The FreeThinking Podcast

Today on the FreeThinking Podcast, we have Bill Grimsey, legendary retailer with 45 years experience - from butcher’s boy to CEO of Wickes and Iceland. In 2012 he wrote 'Sold Out: Who really killed the High Street’, and since then through his highly influential ' The Grimsey Reviews' he has been leading the debate on the future of the high street.

Bill talks about localism on steroids, practical steps to creating magnetic high streets, and his new review 'Against All Odds' on the importance of nurturing independent businesses which came out last week!

We are excited to have Emma Beverley - Executive Producer of LEEDS 2023 as a special guest to Episode 10 of FreeThinking podcast! LEEDS 2023 is an exciting year-long programme where the city is 'Letting Culture Loose' - and as they said at the launch last month: 'They’re gonna create, make, perform, run, bake, eat, share, sing, speak, play' ... Because culture is everywhere in this city! Let's hear all about it!

Our next special guest of the FreeThinking podcast is Hugo Warner, who co-founded hospitality group Benugo - with brother Ben - and last year launched a purpose-built co-working space called The Fisheries, near Broadway Market in London.

He talks about how great hospitality means taking care of every part of the experience, at every scale, whether you are building a community hub or a stakeholder brand or even a post-pandemic high street. We hope you enjoy Episode 9!

Our special guest to Episode 8 of FreeState's FreeThinking podcast is Mark Bourgeois - Managing Director, UK and Ireland, of Hammerson. Mark talks about creating City Quarters, how far the rich mix of mixed-use might take the future City Centre, and the importance of Return on Experience. We hope you enjoy!

We are excited to have Kim Cook - Director, Creative Initiatives for Burning Man as a special guest to our second series of the FreeThinking podcast!

We are thrilled to have Natalie Slessor - Head of Customer Futures for Lendlease - as a special guest to Episode 7 of our FreeThinking podcast. Natalie is one of Australia’s few social psychologists specialising in the built environment - with a razor sharp focus on the future of living, leisure and work. She talks about how great place-making should start with the ending, the value of a cultural risk assessment, and how Silicon Valley offers inspiration to the city as the ultimate perpetual field test! 

Our special guest to Episode 5 of our FreeThinking podcast is Ross Bailey, founder of Appear Here, who has helped more than 200,000 brands find short-term spaces in London, Paris, and now, New York. He talks about how we will build back the delight-inducing, memory-making theatre of the high street... and how this is NOT about property, this is about entertainment and experience!

Our special guest to Episode 4 of our FreeThinking podcast is Amy Lamè - performer, creative leader, activist - Radio 6 DJ, Past Mayoress of Camden and now London's first Night Czar! From night-time myth busting and inequality, to the great post-pandemic opportunity for a better world for all - Amy and Adam have a lot to say in this engaging conversation.

Our special guest to Episode 3 of our FreetThinking podcast is Lloyd Lee, Managing Partner of Yoo Capital and driving force behind Olympia London. He talks about the value of thinking of the development as dynamic co-authored platform.

The second guest on The Freethinking Podcast is Amahl Hazelton at Moment Factory - from a Super Bowl show to a storytelling airport - he is a pioneer of the programmable place at a super-scale! He talks about the 'festivalisation' of our cities and the importance of the 'high street as a venue' as we seek to re-ignite our post-pandemic cities.