EVENT WRAPUP
Navigating the Sea Change…
Navigating the Sea Change…
See how your empty commercial properties can become assets – not liabilities
See how your empty commercial properties can become assets – not liabilities
AN EVENING TO OPEN EYES TO WHAT’S AHEAD
On March 25th we hosted our latest ‘Navigating the sea change’ event, where we again filled the room with a rich mix of property professionals and heard from a panel of speakers before opening things up to networking.
The event was kicked off with a powerful scene-setting introduction from Darren Way, founder of the charity Streets of Growth, whose own success was made possible by the CSR/ESG option that is available to all commercial landlords, looking to make the best (financial and social) decision for their empty spaces.
Clearly, there are other options available – some ethical, some far less so. Some have clear pitfalls, and others are likely to change.
So what changes do we expect?
Using a coloured roulette wheel, we talked the audience through their options… separating the ‘already ineffective’, from those ‘to watch’.. and explored what solutions might best serve different stakeholders in the property sector.
There’s one option that’s unlikely to change… and that’s the CSR/ESG option…. which, as Shaylesh outlined, comes with a trio of little-known tax breaks. One of those means enjoying 100% savings on your empty rates bill… and another relates to CIL savings, where (in one example) the princely sum of £750k was saved, making the related housing project viable.
Those who attended our event found on their chairs a print-off of a recent Guardian article, that exposed the ‘fraudulent faith room tax scam’… and laid bare just one of the many unethical ways in which people are exploiting loopholes in the current business rates system. (You can see our own response to that article below.)
Bringing together different stakeholders is part and parcel of what ASTOP does. Not just to hear one another’s perspectives, but to plant the seeds for fruitful conversations and collaborations that might not otherwise materialise.
On the night, our speakers included: rates adviser, Tom Perry of Holloway Bond … London Assembly member Bassam Mahfouz… and Sanjay Bhudia, Centre Manager for Savills.
Tom Perry
Director - Holloway Bond
Tom Perry, an expert in commercial property law, helps businesses uncover tax-saving opportunities. With a Law degree from Swansea University, he has successfully guided clients through disputes with the Valuation Office Agency and local authorities.
As Director at Holloway Bond, Tom provides ethical, impartial advice on changing regulations and scrutiny. While not directly involved in empty rates reduction services, his unique perspective has saved clients significant costs across England and Wales.
Bassam Mahfouz
London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon
Bassam has been an Ealing Councillor since 2005, representing his hometown of Northolt and a cabinet member since 2010.
During that time, Bassam has been an advocate for social justice: championing accessibility and lifting thousands out of low pay onto the London Living Wage. On the environment, Bassam led Ealing to become one of the best recycling boroughs in London.
Prior to becoming a London Assembly Member, Bassam ran Refugee Action Kingston. Supporting over 2,000 people a year, this charity welcomes people seeking sanctuary in SW London, empowering them to thrive and pursue their full potential.
Sanjay Bhudia
Savills - Centre Manager - Spires Centre, Barnet
An experienced Centre Manager with an extensive history of working in the real estate industry, Sanjay has honed various skills - from negotiation & customer service to business development.
With Sanjay’s support, the Spires Centre in Barnet has showcased what’s possible in a commercial space, when occupied by a tailored mix of charities. In his words: “It’s no exaggeration to say these units have gone from being a liability to a real asset in a far smaller time frame than I thought possible.”
Savills’ work at the Spires Centre was recognised at the 2025 West London Business Awards by being shortlisted for the ‘Community Initiative of the Year’.
Full event recording
The whole event was recorded. In the coming days and weeks, we will upload short ‘taster’ videos of each speaker on this page. If you’d like to be notified when those videos go live, or if you’d like to receive a copy of the key slides from this panel & networking event, do let us know using the form below.
Video not working? Watch it on YouTube here
Timestamps
Click the timestamp below to skip to the relevant section of the event recording.
