Property Developers Playbook

About Property Developers Playbook

Property Developers Playbook is your go-to podcast to the world of property development and investment. Hosted by Jonathan Stobbs and Kieron Shepherd, who both have experience as developers and as main contractors, this podcast dives into the strategies, challenges, and rewards of real estate development. Whether you're a contractor looking to transition into development or an investor looking to scale, each episode provides actionable insights, dos and don’ts, and first-hand experiences from those on the ground. Join us as we interview top developers, tackle common pitfalls, explore innovative solutions, and discuss the mindset required to thrive in property development. Property Developer’s Playbook is more than just advice; it’s a blueprint for unlocking your potential in property development. Tune in to start building your knowledge, confidence, and your success.

Publisher

Jonathan Stobbs & Kieron Shepherd

Category

business · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

18 Jun 2025

Latest episode

18 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

76 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   18 Oct 2026

   74: The Reality of Large-Scale Development: A Two-Year Acquisition

   Jonathan and Kieron provide a comprehensive project update on their latest major development: Luxstowe House in Liskeard. They detail the acquisition and planning journey behind transforming this 1831 Grade II listed building—which has historical ties to the founders of Barclays Bank—into a 34-apartment residential complex. The discussion covers the specific challenges of listed building planning applications, the strategic value of hosting community open days to dispel local rumors, and the long-term realities of property development timelines. KEY TAKEAWAYS Historical Significance: Luxstowe House is an 1831 Grade II listed manor that served as a World War II staging base, an Italian POW camp, and council chambers before being acquired for residential conversion. Navigating Planning Constraints: The team initially considered Class MA permitted development rights, but the building's listed status and the positioning of a 1980s extension on the same curtilage necessitated a full planning application. Project Scope and Phasing: The development is strategically split into two phases: an initial soft strip and conversion of the modern extension into 22 apartments, followed by the conversion of the historic manor house into 12 apartments. Community Engagement: Hosting a site open day allowed the developers to address wild local rumors, showcase their architectural plans directly to neighbors, and build vital community support for the project. Development Timelines: Property development is a long-term commitment; acquiring the Luxstowe site, navigating the pre-application process, and submitting the full planning application took nearly two years of continuous effort. BEST MOMENTS "It's definitely not get rich quick. It's not something that you're going to get a development that's going to pay you out in 90 days or something like that." "Didn't you tell me he's one of the forerunners of Barclays? ... That's quite cool, knowing that." "Once you put your head above parapet, you might get shot at. But actually, it was really good. It was nice to meet the locals, meet the neighbours." "You've got to go through the journey, haven't you? You know, there are steps and stages to this to make sure you get it right." HOST BIOS Jonathan is a property developer and entrepreneur with a background in finance and construction. Originally from South Africa, he holds degrees in Accounting and Auditing and relocated to England in 2003. He gained financial and operational experience at firms such as RSM, Prudential, and Baker Tilly before transitioning into property. Since 2014, Jonathan has managed major commercial-to-residential conversions and new build developments, particularly across the South West. His analytical mindset and on-the-ground experience help listeners navigate the property world with confidence. Kieron is a construction expert and entrepreneur with over 20 years of industry experience. Starting as a mason, he went on to found Shepherd Construction in 2012, delivering projects across both the public and private sectors. From extensions to luxury new builds, Kieron has earned a reputation for quality, precision, and strong leadership. As Managing Director, he’s involved in every stage—from design to delivery—offering a no-nonsense, deeply practical perspective to anyone looking to build with success. https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.stobbs.1979/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanstobbs/ https://www.facebook.com/kieron.shepherd.73 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieron-shepherd-83b979aa/

2. 

   11 Oct 2026

   73: Navigating The Various Methods of Construction - REVISITED

   This week, we revisit one of our older episodes that you may have missed! Jonathan and Kieron unmask the various methods of construction used in property development. They discuss the pros and cons of traditional brick and block construction, highlighting its reliability and buyer perception, while also exploring the growing popularity of timber frame and modular construction methods. They cover essential factors such as cost, timeframes, and the impact of weather on construction processes. ⁠ KEY TAKEAWAYS Choosing the right method of construction is crucial in property development, as it impacts cost, timeframe, saleability, and overall project viability. Common methods include traditional brick and block, timber frame, and modular construction. Brick and block construction is seen as traditional and reliable, offering solid structures with minimal movement. However, it is weather-dependent and can be slower compared to other methods like timber frame. Timber frame construction is gaining popularity due to its speed and efficiency. It allows for quick assembly and can be pre-fabricated in a dry environment, but it requires careful management to avoid issues with moisture and twisting. Effective logistics and site management are essential for successful construction projects. This includes ensuring materials are delivered on time, managing labour effectively, and preparing the site for equipment like cranes. Newer methods such as structural insulated panels (SIPs) and modular construction are being explored for their efficiency and performance. However, they come with their own challenges, including higher costs and the need for careful design and engineering to ensure successful implementation. BEST MOMENTS "The construction method obviously affects a lot of factors: cost, timeframe, finance, and saleability as well." "I think lenders prefer traditional brick and block because it's kind of standard; it's what people expect." "Timber frame seems like the new kid on the block, but probably for 30 years people have been doing it." "You need to make sure that you have the logistics side in there as well with all of these types." "Structural insulated panels are like the high-performance cousins of timber frame." HOST BIOS Jonathan is a property developer and entrepreneur with a background in finance and construction. Originally from South Africa, he holds degrees in Accounting and Auditing and relocated to England in 2003. He gained financial and operational experience at firms such as RSM, Prudential, and Baker Tilly before transitioning into property. Since 2014, Jonathan has managed major commercial-to-residential conversions and new build developments, particularly across the South West. His analytical mindset and on-the-ground experience help listeners navigate the property world with confidence. Kieron is a construction expert and entrepreneur with over 20 years of industry experience. Starting as a mason, he went on to found Shepherd Construction in 2012, delivering projects across both the public and private sectors. From extensions to luxury new builds, Kieron has earned a reputation for quality, precision, and strong leadership. As Managing Director, he’s involved in every stage—from design to delivery—offering a no-nonsense, deeply practical perspective to anyone looking to build with success. https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.stobbs.1979/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanstobbs/ https://www.facebook.com/kieron.shepherd.73 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieron-shepherd-83b979aa/

3. 

   4 Oct 2026

   72: Labour’s "Your First Home" Scheme: What It Means for Property Developers

   In this episode, Jonathan and Kieron discuss the latest housing market announcements from the Labour conference, specifically focusing on the new "Your First Home" scheme for first-time buyers. Before analyzing the policy, they share progress updates on their Saltash development and recap a recent open day at Luxor House in Liskeard, where they proactively engaged with the local community and hosted a live training exercise for the fire department. They then break down the mechanics of the proposed 2.5% deposit and 20% government equity loan, exploring how this Help to Buy successor could stimulate buyer demand and support SME developers building entry-level housing. KEY TAKEAWAYS Control the Narrative: Hosting public open days allows developers to set their own narrative straight from day one, building relationships with neighbors rather than allowing locals to rely on speculation and make-believe stories. Support Local Services: Offering vacant development sites to local fire crews for training is an excellent, practical way to give back to the community and support emergency responders. "Your First Home" Mechanics: The newly proposed scheme targets first-time buyers by allowing a low 2.5% deposit, supplemented by a 20% government-backed equity loan that functions very similarly to the previous Help to Buy initiative. Boost for Entry-Level Housing: A government-backed scheme like this will heavily assist developers building for the entry-level market, helping buyers with average salaries successfully cross the finish line to property ownership. Planning Friction: While stimulating buyer demand is helpful, the government must also focus on making the planning process easier and faster to properly incentivize developers to build the necessary volume of homes. BEST MOMENTS "No, I think that's a good lesson there for people is is be proactive. Um and don't be afraid of meeting the neighbors." "You don't want to be on the back foot and you don't want to be fending off um you know stories and make believe about about your development you want to be just setting it setting it straight from day one." "So this is what they calling it your first home. It's a two and a half percent deposit for again first time buyers. You do get a 20% government backed equity loan..." "So where we're at the entry level of in in our area, um and we've what I would call affordable for people to, you know, with with average salaries to be able to achieve, you know, and purchase a property, this will really help them." YOUTUBE CHANNEL ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@propertydevelopersiq⁠ HOST BIOS Jonathan is a property developer and entrepreneur with a background in finance and construction. Originally from South Africa, he holds degrees in Accounting and Auditing and relocated to England in 2003. He gained financial and operational experience at firms such as RSM, Prudential, and Baker Tilly before transitioning into property. Since 2014, Jonathan has managed major commercial-to-residential conversions and new build developments, particularly across the South West. His analytical mindset and on-the-ground experience help listeners navigate the property world with confidence. Kieron is a construction expert and entrepreneur with over 20 years of industry experience. Starting as a mason, he went on to found Shepherd Construction in 2012, delivering projects across both the public and private sectors. From extensions to luxury new builds, Kieron has earned a reputation for quality, precision, and strong leadership. As Managing Director, he’s involved in every stage—from design to delivery—offering a no-nonsense, deeply practical perspective to anyone looking to build with success. OUR SOCIALS ⁠https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.stobbs.1979/⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanstobbs/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.stobbs/⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/kieron.shepherd.73⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieron-shepherd-83b979aa/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/kieron__shepherd/⁠ ⁠https://www.propertydevelopersplaybook.co.uk/⁠ Book your seat now on our 3-day live event, Property Developers Bootcamp ⁠https://www.propertydevelopersiq.co.uk/pdblive

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Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 46 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

93

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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