In this episode of Beyond Four Walls, host Jodie Fraser sits down with Dan Knowles, Director at Websters Surveyors and one of the UK’s leading experts in Compulsory Purchase. With a career dedicated to representing homeowners affected by regeneration, Dan brings a wealth of knowledge, insight, and empathy to one of the most emotionally charged areas of the property industry.

Dan shares how he built his career in this niche sector, what regeneration should really look like when done ethically, and how policy, advocacy, and human connection intersect in his work. From co-writing the RICS Consumer Guide to presenting to the Mayor of London’s office, Dan has been instrumental in influencing change at both local and national levels.

But this episode isn’t just about policy and process—it’s about people. Dan talks about the importance of working with communities, how to support residents through upheaval, and why leadership in property must be rooted in integrity.

We also explore his life outside work—fatherhood, photography, West End theatre, and what it’s really like being a long-suffering Wolves fan.

Key Topics:

• What Compulsory Purchase is and how it affects homeowners
• Why regeneration must happen with residents, not to them
• Dan’s role at Websters Surveyors and his approach to ethical practice
• Behind the scenes of influencing government guidance and RICS policy
• Balancing leadership, advocacy, and personal life
• The power of giving back and building trust in the property sector

Thank you so much for listening to Beyond Four Walls. If you’ve been inspired by today’s conversation and you’d like to share your own story, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me directly at jodie@jodiefraser.com if you’d like to be a guest on the podcast.

I’d also like to say a special thank you to my podcast producer, Shirley Ludford, at Swindon 105.5 – Swindon’s award-winning community radio station. It’s run by an incredible team of volunteers who are passionate about giving a voice to the local community. You can find out more about the station at www.swindon1055.co.uk

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone who might find it helpful.

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Having studied Housing & Development at UWE, Bristol, Joe has worked within the property sector service industry for 20 years. In 1999 he fell into recruitment serving the wider social housing and professional surveying sectors for eight years before working for Bristol City Council on office fit out projects.

Working as a block manager since 2010 and a full member of the IRPM, He has arranged thousands of reactive maintenance tasks of most kinds and delivered many 'Section 20' major works projects for all sorts of buildings. With well partnered software, he is very aware that maintenance processes can be improved while delivering an enhanced customer experience.

Joe discusses how Fixflo can help your business, but he also very honestly talks about burnout, and understanding the 24/7 nature of block management.

joe.goss@fixflo.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-goss-mirpm-10583331

Thank you so much for listening to Beyond Four Walls. If you’ve been inspired by today’s conversation and you’d like to share your own story, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me directly at jodie@jodiefraser.com if you’d like to be a guest on the podcast.

I’d also like to say a special thank you to my podcast producer, Shirley Ludford, at Swindon 105.5 – Swindon’s award-winning community radio station. It’s run by an incredible team of volunteers who are passionate about giving a voice to the local community. You can find out more about the station at www.swindon1055.co.uk

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone who might find it helpful.

Please follow me at:

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In this episode of Beyond Four Walls, Jodie is joined by Mark North, Business Development Partner at Brethertons LLP.

Mark has spent over 30 years working across the property sector, starting out in estate agency and lettings before moving into the legal world. That experience gives him a rare, joined-up perspective — one that sees property transactions not just as sales, but as long-term commitments that shape people’s lives.

Together, Jodie and Mark explore why leasehold is still so poorly understood, and why many homeowners only learn what it really means once problems arise. They discuss the role estate agents can play at the point of viewing and sale, how earlier and more honest conversations could reduce conflict later on, and where responsibility truly sits within the industry.

The conversation also looks at Mark’s work at Brethertons, the types of issues he regularly sees, and how his background outside the legal profession helps him bridge the gap between lawyers, managing agents, and homeowners.

This episode is a thoughtful, practical discussion for anyone working in property — and for anyone buying a leasehold home who wants to better understand what they’re stepping into.

In this episode, we cover:

• Mark’s journey from estate agency to law
• Why leasehold confusion starts far earlier than the legal stage
• What buyers should know before making an offer
• How estate agents and lawyers could work more collaboratively
• Common misconceptions that lead to disputes later on
• What meaningful transparency in property could actually look like

You can contact Mark here - marknorth@brethertons.co.uk

Thank you so much for listening to Beyond Four Walls. If you’ve been inspired by today’s conversation and you’d like to share your own story, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me directly at jodie@jodiefraser.com if you’d like to be a guest on the podcast.

I’d also like to say a special thank you to my podcast producer, Shirley Ludford, at Swindon 105.5 – Swindon’s award-winning community radio station. It’s run by an incredible team of volunteers who are passionate about giving a voice to the local community. You can find out more about the station at www.swindon1055.co.uk

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone who might find it helpful.

Please follow me at:

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In this episode of Beyond Four Walls, I’m joined by Oneeka Clark for a really open, down-to-earth conversation about her journey into property management and how her view of success has changed over time.

Like so many people in the sector, Oneeka didn’t set out with a grand plan to work in property — it’s something she found her way into, learned on the job, and grew into. We talk honestly about what that early stage feels like, the pressure to “get it right”, and the quiet confidence that comes with experience.

Oneeka also shares her thoughts on what success actually means to her now. Not job titles or external validation, but balance, growth, and feeling comfortable in your own decisions. It’s a refreshing reminder that success doesn’t have to look the same for everyone — and that it’s allowed to change as life does.

This episode is for anyone working in property who’s still finding their feet, questioning their path, or realising that their definition of success might be different from the one they were originally chasing.

We cover:

• Oneeka’s route into property management
• Learning as you go (and why that’s OK)
• Confidence, self-belief and finding your voice
• Redefining success on your own terms

Thank you so much for listening to Beyond Four Walls. If you’ve been inspired by today’s conversation and you’d like to share your own story, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me directly at jodie@jodiefraser.com if you’d like to be a guest on the podcast.

I’d also like to say a special thank you to my podcast producer, Shirley Ludford, at Swindon 105.5 – Swindon’s award-winning community radio station. It’s run by an incredible team of volunteers who are passionate about giving a voice to the local community. You can find out more about the station at www.swindon1055.co.uk

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone who might find it helpful.

Please follow me at:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-four-walls-the-podcast-with-jodie-fraser/

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In this episode of Beyond Four Walls, Jodie sits down with Elliott Adair — property entrepreneur, business leader, and hands-on operator in the leasehold and asset management space. Elliott has worn multiple hats across his career: founder, director, problem-solver, and trusted partner to those responsible for protecting their buildings and communities.

Together, they dive into what it really takes to run a property management business — the pressures, the people, and the passion that keeps you going. Elliott shares lessons from the realities of scaling a business, navigating compliance and financial risk, working with complex stakeholder groups, and keeping communication human in an industry where tensions can run high.

Whether you’re a managing agent, an RMC director, a leaseholder, or simply someone fascinated by leadership and growth, this conversation will give you ideas, reassurance, and a few sparks of inspiration.

In This Episode

• Elliott’s journey into property and why he chose block & estate management
• The toughest misconceptions about managing agents and industry pressures
• Balancing business ownership with operational delivery
• Modern building safety expectations and what compliance really looks like on the ground
• The role of tech and data in delivering better resident experiences
• Managing difficult conversations with confidence and calm
• Leadership lessons — culture, resilience, and learning from mistakes
• What the next 5 years could hold for the leasehold sector
• Elliott’s personal motivations and what keeps him grounded

Why You Should Listen

Because property management is far more than service charges and inspections — it’s about protecting homes, safeguarding people, and supporting thriving communities. Elliott brings honesty, insight, and a fresh entrepreneurial perspective to an industry that’s changing fast. If you’re trying to make an impact without burning out, this one’s for you.

Thank you so much for listening to Beyond Four Walls. If you’ve been inspired by today’s conversation and you’d like to share your own story, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me directly at jodie@jodiefraser.com if you’d like to be a guest on the podcast.

I’d also like to say a special thank you to my podcast producer, Shirley Ludford, at Swindon 105.5 – Swindon’s award-winning community radio station. It’s run by an incredible team of volunteers who are passionate about giving a voice to the local community. You can find out more about the station at www.swindon1055.co.uk

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone who might find it helpful.

Please follow me at:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-four-walls-the-podcast-with-jodie-fraser/

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In this episode of Beyond Four Walls, Jodie sits down with Duncan Foster — a familiar name in the block and estate management world, and someone with more than thirty years of lived experience in the sector.

Duncan’s journey started long before titles and job roles. He built his own successful block management business, sold it to HML in 2014, and today he’s Head of Key Accounts at B-hive Block Management Partners, part of the Vegner Group. What makes Duncan stand out isn’t just the length of his career — it’s the depth of understanding he has around people, relationships, and what really makes this industry tick.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How Duncan first found himself in block management
• What he learned from running (and later selling) his own business
• The partner model at B-hive and why it works for some businesses but not others
• The human side of leasehold — the part no one prepares you for
• The biggest shifts he’s seen in the industry over the last three decades
• How we can better support the well-being of property managers
• What excites him about the future of block and estate management
• The advice he’d give to new agents, business owners, and his younger self

It’s a down-to-earth, honest chat about growth, resilience, dealing with challenging situations, and staying grounded in a sector that’s constantly evolving.

Whether you’re a block manager, a business owner, or simply someone who wants to understand the heart behind the work we do, this episode offers plenty of insight — and a good dose of reassurance that none of us are navigating this on our own.

Listen in and enjoy my conversation with Duncan Foster.

Thank you so much for listening to Beyond Four Walls. If you’ve been inspired by today’s conversation and you’d like to share your own story, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me directly at jodie@jodiefraser.com if you’d like to be a guest on the podcast.

I’d also like to say a special thank you to my podcast producer, Shirley Ludford, at Swindon 105.5 – Swindon’s award-winning community radio station. It’s run by an incredible team of volunteers who are passionate about giving a voice to the local community. You can find out more about the station at www.swindon1055.co.uk

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone who might find it helpful.

Please follow me at:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-four-walls-the-podcast-with-jodie-fraser/

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...

Thank you so much for listening to Beyond Four Walls. If you’ve been inspired by today’s conversation and you’d like to share your own story, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me directly at jodie@jodiefraser.com if you’d like to be a guest on the podcast.

I’d also like to say a special thank you to my podcast producer, Shirley Ludford, at Swindon 105.5 – Swindon’s award-winning community radio station. It’s run by an incredible team of volunteers who are passionate about giving a voice to the local community. You can find out more about the station at www.swindon1055.co.uk

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone who might find it helpful.

Please follow me at:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-four-walls-the-podcast-with-jodie-fraser/

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In this episode of Beyond Four Walls, I’m joined by Chelsea Austin, Marketing Coordinator and Executive Assistant at Earl Kendrick Group — a name many in the block and building management world will recognise.

Chelsea’s story is one of steady growth, creativity, and compassion. From a background in administration and finance to now shaping how a respected firm communicates its brand and values, Chelsea brings a rare blend of professionalism and empathy to her work.

We talk about what it means to market with meaning — how to connect people to property in a way that feels human, not corporate. Chelsea shares insights into her dual role supporting leadership and driving forward the company’s marketing strategy, and we discuss how strong communication can change the way people feel about the industry.

Along the way, we explore her thoughts on recognition, confidence, and how to find purpose even in the quieter, behind-the-scenes roles.

💬 What We Talk About

• Chelsea’s career journey and how she found her place in property
• The evolution of marketing in a traditionally technical industry
• Why storytelling matters in brand and business communication
• Balancing creativity with structure in a dual role
• The importance of empathy, collaboration, and being valued at work
• Tips for anyone wanting to grow a meaningful career in marketing or property
• How companies can showcase the people behind their brand

Thank you so much for listening to Beyond Four Walls. If you’ve been inspired by today’s conversation and you’d like to share your own story, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me directly at jodie@jodiefraser.com if you’d like to be a guest on the podcast.

I’d also like to say a special thank you to my podcast producer, Shirley Ludford, at Swindon 105.5 – Swindon’s award-winning community radio station. It’s run by an incredible team of volunteers who are passionate about giving a voice to the local community. You can find out more about the station at www.swindon1055.co.uk

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone who might find it helpful.

Please follow me at:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-four-walls-the-podcast-with-jodie-fraser/

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