Ben Bolgar is the Executive Director for Projects at The King’s Foundation.

He first discussed architecture with the Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, at Kensington Palace in 1988 and there was a meeting of minds that has underpinned Ben’s work during his nearly 25 years at the Foundation.

In that time Ben has led over 50 collaborative planning and design frameworks all over the world, championing the Enquiry by Design (EbD) process.

Describing architecture as “the mother of the arts”, Ben explains why he chose placemaking as his career, and how he challenged what he was taught at university where he says modernism was “shoved down our throats”.

The King's Foundation - Ben Bolgar

Enquiry by Design

Turning underutilised land into thriving leisure and hospitality destinations is what entrepreneur Joel Cadbury does best.

In the latest episode of Estate Matters, the founder and chief executive of Longshot tells podcast host Anna Byles how he has spent 30 years spotting opportunities where others see challenges.

Joel describes how, as chair of The Royal Parks Foundation, he transformed empty buildings into lettable properties generating millions of pounds a year and championed the creation of Winter Wonderland – an idea initially dismissed because "British people don't skate."

Now he has turned his attention to Mad Swans, a new leisure and hospitality concept, developed on the sites of failing golf courses – including on the Mendips in Somerset.

Working with leading architect Tom Mackenzie, the team has established what Sir Nick Faldo has called the first proper 12-hole course built in over a century, alongside padel and pickle courts, high-end accommodation and dining.

Reducing the number of holes, means land has been made available at the 200-acre site to reflect Joel’s passion for sustainability and self-sufficiency, including a planned solar farm, growing horseradish and keeping bees.

There were critics, Joel admits, but his philosophy remains simple: leave things better than you found them.

Gavin Lane is President of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

Gavin, who farms 1,200 acres in Norfolk and runs a holiday lettings business with his wife, Jane, explains one of his ambitions during his two-year presidency is to try to present an accurate and positive view of what farmers and landowners provide for their communities and the nation more widely.

He tells podcast host Anna Byles that the social value provided by farmers and landowners in many rural communities often goes unrecognised. But he says it is time to put the pride back into the industry.