Labour's First Year in Government and the Impact on the UK Economy and the Housing Market

Michael Cook

Chief Executive Officer, LRG

Michael has spent nearly his entire career with the Group, starting as a Sales Negotiator at Romans in 2006. He rose through the ranks to National Lettings MD in 2018, Group Managing Director in 2022, and became CEO in January 2024. A member of RICS and ARLA, Michael has broad experience across Sales, Lettings, Property Management, Acquisitions, and Corporate portfolios. He led the 2016 merger of Leaders and Romans and the Group’s sale to Platinum Equity in 2022. As CEO, he oversees growth plans, service development, and works closely with stakeholders on business strategy.

Kate Faulkner OBE

Chair, Home Buying & Selling Group

Kate Faulkner OBE is a UK property expert dedicated to consumer education, government advisory, and media advocacy. Founder of Propertychecklists, she chairs the Home Buying and Selling Council and regularly appears on BBC and ITV. An author of 11 books, she provides insightful, reliable advice on housing and policy reform.

Christian Balshen

Director of Agency Partnerships, Rightmove

Christian has worked in the industry since 2010 when he founded tenant referencing company Van Mildert. The business grew to working for about 1,000 or so letting agents, carrying out over 200k references a year. Rightmove acquired the business, now known as Rightmove Landlord and Tenant Services (RLTS) in 2019. Since then, Christian has worked for Rightmove as Head of Lettings Proposition and continues to be on the board of RLTS.

David Smith

Editor, Sunday Times

David Smith has been economics editor of The Sunday Times since 1989. He is also chief leader-writer, assistant editor and policy adviser. David is the author of several books, including Free Lunch: Easily Digestible Economics; and Something Will Turn Up: Britain’s Economy Past, Present and Future. He is a visiting professor at Cardiff and Nottingham Universities and has won a number of awards.