Amr Assaad is a Board Director at Buckley Gray Yeoman. He joined the practice in 2005 and has led the front-end design on many of the practice's key schemes. Most recently, Amr has overseen a number of significant projects including the masterplan of the Truman Brewery site, Dept W, and Technique.
Lee is a Partner and Design Chair at Sheppard Robson. His diverse portfolio includes award-winning schools and higher education buildings, the retrofit of Old Marylebone Town Hall, and prominent workplace-led developments. His views on new models for education, modern methods of construction, and the pursuit of net zero carbon schools have been widely presented and published. Lee teaches at Liverpool University and is an External Examiner at the Architectural Association.
Sarah leads the development and asset management of a new mixed-use 22-acre campus in White City which blends academic, commercial and residential activity around a new community park. She was previously Executive Director for Place at Enfield Council where she was responsible for services such as waste collection, street cleaning, property management, and planning while also leading Enfield’s longer-term development plans including 4 major housing-led regeneration projects and Meridian Water. Sarah has a PhD in town planning and was previously at British Land, where she worked in the development team before becoming Head of Sustainable Places.
Ben is Chair of HTA Design LLP, a leading multidisciplinary design practice specialising in housing and placemaking. He is a Commissioner of Historic England and serves on the London Advisory Committee, Shrewsbury Flaxmill Delivery Board and is chair of the Historic Places Panel. Ben is President of the London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies, is a member of the NHBC Council, a trustee of SAVE Britain’s Heritage and sits on the advisory board of proptech firm, Chimni. He was President of RIBA from 2017 – 2019. Ben has published widely in research on housing and has summarised his long career as a housing designer in a book, Home Truths, published by Hatch Editions and available from RIBA Books, effectively a primer for anyone with an interest in the planning and design of sustainable places.
Martyn spent 17 years with Cathedral Group/U+I, including six years on the board before leaving to become the Development Director at the 1,200-acre Dartington Hall Estate in Devon in 2016. He returned to U+I in 2019 to deliver the creative strategy at the heart of its purpose-driven regeneration development portfolio including major regeneration schemes in Manchester, London, and Cambridge and was part of the team that completed the sale of the company to Landsec in December 2021. Now Martyn is Creative Director of one of the largest regeneration development portfolios in the UK including Mayfield in Manchester, MediaCity in Salford, St David’s Centre in Cardiff, Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow, and the 120-acre, 6,000-home new town in northwest Cambridge at Hartree. Martyn is a visiting lecturer at a number of architecture schools including The Bartlett and Manchester School of Architecture, is Chair of the London Festival of Architecture, and founder of The Young Architects and Developers Alliance (YADA), a networking organisation that fuels partnership and understanding between young architects and developers. He has been a jury member of the AJ's Small Projects, The Architect of the Year, the NLA and the Estates Gazette Awards, writes a regular column in BDOnline, and contributes to the Estates Gazette.
Dicle Guntas is the Managing Director of HGG London, a property development company that co-creates thoughtfully designed and innovative buildings to live and work with architects, engineers, contractors, brands, and communities. HGG’s collaborative and mindful ethos is driven by Dicle’s own interest in the intersections of architecture, art, culture, and place. She is co-Founder of Forefront, an Initiative that brings together the art world and built environment through collaborative programming and creative, interdisciplinary exchange. Dicle has previously been a jury member of RIBA Regional, AJ Small Projects and the Architect of the Year Awards and she is a member of the NLA Sounding Board.
Gavin Hale-Brown of Henley Halebrown studied at the University of Liverpool. After qualifying, he worked in Japan. Where he designed hand-crafted traditional houses in remote Western Honshu. This was a big influence on his subsequent work as an architect and, in particular, in terms of attention to detailing and how this relates to cultural specificity in design. In 2005, Gavin and his partner Simon Henley were selected for the 40Under40 UK Architects exhibition at the V&A, London – a list designed to identify the future generation of leading architects. He has taught at various institutions including the University of Yonago, Japan and The Bartlett, London. Gavin sits on the International Advisory Board of the Hume Institute, Lausanne and is an external examiner for John Moores University, Liverpool. The studio has worked across Europe and extensively across Russia, delivering masterplanning, housing, health, education and cultural buildings. Henley Halebrown are widely acknowledged experts in retrofit, workplace and healthcare design, and in recent years have become renowned for their housing and education expertise. This has been developed over many years from their competition-winning, and sector-leading, zero-carbon St Mary’s Island Housing Scheme in Kent (2001), to the award of The London Mayor’s Award for Architecture, for Kings Crescent, London - which is currently entering its final phases. The studio has been acknowledged as ‘housing architect of the year ‘in 2021 and previously ‘Healthcare architect of the year’. The work has been acknowledged internationally through the EU Mies award and the Fritz Hoger Preis. Gavin has extensive experience of working with existing buildings both in conversion and adaptive reuse including the Grade One listed Sheridan House and the naturally ventilated headquarters of TalkBack Thames TV which received the accolade best of “Best office in Europe” 2004. In 2023 the building received the Architecture Today award for buildings that have ‘stood the test of time’, 20+ years after its completion. In 2018, Chadwick Hall, for Roehampton University, was shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize and in 2022 Hackney New Primary School + 333 Kingsland Road, was also shortlisted for the Prize considered the preeminent architectural award in the UK. Going on to win the Neave Brown award for the ‘best affordable housing scheme’ in the country and the public vote for the prize itself. The Studio currently works across many sectors, primarily housing, education and commercial across UK and Europe, continuing to lecture and teach widely. In 2024 the Henley Halebrown will enter its 30th year.
Tanvir Hasan is a Director Emeritus at Donald Insall Associates, having served as Deputy Chairman and London studio lead for over a decade. An accredited conservation architect with a background in academic research, she has led high-profile projects transforming scheduled and Grade I-listed buildings such as The Parliamentary Estate and The Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew. She is currently working with the World Monument Fund in Iraq, providing post-conflict conservation advice to rehabilitate war-damaged cultural institutions while bringing together communities
Lee is an award-winning architect with projects in the UK, Spain, Singapore, India, Australia and Canada. He joined Eric Parry Architects in 2006 and was made board director in 2019. Lee has led many of EPA’s landmark projects including N10 Athletes Village for the London 2012 Olympics, The Research Centre at The Welding Institute Cambridge, One Chamberlain Square Birmingham and The Wilmar Headquarters Singapore. Lee is currently leading the ‘The Salisbury Square Development’ for The City of London Corporation, which will create a new civic quarter in the heart of the Square Mile delivering first-class legal and law enforcement facilities. This includes a new flagship 18 courtroom facility for the HM Courts & Tribunals Service, a state-of-the-art police headquarters for The City of London Police and a new commercial office building to house leading international law firms. Together they create a new ‘Centre for Justice’ to ensure the City’s future as world-class legal centre. Lee is a member of the RIBA and is a registered Architect in the UK and Spain.
Oliver is an architect, podcast host, and founder of Ackroyd Lowrie, an innovative architecture practice based in East London employing 25 people. He has 20 years’ experience designing schools, mixed-use masterplans, multi-unit residential schemes, film and photography studios, and cultural buildings. Oliver is passionate about bringing the next generation of built environment professionals into the industry, and has set up the AL Academy to work with young people across East London to gain them qualifications in Architecture, and permanent roles at Ackroyd Lowrie. Prior to founding Ackroyd Lowrie, Oliver spent 10 years at Architype, one of the world’s leading sustainable architects, where he delivered Passivhaus projects including the award-winning £24m Highgate School in North London, for which he was Project Architect. Oliver passionately believes in working closely with clients, makers, and builders to deliver projects in a collaborative manner. Oliver is a passionate campaigner for the high quality, and sustainable design of cities. His podcast, Urban Forecast, seeks to speak to prominent decision-makers about the future of cities. Along with his business partner, Jon Ackroyd, Oliver has co-founded the Breakfast Club Briefings, a network bringing together politicians, planners, and property experts to focus on how our urban spaces can better work for the people that.
Anna Mansfield is a Director at Publica, a research based urban design and public realm practice. Anna oversees Publica's projects and the company’s strategic direction. She leads projects for UK and international clients, including local authorities, leading developers, landowners and community, cultural, and third sector organisations. She has particular experience in masterplanning, research and infrastructure - recently working on major strategy projects across London’s West End, community infrastructure planning for several London boroughs and leading Making London Child-Friendly for the Mayor's Good Growth by Design programme. Anna was a Baylight Scholar at the Architectural Association and worked in architecture practice in the UK and Japan before becoming a founding team member at Publica. She is a member of the Mayor’s Infrastructure Advisory Panel (IAP), Vice Chair and member of several London borough design review panels.
John is a director and trustee of Orms and has been in practice for 29 years. He has experience across a range of sectors and led many of the practices award winning projects including The Standard hotel , 1 New Oxford Street and 16 Old Bailey. Most recently he completed the music led regeneration of St Giles Circus into the Outernet district which has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK. He is a member of the Camden and Oxford design review panels, founding member of the End Cat A waste campaign and taskforce member of Circularity in Practice which is an initiative recently launched and inspired by the work of His Majesty The King. John has judged several industry awards including RIBA London and Civic Trust. He is a strong advocate of reducing waste, the reuse of materials and refurbishing existing buildings. He has developed an expertise in transforming underutilised buildings and is currently leading a range of Grade I and II conversions.
Andrew is a Partner at PRP and leads the practice’s Development Consultancy. He has extensive experience of residential development including existing building remediation, retrofit and reuse. Andrew acts as an expert technical advisor to building owners with regards to considering compliance, future standards, risks and the wellbeing of residents. His current work includes adaptive reuse, refurbishment and retrofit projects where innovative approaches are being used to ensure efficiencies with regards to costs, time and environmental performance. He undertakes technical and analytical impact policy work for DLUHC and the Welsh Government including various parts of the Building Regulations, Building Safety regimes, second stairs and building safety proportionate risk evaluation projects.
OBE, BA (HONS), MA, DU LSBU (HON.), DU UCEM (HON.), FRSA, HON FRIBA, HON Friai Sadie Morgan is a co-founding director of dRMM. Championing design for over two decades, she holds government advisory roles including as a Commissioner for the National Infrastructure Commission and as a board member for Homes England. Sadie is a senior advisor for the NLA and Chair of their New London Sounding Board. She has held professorships at the University of Westminster and Cambridge University and co-founded the Quality of Life Foundation – an independent body prioritising wellbeing in the built environment.
Responsible for delivering the 4,000 homes and associated community infrastructure in Westminster Council, Setareh brings over 20 years of public/private sector experience to support the local authority’s ambitious programme. The past 18 months have seen Westminster’s projects pick up a host of prestigious industry awards with Setareh also named Property Week’s Leader of the Year and Inside Housing Professional of the Year at their Women in Housing awards. Passionate about high-quality urban design, regeneration, and sustainability, Setareh has instilled a methodical, outcome-based leadership approach in housing delivery. She is a certified Town Planner with a PhD in Modern Methods of Construction. Setareh brings pragmatism, innovation, and knowledge into action, whilst being able to formulate strategy and develop partnership solutions and maximise private/public sector funding opportunities.
David joined Argent in 1990, he was appointed Joint Chief Executive in 2006 and Managing Partner of the new Argent LLP in 2012 and became Senior Partner in 2019. He is now Chairman of the Related Argent Partnership. David is currently a Trustee of the UKGBC and of the Landaid Charity and Chairman of the Governance Board of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard. He also sits on the Advisory Boards of Construct Zero and Standard Gas Technologies Ltd and on the BE News ESG Editorial Advisory Board. He is a Past President of the British Property Federation and of the British Council for Offices, and has chaired the Piccadilly Partnership in Manchester, the King’s Cross and St Pancras Business Partnership and Manchester's CityCo. David read architecture at Cambridge and is a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and has served on a number of RIBA practice committees. David received Property Week's Irvine Sellar Award in 2023, won the BCO President’s Award in 2022, and the Estates Gazette’s ‘Outstanding Contribution to Property Award’ in 2019. In May 2015, David was awarded NW Insider Property Personality of the Year, and in April 2014, David jointly won the Property Week Personality of the Year Award with Roger Madelin.
With close to 30 years of experience shaping the future of housing and placemaking across the UK, Manisha Patel has collaborated with leading developers, housing associations, and private sector partners to create high-quality, people-centred environments that seamlessly integrate architectural excellence with urban design innovation. A former Mayor of London Design Advocate and Transport for London (TfL) advisor, Manisha has been instrumental in shaping city-wide housing strategies and urban policies, championing the principles of sustainability, inclusivity, and design-led regeneration. Her expertise spans social-led regeneration, mixed-tenure and mixed-use developments, sustainable communities, refurbishment, and sheltered accommodation, ensuring that diverse housing needs are met with visionary yet practical solutions. A pioneer in housing typology innovation, Manisha delivered the UK’s first multi-generational house typology at Chobham Manor, part of the Olympic legacy site, setting a new benchmark for flexible, intergenerational living. Her extensive experience in placemaking and framework planning has been instrumental in bringing development proposals to market, where she advises governmental bodies, social landlords, and private developers on procurement, delivery strategies, and long-term viability. Manisha is also a published author, co-authoring “Estate Regeneration: Learning from the Past, Housing Communities of the Future” with Brendan Kilpatrick, offering insights into the complexities of urban renewal and sustainable community-building. Recognised as a thought leader in housing and urbanism, Manisha continues to redefine placemaking and regeneration, ensuring that future developments respond to evolving societal needs while upholding the highest standards of design excellence.
Sarah studied at Bath University and Oxford Brookes University before qualifying in 2009. Sarah worked at a number of practices in Birmingham before joining Panter Hudspith Architects in London in 2007, where she was an Associate until joining The King’s Foundation at the end of 2018 where she is now Associate Director responsible for Architecture and Heritage projects across the UK. Her most recent projects include the restoration of the community owned and operated Braemar Castle and the ongoing retrofit of the large 20th century Fleetwood Hospital in Lancashire, and is championing the charities work in reuse and retrofit.
Starting his architectural career with Woods Bagot in 2004, Simon has worked across a wide range of sectors and disciplines including workplace, hotels, serviced apartments and retail, on both architectural and interior projects. During his architectural career in the UK, Simon has focused on residential projects, working to develop Woods Bagot’s approach to residential design alongside global sector leaders. This approach has led to the design of some of Europe’s most successful residential schemes. As part of the ongoing understanding of the residential market, Simon has undertaken research into the burgeoning Build-to-Rent sector, becoming a thought leader in design for this growing sector.
Philippa Simpson is Director for Buildings and Renewal at the Barbican Centre, leading on a major programme of restoration and renovation across the iconic estate. Philippa studied at the Courtauld Institute of Art and the University of Edinburgh, where she gained her BA Hons and MSc Res in History of Art. Having worked for a short time in the commercial art sector, she became a curator at Tate, working on a range of international exhibitions and gallery projects while completing her PhD at the Courtauld. She then moved to Royal Museums Greenwich to establish and manage an international touring exhibition programme. In 2014 Philippa joined the V&A to deliver a number of capital projects, including the Exhibition Road becoming Director of Design, Estate and Public Programme. In this role she delivered an extensive portfolio of capital projects, led on estate management and maintenance and oversaw design of exhibitions and displays as well as marketing and other initiatives.
David is a Senior Partner at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, having joined in 1988. He has a strategic overview of the work across the practice as well as the leading role in practice wide management. He has worked on a variety of the Practice's award-winning projects including those in the Housing, Student Accommodation and specifically in the Secondary and Higher Education sectors. He led the teams for the redevelopment of the Oxstalls Campus for the University of Gloucestershire, University of Plymouth, as well as schemes for University of Winchester, Aston University and Manchester Metropolitan University. Masterplanning experience includes several housing schemes, mixed use developments and schemes for both public and state institutions. In the secondary education sector, he has completed Academies in Bristol, Paddington, Birmingham, and Worcester alongside schools in Plymouth and Dorset.
Magali Thomson is an architect working at Great Ormond Street Hospital, which is one of the world’s leading children’s hospitals. She is setting out vision to radically transform a polluted and traffic dominated urban street next to the children’s hospital. The vision is for a climate resilient, healthy and child-friendly street. She recently completed an Executive MSc in Cities at the London School of Economics, graduating with a Distinction, building on her passion for equitable cities. She is also a Built Environment Expert at the Design Council, a Healthcare Expert at the NLA and has positions on Design Review Panels for Design South East and Brighton. She previously led a successful education team to deliver award-winning schools at Marks Barfield Architects where she was a director.
Professor Ola Uduku is Head of School of Architecture at the University of Liverpool, she is also a researcher in modern architecture, the history of educational architecture in West Africa, and contemporary issues related to social infrastructure provision for minority communities in the ‘West’ and ‘South’. She is an advocate of equity in all its forms in the workplace, particularly in the Architectural profession. She promotes the Documentation and recording of Modernist Buildings and Landscapes, (Docomomo) Africa, and was President of the African Studies Association UK (2020-2022). She is currently working on a project titled “Aid By Design” examining Aid and its relationship to Architecture in the 21st Century, and also the history of health Architecture in Africa.
Tatiana von Preussen co-founded vPPR Architects in 2009 with Catherine Pease and Jessica Reynolds, a women-led architecture practice built on original and equitable design. The practice focuses on the crossover of art and architecture and designs for cultural, residential, office, public realm and education clients. vPPR has won numerous awards including Emerging Woman Architect of the Year in 2015. Tatiana has taught studios at Columbia University and the Architectural Association, and is also a member of the Tower Hamlets, Greenwich and Barking and Dagenham Design Review Panels. She has previously been a judge on the UK Brick Awards, London RIBA Awards, RIBA MacEwan Awards and the Camden Design Awards.
Richard Wardle is a Director at Stanton Williams, where he has played a key role in the delivery of several transformative architectural projects across a range of sectors, and is currently leading the design of major research facilities across the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, which seek to integrate life sciences deep into the fabric of urban communities. Wardle has led several landmark projects that have had a significant impact on the urban landscape. In King's Cross, he delivered the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, a project that catalysed significant urban regeneration in what is this now one of London’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. In Stratford, he recently completed UCL East Marshgate on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – a new 35,000 sq m innovation powerhouse designed to break down the boundaries between art, science and technology and to draw the public into the heart of the building to participate in the research and activities within. Other notable high-profile projects include The Broadway Connection – a workspace-led, mixed-use, regeneration project for British Land within the Ealing Town Centre Conservation Area; two residential towers at the Wood Wharf masterplan for Canary Wharf Group in London; the transformation of The Mailbox in Birmingham; the Anchor Store at Cabot Circus in Bristol and several complex schemes for Selfridges & Co.
