Episode 90 - Emma Osmundsen, CEO Sixty Bricks

11/15/23 • 40 min

This evening, I am joined by Emma Osmundsen, CEO of Sixty Bricks. Emma was appointed as its Chief Executive in January 2023, having joined Sixty Bricks from Exeter City Living. Raised in Wales with Norwegian roots, Emma has more than 25 years in the construction industry and is one of the leading global voices in the development and delivery of low-energy, healthy and climate resilient homes and buildings.

You can join in the discussion using our LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9054319/

Please keep your questions and voicenotes coming. It is best to contact me on LinkedIn

Emma's journey underscores the significance of perseverance, finding purpose, and prioritizing the impact of one's work on communities while facing personal and professional challenges.

1. Passion for Innovation: Emma's drive and energy fueled her ambition to push boundaries, delivering groundbreaking projects like the world's first Passive House, Climate Ready, Building Biology Compliant Leisure Centre.

2. Challenges as a Pioneer: As a disruptor in her field, Emma faced resistance and discomfort from those not aligned with her vision. Achieving recognition and success sometimes led to jealousy and insecurities among peers.

3. Transitioning to New Challenges: Despite her significant achievements in Exeter, Emma felt the need for a change. She sought a new challenge and ultimately joined Sixty Bricks, driven by the desire for a fresh start and new ambitions.

4. Ambitions in New Role: Emma aims to scale up innovative housing solutions, making them accessible and equitable across social and private housing sectors. Her goal is to demonstrate that building better homes is feasible and financially viable.

5. Navigating Public Sector Challenges: Running a local authority development company presents hurdles like bureaucratic processes, differing risk appetites, and aligning shareholder ambitions. Emma believes these companies are part of the solution to housing crises but require better understanding and alignment with the public sector.

6. Finding Purpose and Resilience: Emma emphasizes the importance of discovering one's purpose. Her personal battle with cancer reinforced her belief that being in a supportive environment allows individuals to navigate challenges, contributing positively to the workplace.

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You can join in the discussion using our LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9054319/

Please keep your questions and voicenotes coming. It is best to contact me on LinkedIn

Emma's journey underscores the significance of perseverance, finding purpose, and prioritizing the impact of one's work on communities while facing personal and professional challenges.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

Episode 89 - Paul Clark, Head of European Property, AustralianSuper

This evening, I am joined by Paul Clark, Head of European Property for AustralianSuper. AustralianSuper manages £125bn of assets under management, and has made prolific investments in the UK development including Related Argent’s Kings Cross and British Land’s Canada Water. Prior to joining AustralianSuper Paul was the Chief Investment Officer for The Crown Estate and held the reins for the 8.5bn portfolio of the Church Commissioners.

You can join in the discussion using our LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9054319/

Please keep your questions and voicenotes coming. It is best to contact me on LinkedIn

These takeaways reflect the key themes and insights shared by Paul Clark in the podcast, offering valuable lessons for leadership and success in the real estate sector and beyond:

1. Purpose and Values-Driven Leadership: Paul emphasises the importance of working in organisations that have a clear sense of purpose and are values-led. It's essential to align your personal values with the values of the organization you work for.

2. Team Management: Leadership involves being authentic, showing interest in people, and building trust. Maintain transparency, accountability, and encourage an open and honest environment within your team.

3. Business Focus: When leading a team or organisation, it's crucial to maintain clarity in your strategy and purpose. This helps in decision-making, goal setting, and creating a cohesive vision for the team.

4. Focus on Excellence: In real estate and business in general, focus on doing a few things exceptionally well. Specialisation and in-depth expertise in specific sectors or geographies can provide a competitive advantage.

5. Cultural Alignment: When engaging in joint ventures or partnerships, cultural alignment between organisations is a critical factor for success. Ensuring that both parties have a similar long-term perspective and values can lead to productive collaborations.

6. Consistency and Honesty: Leaders should be consistent in their messaging and actions. Honesty and clarity are essential, and it's crucial to say what you genuinely believe while being respectful in communication.

7. Adaptation and Continual Learning: Throughout Paul's career, he highlighted the importance of adaptation and learning. When taking on new roles or challenges, be open to learning and evolving to meet new demands and environments.

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Next Episode

Episode 91 - David Kosky, Co Founder of Work.Life

This evening, I am joined by David Kosky, Co-Founder of Co-Working business Work.Life. Co-Founders David and Elliot started Work.Life in 2015 because they believe everyone should feel happy in their work lives. Now, Work.Life is made up of 15 coworking spaces with 19 projected by the end of the year, and over 6,000 members.

You can join in the discussion using our LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9054319/

Please keep your questions and voicenotes coming. It is best to contact me on LinkedIn.

During the conversation, David delivered key insight into several topics including:

1. Evolution of Coworking Spaces: He discussed how the concept of coworking spaces has evolved over the years, from being a tough market to a more institutionalized and accepted asset class. The sector has seen significant growth and investment from big landlords and institutional money.

2. Trusting Instincts: David emphasised the importance of trusting one's instincts, especially when faced with scepticism from others. Despite warnings and doubts from experienced individuals in the real estate industry, he and his co-founder, Elliot, trusted their instincts and pursued their vision.

3. Complimentary Skill Sets: David highlighted the importance of having a co-founder with complementary skills. His focus was more on business development and growth, while Elliot excelled in detail orientation, team-building, and management.

4. Challenges in Running a Business: David acknowledged the challenges of running one's own business, from starting small and doing everything themselves to scaling up and building a team. He mentioned that persistence, positivity, and creative problem-solving are crucial in navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

5. WeWork's Impact on the Industry: David recognized WeWork's significant impact on pushing the coworking industry forward but also highlighted the challenges WeWork faced due to rapid expansion and shaky real estate foundations. Despite WeWork's issues, David expressed confidence in the long-term trajectory of the coworking sector beyond WeWork's influence.

6. Dealing with Setbacks: When asked about recovering from setbacks, David emphasized the importance of not taking setbacks personally, compartmentalizing work from personal life, and focusing on problem-solving and learning from mistakes.

7. Encouragement for Entrepreneurs: David encouraged individuals interested in entrepreneurship, particularly in the real estate sector, highlighting the opportunities for innovation and disruption in this market.

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