Last year, our theme was Reimagine . We collectively sought innovative solutions to deliver a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous city under a refreshed mayoral administration and national government.
The London Real Estate Forum thought leadership programme takes place across five main stages and a series of round tables, with extensive opportunities for delegates to network and make new connections in the social spaces that will be activated across the Guildhall Complex.
In association with JLL
Our annual temperature-check on the current state of the London economy and real estate market, with a keynote presentation from JLL’s UK Head of Research & Strategy, followed by a panel discussion featuring leading decision-makers from across the public and private sectors.
In association with JLL
Adam is Global Director, Strategic Insights at JLL. His role brings together a best in class team covering insight, analytics and client advisory as part of a 500+ personnel global structure. The team covers all real estate sectors to provide solutions for investors and corporate occupiers. Adam also works internally to drive business line and corporate strategy. Adam’s experience spans over 20 years of real estate advisory with both public and private sector clients. He is regularly cited in national and international media as a commentator on the factors that shape real estate markets. He provides public policy advice, with a particular focus on the role of real estate as a catalyst to sustainable prosperity in cities. Adam holds an MBA from London Business School, an MSc Urban Regeneration from the Bartlett, University College London and BA Economics from Western University (London, Canada). Outside of JLL, he sits on the Philanthropy Advisory Committee at Shelterbox and is Board Chair at World Habitat.
Samantha McClary has more than two decades of experience in the UK real estate sector. She spent the first 24 years of her career as a journalist and editor and in May this year was appointed as chief executive of the British Council for Offices, a key industry body representing the workplace sector and the diverse set of players that bring this vital element of the UK built and business environment to life. Sam is best known in the industry for being a fierce champion and challenger to the real estate sector, utilising her platform to help showcase the good that real estate can and does do for people, planet and UK PLC while poking the sector to continue to improve in key areas such as diversity and inclusion, environmental and societal impact and technological advancement.
Mark Allan has been Chief Executive of Landsec since April 2020. Prior to that he spent a combined 14 years as CEO of FTSE 250 real estate businesses Unite Group (student accommodation) and St. Modwen (regeneration, logistics and housebuilding). As a result of these roles, he has a broad range of experience from across the property sector.
Landsec strives to connect communities, realise potential and deliver sustainable places. As one of the largest real estate companies in Europe, Landsec’s £10 billion portfolio spans 23 million sq ft (as at 31 March 2024) of well-connected retail, leisure, workspace and residential hubs. Landsec’s aim is to lead the real estate industry in critical long-term issues – from diversity and community employment, to carbon reduction and climate resilience, and to deliver value for shareholders, great experiences for customers and positive change for communities.
Mark is President of the British Property Federation and an Independent Trustee at the University of Bristol.
Jay Kwan joined QuadReal as Managing Director, Europe in February 2018. His focus is on building the international portfolio, with an emphasis on investing in Global Cities in the U.K. and Europe.
Jay was formerly a Managing Director at TPG Real Estate, the real estate investment group of private equity firm TPG, specifically focused on European investments. Prior to joining TPG in 2016, Jay was a Partner at Grove International Partners, an independent real estate private equity firm spun out from Soros Private Funds Management, where he spent 13 years investing in three continents across all asset classes at both the corporate and asset level. Jay began his career at Lehman Brothers Real Estate Partners in New York in 2001.
Jay graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from Columbia University in New York.
As Head of Sustainability for EMEA Markets Advisory & UK, Emma leads on commercial and corporate sustainability agendas, working with a growing team of over 200 sustainability professionals across EMEA. Emma is championed with building on JLL’s 25-year sustainability heritage and supporting our clients with innovative, holistic solutions. She joined JLL’s Sustainability Consulting team in 2007, and took on the UK Head of Sustainability role in 2021, before expanding to cover EMEA Markets Advisory in 2024. Emma sits on the UK Executive Board, ensuring that JLL’s sustainability agenda remains core to decision-making and business strategy.
*By invitation only*
The Opportunity London Global Investment Summit will bring together over 100 leading international investors with London government leaders to discus the next wave of investment opportunities across low-carbon real estate, transport and infrastructure.
Guests will join the main LREF delegation for the remainder of the day.
In association with Mayor of London, London Councils, City of London & The FT
Howard was appointed Deputy Mayor for Business and Chair of London and Partners in December 2023. Before joining the Mayor’s team, Howard worked in business for thirty years, spending 17 years as Managing Director for Strategy of the Canary Wharf Group. At Canary Wharf, Howard was involved in the development of the Elizabeth Line and supporting the 2012 Olympic Bid and Olympic Legacy as well as commercial inward investment projects in tech, health and life sciences, and financial services. He has been an active member of business organisations including Business LDN, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, TheCityUK and the London Property Alliance. He is a trustee of “The Line” art walk along the River Lea. Formerly Chair of the East End Community Foundation (2013-2022) he is now a patron of the charity, and a patron and former Vice-President of UK Youth. Howard was Chair of the Business Advisory Board for the University of East London School of Business and Law and has been a visiting lecturer at the School. Howard was a Parliamentary Candidate for the Labour Party and is the Chair of Labour Friends of Bangladesh and Labour Friends of USA.
Laura is CEO of London & Partners, the growth agency for London. Our mission is to create economic growth that is resilient, sustainable and inclusive. We drive investment, innovation and entrepreneurship and make London a brilliant destination for visitors and Londoners. Laura is proud to lead the teams behind flagship brands including Visit London, Let’s Do London, Grow London, London Tech Week, MedCity London, DotLondon and Opportunity London. Since Laura became CEO, London & Partners has created 42,500 jobs and added £1.9bn to the London economy. As a civic leader, Laura brings people together to create partnerships for good growth. Before joining London & Partners, Laura led the global Government & Public Sector Practice at WPP, the FTSE 100 global leader in marketing and communications. She advised governments around the world and trained future global leaders at the Blavatnik School of Government (Oxford) and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public (Singapore). Laura is passionate about social enterprise, endlessly curious about businesses and growth, always learning on leadership and inclusion, and is, unsurprisingly, a very proud Londoner. Laura was awarded an OBE for services to the London economy in June 2024.
Shravan served as Chairman of the Planning & Transportation Committee until May 2025 and presently sits on the City’s Investment Committee, which actively manages a London-wide property portfolio. He was elected in 2018 as a Councillor for Bishopsgate Ward and has been an active Member on several of the City’s Committees and Boards, spanning Policy, Education and Local Authority responsibilities. Shravan started his career in investment banking, moving to the energy sector in 1999. He specialised in trade structuring and supply chain contracts into Central Asia, Eastern Europe, the Far East and North America, working with several new energy technology companies. He currently advises several firms on policy and commerce across a range of disciplines.
Councillor Elizabeth Campbell has been the Leader of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea since 2017. Successfully re-elected twice, she is leading a Council that is committed to being Greener, Safer and Fairer. She is currently Vice Chair of London Councils, a collective of London local government representing the city’s 32 boroughs and the City of London. London Councils is a key partner in Opportunity London, the city’s partnership promoting sustainable investment into real estate, regeneration and green infrastructure across all of London’s boroughs and communities.
Cllr Grace Williams has been a councillor since 2014 and became Leader of LB Waltham Forest in 2021. She is Deputy Chair of London Councils and Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration.
Before becoming leader, Grace was Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families for five years, leading Children’s Services to a good with outstanding for leadership and management judgement in 2019. Grace still oversees Waltham Forest’s Life Chances programme which is improving outcomes for children and young people and is passionate about how the Council supports all our Children to have the Best Start in Life and creating opportunities for our care experienced children.
Before becoming a councillor in 2014, Grace was a Civil Servant in central government, working on research and policy including in the areas of child poverty and disability equality. This was followed by five years working as a secondary English teacher in London schools. Grace sits on the LGA Improvement and Innovation Board and has worked as an LGA Peer Mentor and Reviewer. Grace is the acting London Councils Executive Member for Communities and Refugees.
Tan Sri Jaganath Derek Steven Sabapathy is Chairman of Battersea Project Holding Company and one of Sime Darby Property’s Non-Independent Non-Executive Directors. He also serves as a member of Sime Darby Property’s Risk Management Committee, Audit Committee and Board Tender Committee. He holds a Master of Arts majoring in Corporate Finance and International Trade from Edinburgh University, United Kingdom in 1981. Upon graduation, he joined a leading London firm of chartered accountants, Price Waterhouse. In 1984, Tan Sri Jagan returned to Malaysia and joined KPMG Peat Marwick as a Manager. He was appointed as a Partner of KPMG Malaysia in 1990. Whilst at KPMG Malaysia, he was involved in a wide range of assignments covering audit, investigations, management consultancy and corporate finance, in Malaysia, the ASEAN countries, North America and Europe. He sat on a variety of KPMG International Committees including committees for Mergers and Acquisitions, Privatisation and Management Consultancy. He was also an examiner for the professional examinations of the Malaysian Association of Certified Public Accountants (“MACPA”). Tan Sri Jagan left KPMG Malaysia in late 1994 to join Benta Plantation Berhad as an Executive Director. In 1995, he left Benta Plantation Berhad and was appointed as Director of Austral Lao Power Co. Ltd. He joined Prime Utilities Berhad and Indah Water Konsortium Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia's privatised national wastewater utility, in 1997 as Managing Director of both the companies, a position he held up to late 1999. From 1999 until his retirement in end 2013, Tan Sri Jagan served as the Chief Executive Officer / Director of Bandar Raya Developments Berhad Group and Director of Mieco Chipboard Berhad. From 2017 to January 2024, he was a Director / Deputy Chairman of Microlink Solutions Berhad. Tan Sri Jagan is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer / Director of Tribeca Real Estate Asset Management Sdn Bhd, a niche property development company.
During a 25-year career in urban regeneration, destination development and campaigning in the UK and Australia, Jace has led successful industry and precinct partnerships and holds the world record for Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). His recent tenures include CEO of New West End Company (London’s West End), setting up Australia’s first BID across Sydney’s Western Harbour and incoming CEO for Opportunity London, the public/private partnership seeking to secure the next £100bn for London. Jace has represented thousands of businesses and employees, secured millions in funding and successfully advocated for billions into capital investment. His entire career has been spent in building meaningful collaborations and driving value across cities with businesses, working with Government at all levels and cultivating local communities. Jace is passionate about sustainable and innovative cities, commercial real estate, and the retail & leisure sectors. He thrives in leading award-winning teams and working with purpose driven businesses. He is an Alumnus of the London Business School and Griffith University, Australia.
Teresa is Managing Partner, Co-Founder and member of the Investment Committee of Astarte Capital Partners and has over 20 years’ experience in structuring, execution and senior management across the spectrum of private equity investments.
Astarte is an asset manager focusing on sustainable real assets across Europe and North America, primarily in mid-market opportunities within the areas of infrastructure, energy transition and natural capital. Astarte’s main investment strategy is to act as strategic investor and anchor capital to emerging managers and thematic investment platforms that can demonstrate strong track record and growth potential in their specific asset class. ESG is core to Astarte’s investment approach and is fully integrated as a comprehensive and proactive framework to assess, create and measure impact across the portfolio. At Astarte, Teresa is primarily responsible for the investment process and portfolio operations within the firm.
Before co-founding Astarte, she was Head of Private Equity for a multi-family office, where she oversaw the investment strategy and investment selection for fund investments and co-investments. Prior to this, Teresa was CIO for Private Equity at Piraeus Group, where she co-led the establishment of the private equity group, launched three private equity and venture capital funds and led the group’s equity investments in the renewable energy space.
Teresa joined Piraeus from UBS Investment Bank in New York and London, where she advised on corporate transactions in the real assets space in the US and Europe and was part of the team that launched the renewable energy practice of UBS globally. She holds a BSc. in Economics and Finance from the University of Athens, Greece and an MBA from Columbia University in New York. Teresa has been awarded Women of Influence in Private Markets in 2021 by Private Equity International (PEI) and one of the Top Women in Growth Equity and Private Equity of 2020 from Growth Cap. Most recently, Teresa was a speaker at the COP26 in Glasgow and she is also a regular guest speaker at the MBA and the Executive MBA programme at London Business School.
Andrea Ruckstuhl is Lendlease’s Group Executive International and a member of the company’s Corporate Leadership Team. Prior to being appointed to his current role in July 2023, Andrea was Head of Italy and Continental Europe for the company. Andrea is a member of a community of advisors for the Berkeley SkyDeck high-tech startup accelerator, and he collaborated on the opening of the programme’s only international office, which is located in MIND | Milano Innovation District. Andrea first joined Lendlease in 2005, where over the years he has held various positions including: Country Manager for Southern Europe, Executive General Manager of the CEMEA region and Business Development Director based in London.
John is a Chartered Surveyor with over 25 years’ experience of complicated large-scale mixed-use property development including schemes incorporating railway stations.
In Hong Kong MTR have spent 45 years building and operating railways. They also develop property above stations to help subsidise the cost of the railway – this is known as their Rail + Property model. To date MTR have delivered over 100m sq ft of rail related property development with a further pipeline of around 35m sq ft. In the UK MTR currently operate the Elizabeth Line and are part of the team that run SWR.
John joined MTR 5 years ago to expand the Rail + Property model into the UK. MTR UK has now formed a joint venture with Sellar (who delivered the Shard) and have recently submitted a planning application for the redevelopment of Liverpool Street Station. Working with NR and other stakeholders the proposals will deliver a new and much expanded station at no cost to the taxpayer in return for the air rights above for a super prime office building and hotel.
John was previously Development Director for Muse Developments (part of Morgan Sindall), worked for Kier on their Solum JV with NR and prior to that ran developments for ING Real Estate, part of the Dutch bank.
Alexandra Notay is an internationally recognised expert on housing, placemaking and ESG. She has 20 years’ strategic advisory and investment experience having worked extensively across four continents. Until July 2024 she was Placemaking and Investment Director at Thriving Investments (formerly PfP Capital), the fund and asset management arm of Places for People Group, overseeing a UK-wide residential strategy. In August 2024 Alex took over the chair of the Radix Big Tent Housing Commission from Dame Kate Barker. In January 2019 Alex was selected as one of the 48 women shaping the future of UK real estate at the prestigious BISNOW Women Leaders event. In October 2023 she won Residential Leader of the Year at the inaugural Property Week awards for Inspiring Women in Property. Alex is a published author and editor of over 30 books and reports on real estate including the renowned ULI UK Best Practice Guide on Build to Rent (2014, 2016). Alex is Chair of the British Property Federation (BPF) working group on residential ESG, former Vice-Chair of the ULI UK Residential Council and currently serves on BPF’s Build to Rent and Sustainability Committees, AREF’s ESG / Impact Investing Committee and is a Member of CREFC Europe. She is also Co-Chair of the Creative Land Trust, Commissioner on the UK government’s Geospatial Commission where she chairs the Property workstream and the National Land Use Data Programme Expert Advisory Group and is a Trustee of St Mary Redcliffe. With a reputation for being ‘abnormally energetic’, Alex is passionate about enabling tangible social impact through innovation and collaboration as well as mentoring the next generation of diverse talent.
Gijs Molenaar is a Managing Director, Co-Head of Jamestown Europe. He brings more than 25 years of experience in Private Equity Real Estate, having held roles at global firms such as Cerberus Capital Management LLP, Henderson Park Capital LLP, and Hammerson PLC. Throughout his career, Mr. Molenaar has amassed expertise in hands-on asset management of complex and sizable properties. His extensive track record also includes spearheading award-winning development projects, notably involving cutting-edge construction methodologies such as Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and Modular structures. Mr. Molenaar received a Master of Science in Architecture from Delft University of Technology and has Executive Management training from London Business School.
Ashley has had a 11-year career at Berkeley Group, with various roles across Land, Planning and Development. Prior to becoming a Managing Director in 2022, he was a senior development director within the St William and St James Division, overseeing a range of the UK’s largest projects such as Beckton Gasworks in LB Newham. Ashley’s current role has a group-wide strategic focus on all aspects underpinning development, public and private sector partnerships and funding to unlock and accelerate housing delivery at scale.
Kashif Khan is a Director in the Private Infrastructure and Project Finance group for MetLife Private Capital Investors and is responsible for the origination and execution of new transactions, as well as the ongoing management of existing investments. Mr. Khan joined MetLife in 2015. Mr. Khan has over 13 years of experience in advisory and investing in infrastructure debt. Prior to joining MetLife, Mr. Khan was with Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) in its Infrastructure Debt Advisory team. During his time at RBS, Mr. Khan also completed placements in Risk Management Advisory and Energy & Resources Corporate Finance. Mr. Khan is a graduate of King’s College London where he earned a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics and is a CFA charterholder.
The North Paddington Programme is a ‘place-based’ programme, set in the North-west of the borough, which aims to address inequalities. It is being developed in partnership with local people, community groups and charities in the Harrow Road, Queen’s Park and Westbourne wards, where communities experience lower levels of qualifications, earnings and health, and higher levels of worklessness than elsewhere in Westminster. Together with our local communities we are hoping to deliver a healthier, safer and more financially secure North Paddington area. We aim to improve opportunities for local people by addressing social, economic, health and environmental inequalities in a cross-cutting programme that seeks to deliver better outcomes for all.
In this place panel, key stakeholders in the North Paddington Programme will talk about the vision for the work and the importance of a community-centred programme in an area like North Paddington
In association with City of Westminster
There is clear political will to get Britain building. But what does this renewed focus on delivery mean for the London market? JLL will discuss the challenges and opportunities of delivering at scale and how this could impact our sector.
In association with JLL
Rob joined Berkeley Group in 1994. He has been a Main Board member since 2001 and Chief Executive since 2009. Under his management Berkeley has focused on transforming large scale brownfield sites into sustainable mixed-use neighbourhoods, working in close partnership with local councils and communities. Rob has worked extensively in property development throughout his career, working on projects ranging from single houses, to 30-year urban regeneration sites delivering more than 10,000 private and affordable homes. Rob champions Berkeley’s unique operating culture and values, which are based on customer focus, individual design, exceptional placemaking and a commitment to delivery for all stakeholders. Rob has been a Trustee of the Berkeley Foundation since its launch in 2011. This independent charity works in partnership with the Berkeley Group and a network of pioneering charities to support disadvantaged young people and their communities.
Fiona was appointed as L&Q’s Chief Executive in September 2020. With almost 30 years’ experience in the housing sector, Fiona has worked in a variety of voluntary and public sector roles including advising homeless people in Dublin, housing management, development and regeneration, strategy and policy development. Fiona was previously L&Q’s Director of Development and Sales, spearheading a £5.1 billion development programme. Whilst in this role, Fiona led on our development and strategic land programmes, including landmark projects such as the 10,800-home Barking Riverside development. She also oversaw the group’s expansion beyond the South-East and delivered change programmes to improve both the efficiency and diversity of our Development and Sales function. Prior to joining L&Q, Fiona was Executive Director for Development, Enterprise and Environment at the Greater London Authority (GLA). As part of their senior management team, Fiona was responsible for overseeing the delivery and implementation of key strategies such as the London Plan and overseeing the operation of the Mayor’s powers in relation to significant planning applications in the capital. Fiona is the current chair of trustees at the Centre for London, helping the capital’s think tank to meet their charitable objectives. Fiona is also Chair of the G15 group of London’s leading not-for-profit housing associations. Its members provide more than 715,000 homes across the country, including around one in ten homes for Londoners.
As London accelerates its journey to Net Zero, we are seeing a ‘rush for power’ as organisations, infrastructure and real estate growth sectors compete to tap into green energy sources. As the single largest driver of change for several generations – and potentially the largest single source of capital investment into the capital in coming decades – the need to ‘re-power’ London requires a reset in the way that public, real estate sector and infrastructure sectors plan and collaborate to ensure that we manage the transition whilst maximising the opportunity. Our expert panel explores why and how.
In association with Savills
Focusing on the theme of ‘Reimagine’, this informal networking session will look at how Manchester has reimagined itself to date, talking through its growth journey and covering opportunities and plan to drive economic growth forward in Manchester. Join Andrew McIntosh, Director of Place for Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Becca Heron, Strategic Director of Growth and Development at Manchester City Council as they explore how Manchester plans to support the new government in its key missions and using policies and strategies in place to do this, as well as why Manchester is positioned as a leading destination for investors. There will also be a networking opportunity to meet with partners and stakeholders from the Invest Manchester Partnership.
In association with Invest Manchester Partnership
Andrew is the Director of Place for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and manages the Housing, Planning, Infrastructure, Culture, Land and Property and Delivery teams. Andrew previously worked at KPMG as an Associate Director in their Corporate Finance team and has advised a range of public and private sector clients on financing and procuring infrastructure projects. Andrew joined the GMCA in 2012 and managed a series of Investment Funds focusing on commercial property and housing and was responsible for the implementation of a number of housing and development investments across Greater Manchester. Andrew also has significant experience in financial structuring and modelling and is a board member of the North West Evergreen Funds. In his current role he is a member of Greater Manchester’s Strategic Infrastructure Board and leads the strategic relationship with all the major utility providers across Greater Manchester on behalf of the GMCA. Andrew works in partnership with all 10 Greater Manchester Local Authorities and leads the GMCAs work with the Local Authorities to deliver the conurbations growth ambitions set out within the Greater Manchester Strategy.
Becca Heron is the Strategic Director of Growth and Development at Manchester City Council. Formerly Director of Economy and Skills at Wigan Council, Becca’s career has included a number of different public sector roles, including previous positions within both Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).
During her time with the GMCA, Becca led on a series of high-profile and complex initiatives, including the development of 2014 Devolution Agreement. At Wigan, she took on the economic development and regeneration brief, playing a pivotal role in bringing key sites forward for development and kickstarting the redevelopment of Wigan town centre.
As Strategic Director of Growth and Development at Manchester City Council, Becca has a key role in the delivery of the ambitions set out in the Our Manchester strategy, leading the city’s recovery following the pandemic, building on the successes of the last two decades to drive inclusive growth that will ensure the city continues to be one of the most exciting destinations in Europe to live, work and play.
How do we continue to support the needs of the vital industrial and logistics sector across London? This vital network of storage and distribution infrastructure must compete with housing for land, resources and political attention.
How can cross-sector collaboration drive innovation in the full range of industrial spaces, from data centres and stacked warehousing to last-mile logistics and affordable, local maker spaces, at the same time as meeting London’s inextricable need to decarbonise the built environment?
The previous Government’s Future of Freight plan, prioritising a cross modal national freight network, barely left the depot. The new Government recognises freight and logistics as fundamental to UK economic growth and productivity.
What should London and national policy makers do to encourage decarbonisation, adaptation to changing patterns of global trade and adoption of new technologies across transport, distribution and storage?
In association with McLaren
An opportunity to hear from The City of London on priorities from their 2024-29 Corporate Strategy and progress with the draft City Plan 2040, followed by a panel discussion with key stakeholders including investors and key advisors.
In association with City of London
Rob Samuel as UK Head of Development. Based in London, Rob will manage the full breadth of AXA IM Alts’ UK multi-sector development programme. Rob has over 25 years of development and multi-sector experience in London and the wider UK, delivering high quality customer focused buildings designed to maximise value, and joins AXA IM Alts from the mixed use regeneration of Battersea Power Station (“BPS”), where he served as Chief Development Officer. Prior to BPS, Rob spent 12 years at FTSE 100 property company British Land, latterly as Head of Office Development. A Chartered Surveyor, Rob started his career at Knight Frank before moving to Orbit Developments.
Katie Stewart is the Executive Director Environment at the City of London and is responsible for helping sustainably develop the Square Mile’s built environment, as well as managing the City’s highways, waste and public protection services and the 11,000 acres of green spaces for which the City has responsibility within and beyond its boundaries. She also is second Vice President of the Association for Directors for Economy, Environment, Planning and Transport (ADEPT), and a co-chair of the ADEPT Southeast Board. Katie is American by birth and moved to England 20 years ago. In her spare time, Katie is an amateur runner and when not running around nearby Richmond Park, is found running around after her five-year old son.
Investment into Real Estate markets in London have suffered from severe headwinds over the last two years. With many commentators calling the start of the next cycle this session will hear a keynote from HSBC’s Senior Economist Chris Hare to provide the economic backdrop to the current market, followed by a panel discussion with leading investors from London, UK and International perspectives to hear there views on how and when the next development cycle in London will be funded.
In association with Savills
Chris Hare joined the European Economics team in 2017, and covers pan-European and UK issues. His main areas of focus include inflation, housing markets, and long run growth trends. Before joining HSBC, Chris spent two years working as a UK and global economist at an international investment bank. Prior to that, Chris worked for five years in the UK forecasting division at the Bank of England, where he helped to produce the MPC’s economic forecasts, while providing briefings on the economic outlook.
Alexa Baden-Powell is Head of Investment at GPE, a FTSE 250 Real Estate Investment Trust specialising in investment and development of property in central London. Alexa also co-founded the Women’s Investment Network, and was recently listed as the ‘Investment Innovator’ in Bisnow’s list of Power Women changing UK real estate. Alexa is responsible for driving new acquisitions and sales, covering the full cycle of deal origination, underwriting, due diligence and transaction execution. Recent projects include the purchase of One Chapel Place (£56m), Whittington House (£58.5m), the Soho Square Estate (£70m), and the acquisitions of 141 Wardour Street (£39m), 6-10 St Andrew Street (£30m) and 7-15 Gresse Street (£36.5m).
This panel session will investigate London’s unique position to nuture the burgeoning science and technology sectors, and the role that the real estate sector can play to support this.
In association with Savills
Laura is CEO of London & Partners, the growth agency for London. Our mission is to create economic growth that is resilient, sustainable and inclusive. We drive investment, innovation and entrepreneurship and make London a brilliant destination for visitors and Londoners. Laura is proud to lead the teams behind flagship brands including Visit London, Let’s Do London, Grow London, London Tech Week, MedCity London, DotLondon and Opportunity London. Since Laura became CEO, London & Partners has created 42,500 jobs and added £1.9bn to the London economy. As a civic leader, Laura brings people together to create partnerships for good growth. Before joining London & Partners, Laura led the global Government & Public Sector Practice at WPP, the FTSE 100 global leader in marketing and communications. She advised governments around the world and trained future global leaders at the Blavatnik School of Government (Oxford) and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public (Singapore). Laura is passionate about social enterprise, endlessly curious about businesses and growth, always learning on leadership and inclusion, and is, unsurprisingly, a very proud Londoner. Laura was awarded an OBE for services to the London economy in June 2024.
Michael Samuelian is the Founding Director at the Urban Technology Hub at the Jacobs Institute and Director of Campus Planning and Sustainability at Cornell Tech. He is an urban planner, real estate developer, professor and before joining Cornell, was the President of the Trust for Governors Island. From community development in Lower Manhattan and the creation of a new neighborhood in Hudson Yards to the activation of Governors Island; he’s helped plan, design and develop some of the most transformative projects in New York City. As the President and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island where he played a pivotal role in overseeing the planning, development, and ongoing operations of Governors Island. From 2005 through 2016, Michael served as Vice President at Related Companies, where he led large-scale mixed-use real estate development projects. Notably, he was a central agent in the planning and design of Hudson Yards, a transformative $25 billion development initiative on Manhattan's West Side. In the aftermath of 9/11, Michael was the Director of Lower Manhattan Special Projects at the New York City Department of City Planning. In this position, he played a crucial role in facilitating the allocation of federal funds dedicated to the recovery and rebuilding of Lower Manhattan. Michael received a Master of Architecture in Urban Design from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Architecture from Cooper Union. Michael is a Fellow of the AIA, member of the Advisory Board of ULI New York and an emeritus member of the New York State Board for Architecture. His contributions to New York City have garnered public recognition, including the prestigious John Q. Hejduk Alumni Award and induction into the Cooper Union Alumni Hall of Fame in 2018. More recently, in 2023, he was honored as a Power Player in Climate, Energy, and Sustainability by NYPolitics.com and acknowledged as a Notable LGBTQIA+ Leader by Crain’s New York.
This interactive session will allow participants the opportunity to participate in a ‘live’ workshop as we rip up the rule books and ask:
What if we had the opportunity to reimagine how we define sustainability guidance for retrofit? If we were to start again, knowing what we know now, what would we consider to be the key criteria for a truly sustainable retrofit project for different building types?
Participants will be able to join a table with experts from sectors including Office, Housing, Civic buildings, Hospitality, Retail, Transport, Education, Science & Tech, Healthcare and Industrial to look at their specific needs.
Seats will be allocated on a first-come, first served basis.
In association with Buro Happold
Alexandra Notay is an internationally recognised expert on housing, placemaking and ESG. She has 20 years’ strategic advisory and investment experience having worked extensively across four continents. Until July 2024 she was Placemaking and Investment Director at Thriving Investments (formerly PfP Capital), the fund and asset management arm of Places for People Group, overseeing a UK-wide residential strategy. In August 2024 Alex took over the chair of the Radix Big Tent Housing Commission from Dame Kate Barker. In January 2019 Alex was selected as one of the 48 women shaping the future of UK real estate at the prestigious BISNOW Women Leaders event. In October 2023 she won Residential Leader of the Year at the inaugural Property Week awards for Inspiring Women in Property. Alex is a published author and editor of over 30 books and reports on real estate including the renowned ULI UK Best Practice Guide on Build to Rent (2014, 2016). Alex is Chair of the British Property Federation (BPF) working group on residential ESG, former Vice-Chair of the ULI UK Residential Council and currently serves on BPF’s Build to Rent and Sustainability Committees, AREF’s ESG / Impact Investing Committee and is a Member of CREFC Europe. She is also Co-Chair of the Creative Land Trust, Commissioner on the UK government’s Geospatial Commission where she chairs the Property workstream and the National Land Use Data Programme Expert Advisory Group and is a Trustee of St Mary Redcliffe. With a reputation for being ‘abnormally energetic’, Alex is passionate about enabling tangible social impact through innovation and collaboration as well as mentoring the next generation of diverse talent.
Anna joined Buro Happold as a Director in their Sustainability team in 2023 after an almost 30 year architectural career delivering award winning projects such as Battersea Power Station, where she worked alongside Buro Happold. Her particular passion and expertise is the inventive and sustainable reuse of existing buildings. She is also a director of a community energy organisation and a trustee of Architect’s Declare among other activities.
Alexia leads on sustainable design across Landsec’s extensive development pipeline comprising of prime commercial office developments, major refurbishments as well as large, urban regeneration masterplans. Her role is to shape the environmental sustainability and net zero strategy for all planning, design and construction activities and deliver on ambitious targets.
Following a Master’s in astrophysics, Tom has spent the last 7 years working in sustainability in the built environment. Firstly, as a consultant delivering full spectrum sustainability and energy services, before joining the UKGBC’s Advancing Net Zero (ANZ) programme as a Senior Advisor on Net Zero Carbon Buildings three years ago. Tom sits on the Technical Steering Group of the forthcoming UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard and is currently leading the next phase of UKGBC's Non-Domestic Retrofit Workstream, focussed on the retail and logistics sectors. He also sits on the CRREM Global Scientific and Industry Panel, LETI steering group, BECD steering group, NABERS steering group, and is part of the Whole Life Carbon Network (WLCN).
LREF takes place just over 80 days into the new Government’s term as they continue to set the groundwork for the next five years. The creation of new towns is part of their growth and housebuilding drive and a long-term project that will span political and economic cycles. As a leading world city London is space-constrained but could towns within the capital play a role? How can the Government kick-start its ambition, what does the built environment profession require, what are the opportunities and barriers? The panel session will take its case study from Brent Cross Town, the £8bn mixed use park town for London whose masterplan was conceived in the early 2000’s and which is now in full flight of delivery.
In association with Related Argent
Focusing on the theme of ‘Connectivity’, this informal networking session provides the opportunity for delegates to connect with senior politicians and officers from the Boroughs that make up the West London Alliance: Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon and Hounslow; as well as key stakeholders and investors in the sub-region.
In association with West London Alliance
At the West London Alliance (WLA) David leads partnerships, programmes and services across seven Boroughs (combined population 2.1million), to make West London better for residents, businesses, investors, and visitors. His experience includes senior public, private and frontline third sector roles, working at the local, regional and national level. Prior to WLA he was a senior civil servant at the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government. In his early career he qualified and practiced as a chartered valuation surveyor.
Join The Knightsbridge Partnership and key stakeholders as they present their emerging plans to reimagine the public realm around key areas of their locality. Addressing the specific needs of this unique international destination, the themes covered around prioritising people, accessibility, security, safety, sustainability and biodiversity will resonate across those tackling similar issues across London.
In association with The Knightsbridge Partnership
Councillor Elizabeth Campbell has been the Leader of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea since 2017. Successfully re-elected twice, she is leading a Council that is committed to being Greener, Safer and Fairer. She is currently Vice Chair of London Councils, a collective of London local government representing the city’s 32 boroughs and the City of London. London Councils is a key partner in Opportunity London, the city’s partnership promoting sustainable investment into real estate, regeneration and green infrastructure across all of London’s boroughs and communities.
Patricia Brown has been in leadership roles in since the mid-1990s, and at the heart of many of the initiatives that have been part of the successful urban evolution of London and beyond. She was part of the capital’s inaugural inward investment agency before leading Central London Partnership, the cross-sector partnership focused on maintaining the capital’s position as a global world city. Placing the combination of economic and social vibrancy at the centre of its ground-breaking work – including the establishment of the BIDs movement in the UK – helped to achieve a more people-centred, liveable, city. Through her consultancy, Central, Patricia has continued with this focus of inter-disciplinary dot-connecting, advising civic and business leaders on positive urban change and development, establishing the vision, collaborations, strategies and partnerships to achieve this. Building positive public private partnerships has particularly defined Patricia’s work and she has led the British Property Federation’s work on this area for some years. Other current board positions include Historic England’s London and national advisory committees and GWR’s Strategic Advisory Board, as well as a Design Council Ambassador.
Join EG for an exciting lunch and learn as they explore EG’s archives from the past 165 years, using historical data and analytics to predict and shape the future of London’s built environment. The discussion will be in collaboration with Climate X, who will share their expertise on how climate change and physical risk is expected to influence future investment and development.
In association with EG and Climate X
Samantha McClary has more than two decades of experience in the UK real estate sector. She spent the first 24 years of her career as a journalist and editor and in May this year was appointed as chief executive of the British Council for Offices, a key industry body representing the workplace sector and the diverse set of players that bring this vital element of the UK built and business environment to life. Sam is best known in the industry for being a fierce champion and challenger to the real estate sector, utilising her platform to help showcase the good that real estate can and does do for people, planet and UK PLC while poking the sector to continue to improve in key areas such as diversity and inclusion, environmental and societal impact and technological advancement.
As one of London’s biggest landowners, Places for London is creating dynamic partnerships to address the shortage of quality, affordable homes in the capital, with plans to start on at least 20,000 homes by 2031. It has signed a Collaboration Agreement with Network Rail that has the potential to bring forward transport improvements and many thousands more homes across London – especially when it combines its joint land with other public land. This panel will focus on how, by landowners working together, they can help address some of the city’s challenges that they cannot solve alone.
In association with Places for London
Debbie has over twenty five years’ experience in London’s public sector, gained in local authorities and at the GLA where she led on several high-profile Mayoral programmes including the Good Growth Fund, Crowdfund London, Skills for Londoners Capital Fund and Good Growth by Design. In her current role at Westminster City Council, Debbie has responsibility for a wide range of outcomes including the delivery of high-quality housing, a vibrant economy with opportunities for all and places workers, visitors and residents can delight in. Across her career, Debbie has led on the delivery of projects and programmes at all scales and of all types – from infrastructure to community gardens, from policy to procurement to projects. Debbie’s biggest achievements are the teams she leads, taking pride in enabling the talent and development of others to promote better outcomes for Londoners.
Sophie specialises in development advice on complex strategic urban projects, and has long-term relationships with some of London’s largest development companies, landowners, PRS Operators and Institutional Funds. Outside of Savills Sophie sits on the NLA Cities Forum Housing Board, ULI UK Infrastructure and Urban Development Council and supports ULI Urban Plan.
Graeme is the Director & Chief Executive of Places for London. With a career spent largely in operational and project management, Graeme joined Transport for London (TfL) from Capita in 2004, initially to manage the operation of the central London Congestion Charging scheme. After a number of years as Director of Congestion Charging & Traffic Enforcement, Graeme led a TfL-wide transformation programme that included the creation of TfL’s first commercial development function. Taking on the role of Director of Commercial Development, Graeme led a new approach to property in TfL that culminated in the creation of a wholly owned commercial property subsidiary in 2022. Places for London is now a £1.7bn company that has 1,500 commercial tenancies and a pipeline that will see more than 20,000 homes built across the capital, largely delivered through joint ventures with leading developers
Robin Dobson joined Network Rail on March 2022 coming from Hammerson Plc where he ran the Development and construction business – a major British property development and investment company. Robin’s focus will be on delivering growth and bringing forward development opportunities with key partners such as Homes England in support of the Government’s levelling up agenda. Robin has a proven track record of delivering strong growth across regeneration projects, and has significant experience across all real estate asset classes in the UK and Europe. Whilst at Hammerson PLC, his achievements included the creation of a £3bn mixed use platform of urban estates across six UK cities, including London and Dublin, comprising 6,000 private rented units, and 2.5m sq. ft of workspace, hospitality, cultural and education buildings. Robin has recently secured planning consents on major projects such as London’s Bishopsgate Goods yard (3m sq. ft of mixed-use regeneration project), Birmingham’s Martineau Galleries (2m sq. ft commercial space), and led the opening and refurbishment of 1m sq. ft retail and leisure projects in both Leeds and Southampton. Through this experience he has developed strong political, local authority and joint venture relationships across most UK cities which will be hugely beneficial in his role in unlocking value across the Network Rail estat
Dr Ellie Cosgrave is Director of Publica’s Campaign for Inclusive Cities. She has worked internationally with organisations such as C40 Cities, Plan International, the Decolab, and the Change Cities network to explore strategic approaches to gender inclusion and women’s safety in cities globally. She has also worked closely with statutory authorities at a local level, such as the Greater London Authority, LLDC, Transport for London and Trafford council as well as developers. With them, she has created guidelines, resources and training materials to support the built environment sector in understanding the nature of violence against women and girls in public space, as well as practical measures that can begin to transform neighbourhoods on the ground. Ellie is also Associate Professor of Urban Policy and UCL, Co-Director of the UCL Urban Lab, and a BBC broadcaster where she has hosted the BBC World Service’s ‘My Perfect City’ and ‘Tomorrow’s World’ podcast.
Join us to explore how local authorities and owner occupiers can balance economic viability, cultural significance and environmental impact to deliver vibrant, sustainable spaces that benefit our communities.
Whether revisiting existing places or shaping new neighbourhoods this session is for those keen to transform strategy into reality and hear impact stories.
In association with Arup
Kristy joined the Crown Estate as Head of Development in September 2022, to lead the Development Strategy for the London portfolio, including Regent Street and St James’s. Kristy previously worked at Lendlease Europe for 17 years holding a number of roles, most recently as Project Director for two of Lendlease's flagship projects. These included; Elephant Park, a mixed use neighbourhood of c.3,000 homes, and The International Quarter London, a 2.5m sqf workplace destination on the doorstep to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford. Kristy brings an array of expertise having worked on the design, planning and delivery of a variety of large-scale projects across residential, workplace and retail uses, with a passion for public realm and placemaking outcomes.
Cllr Grace Williams has been a councillor since 2014 and became Leader of LB Waltham Forest in 2021. She is Deputy Chair of London Councils and Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration.
Before becoming leader, Grace was Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families for five years, leading Children’s Services to a good with outstanding for leadership and management judgement in 2019. Grace still oversees Waltham Forest’s Life Chances programme which is improving outcomes for children and young people and is passionate about how the Council supports all our Children to have the Best Start in Life and creating opportunities for our care experienced children.
Before becoming a councillor in 2014, Grace was a Civil Servant in central government, working on research and policy including in the areas of child poverty and disability equality. This was followed by five years working as a secondary English teacher in London schools. Grace sits on the LGA Improvement and Innovation Board and has worked as an LGA Peer Mentor and Reviewer. Grace is the acting London Councils Executive Member for Communities and Refugees.
A Director and UKIMEA Board Member Joanna leads Arup's business in London. She has delivered complex major projects linked to economic development, social value, place making, delivery vehicles and funding and finance. Joanna has authored reports on subjects including equalities, social value, competitiveness and growth. She is on the Board of the Major Projects Association, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Member of the Institute of Economic Development.
Lucy has been an architect for over 20 years and is a qualified BREEAM AP and Passivhaus Designer. She was board director of aLL Design Architects where she worked with Will Alsop before joining Transport for London via Public Practice. Lucy’s role at Places for London is to champion design and sustainability in the development programme of 20,000 new homes. She delivered TfL’s Sustainable Development Framework, volunteered with LETI on the creation of their Client Guide to Zero Carbon Buildings and is a member of the NLA Net Zero Expert Panel.
At Old Oak, OPDC is reinventing a part of West London’s economy. With transformational plans for a new canalside district of 9,000 homes and 3m sq ft of workspace, Old Oak will combine the existing industrial, culinary, and creative heartland of Park Royal, with innovative and entrepreneurial new workspace, retail, leisure and public realm, that’s fit for the future.
Bringing in international experts, we will discuss the building blocks to create a lasting economic and social legacy, using core principles for inclusive growth and learning from success stories across the globe.
In association with Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation
Marianne leads the development team at OPDC, bringing forward thousands of new and affordable homes and major new inward investment and employment into West London. Marianne has over 16 years’ experience delivering complex housing and development projects for major clients including Berkeley Homes, TfL, National Grid Property and the NHS. At Deloitte LLP, Marianne was seconded to Homes England and lead significant investment and land ownership agreements including OPDC’s Old Oak scheme, Bristol Temple Quarter and Brent Cross South.
Robert is a Senior Advisor for NLA on strategic comms, London policy and investment, helping to shape the New London Agenda. Together with NLA’s sounding board, committees, and expert panels he will be working to deliver a vision for the future of London and its built environment. Robert Gordon Clark founded London Communications Agency in 1999 and was its chairman until 2021. Now a 60 plus person firm, he is a part time Senior Advisor and Partner. He is also the corporate communications lead for Oxford University Development. He can often be found on stage and is chairman of Sporting Wine Club.
Focusing on the theme of ‘Health & Wellbeing’, this informal networking session provides the opportunity for delegates to connect with senior politicians and officers from the Boroughs that make up the South London Partnership: Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Richmond upon Thames and Sutton; as well as key stakeholders and investors in the sub-region.
In association with South London Partnership
