Insights from Katherine Russell , Director of John Lewis BTR
Welcome back Everyone ! I hope you had a fantastic break over the festive period and managed to get in lots of rest and relaxation to launch you into this New Year!
I’m kicking off 2025 on The Healthy Home Show Podcast, with a conversation with Katherine Russell , Director of John Lewis Build to Rent and the inspiring mind behind the upcoming Reboot 2025 programme which starts on the 13th January.
Link to the Full Podcast Episode
Katherine shared some fascinating insights about her journey into health and wellbeing, the innovations shaping the build-to-rent (BTR) sector, and her personal mission to help us all kick off the new year with energy and positivity.
From Biophilic Design to fostering community and introducing wellness into real estate, my conversation with Katherine left me hopeful about how the built environment can support healthier, more connected living.
Here are the highlights in written format for those of you who prefer reading your content!
1. Biophilic Design and Community-Led Spaces: Connecting to Nature
When I asked Katherine about how John Lewis Build to Rent is meeting the growing demand for health and wellbeing in housing, she explained that it all starts with placemaking. Their developments aren’t about creating isolated islands but integrating seamlessly into existing communities, while also building new ones within the schemes themselves.
I loved how Katherine described their collaboration with Oliver Heath on Biophilic design—a concept I’m really passionate about. They incorporate natural elements like greenery, water features, and, most importantly, natural light to reconnect people with nature.
“How do you make it feel like you’re connected to nature?” she said. “It’s about curating an environment that facilitates that connection.”
For Katherine, it’s not just about the design—it’s about fostering a sense of belonging. Whether it’s working with the external community or building connections within their schemes, it’s clear John Lewis is taking a thoughtful, human-centred approach.
2. Building on Trust: Bringing the John Lewis Ethos to Housing
I couldn’t help but ask Katherine how John Lewis’s reputation for trust, loyalty, and service translated into the rental market—a sector that, as we all know, doesn’t always have the best reputation.
Katherine explained that with 800 homes already under management across the UK, John Lewis Build to Rent is raising the bar by focusing on three core principles:
Service: Offering exceptional customer care.
Communication: Fostering open and transparent relationships with residents.
Maintenance: Prioritising proactive upkeep to ensure homes are safe and comfortable.
“The housing market is tricky,” Katherine said. “But by bringing John Lewis’s ethos into this space, we’re showing that trust and loyalty can thrive in this sector too.”
It’s refreshing to see such a trusted brand applying these values to real estate—and it’s clearly working!
3. Wellness in the Home: Is This the Future?
As someone passionate about health and wellness in the home, I was curious to hear Katherine’s thoughts on whether future homes might come with in-built features like water filtration, air purification, and circadian lighting. She agreed that these trends are on the rise, but we’re not quite there yet.
“Natural light is one of the biggest factors in making people feel good,” Katherine told me.
She’s also a fan of WELL certifications and believes both residents and investors will demand more health-focused features in time. Katherine shared how sustainable energy solutions, for example, not only reduce costs for residents but also make developments more appealing in today’s market.
4. Reboot 2025: A Fresh Start for the New Year
One of the most exciting parts of our conversation was hearing about Katherine’s
Sleep
Hydration
Meditation
Exercise
Steps (movement)
Celebrating small wins
Participants receive daily inspiration via WhatsApp or Google Chat, from videos and podcasts to actionable tips. I loved that this year’s programme also includes masterclasses from leading experts:
Oliver Patrick, a lifestyle physiologist, will discuss energy management and stress resilience.
Leanne, an NHS professional, will explore how to create environments conducive to deep thinking.
Jo Travers, a nutritionist, will offer practical tips on gut health, energy, and mood.
“It’s about making January one of the best months ever, filled with joy, energy, and excitement,” Katherine said with enthusiasm.
The programme is free, open to anyone, and sounds like a brilliant way to start the year on a high note. I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.
Here is a link to get involved but hurry because it starts next week!
5. Mental Health in Real Estate: Addressing the Challenges
When I asked Katherine about the biggest challenges for health and wellbeing in the real estate and construction sectors, she didn’t hold back.
She highlighted the alarming mental health statistics in the construction industry, which has the highest suicide rates of any professional sector. This struck a chord with me—mental health support is so crucial, and it’s clear there’s still much work to do in this space.
“It’s not the taboo ‘hippie’ thing anymore,” Katherine said. “People now recognise the importance of looking after yourself, both physically and mentally, for your own performance and for those around you.”
She also sees huge opportunities for the real estate sector to lead the way in creating healthier environments, from construction sites to finished developments.
6. Educating the Next Generation
I was inspired to hear about Katherine’s work with the Urban Land Institute (ULI), where she helps educate young people about the role of real estate in sustainability and community building.
“The next generation thinks differently about sustainability, and we need to harness that,” she said.
Through programmes like these, Katherine is not only shaping the present but also helping to build a better future for the built environment.
My Key Takeaways
- Wellness is the future of real estate: The demand for homes that prioritise health—through features like natural light, air quality, and sustainable energy—is only going to grow.
- Community matters: Building homes that foster connection, both within and beyond their walls, is key to creating happier, healthier spaces.
- Small changes make a big difference: Katherine’s Reboot 2025 reminds us that small, consistent steps—whether it’s better sleep, hydration, or movement—can transform our wellbeing.
- The industry must do better: Real estate leaders have a responsibility to address mental health challenges and embrace sustainability as a core principle.
As we begin 2025, my conversation with Katherine left me feeling optimistic about how we can live, work, and build better, healthier, and more sustainable communities.
What do you think about the future of wellness in real estate? Are you planning to make any changes to your own home or lifestyle in 2025? Let me know—and don’t forget to check out Reboot 2025!
Please follow Katherine’s work via the link below:
I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s episode, where we explored how concepts like Community, Mental Health, and Light are finally taking centre stage in the development of rental properties. If you are interested in diving into all of the 12 main concepts that create a Healthy Home and Lifestyle, there’s loads more info on my website – www.charlielemmer.com
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Be WELL
Charlie x
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