When James McGregor joined Michael Dean and Jack Bristow on the Property Funder Podcast, the conversation ranged from industry shifts to workplace culture. What followed was a fast-moving discussion that touched on some of the most relevant issues in the advisory, development and commercial real estate worlds right now.
Here’s a clear breakdown of the themes James highlighted after the episode.
The advisory and insurance sectors are deep into consolidation
One of the first topics on the table was the ongoing wave of M&A across the advisory and insurance brokerage sectors. Consolidation has been reshaping these industries for years, and the trio dug into how the landscape is shifting and what that means for firms navigating it.
While the conversation covered the broader trend rather than specific deals, the takeaway is that the advisory ecosystem is tightening - and businesses are rethinking how they build resilience and scale.
Developers are facing a difficult market
James also noted that the episode went into detail on the challenges developers are dealing with right now. From tougher market conditions to the pressure created by changing lending appetites, it’s clear that development isn’t operating in the same environment it was a few years ago.
The discussion centred on the reality of these pressures and the adjustments developers are having to make to stay competitive and financially secure.
The workplace power dynamic is shifting back toward employers
A major theme of the episode was the changing relationship between employers and employees. After several years where flexibility and employee-driven policies dominated, the balance is moving back in the opposite direction.
James highlighted how expectations are changing - particularly around presence, productivity and the long-term sustainability of remote-first working cultures.
Working from home is losing momentum
One of the clearest points James raised was the view that working from home is fading. The conversation explored why the enthusiasm for fully remote roles is cooling, and how both businesses and employees are reassessing what actually works in practice.
The return of the office market
James has been optimistic about the office market for years, and the episode reinforced why. With working patterns shifting again, the conversation touched on how demand for office space - particularly well-located and functional space - is re-emerging within the commercial real estate sector.
The message wasn’t that offices are returning to their past form, but that their role is strengthening again as businesses prioritise collaboration, culture and performance.
Junior staff need real proximity to senior people
Another core point from the conversation was the value of learning through exposure. The group discussed why junior team members gain more by being around senior staff day-to-day than they ever could through technology alone.
The emphasis was on practical, real-world development: listening to conversations, observing how problems are solved, and absorbing the nuances that define strong professional judgement.
A conversation worth listening to
As James puts it, the episode features “quite a bit more waffle” beyond the main themes - but the topics he highlighted paint a clear picture of where the industry’s attention is right now.
For anyone interested in the realities of today’s advisory landscape, the shifts in workplace culture or the pressures facing developers, the full episode is worth a listen.
