All About Housing

Councils now spend billions a year on Temporary Accommodation. In this episode, Richard and Graham Cherry are joined by Henry Lamprecht, Managing Director of Community Communications Partnership (former councillor and lawyer), to unpack politics, planning, and the findings of Stonebond’s commissioned report, on the Extent of the Housing and Temporary Accommodation (TA) Crisis Across England.

Richard Cherry and Graham Cherry sit down with Richard Cook, Chief Development Officer at Clarion Housing Group, the UK’s largest housing association, for a candid discussion on the state of the market. Cook traces his journey from family construction yards to delivering the London 2012 Olympic Village and now leading Clarion’s development push.

In part two, we continue our discussion with Richard Donnell from Zoopla — this time looking ahead. We dig into the generational divide in home ownership, the types of homes buyers really want, and the challenges of land, planning and viability.

In this first part of our conversation with Richard Donnell, Executive Director at Zoopla, we explore how the housing market has changed over the years, the impact of regulation and affordability pressures, and why transactions have stalled. From falling mortgage rates to the north–south divide, Richard unpacks the forces shaping today’s market.

We're back! Welcome to Season Two of the All About Housing Podcast. Throughout the 2025-26 season, we will be diving even deeper into the urgent questions shaping the future of the housing market in the UK.We have some exciting guests lined up for this season, with expert analysts, policy makers and planners, all working in the thick of it. We can't wait! In this first episode, Richard and Graham are joined by Chris Millington, Equity analyst at Numis Securities. Together, they unpack the complex landscape of the UK housing sector, from  Richard's cautious optimism to the structural challenges that could slow progress. 

With the Prime Minister calling a General Election for Thursday 4th July 2024, the future of the housing industry hangs in the balance. In our latest special episode of our All About Housing Podcast, co-hosts Graham and Richard Cherry sit down with Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman of the Home Builders Federation, to discuss the potential impacts of this pivotal election.In this engaging discussion, Graham, Richard and Stewart delve into:- The possible ramifications of a Labour government for the housing sector.- Immediate changes that house builders and their partners can expect.- Hopes and expectations from the new government to support and sustain the housing industry.Stewart Baseley, who has been instrumental on the board of HBF since 2002 and has served as its Executive Chairman since 2006, brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to this episode. Stewart has been at the heart of representing the house building industry’s position to different governments. From SMEs to PLCs, the HBF’s nearly 500 members now build about 80% of the new homes in England and Wales, so he is excellently placed to comment on what the industry would like to see from the next government.

Welcome back to part two of the Building Balance Communities discussion with our special guest, Kate Davies. In this second part, Kate, Richard and Graham discuss how Housing Authorities are working to solve the housing crisis. They take a deep dive into the direct work that Stonebond is doing to contribute and work alongside HAs. 

In honour of Women in Construction Week and International Women's Day, Graham Cherry of Stonebond hosts a candid discussion with colleagues past and present about the role of women in the construction industry. He is joined by Annette Cole, Sales and Marketing Director at Stonebond, Kirsten Moore, Group Coordinator at Stonebond and Helen Moore, Group Director of Orbit Homes. From sharing personal journeys to addressing gender biases and discussing strategies for promoting diversity, this episode highlights the ongoing efforts to empower women and drive positive change in the construction and property industries.

In this episode, Richard and Graham welcome our first series guest, Kate Davies CBE. Kate is a Non-Executive Director of Stonebond and the former Chief Executive of Notting Hill Genesis Housing Association. Kate shares insights from her 30-year career in the social housing sector, reflecting on the changes and challenges the industry has faced over the years. She highlights the complexities of managing existing housing stock while striving for growth and development as well as the importance of creating mixed and balanced communities. 

Graham and Richard dive into the pivotal shift during COVID that led them to become a mixed-tenure partnerships developer. They share the benefits of this model for sustainable growth and the importance of pre-selling strategies. They also discuss Stonebond's expansion into multiple regions and maintaining a positive company culture. 

Graham and Richard Cherry are back for episode two of the All About Housing podcast. In this episode, they delve into the highs and lows of their career in the construction industry. From navigating housing booms and busts to weathering the storm during economic downturns, the Stonebond Co-Chairmen share their valuable insights and strategies. They discuss the importance of operating in economically resilient areas, consistently delivering quality products, and maintaining great financial relationships.Learn how they tackled challenges head-on and consistently worked on improving their product and strategic marketing, even in tough times.

In this episode, Graham and Richard Cherry, Co-Chairmen of Stonebond, explore their early years deeply influenced by their father's passion for property. They reveal the humble beginnings of Countryside and how they navigated its evolution into a prominent nationwide housebuilder. Whilst also shedding light on the commitment to innovation, quality and community building that has been passed down from their father’s learnings.The podcast takes a deeper dive into Countryside's commitment to mixed tenure housing and challenging the traditional approach of monotonous council estates. Through collaborations with housing associations, the company pioneered the development of mixed tenure communities, ensuring a seamless blend of diverse housing options.Richard and Graham share impactful stories of regeneration projects in urban areas, transforming deteriorating council estates into thriving communities. From Peckham to Canning Town, these ventures were not only commercially successful but also immensely satisfying, showcasing the transformative power of quality development.