Speakers, Panellists & Judges Include

Rob is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and has worked specifically in the planning and property area of communications for over 20 years. He has provided strategic advice on proposals across all sectors of property including large urban extensions, retail, sports stadia and large scale distribution.

Jonty is the Property Development Manager at Bicester Heritage, the Centre of Excellence at the core of the historic motoring industry. Bicester Heritage has trailblazing plans to deliver the UK’s first 425 acre experiential resort to champion automotive motion of the past, present and future. His background is major project delivery and master planning, providing a diverse range of projects in motorsports, leisure and tourism. Project examples include: Zhejiang International Circuit, China; Royal Air Force Museum, London; BMW Park Lane , Born Electric showroom; Media City UK (BBC), Salford; BMW UK HQ and various Jaguar Land Rover projects.

Matthew is the Founder and Managing Director of UK Property Forums. Established in 2004, UKPF enables conferences, events and networking opportunities across the Greater Thames Valley region including Oxford, Reading and Aylesbury. As part of the range of events which UKPF have created, he leads UK Prop Social, a networking club for 150+ members and also the Thames Valley offer at MIPIM UK and MIPIM Cannes, France. Having lived and studied in the Thames Valley, he is very informed about the region and passionate about the development of a group for all those involved in the Thames Valley property markets.

Working in destination management for over 20 years across the public, private and voluntary sectors, Hayley now leads the award-winning destination management organisation (DMO) – Experience Oxfordshire – as their Chief Executive where she has continually developed their business model through the successful introduction and implementation of commercial services. Prior to this she was the Director of Oxfordshire Cotswolds’ Tourism Services where she developed and implemented a Cotswold wide Destination Management plan and has worked in numerous Local Authorities across Oxfordshire and Gloucester, having started her career with a tour operator. She has held various non-executive director roles including those at Tourism South East and the Tourism Society. Hayley is the immediate past Chairman of the Tourism Society for which she served on their board of directors for a decade and is now a Fellow of the Society. With a strong marketing background, Hayley is passionate about continuous improvement, relationship building and raising the profile of the importance of the visitor economy sector.

Hugh enjoyed a highly successful career as a commercial property lawyer, leading one of the major real estate firms in the country. Having graduated from University College Oxford and trained in the City, Hugh returned to Oxford in 1986 where he now works as a consultant to the property community. He believes that whilst there is much to admire in recent developments, the plans which are being forged to harness and accommodate the activity in the region will make the next few years the most exciting in the region for decades.

Tom is a chartered town planner, responsible for the planning, property, regeneration, city centre & economic development functions at Oxford City Council. I sit on the board of Oxford West End Developments (OxWED), a joint venture between the City Council and Nuffield College, and Experience Oxfordshire, the county’s Destination Management Organisation.

Stephen joined the Trust as CEO in September 2013. The CEO works with the board of trustees to set, and then implement, the strategic direction and culture of the Trust. The charity is very much like any other business but without shareholders to pay – all funds are reinvested in projects and programmes that support the core mission. In our case to encourage the pursuit of science and enterprise.

The Trust is involved in many different projects across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire but the most exciting and also challenging one is the building of our new primary science education centre and adjoining innovation centre at Stansfeld Park in Headington. This is by far the largest project the Trust has initiated costing many millions of pounds so it is crucial we get it right. We are always balancing what we want to do in an ideal world with available funds!

Philip joined MEPC in 2006 with nearly 20 years’ experience in commercial real estate. Philip works alongside the asset management team, developing relationships with potential clients and looking after large offices and laboratories at Milton Park. He is passionate about helping businesses with their evolving accommodation needs and enjoys demystifying complex real estate issues to make office moving easier. Philip is an active figure within the local community and can often be seen jogging round Milton Park at lunchtimes.

Sarah-Jane Curtis is Property Director at Bicester Motion, a position she has held since January 2020. Prior to this, Sarah Jane worked for Value Retail Management Ltd, as Business Director, Bicester Village. Before joining Value Retail in 2016, Sarah-Jane was Director, Covent Garden for Capco, where she was instrumental in the reinvention of this historical location.

Sarah-Jane spent the majority of her career with Grosvenor where her responsibilities included London Estate Director and Fund Manager for Liverpool ONE. Sarah-Jane is a Non-Executive Director at TR Property Investment Trust plc.

Barbara is responsible for the development of the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus at UKRI-STFC. She has worked alongside the Joint Venture partners to establish Harwell as an exemplar public-private partnership model that has driven economic growth, fostered national and international collaborations, attracted inward investment and advanced the frontiers of science. She has developed the cluster model at the STFC Harwell and Daresbury Science & Innovation Campuses and oversees their development. She has established a high profile for the Space, HealthTec and EnergyTec Clusters and is leading the development of a new Digital cluster.

Ahmed is an energetic and commercially-successful business leader with a strong track record in strategy development, service delivery and operational management in the public and private sectors.

With 20 years’ leadership experience in various senior management team and Board level roles, he has an extensive record in building high-level relationships and partnerships at local, regional and national levels to deliver innovative business solutions.

Ahmed’s role at OxLEP sees him leading a variety of high-profile strategic programmes with global impact, including continued involvement in Oxfordshire’s growth deal and the county’s response to the government’s industrial strategy.

Chartered Town Planner and Chartered Surveyor specialising in employment and housing growth, regeneration and the advance provision of supporting infrastructure. Over the past ten years I have taken a leading role in establishing and running a number of local delivery companies, that have aligned public and private funding, to accelerate the rate of jobs, housing and infrastructure provision in response to local need and ambition.

Sarah Haywood is Managing Director for Advanced Oxford, a group of senior leaders from the area’s major knowledge-intensive businesses, working together to support the long-term development of the Oxford region as a dynamic and prosperous place to work and live.  Sarah is also an Executive Director with MedCity, the life sciences cluster organisation for London and the greater south east of England.  Sarah joined Advanced Oxford in July, 2019 and has been working with MedCity since its foundation and launch in 2014.

Bev is Director of the Oxfordshire Growth Board and Oxford to Cambridge Arc Leaders and Chief Executives groups. He is responsible for coordinating implementation of the £215 million Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal agreed with Government in 2018, which includes developing the Oxfordshire Plan 2050 that will consider the needs of the county and align its strategies so that plans for future housing and infrastructure are joined up.

Caroline has been working at the Culham Science Centre UKAEA for the past four years with responsibility for the development of the campus including all aspects of the property portfolio. Before Culham, Caroline worked as Manager at Begbroke Science Park which part of the University of Oxford. She has also been a judge on the OxPropFest Awards for the past two years and continues to have a strong connection with the development of science in Oxfordshire.

Alistair is Director of the Arc Universities Group, a collaboration between the ten Universities between Oxford and Cambridge. The Oxford to Cambridge Arc Universities Group builds on the spirit of collaboration that is already strong between the founding university members. It is my privilege, as Director, to be helping to galvanise what we can do together.

The Arc has been designated as a key economic priority by the Government, aiming to build on established strengths in knowledge-intensive sectors, science, technology, high-value manufacturing and innovation. We wish to listen to, and work with all stakeholders, both within the Arc area and beyond, and develop a collaborative approach.

The Universities in the Arc are now working together as the Arc Universities Group. Their combined turnover is £5bn and together they are responsible for nearly 20% of the UK’s innovation and spin out activity from Universities. The ten have organised themselves into a group and are being recognised in Government strategies for the Arc as the focal point for delivery of R&D and skills for the uplift in high-skilled jobs of the future.

Rod has over 30 year’s experience with the development, refurbishment and asset management of commercial property in the UK having previously worked for Patrizia, Rockspring Property Investment Managers , Citigroup Property Investors and CBRE Global Investors. Rod now runs his own consultancy, unlocking value from individual assets through asset management initiatives and the appraisal and coordination of refurbishment and development projects.

Philip Parker is Bursar of Brasenose College, Oxford and until this summer chaired the cross-college Estates Bursars’ Committee. Philip is a management accountant by training, and before joining Brasenose in 2010 he had worked in the charity sector for 15 years.

Charles has experience of providing a diverse range of advice to many high profile office and industrial/logistics schemes in the Thames Valley and midlands regions, both in town centres and out of town office/science parks, and industrial/logistics estates.

His expertise also includes capital markets in most commercial sectors throughout the south and midlands for clients acquiring and disposing of assets. Charles’ clients include major property companies, developers, Institutional and opportunity funds, private investors as well corporate occupiers.

Greg Searle is an Olympic Gold Medal winner who has worked as a coach with organisations for 20 years to help improve their performance.  Having won gold in Barcelona 1992, he returned to win Bronze in London 2012.  He worked for Lane4 for 20 years and now supports organisations from the corporate and public sector including the NHS, charities, and sports such as the FA and the R&A.

Greg delivers interactive leadership development with the emphasis on the people in the virtual room.  He challenges thinking and behaviour by encouraging the audience to take responsibility and ultimately action to drive their own, and their teams’ performance.  He is comfortable on the large stage, working virtually, or with smaller teams and individuals.  He is an accredited coach with the EMCC. (European Mentoring and Coaching Council).

Since the pandemic Greg has been delivering engaging interactive sessions for groups from 5 to 500 people.  He is a regular contributor on the MBA programme at the SAID Business School and has delivered for numerous corporate clients.

He has also been busy as an Honorary Patron for the charity Access Sport and retains a keen interest in rowing as a Steward of Henley Royal Regatta and as a commentator for the Governing Body of World Rowing (FISA).

Anna is CEO of Oxford University Development (OUD), a joint venture between Oxford University and Legal & General set up to build Innovation Districts and subsidised accommodation for graduate students and the university workforce.  Anna was previously Managing Partner of Argent LLP.  She spent 12 years at Argent on a range of asset, development, and business planning projects.  Highlights included leading the Asset Management of King’s Cross, developing Coal Drops Yard, and setting up a BTR portfolio with JV partners Related.  Anna helped build the business from 40 to a team of 200 over a ten-year period and led the corporate side of the business as Managing Partner.  Before working at Argent, Anna worked in the planning and economic development team of Arup, worked for DTZ in Scotland and studied Japanese as a Daiwa Anglo Japanese scholar.

Before joining Countryside (where he leads their strategic planning function), Andrew was Head of Planning at Barratt Homes Eastern Counties and prior to that spent over 18 years in planning authorities in the south east of England. He has experience of both urban and rural planning from small scale exception needs housing to master planning new settlements, major town centre redevelopments and international airport expansion. Andrew also chaired the RTPI Board of Trustees for 4 years to December 2016 and helped steer the Institute through probably its most challenging period in recent years and is a member of the Leeds Beckett University Partnership Board and the Chair of the National Planning Forum’s Management Committee.

Nigel joined Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) in June 2013 and has made his mark with energetic and inspirational leadership. He spearheaded the bid for the Oxford and Oxfordshire City Deal, the EU Structural and Investment Fund and Strategic Economic Plan submissions and is assisting the county’s businesses into a period of exceptional growth. Oxfordshire is already a powerhouse of innovation and wealth creation and Nigel is focused on building upon the region’s unique strengths to deliver economic success through the commercialisation of innovation. Nigel has over 20 years’ experience in the formation, development, operation and management of Public/Private sector organisations.

Richard has over ten years’ experience in the construction industry and is delighted to have taken over the role of Regional lead in Oxford. Since 2009 he has dedicated his time to the University of Oxford and Oxford Colleges.

Richard joined as partner in the Oxford Office in April 2015 and has an excellent reputation for successfully delivering projects and providing clients with a dedicated and considerate service above and beyond the normal expected standards. He is committed and believes in communicating with all project stakeholders to test and challenge the brief and deliver a building which exceeds the expectations of all those involved.

Harriet Waters has been Head of Environmental Sustainability at the University of Oxford for 8 years. She is responsible for the long-term planning and direction of environmental sustainability at the University and oversees the delivery of the wide range of strategies and services implemented by the Environmental Sustainability team. Harriet recently qualified as a Chartered Environmentalist with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).

Jonty is the Property Development Manager at Bicester Heritage, the Centre of Excellence at the core of the historic motoring industry. Bicester Heritage has trailblazing plans to deliver the UK’s first 425 acre experiential resort to champion automotive motion of the past, present and future. His background is major project delivery and master planning, providing a diverse range of projects in motorsports, leisure and tourism. Project examples include: Zhejiang International Circuit, China; Royal Air Force Museum, London; BMW Park Lane , Born Electric showroom; Media City UK (BBC), Salford; BMW UK HQ and various Jaguar Land Rover projects.

Matthew is the Founder and Managing Director of UK Property Forums. Established in 2004, UKPF enables conferences, events and networking opportunities across the Greater Thames Valley region including Oxford, Reading and Aylesbury. As part of the range of events which UKPF have created, he leads UK Prop Social, a networking club for 150+ members and also the Thames Valley offer at MIPIM UK and MIPIM Cannes, France. Having lived and studied in the Thames Valley, he is very informed about the region and passionate about the development of a group for all those involved in the Thames Valley property markets. 

Hugh enjoyed a highly successful career as a commercial property lawyer, leading one of the major real estate firms in the country. Having graduated from University College Oxford and trained in the City, Hugh returned to Oxford in 1986 where he now works as a consultant to the property community. He believes that whilst there is much to admire in recent developments, the plans which are being forged to harness and accommodate the activity in the region will make the next few years the most exciting in the region for decades.

James is a chartered surveyor and has over 35 years’ experience in commercial property. He joined MEPC in 2008 as a main Board Director and Managing Director for Milton Park and Silverstone Park before being promoted to CEO in 2014. In a previous role he led Milton Park’s modernisation between 1997 and 2001, and was instrumental in developing a number of well-known business parks in the UK whilst a commercial partner at Strutt and Parker. James has a keen interest in architecture and the built environment. He is a mentor for students studying Land Management at University of Reading where he gained his degree. In his spare time James enjoys sailing and cycling.

Andrew is a real estate partner who specialises in providing commercial real estate advice with a particular focus on major corporate occupiers and investors. He has many years of experience advising on acquisitions, developments, disposals, re-organisations and project work for major corporate entities. He also has significant investment and development experience acting for commercial developers and investors.

Angus is focused on providing real estate, marketing, collaboration, networking and other support to organizations, people and places inside the UK Knowledge Economy. He is a firm believer in the power of research and innovation to deliver improved health, economic and social wellbeing. Having been a founding Private Sector Director and Shareholder at Harwell Campus, he continues to serve as Campus Director and sits on all Harwell’s Cluster Boards for Space, HealthTec and EnergyTec, plus the overarching Cluster Steering Group. Angus is also Founder of property company Prorsus and a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.  Lives in Oxfordshire with his wife and children.

Caroline has been working at the Culham Science Centre UKAEA for the past four years with responsibility for the development of the campus including all aspects of the property portfolio. Before Culham, Caroline worked as Manager at Begbroke Science Park which part of the University of Oxford. She has also been a judge on the OxPropFest Awards for the past two years and continues to have a strong connection with the development of science in Oxfordshire.

Jayne began her professional planning career working for the PSI (Power Station Impact) team at Oxford Brookes whilst a post graduate planning student. This was followed by twenty years in local government at South Oxfordshire District Council and West Oxfordshire District Council. In 2007 Jayne joined Edgar as a Director. Her experience spans 24 years across the spectrum of planning work, including Development Control, Local Plans, Enforcement, Heritage Proposals, Appeals and Environmental Impact Assessment, in both local government and private practice. Jayne was elected as a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute in 1989, having completed an MSc in Urban Planning from Oxford Brookes University.

Winner of the Oxford Property Festival Young Person of the Year for 2018, Hannah is a leader in her field and promotes high-quality development and regeneration through her comprehensive and inspiring design process. Hannah recently featured in the BBC 2 documentary “The Newbuilds are Coming”, which followed a housing development through the Planning System; observing the extensive design process and detailed consideration that takes place behind the scenes of the development industry. She has been involved with masterplans and visions for NW Bicester Eco Town and successfully designed and delivered mixed-use masterplans of between 1 and 20,000 units in the South East, predominantly in Oxfordshire. A rising star of the future. 

Nigel joined Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) in June 2013 and has made his mark with energetic and inspirational leadership. He spearheaded the bid for the Oxford and Oxfordshire City Deal, the EU Structural and Investment Fund and Strategic Economic Plan submissions and is assisting the county’s businesses into a period of exceptional growth. Oxfordshire is already a powerhouse of innovation and wealth creation and Nigel is focused on building upon the region’s unique strengths to deliver economic success through the commercialisation of innovation. Nigel has over 20 years’ experience in the formation, development, operation and management of Public/Private sector organisations.

Richard was educated at St Edward’s, Oxford and Exeter University where he gained a geography degree. He commenced his surveying career in 1989 at Gerald Eve in London. He joined James Offen and Partners and in 2002 jointly started VSL. Richard has considerable experience in office, industrial, retail, development and investment agency work. Richard dedicates considerable time and energy to economic and cultural development in Oxfordshire. He is a board member of Experience Oxfordshire and Active Oxfordshire, a member of the Ashmolean corporate circle, a member of the Oxford City Council Economic Growth Steering Group and Chair of Reciprocate.  Richard was appointed Deputy Lieutenant for Oxfordshire in 2017 and High Sheriff of Oxfordshire in 2018/19. Outside work he is a hockey fanatic playing at Oxford Hawks Hockey Club and an enthusiastic park runner.