Building Affordable Housing: Colm Lacey's Journey in Real Estate
In this episode, of Accelerating Careers in Real Estate, I get to sit down with Colm Lacey, Founder and Director of Soft Cities, Chair of London's CLT, and Group Director of Capital Projects for New City College. Colm discusses his impressive career in housing and regeneration, sharing insights from his time at Brick by Brick, Lambeth, Newham, and Croydon Council. Colm talks with honesty about periods of huge growth, and success but also how he handled a very public downfall of Brick by Brick.
Colm also reflects on his educational background, the challenges of delivering affordable housing, and his passion for improving public sector processes. The conversation offers a detailed look at Colm's professional journey, his vision for urban development, and the lessons learned along the way.
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00:00 Introduction to the Guest: Colm Lacey
01:00 Colm's Early Life and University Days
02:02 First Steps in the Professional World
03:14 Transition to Regeneration Projects
04:32 Master's Degree and Career Realization
07:57 Challenges and Successes in Brixton
12:48 Strategic Role at Homes and Communities Agency
18:11 Return to Newham and Olympic Legacy
24:55 Transforming Croydon with Brick by Brick
30:41 Career Challenges and Successes
31:37 Brick by Brick: Context and Controversy
33:41 Ambitions and Achievements
36:25 Public Criticism and Reflection
38:35 Political and Economic Challenges
48:36 Transition to Soft Cities
48:58 Quickfire Questions and Insights
56:59 Future Plans and Final Thoughts
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