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Unlocking the Public Estate:

A national research initiative led by Watling Consulting

The pressures on local government property have never been greater.​

Watling Consulting’s national survey reveals how councils are balancing financial survival, service demand and national policy goals, and what this means for the future of public land and property.

Download the full report
Add your perspective

Rationalisation over regeneration

7 in 10 councils prioritise efficiency and cost savings above growth or decarbonisation.
Agree / Disagree

Capacity constraints

Only 3 in 10 expect their property teams to be adequately resourced.
Agree / Disagree

Unrealised potential

Four-fifths say their land and property portfolio hasn’t delivered its full potential for housing and jobs.
Agree / Disagree

Why Take Part​

Because every council’s experience matters

Benchmark your approach against others

Shape the agenda; your feedback informs our Autumn Briefing

Connect with peers via our Public Estate Insight Network

Be first to receive the 2025 report Unlocking the Public Estate

Register for Future Event Information

Funding the Future Estate

How councils can align financial sustainability, decarbonisation and service reform through smarter asset management.

  • Date: 27th November 2025
  • Venue: 80 Coleman Street, London EC2R 5BJ
  • Time: 8:45 am
Register

Unlocking the Public Estate

Breakfast Briefing:
Session 1: UK Property Outlook for 2026
Session 2: Unlocking the Public Estate

  • Date: 15th January 2026
  • Venue: Howden, One Creechurch Street EC3A 5AF
  • Time: Breakfast 8.00 am
  • Session 1: 8.45 am
  • Session 2: 10.00 am
Register

Meet the Core Team

Watling Consulting helps public and institutional clients shape and deliver property strategies that improve services, reduce cost, and unlock value for communities and the economy.

Our team brings deep public-sector insight and commercial delivery experience across government, local authorities, blue-light and education estates.

Guy Brett

Director and Head of Watling Consulting
A leading public sector property strategist and transformation specialist, Guy brings 30 years’ experience advising government bodies. He helped develop the original Good Practice Asset Management Guidelines for local authorities in 2000 and was seconded from PwC to HM Treasury to lay the groundwork for One Public Estate.

Nick Axford

Research Oversight & Critical Friend
Former Global Head of Research at CBRE and now Director at Taverners Consulting. Nick is a leading voice in property economics, a seasoned global speaker, and media commentator.

Dr Chris Emin

Principal Consultant –
Real Estate Strategy and Information Systems
Chris brings deep expertise in real estate strategy, data, procurement, systems and business modelling across complex public sector real estate environments.
The core team is supported by a wider team of local authority real estate, regeneration and economic development specialists including Richard Grass, Mike Lane and Kate Mullins.

Join over 100 public-sector leaders contributing to our research and insight network.

Add your perspective
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