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Speaking at University of the Built Environment’s summer 2026 graduation, Richard Kauntze, former Chief Executive of the British Council for Offices and UBE Honorary Fellow, shared the career lessons he learned from nearly four decades in property

‘Be in the room’: Richard Kauntze’s eight lessons from a life in the built environment

By Linda Serck Speaking at University of the Built Environment’s summer 2026 graduation, Richard Kauntze, former Chief Executive of the British Council for Offices and University of the Built Environment…

‘What stops us from creating beautiful places?’ – Dr Wei Yang OBE

By Linda Serck Speaking at the University of the Built Environment’s summer 2026 graduation, Dr Wei Yang OBE urged graduates to carry their curiosity into the next stage of their…

‘Talent is everywhere but opportunity is not’ – Clare Johnson MBE, RICS

By Linda Serck Speaking at the University of the Built Environment’s summer 2026 graduation, Clare Johnson MBE, Regional Market Director for Central UK at RICS, told graduates that their non-traditional…

Why Britain’s homes and high streets need a heatwave rethink

By Linda Serck Britain’s homes and high streets were designed to keep heat in, now we have to learn to keep it out. Following the June 2026 heatwave, University of…
Pippa Middleton - Barton Court, Kintbury footpath row. University of the Built Environment academic Matthew Smith offers legal perspectives around public rights of way

Pippa Middleton’s footpath battle exposes legal labyrinth around public rights of way

As a public inquiry weighs up a disputed route across the Berkshire estate owned by Pippa Middleton Matthews and her husband James Matthews, the case is shining a light on one of…

Why the pedestrianisation debate keeps dividing Britain

By Linda Serck When West Berkshire Council announced it would end Newbury’s controversial evening pedestrianisation trial two months early after strong public opposition, it reignited a wider national debate about…

How the University’s e-library transforms your study experience

When asked to think of a library, the traditional image of dusty tomes, hushed rooms and towering shelves might spring to mind. At the University of the Built Environment, our…
Drone on construction site

Six technologies quietly transforming construction sites in 2026

Not every change on a construction site grabs headlines. Some of the most influential technologies operate in the background, improving safety, planning and delivery without altering what the public sees.…

‘We don’t have an attraction problem’: Mark Farmer challenges built environment narrative  

By Linda Serck  Mark Farmer is not one for nominative determinism, where your name subconsciously decides your career path. Far removed from agriculture, he has spent 35 years in the…

ESG and AI ‘driving a growing divide in Europe’s office market’

By Linda Serck A new report authored by University of the Built Environment Senior Lecturer David Hunt has found that European office markets are becoming increasingly polarised, with ESG compliance,…

Seven new towns: what can we learn from Bracknell?

By Linda Serck The government’s proposal to create seven new towns has reignited debate about how Britain builds communities at scale. Drawing on lessons from Bracknell’s post-war evolution, the University…

RICS CEO Justin Young: ‘Full disclosure: I’m not a surveyor’

Speaking at the University of the Built Environment’s Winter Graduation Ceremony 2026, Justin Young traced a career from tank commander to Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) CEO. He told…