The Industry Never Stands Still with Ed Mead

How much has the property industry really changed over the last 50 years?In this episode of *The Viking Chats*, Kristjan sits down with one of the industry's most recognisable figures, Ed Mead. From his early days learning the ropes in London's estate agency scene during the 1970s, through helping build Douglas & Gordon into one of the capital's best-known brands, to founding Viewber and becoming one of property's most respected commentators, Ed has experienced almost every major shift the industry has gone through.As the episode title suggests, one thing has remained constant throughout his career.The industry never stands still.This is a conversation about what changes, what doesn't, and why the businesses that thrive are usually the ones prepared to evolve.Ed reflects on what made Douglas & Gordon different during its growth years, the importance of having great mentors early in your career, and why maintaining a healthy balance between work and life was one of the secrets to enjoying such a long career in agency.The discussion then moves into the creation of Viewber. Originally conceived as a way of solving a simple problem—how to cover more viewings outside normal office hours—it quickly evolved into something much bigger. Today, Viewber supports auction houses, estate agents, institutional landlords, social housing providers and property professionals across the UK through a nationwide network of thousands of local property representatives.Along the way, Kristjan and Ed explore why some technology businesses flourish while others disappear, why so much PropTech has historically been built by people who never truly understood agency, and how AI is changing not just the products we build but the speed at which businesses can innovate.There is also plenty of discussion around one of the industry's biggest talking points: regulation.From the Renters' Rights Bill and increasing compliance obligations to taxation, housing policy and the ever-changing political landscape, Kristjan and Ed debate whether governments genuinely understand the unintended consequences of housing legislation. They discuss the growing professionalism of the lettings sector, the changing profile of landlords, and why good intentions don't always produce good outcomes.The conversation also tackles qualification, training and professional standards within agency. Having once supported mandatory qualifications, Ed explains why his thinking has changed over the years, arguing that while poor operators undoubtedly exist, the overwhelming majority of agents are honest, hardworking professionals who care deeply about their clients.It's a refreshingly balanced discussion that avoids easy headlines in favour of thoughtful debate.Perhaps most importantly, this episode is about perspective.Ed has seen markets boom and crash. He's watched business models come and go. He's worked in traditional agency, built a successful technology company and advised the industry through decades of change. That experience gives him a unique vantage point on where the property sector has been—and where it may be heading next.Whether you're an estate agent, letting agent, PropTech founder, supplier or simply someone fascinated by how industries evolve, this episode offers a rare opportunity to hear from someone who has spent half a century adapting to change without ever losing sight of the fundamentals.Because in property, just when you think you've seen everything...The industry never stands still.Send us Fan Mail