In this episode of the Today’s Conveyancer Podcast, host David Opie is joined by Richard Flemmings, CEO and founder of Map Impact, and Ollie Baldock, Director at Ashfield Solutions. Together, they unpack the Wennington wildfire of July 2022—an event that triggered the London Fire Brigade’s busiest day since World War II—and explore its implications for the property sector.
Richard and Ollie bring specialist insight into climate risk and environmental consultancy, offering a detailed account of how the fire unfolded, why it caught experts off guard, and what it signals about the UK’s increasing exposure to climate-related hazards.
The discussion moves beyond the immediate damage to examine the long-term consequences—from land contamination and insurance gaps to the emotional toll on affected homeowners. The panel also considers the evolving role of conveyancers, the expectations set out in the Law Society’s climate guidance, and how lenders and insurers are responding to the challenge.
With climate events becoming more frequent and severe, this episode highlights the need for joined-up thinking across the property lifecycle. It’s a timely and thought-provoking conversation for professionals navigating the future of home ownership in a changing climate.
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Thank you to our podcast sponsors PEXA, and VacantC Legal Recruitment.
