The Midlands

Dan is a Partner at Glenn Howells Architects, having joined in 2005, and has designed and delivered multiple award-winning, mixed-use, residential-led projects that range from the small-scale Triangle, Swindon development, to the large-scale London City Island. He is passionate about LandAid and the charities that we support, and is driven to with ambitions to create a legacy of change for young people experiencing homelessness in Birmingham from the property industry.

Michelle Adams is a partner in the Real Estate Litigation team at Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP, leading the Birmingham offering. She is experienced in a broad range of property-related disputes for financial institutions, retail, telecoms, media and logistics clients in the management of their English and Welsh property portfolios.

Michelle is strong advocate of the Midlands, having been winner of the Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Award (Legal) and Future Face of Legal at the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Awards. She has supported Landaid for a number of years, taking part in the Midlands Sleep Out, Midlands and London 10Ks and Steptober.

Gurjit joined Eversheds Sutherland in 1995, became a partner in 2002 and is now Head of the Real Estate Sector.

He specialises in advising FTSE and Private Property Companies, Property Funds and Asset Managers, Inward Investors and Institutions, covering the full breadth of real estate finance, development, management and investment in the real estate, leisure, retail, office, residential, healthcare and industrial sectors.

His clients include Blackstone, Grosvenor, Hammerson, Landsec and Lendlease.

Gurjit is a member of IPF and BCSC and co-authored the pan-European guides to leasing and development for the ICSC.

He is listed as a leading individual in Chambers and Legal 500 and accredited by clients as a “Star Lawyer” in the Acritas survey.

For more than 15 years, Stephen has been advising both domestic and international clients on talent acquisition within the Real Estate, Development and Construction sectors.

Stephen started his career back in London, in 2004, acting on behalf of construction and development groups. In 2010, Stephen left the big smoke for the beating heart of the Midlands. Here in Birmingham, Stephen leads the Built Environment division of Gleeson Recruitment Group as the Divisional Manager.

Stephen is passionate about contributing to the local community, and he will do all he can to raise funds and awareness for great causes. To this end, Stephen has organised teams to take part in several LandAid events including the Birmingham SleepOut and the St Mowden 10k charity run. During the SleepOut, Stephen even made his TV debut on ITV News!

Though Stephen has no further plans to appear on television, he remains committed to supporting efforts in the fight against homelessness, mental health and addiction.

Asha has 30 years experience working at Arup in the built environment, advising on estate strategies across the public sector, social infrastructure and major developments. Asha is Arup Healthcare Business Lead for the UK, India, Middle East and Africa Region, and leads a team of advisors and project managers based in the Midlands. She has led health and social care projects for local NHS Trusts and Councils, and internationally for NGOs, UN Ops and Governments.

She is an active advocate and firm believer in developing social value outcomes with local communities which focus on supporting young people, particularly in youth employment opportunities and mentoring support. She plays an important role in promoting STEM and engaging with schools and young people in our region.

Asha has been a Governor at the BMet Further Education Colleges Academy and a supporter of LandAid for a number of years.

Owen is a Principal Associate at the international law firm Eversheds Sutherland, specialising in commercial property development and acting for some of the UK’s largest developers on a broad range of work from site assembly, development, letting and funding to acquisitions and disposals.

Owen joined the Midlands Board after being a valued Ambassador for many years, he has enjoyed organising and participating in a number of fundraising events including the LandAid Sleep Out, Midlands 10k and Birmingham Velo.

Ross leads the delivery of the transformational mixed-use £700m Paradise development by the MEPC team in the cultural and civic centre of Birmingham.  Prior to this he managed the final development phase of Brindleyplace which helped to transform Birmingham city centre and the redevelopment of The Mailbox. Ross’ role focuses on all elements of the Paradise scheme including leading the development teams on each phase and playing a pivotal role in the commercial and retail leasing discussions helping to attract an eclectic mix of tenants and is increasingly focused on maximising the positive social value impact Paradise has on the local community .

Ross also sits on the BCO Midlands & East Anglia Committee leading the mentoring initiative and is passionate about raising awareness of homelessness in young people by regularly working closely with the local charity St Basil’s, in particular completing his 40 At 40 challenges with the help of his family.

Richard is Head of Planning at St Modwen Logistics where he is responsible for the strategic planning promotion of the next generation of St Modwen’s industrial and logistics developments across the country and leading the team of in-house planners. He joined St Modwen in 2010 and has been a chartered town planner for over 25 years, having previously worked in both the public sector and consultancy

Based at St Modwen’s headquarters at Longbridge, Richard has lived and worked in the Midlands all his life. He enjoys running, although the Longbridge LandAid 10K course tests his enjoyment!

With over 15 years’ PR and Marketing experience, Rachel has built up a strong portfolio in both the public and private sector, working with several well-known property brands and regional charities.

Her role as Head of Comms and Placemaking at property marketing agency, Core Marketing & Events, has allowed her to develop and implement the placemaking and marketing strategies for several high-profile schemes within Birmingham and the Midlands.

Having previously worked with St Modwen, Rachel has seen the incredible impact LandAid has made on the region and is proud to now be able to help drive change and raise funds in a more direct role.

Tom has been advising clients in the commercial real estate market for the best part of 25 years, having earned his legal spurs with Linklaters and now heading up the transactional real estate team at law firm Pinsent Masons LLP, where he leads a team of around 200 lawyers operating across the UK and internationally. In the meantime, Tom has played his part in the renaissance of Birmingham, including advising on the deal that saw HSBC set up its HQ in the city centre and advising on a variety of other projects that have transformed the Birmingham landscape.

Tom has been a supporter of LandAid for a number of years and has even been on the podium at the recent Midlands 10k around Longbridge (handing out a trophy, although he did also run the course!).

Damian joined Avison Young in 2000 and is a Principal of the business.  He is an Investment Agent specializing in the acquisition / sale of investment and funding opportunities, in all sectors, across the Midlands.

Damian is also a Board member of the IPF in the Midlands and believes passionately in the good nature and generosity of the property community.  When he is not in the office, he will likely be entertaining / doing homework with / playing taxi for…. his four children!  In the very rare moments of peace and quiet, he enjoys good fiction books, running and occasionally a bit of skiing.

George is a senior Architect at Howells, having joined in 2015 and has been involved in a broad range of projects, including i9, a flagship commercial building in Wolverhampton, now occupied by the Ministry of Housing. More recently, George has been working on Dove Lane, a scheme in Bristol which seeks to re-stitch a vacant plot in the heart of the vibrant St Paul’s neighbourhood, and is currently developing several residential projects at Port Loop, Birmingham.

He is Lead Ambassador for LandAid in the Midlands and has had major involvement in procuring the inaugural Commonwealth Cup 5-a-side tournament in 2022, with the intention of scaling it up in 2023!