Scotland

Anne began her real estate career at Standard Life Investments in 1999. She was appointed Head of Real Estate Research & Strategy in 2007 and over her tenure has seen our real estate assets under management quadruple to more than £40bn. Anne has been instrumental in the modernisation of the abrdn real estate business over the last 24yrs, embedding and driving our research driven approach which underpins the overall performance of our underlying funds, the launch of a number of innovative products including our global real estate strategies and UK long income franchise, and the management and development of our world class real estate investment teams. Anne’s experience across all real estate asset classes, including debt and indirects, and deep understanding of the role of ESG in real estate investing, has proved essential in her most recent appointment as Global Head of Real Estate where our clients are increasingly aware of the broader benefits of real estate as an asset class.

Anne also holds a board position in the Association of Real Estate Funds (AREF) board. She also sits on SLA’s Global Inclusion Committee, is a board member of Abrdn Alternative Funds Board (regulated by FCA) and a board member of Abrdn Investments Ireland Limited (regulated by CBI).

Russell is a Partner at law firm Pinsent Masons LLP and has over 27 years of experience in the Property Sector.  He is based in Edinburgh has experience in a wide range of real estate work across the UK with a particular emphasis on property investment, development and finance.  One of the projects he is most proud of is the project he leads at Winchburgh which is one of the biggest and most exciting place making projects anywhere in the UK. When complete it will deliver at least 3,800 new homes, improved transport links, employment opportunities, state-of-the-art schools and stunning new outdoor spaces.  It will give a number or individuals and families a place they can live, work, play and relax and somewhere they are proud to call home.  It is shocking that some individuals in our communities do not have a private, secure, decent and affordable place that they can call home.

Seeing the benefits that have ensued from helping create a new community in Winchburgh sparked Russell’s interest in and involvement with LandAid.  He is delighted to lend his support and skills to help tackle youth homelessness in Scotland.

Colin is Ryden’s Edinburgh Regional Managing Partner and a very experienced real estate and construction professional with over 30 years of commercial property involvement. Prior to joining Ryden, Colin held senior positions within DTZ’s Scottish business and UK Project and Building Consultancy team.   He has a wide spectrum of experience in commercial building surveying and project management activities, encompassing building refurbishment, new build and professional work on commercial, retail and industrial properties. Colin specialises in occupier related consultancy and project management. Outside work, aside from family time, he tries to get to the beach as much as possible – being a keen windsurfer he can often be found at many of Scotland’s windier spots!

Carrie Armstrong is a Real Estate Partner at Addleshaw Goddard LLP based in Edinburgh.  She is a member of the Firm’s managing board.  She is a dual qualified lawyer and frequently acts and leads on cross border transactions for a range of portfolio clients.   Transport, infrastructure, retail and leisure assets and development feature strongly in her practice.  Carrie has three very active children aged 13, 15 and 17, so her spare time is mainly spent at the side of cricket, rugby and hockey pitches!

Daniel provides senior level management advice to inform development appraisals and in turn land acquisition. During the currency of construction projects I’m responsible for the procurement strategy, management of the design team, programming of the works, appointment of subcontractors and reporting to investors.

Murray is a dynamic, engaging and influential business leader with over 20 years of experience in global real estate, representing some of the world’s largest and most respected property advisory firms.

With vast experience as a Country Head, Regional Board Member and Director, Murray is a commercially minded, strategic and analytical leader. He has a successful and sustained track record of leading a company P&L with strong results in long-term revenue growth, accurate forecasting and effective delivery to senior management and PLC Board. Murray has productively developed, communicated and ensured compliance of operations across multiple disciplines and geographies, while ensuring alignment with companies’ wider visions and maintaining best-in-class standards of delivery.

His knowledge and capabilities lie predominantly in providing outstanding service and advice to a range of multi-national, corporate clients on the acquisition, disposal and optimisation of commercial investment assets, and successfully executing an extensive range of sales and leasing instructions across all commercial and residential sectors.

Neil’s areas of expertise are development monitoring, technical due diligence (TDD) and dilapidations. He also has a keen interest in sustainability. He is a Partner, head of TFT’s Edinburgh office and part of the firm’s TDD and dilapidations working party. He is a member of the Scottish Property Federation Building Standards and Sustainability Committees.

Neil’s prominent clients include Nuveen, APG, Tishman Speyer, Aviva, Legal and General and M&G.

Neil’s principal instruction is the Project Monitoring of St James Quarter, Edinburgh, a mixed-use development in the heart of Edinburgh on behalf of the investors, APG and Nuveen. Neil’s involvement started at the construction contract stage in October 2016. The leisure and retail element of the development completed in 2021, with the other elements (Hotel, Residential, Cinema and Aparthotel) due for completion by the end of 2023. Development costs are in the region of £1billion and comprise 850,000sq ft of retail, 214 room Hotel, Cinema, Aparthotel and 152 Residential Apartments.

Mark Colquhoun is a senior associate at BTO Solicitors in Edinburgh having joined in 2019, specialising in commercial property. He has over 20 years’ experience in the Scottish market acting across the comprop spectrum of clients from developers and institutional investors to supermarkets, hotel operators and corporate occupiers.

At BTO, a traditionally Glasgow firm, Mark’s role involves building the firm’s Edinburgh real estate business and has a separate sectoral focus on Investment/Development.

Outside of work Mark is usually found at a hockey pitch as captain of Alloa HC or coaching the juniors at Edinburgh HC. He has an interest in world music, travel, most sports and running around after his 3 kids.

Susie Cresswell is Managing Director  at Whitewall Marketing.

Having worked in various marketing roles for Land Securities, Capital & Regional & Donaldsons Susie set up Whitewall Marketing in 2005. As Managing Director Susie is involved in the day-to-day development of the company as well as overseeing client care and the marketing, digital and design teams.