About Purpose of Place: The Future of Work & Real Estate
How can we future-proof real estate investments in an era of uncertainty?
Purpose of Place: The Future of Work & Real Estate is the podcast for investors, landlords, and occupiers adapting to the shifting demands of the commercial real estate market. As new work models and evolving lifestyles challenge traditional approaches, each episode explores strategies to minimize risk, drive sustainable growth, and design places that are thriving and resilient.
Hosted by workplace visionary Despina Katsikakis, the podcast brings together insights from industry innovators to ensure your investments stand the test of time—financially, environmentally, and socially.
The Enduring Legacy of DEGW – with Professor John Worthington and Dr Hiral Patel
How have the foundational ideas of workplace design shaped the way we think about work today?
In this episode, Despina Katsikakis is joined by Professor John Worthington, co-founder of DEGW, and Dr. Hiral Patel, curator of the DEGW Living Archive, to reflect on the principles that redefined the relationship between organizations, technology, and place.
From smart buildings and flexible work to experience-led design and integrative briefing, they explore how DEGW’s thinking moved beyond efficiency to focus on intentionality, adaptability, and meaningful work—lessons that remain highly relevant in today’s evolving workplace landscape.
DEGW Archive: https://collections.reading.ac.uk/special-collections/collections/degw-archive/
Episode Music: https://www.davidcuttermusic.com
22 Oct 2025
Inside Meta’s Evolving Real Estate Strategy - with Rob Cookson of Meta
What does the future of work look like inside one of the world’s most forward-thinking companies?
In this episode, Despina Katsikakis speaks with Rob Cookson, Vice President Global Real Estate and Facilities at Meta, about how the tech giant is redefining the value and purpose of place. Rob shares how Meta is moving from mandates to magnetism—creating workplaces people choose to come to—by creating more intentional, adaptive, and human-centered environments.
Episode Music: https://www.davidcuttermusic.com
31 May 2025
Balancing Legacy with Flexibility – with Vivienne Grafton of the Bank of England
Vivienne Grafton, Executive Director at the Bank of England, discusses balancing legacy with flexibility while modernizing a historic building and adapting to the evolving needs of a modern workforce in an interview with Despina Katsikakis.
7 May 2025
Designing for Innovation with Mikkel Lyngbo Nielsen of Ericsson
At Ericsson, real estate plays a critical role in driving innovation, attracting top talent, and showcasing the company’s leadership in technology. In this episode of Purpose of Place, Despina Katsikakis speaks with Mikkel Nielsen, Chief Real Estate Officer, about how Ericsson is designing intentional workplaces that balance legacy and future growth across its global portfolio.
Mikkel shares how his team is using data to map work processes, create hybrid strategies rooted in productivity and engagement, and reimagine the office as a platform for collaboration and innovation. He also discusses how Ericsson is embedding sustainability into every decision, and how their spaces are becoming living showcases of technology and brand experience, by aligning key stakeholders through shared OKRs.
Listen in to hear how Ericsson is pioneering a data-driven, employee-centered approach to designing the workplaces of the future.
Mikkel Nielsen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikkellyngbo/
Ericsson: https://www.ericsson.com/
Episode Music: https://www.davidcuttermusic.com
12 Mar 2025
Aligning People, Place & Purpose with Shelley Boland of Standard Chartered
At Standard Chartered, real estate is deeply connected to the bank’s identity, culture, and strategy. In this episode of Purpose of Place, Despina Katsikakis speaks with Shelley Boland, Global Head of Corporate Real Estate & Services, about how the bank has integrated real estate, HR, brand, and corporate strategy to shape employee and client experiences across 50+ markets.
Shelley shares how her team is moving beyond traditional cost metrics to focus on experience and productivity, the role of real estate in strengthening brand equity, and how the workplace can create a sense of pride for employees. She also discusses how Standard Chartered is designing spaces that align with its purpose, leveraging technology to create frictionless experiences, and embedding sustainability at the core of its real estate strategy.
Listen in to hear how Standard Chartered is redefining the role of corporate real estate—ensuring that every moment in the workplace reflects the bank’s brand and ambition.
Shelley Boland on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-boland-763615a/
Standard Chartered: https://www.sc.com
Episode Music: https://www.davidcuttermusic.com
11 Feb 2025
Redefining the Value of Sustainable Development with Coen van Oostrom of EDGE
The real estate industry is at a crossroads, and Coen van Oostrom, Founder & CEO of EDGE, is leading the charge toward a more sustainable, tech-driven future. In this episode of Purpose of Place, Despina Katsikakis explores how EDGE is revolutionizing buildings by integrating real-time data, AI, and human-centric design to enhance environmental impact, employee well-being, and workplace experience.
Coen shares why the industry must move beyond traditional sustainability labels and focus on real performance metrics—energy efficiency, operational carbon costs, and embodied carbon in building materials. As technology reshapes expectations and workplaces evolve, he explains how data-driven design can drive long-term value for both businesses and investors. From transforming existing assets to creating immersive, adaptable work environments, this conversation reveals why sustainable real estate isn’t just good for the planet—it’s a smart business strategy.
Tune in to explore how resilience, innovation, and rethinking the value of place are shaping the future of real estate.
Coen van Oostrom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coenvanoostrom/
EDGE: https://edgebuildings.com/
Episode Music: https://www.davidcuttermusic.com
7 Jan 2025
Creating Lasting & Shared Prosperity with Dan Labbad of The Crown Estate
Despina Katsikakis talks with Dan Labbad, CEO of the Crown Estate, about how unified placemaking drives lasting prosperity and the evolving concept of value in the property sector.
5 Dec 2024
Investing with Purpose with Bill Hughes of Legal & General
Despina Katsikakis talks to Bill Hughes of Legal & General about how investments can be financially successful and socially beneficial, fostering environments that are economically viable and socially and environmentally resilient.
27 Oct 2024
From Boxes to Places: Transforming Office Design with Sir Stuart Lipton
In this episode of Purpose of Place, Despina Katsikakis sits down with Sir Stuart Lipton, one of the most influential figures in UK commercial real estate, known for creating some of London’s most iconic developments. Together, they discuss the evolution of workplaces over the past 40 years, exploring how office design must move beyond traditional "boxes" to create environments that inspire, engage, and connect people. Sir Stuart shares his insights on human-centered design, social change, and how innovative developments can shape the future of cities and communities.
30 Sept 2024
Building Resilient Places with David Partridge of Related Argent
David Partridge, Chairman of Related Argent, has been a driving force behind some of the UK’s most iconic regeneration projects, including King’s Cross. He is also a Trustee of the UK Green Building Council and Chairman of the Governance Board of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard.
In this inaugural episode of Purpose of Place, Despina Katsikakis sits down with David to discuss the evolving role of commercial real estate in creating thriving, resilient places that respond to changing social, environmental, and economic demands.
Learn how a long-term approach to design, with public realm integration and sustainability, is key to future-proofing developments and driving asset value across entire precincts. David shares his insights on the importance of adaptability, the role of social value, and the future-proofing real estate in an uncertain world.
David Partridge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-partridge-38b3b512/
Related Argent: https://relatedargent.co.uk/
The British Council for Offices: https://www.bco.org.uk/
Episode Music: https://www.davidcuttermusic.com
29 Sept 2024
Introducing Purpose of Place: The Future of Work & Real Estate
How can we future-proof real estate investments in an era of uncertainty?
Purpose of Place: The Future of Work & Real Estate is the podcast for investors, landlords, and occupiers adapting to the shifting demands of the commercial real estate market. As new work models and evolving lifestyles challenge traditional approaches, each episode explores strategies to minimize risk, drive sustainable growth, and design places that are thriving and resilient.
Hosted by workplace visionary Despina Katsikakis, the podcast brings together insights from industry innovators to ensure your investments stand the test of time—financially, environmentally, and socially.
Episode Music: https://www.davidcuttermusic.com (https://www.davidcuttermusic.com)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
5,922
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 50 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
53
Social presence
0
YouTube
68
Engagement
51
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