Birmingham's BTR Update 2019

James is a Board Director and a member of the Investment Committee. He is responsible for day to day operations and oversees all real estate related transactions, as well as the on-going asset management of specific investments held by Long Harbour’s funds. He co-founded Long Harbour in 2009. James has spent circa 18 years successfully originating and executing on a range of asset backed investments across a range of geographies and sectors. He has held investment roles in a number of companies including Pelham London Limited, Parkwood Asset Management and Cityreal.

Corinne has over 16 years of experience in investment, development and asset management in both the residential and commercial sectors. She joined Aberdeen Asset Management in September 2016 and has been involved in the acquisition of just under 1500 residential units as well as the proactive asset management of around 850 operational units. Previous to that she worked at Grosvenor for over 13 years where her role was to identify value adding opportunities across the portfolio and pro-actively apply development expertise to drive sustainable income across the Estate. She has led and executed numerous projects through design, planning, construction and the disposal phase. Previous to that she was responsible for the fund and asset management of a £95m prime residential portfolio in Edinburgh and Glasgow, implementing the business plan through acquisition, strategic asset management and a structured disposal programme. She was also a leasing manager for Liverpool One – a £1billion retail led urban regeneration scheme where she was responsible for setting and implementing the letting strategy for 165 retail units and 150 residential units. She graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Land Management from the University of Reading and is a qualified Chartered Surveyor (MRICS).

Gavin has worked in the Construction and Development field for over 25 years, holding senior leadership and director positions at Ballast Nedam, Rok Plc and Balfour Beatty. Gavin was National Housing Director for Rok Plc, helping grow the business from £250m to £1bn turnover in 10 years, including £300m per annum of residential projects for the Private Rental and Affordable Housing sectors. Gavin has performed various roles as a non-executive adviser to Directors at Kier, Macquarie, United Living and Forrest, helping to grow their businesses through the creation of investment grade products in residential and energy. Gavin’s skill is understanding specific investment appetite from both institutional investors and overseas buyers, identifying potential projects in the Build to Rent sector. Gavin’s extensive expertise and knowledge of both the private rental and construction sectors ensure that the projects identified are both sustainable and deliverable in a cost-effective manner.

Richard Beckingsale is a partner in the real estate team at international law firm Gowling WLG. He works with public and private sector clients to enable them to successfully deliver major residential and mixed use regeneration projects. Richard is head of the firm's build to rent group and is able to assemble experienced BTR teams covering all aspects of real estate, development and construction, tax and finance, that can assist clients in successfully delivering projects. He helps clients save time and money through awareness of the needs of institutional funders and understanding the challenges of such projects for developers and property managers. Most recently, Richard was a member of the Urban Land Institute's independent review panel and contributor to the 'Build to Rent' Best Practice Guide.

With a wealth of experience in driving forward economic growth, Waheed has already had responsibility for a wide portfolio including, highways, planning, regeneration, economic development, housing, skills and transport as Director of Planning and Regeneration, and as Chief Planning Officer. During his 15 years’ at the council, Waheed has been responsible for overseeing the Big City Plan, Birmingham Development Plan, Birmingham Curzon HS2 Masterplan, and the £1.2bn Enterprise Zone.

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Nick Payne has been involved in property for nearly three decades. After qualifying as a surveyor in 1989, one of the youngest under the RICS external examination route, he trained in the valuation of business premises, hotels and the private health sector with leading leisure experts Christie & Co in London. Promoted to Director at the age of 26, Nick was responsible for major portfolio valuations and financing transactions, including the first major leisure industry securitisation bond by Nomura Group involving an estate of several thousand Public Houses. Nick returned North in the late 1990’s to realise his regeneration and development ambitions, setting up private limited company Westport Developments in 1998. Under Westport, he steered the regeneration of Manchester’s Deansgate Locks, transforming 12 derelict Grade II railway arches alongside the Manchester Ship Canal into a 500,000sqft modern leisure destination and selling the investment Scottish Widows. Today, Deansgate Locks is heralded as a catalyst for Manchester’s urban leisure transformation and thirst for change. As Managing Director, Nick has a huge influence on Nikal’s strategic vision. His innate ability to see potential in unloved and abandoned sites and structures, coupled with experience, infectious enthusiasm and a ‘can-do’ attitude succeed in engaging influencers and oiling the wheels of change. With an impressive portfolio of regeneration and investment projects established close to home, Nikal is reaching out to other cities and states keen to embrace positive change and progress.

Simon Scrase is currently the Regional Specification Manager – North for Etex Building Performance, managing a team of dedicated Architectural Specification Managers. Simon has gained a wealth of knowledge during a 20 year career in the Drywall industry, holding various positions in Technical, Sales and Marketing. Prior to his current position, Simon was Business Development Manager – Thruwall whereby he was responsible for introducing a range of fully tested Thruwall solutions for the building envelope to the UK market. Simon also spent two years in Dubai (2015 to 2017) as Business Development and Technical Director for Gypsemna who are the largest manufacturer of plasterboard in the Middle East.

Graham has many years’ experience in infrastructure and housing sectors, leading stakeholder engagement for commercial organisations and industry bodies. Previously Head of Communications at the Institution of Civil Engineers, he now leads NHBC’s engagement with emerging markets, working in particular across the Build to Rent and affordable housing sectors. Graham is a Board member of the Housing Forum and regularly speaks at conferences and industry forums on risk management and asset protection in Build to Rent and Affordable Housing, and especially on building confidence in homes built using MMC.

Roger has more than 40 years’ experience in the property sector, having begun his career with a subsidiary of Land Securities plc before becoming a partner at commercial developer Alexander Stevens & Co. In 1974 he founded Embassy Developments Limited, which in 1986 became the Embassy Property Group plc and which he floated on the Stock Market in 1989. It was then acquired by John I Jacobs plc in 1994. Roger has since been involved in a number of ventures in property development and investment in both the UK and the Channel Islands and set up Regal in 1995.