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Desert Island Risks

James Thornton

Season 1, Ep. 9

In our ninth podcast episode, Emily talks to James Thornton, former CEO and current Non-Executive Chairman of Mayfair Capital. After 20 years working on the advisory side with Jones Lang Wooton and Savills, James took the leap in setting up Mayfair Capital with his former JLW colleague, Guy Brogden, in 2002. Since then, he has helped the business to invest hundreds of millions of pounds of capital, culminating in the sale of Mayfair to Swiss Life in 2016. In this episode, we hear from James on the challenges of setting up your own business, how to deal with unexpected market changes, albeit a war, global pandemic, financial crisis or Brexit, the secret to building trust with your investors and why the people behind the real estate still matter so much. We also hear from James’ family, friends and former colleagues on why he has stood out in the market, his unflappable attitude in a crisis and his secret penchant for soppy films!

 

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  • 11. Richard Croft - Revisited

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  • 10. Joanne McNamara

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    In our tenth episode, Emily meets Joanne McNamara, Head of Europe at Oxford Properties. Having joined Oxford in 2010 as an Investment Analyst (and as one of the first of three employees in the team) Jo rose through the ranks as Oxford grew its AUM to $10bn and its headcount to 40 people. She played a central role in Oxford’s merger with M7 Real Estate in 2021 and was awarded PERE industry figure of the year in the deals aftermath. In this episode, we learn Joanne’s thoughts on what it takes to step up as a leader in business, how to approach risks and challenges with thoughtfulness and respect, and why more offices should take up team sports (or just Netball, according to Jo!). We also hear from Joanne’s business partners, mentors, family and longstanding friends on why she stands out from the rest, Jo’s ability to back herself through challenging times and how she has found balance between business leadership and family.
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    In our eighth podcast episode, Emily meets Mark Robinson, co-founder of Ellandi, the UK’s leading owner-operator of retail and town centre spaces. He is an award-winning entrepreneur and one of the market’s leading advocates for placemaking and community creation. Mark’s success has been recognised through a number of accolades including being chosen as President of Revo and his Government appointment as Chair of the High Street Task Force in 2020. Having begun his career in retail 28 years ago, Mark took the leap in founding his own platform in 2008. He recounts how he set up his business in the wake of the financial crisis, the initial struggles and how they built a successful company with diversity, inclusion, community and sustainability at its forefront. On a more personal level Mark, tells us about his recent life changing experience, and how it has transformed (for the better) his approach to life, the business and taking risks. We will also hear from friends and colleagues of Mark who share their stories including his co-founder of Ellandi Morgan Garfield, COO Alysoun Stewart and Matthew Weiner. 
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    In our fourth podcast episode, we meet Roger Orf, Partner & Vice-Chairman of Apollo Global Management’s European Principal Finance and Real Estate businesses. Born and raised on a Missouri farm, Roger was the first in his family to attend university - a risk he credits as one of the most important of his career - before kickstarting his rise through the real estate world and joining the first American pioneers on their venture into Europe. In this podcast, Roger talks about the value of human relationships, why investing in your education is so important and, a veteran of both the tech and global financial crises, how to weather multiple economic downturns and use them as an opportunity to have impact. We also hear from Roger's, colleagues, friends and family who have stood by him in and outside the boardroom, and at the Arsenal, of course!
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