S4 Ep26: Airports to High Streets: shaping places with Ibrahim Ibrahim
Portland Design’s Managing Director, Ibrahim Ibrahim joins Concilio’s Account Director Siddo Dwyer to discuss human-centred placeshaping and future-ready retail.
In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places Podcast, Account Director Siddo Dwyer sits down with Ibrahim Ibrahim, Managing Director of Portland Design and one of the UK’s leading voices on human-centred placeshaping and future-ready retail, to explore how rapid change is rewriting the rules of design and development.
Key points discussed:
The evolution of Portland from retail design agency to global strategic consultancy
The importance of connection, experience, and belonging in successful places
Community-led placemaking and its role in shaping neighbourhoods
Reimagining passenger and visitor experiences in transport hubs
Insights from Future-Ready Retail and Ibrahim’s upcoming book
Ibrahim shares how his background in engineering and industrial design has informed his approach to placemaking, blending technical rigour with creative vision. He reflects on projects from Elephant & Castle to King’s Cross, and international airport transformations, explaining how design can drive human connection and business value. The conversation highlights why future-ready places are measured not just in footfall, but in emotional resonance, and why collaboration between designers, developers, and communities is critical to creating thriving, meaningful destinations.
Don’t miss this conversation – listen now!
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S4 Ep25: The future growth potential of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Chief Executive of Huntingdonshire District Council, Michelle Sacks, and the CEO of the Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte Horobin, join Nick Dines to explain economic growth opportunities for the County.
In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places podcast, Managing Director Nick Dines is joined by the Chief Executive of Huntingdonshire District Council, Michelle Sacks, and the CEO of the Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce, Michelle Horobin.
The conversation explores:
Cambridge's global reputation in science and technology - and how that success can benefit the wider County
The contribution of sectors like logistics, advanced manufacturing, agritech and defence - sometimes overlooked, but vital to the region's economy.
The role of Anglia Ruskin University in supporting skills, training and access to opportunity.
The importance of collaboration between all of the local authorities in the County, Combined Authority, business and education to deliver growth that works for communities.
Don’t miss this conversation – listen now!
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S4 Ep24: Discussing the future of Enfield with Cllr Ergin Erbil, Leader of Enfield Council
From grassroots football to the council leadership, Enfield’s Leader shares his vision for a fairer, safer and more ambitious borough.
In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places podcast, Managing Director Nick Dines is joined by Cllr Ergin Erbil, Leader of Enfield Council.
The conversation covers:
Local leadership and the shift from Deputy to Leader of the Council
Policing and Operation Pisces – tackling anti-social behaviour, drug crime and public safety
The Enfield Local Plan – including Green Belt proposals, family housing delivery, and industrial land
Major development at Meridian Water
The role of Angel Yard and meanwhile uses in supporting local enterprise
Temporary accommodation pressures, the rise in homelessness and HMO concerns
Creating real partnerships with the private sector to deliver social and affordable homes
Don’t miss this conversation – listen now!
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S4 Ep23: Patrick Scally on the Future of Hackney Wick
Chief Executive of Hackney Wick and Fish Island CDT, Patrick Scally, joins Nick Dines to explore how grassroots leadership, long-term stewardship and community collaboration are reshaping regeneration in East London.
In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places podcast, Managing Director Nick Dines is joined by Patrick Scally, Chief Executive of Hackney Wick and Fish Island Community Development Trust (CDT).
The conversation explores:
How the CDT was formed in response to rapid regeneration after the Olympics
The long-term lease at 290 Wallis Road and how the CDT delivers a meanwhile-use model rooted in the circular economy
The role of local voices in shaping development – from policy and planning to placemaking and programming
How affordable workspace can be both commercially viable and socially meaningful
Lessons for developers, planners and councils on how to go beyond box-ticking and enable truly community-led regeneration
Don’t miss this conversation – listen now!
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S4 Ep22: A Vision for Cambridge: In Conversation with Peter Freeman
How the Cambridge Growth Company is setting the stage for infrastructure-led, inclusive development.
Peter Freeman, Chairman of the Cambridge Growth Company and co-founder of Argent, joins Better Places to share a bold vision for Cambridge’s future. Drawing on his experience delivering major regeneration projects such as King’s Cross, Peter outlines how the newly established Growth Company will tackle the city’s most pressing infrastructure challenges.
With Cambridge facing mounting pressures on transport, water, and energy, the Growth Company’s “infrastructure-first” approach aims to unlock sustainable development at scale, combining new homes, jobs, schools, and public spaces in integrated masterplans. Backed by a new evidence base and expert team, the company will play a central role in attracting long-term private investment.
Peter also stresses that the city’s growth must be inclusive. Connecting all communities to Cambridge’s economic success, through better transport, targeted training, and access to opportunity, is key to creating a fairer future.
Tune in to hear how Peter plans to make Cambridge a global exemplar of placemaking by 2050, and what it means for the region, its people, and its future
UK