Episode 336: EA Masters 2026, John McGrath, Lewis Moody and a Rate Rise

EA Masters 2026, John McGrath, Lewis Moody and a Rate Rise Almost a decade ago I stood in a lift at EA Masters holding an award for the branch I ran. The owner of the business told me he was proud of me, and I think it was the only time he ever said it. Last week I was back at the same event. In this solo special I take you inside EA Masters 2026, the conference and the awards in one day, and what it all means for your agency. You’ll hear: Chris Watkin’s numbers that matter. Only 54% of homes listed in the UK exchange, and 94% of sales agreed within 25 days make it through. Guy Gittins on how he put Foxtons back on top, and why service and retention now drive reward. Heather Staff from Street on Amara’s Law, and why now is the time to switch back on to AI. The agents and conveyancers who are cutting transaction times by moving the back to the front. Leadership lessons from Ireland, Dubai, Australia and New Zealand, including the agent you’d recommend to a friend. John McGrath, arguably the greatest estate agent of all time, on why leaders get the team they deserve, why every listing is two conversations from being sold, and how one agent went from £380,000 to £10 million in fees. The awards night. Location Location are Sales Agency of the Year for the second year running, Chemmy Alcott says you win or you learn, and the best line I heard all night was “people swear by us, not at us”. I also cover the Bank of England raising the base rate to 4%, and what to tell your buyers, sellers and remortgagers. And I finish with an evening with Lewis Moody, World Cup winner, on his MND diagnosis, passing the baton, and why hope is irrelevant without action. A huge thank you to Peter Knight for the invite. If you haven’t heard my conversation with Peter on episode 332, go back and listen to that too.