"><strong>Why Tom joined the visionaries behind Canary Wharf&rsquo;s transformation</strong></h3>
<p align="start">Tom shares his long-standing admiration for Canary Wharf Group, noting how remarkable it is for a development to reach such maturity in just 30-35 years. For a property professional, witnessing Canary Wharf&rsquo;s transformation&mdash;from empty land to the vibrant, iconic hub it is today&mdash;is nothing short of extraordinary.</p>
<p align="start">What ultimately drew Tom to join the Canary Wharf Group was the people. He reflects on how every individual he met at the organisation left a lasting impression, inspiring him with their talent and vision. Working alongside such an impressive team has been a defining part of his journey, fueling his excitement and commitment to Canary Wharf&rsquo;s future.</p>
<p align="start">​</p>
<h3 align="start"><strong>Defining excellence and building a team inspired by CEO Shobi Khan</strong></h3>
<p align="start">Tom reflects on a piece of advice from CEO Shobi Khan that left a lasting impact:&nbsp;<em>"Only hire people you think are exceptional."</em>&nbsp;Khan emphasised the importance of not settling for quick hires, but rather holding out for those who truly stand out.</p>
<p align="start">This principle leads to a key question:&nbsp;<em>What defines &lsquo;exceptional&rsquo;?</em> Tom shares the qualities he seeks in top talent. First, he values natural enthusiasm&mdash;people who are genuinely passionate about their work tend to excel and thrive in their roles. Another vital quality is clear commercial acumen. In a field focused on both design and profitability, Tom looks for individuals who can balance creativity with a sharp business sense, envisioning solutions that ensure both aesthetic and financial success. This instinctive ability to navigate challenges while keeping a commercial lens is something he prizes highly in his team.</p>

Tom Venner: From the ground up at the Canary Wharf Group

<h1>Our guest in this episode of devcast&hellip; is Parul Scampion, Principal and COO of Fruition Properties.</h1>
<p>For over 20 years, Parul has played a pivotal role in the success of Fruition Properties, taking on diverse responsibilities across the organisation. She has been instrumental in driving the company&rsquo;s growth, particularly overseeing its Finance and Planning functions, while shaping its strategic direction.</p>
<p>Before joining Fruition Properties, Parul worked as a financial analyst and management consultant at a leading Big Four professional services firm. She is a qualified chartered accountant and holds a BA from New College, Oxford, as well as an MSc from the London School of Economics.</p>
<p>Read a snippet from the podcast below!</p>
<h3><strong>A non-traditional route into property</strong></h3>
<p>Parul began her career studying politics and working in the public sector, where she qualified as an accountant. Seeking a faster-paced environment, she transitioned into management consultancy, spending six years tackling challenges for large organisations and travelling extensively.</p>
<p>After starting a family, Parul sought a better work-life balance. At that time, her brother had just launched Fruition Properties and completed its first construction project. He invited her to join the business to support its operations and systems. Two decades later, Parul remains vital to the company&rsquo;s success and growth.</p>
<h3><strong>Advice for starting your career in property</strong></h3>
<p>We asked Parul what advice she would give to someone considering taking a leap of faith into the property industry. Her response? &ldquo;Say yes.&rdquo; She encourages embracing opportunities, even if they seem daunting at first. Parul advises focusing on discovering what you excel at and using that as a foundation to build your career.</p>
<p>She believes that each job presents an opportunity to learn more about what you enjoy and what might not be the best fit for you. There&rsquo;s immense value in exploring diverse roles and experiences until you find an environment that feels like home&mdash;a place where you can truly grow and develop your skills. By remaining open to possibilities and trusting the process, you can carve out a fulfilling path in the property industry.</p>

Parul Scampion: Shaping the award-winning SME Developer Fruition Properties

<h1>What happens when two forward-thinking entrepreneurs decide to shake things up?</h1>
<p>That&rsquo;s exactly what Jonathan Brandling-Harris and Richard Bryce, Co-founders of House Collective are doing.</p>
<p align="start">In the latest episode of devcast&hellip;, Ryan Doyle - Senior Business Development Manager at deverellsmith sat down with the pair to explore their fresh take on estate agency, their B-Corp status, and their commitment to putting people first.</p>
<p align="start">Read a snippet from the podcast below&hellip;</p>
<h3 align="start"><strong>From rugby fields to real estate</strong></h3>
<p align="start">Jonathan has had quite the journey - starting in professional rugby before transitioning into the corporate real estate world. Reflecting on his career shift, he acknowledges that the structured, high-pressure culture of traditional agencies didn&rsquo;t quite align with his vision. Instead, he and Richard sought to create a space where agents could thrive in an environment built on autonomy, collaboration, and ethical responsibility.</p>
<h3 align="start"><strong>What sets House Collective apart?</strong></h3>
<p align="start">Their philosophy is simple: slow down, focus on quality over quantity, and put clients&rsquo; needs first. House Collective prioritises a more curated approach. By ensuring that agents handle fewer properties at a time, they can provide a more personalised and attentive service to their clients.</p>
<p align="start">But what truly makes House Collective unique is its dual-discipline model. Unlike traditional firms that separate sales and lettings into two distinct roles, House Collective encourages its agents to be proficient in both. This not only provides agents with more career opportunities but also ensures that clients receive a seamless experience, whether they are buying, selling, or renting.</p>
<h3 align="start"><strong>A commitment to ethics: Achieving B-Corp status</strong></h3>
<p align="start">One of House Collectives' standout achievements is their B-Corp certification. Achieving this wasn't easy for Richard and Jonathan, it was a rigorous process that demanded transparency, sustainability, and ethical business practices. But, for House Collective, it wasn&rsquo;t about checking a box; it was about solidifying their values and setting a new standard for estate agencies.</p>

House Collective: A new era for estate agencies 

<p>Whether you’re looking to get hired, or looking to hire then we’ve got you covered. <br/> Reach out and speak to our expert team today.</p>

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