Tandem hosted this special edition of TANDEMTalks event as part of the conference programme at 2025’s LAST MILE conference. We partnered with the annual one-day summit which focused on the future of industrial and logistics real estate and hosted an informal, Roundtable workshop after lunch. A fantastic line-up of participants from Tandem’s property asset management network shared and debated expertise and experiences around best practice in urban/SME industrial asset management covering strategy, latest tech solutions, service level expectation, access control and energy costs in an evolving ESG environment. Our Head of ESG Neelum Choudhury also took part in a panel event in the main theatre which analysed Occupier priorities in 2026 and beyond. Read a summary of the Roundtable discussion and who took part below and watch our short video all about the conference.
Roundtable Summary at Last Mile Conference 2025
Tandem’s CEO John Jones led a discussion about the range of asset and property management challenges faced in the industrial and logistics sector. Participants (see list below) covered the relationship between investors, asset managers and occupiers as well as the long-term planned maintenance of older buildings, retrofit versus redevelopment, insurance, voids management and security, energy and utility issues, ESG and energy data collection.
Participants included:
- John Jones – CEO – Tandem
- Terence Hastie – Commercial Director – Orbis
- Nic Lowry – Investment Director – Cube Real Estate
- Neelum Choudhury – Director & Head of ESG – Tandem
- Andrew Smith – Regional Director – Tandem
- Kathryn Noble – Construction Partner – Trowers & Hamlins
- Oliver Bycroft – Director – Pembury Real Estate
- Matthew Smith – Senior Account Executive – Yardi
- George Keyes – Director – M7 Real Estate
- Alex Woodall – Director Industrial & Logistics – Arax Properties
- Peter Day – Chief Executive Officer – Axel Logistics
Key takeaways:
- Occupier feedback – the importance of the property manager as bridge between the investors, asset managers and occupiers, regular communication, engagement and reporting.
- Condition of old buildings – need to address,for example, climate change creating increased rainfall puts pressure on maintenance of older properties. Some aspects like guttering are no longer fit for purpose. The added costs of regular maintenance can, in some cases, represent half of the gross rental income.
- Energy and ESG – utility suppliers alwayspresent operational challenges by failing to supply data, leading to time wasted chasing bills and invoices. Green lease clauses, still not incorporated regularly enough in new leases, should be accepted as standard.
- Void units and security – asignificant risk issue for landlords and investors is void management costs / utilities / security /maintenance and insurers’ risk protection. Security provider Orbis reported an uptick in the number of voids in industrial and logistics sites. There is increasing focus on securing access points, functional and monitored alarms and CCTV systems, making best use of improved technology.
- Growth sectors – Two key areas: defence and industrial open storage (IOS). Defence brings a particular set of challenges including remote locations, being undesirable as neighbours, heavy security provision and process with all deliveries, and suppliers and visitors often needing specific security clearance. Growing opportunities and requirements for space most likely to see the development of bespoke ‘one off’ freehold developments better suited to family office investors rather than institutional investment. Tandem reported working on an increasing IOS client base, a sector where strong occupier demand from logistics, contractors, waste/recycling, EV/energy infrastructure, and data centre operators is driving growth.
- Placemaking and wellbeing – best practice stories shared, with participants commenting on better welfare facilities on site to improve tenants and occupiers’ sense of place.
The TANDEMTalks event series brings asset investors, owners, custodians, developers and occupiers together regularly to discuss property management challenges with their peers. Keep an eye on our website and Linked-In channel for more TANDEMTalks sessions around the UK. If you would like to be considered for the guestlist, please send an email to:
When
Tuesday 14th October 2025
Time: 2:30pm – 3.30pm
Where
BAFTA
195 Piccadilly
London
W1J 9LN
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