West of England Development Conference; Sponsored by Atkins

Hill Group – Greg Hill, Deputy Chief Executive

With their first venture into the South West of England, Hill Group are developing 165 new units with over 3,000 sq ft of commercial space also provided. The plan consists of 100 houses and 66 apartments, with 40% set to be affordable. Greg will be able to talk about future plans in the Bristol area, and why this development is important to both Bristol and Hill Group.

First Base – Lucinda Mitchell, Project Director

First Base are the developers behind the £175m Soapworks project which currently consists of 165,000 sq ft of existing buildings within a 2.25-acre site and is located on the edge of Bristol city centre, close to Bristol Temple Meads station. The proposal is to deliver a mixed use development that will celebrate Bristol’s past and as part of this session Lucinda will be delivering an update on project timelines, its projected social value contribution to the south west and actively engaging with our audience.

Bath Spa University – Dr Andy Salmon, Pro Vice Chancellor for External Affairs

As home to nearly 8,000 students, Bath Spa University plays an important role in attracting inward investment into the West of England. Andy will be able to discuss how the University builds relationships in an attempt to foster economic and cultural development, alongside driving economic regeneration in the region.

Bristol City Football Club – Mark Ashton, Chief Executive

More information to follow.

Bristol City Council – Nuala Gallagher, Director of Growth, Investment and Infrastructure

Bristol City Council have recently announced the £100m investment into flood management into the Avonmouth and Severnside Enterprise Area. This investment will reduce flood risk to at least 2,500 existing homes and businesses, create up to 80 hectares of wetland habitat and opening up 60 hectares for the Enterprise Area, which will supply 12,000 new jobs by 2026. Nuala will be able to share details of the flood management scheme, alongside the benefits for the region.

The Bristol Port Company – John Chaplin, Director of External Affairs and Special Projects

The Bristol Port Company is a key driver of economic growth in the Western Gateway and the West of England, enabling the import of 550,000 vehicles, 27% of the UK’s aviation fuel and 25% of animal feed annually. With over 1,000 acres of development land in the vicinity of the port – the largest brownfield development site in Western Europe – the opportunities for growth are vast and John will discuss the port’s ongoing expansion plans as well as land opportunities in the port’s vicinity.

Burrington Estates – Mark Edworthy, Managing Director

As part of an exciting £80m development on the outskirts of Exeter, Burrington Estates are developing 150 homes, 125,000 sq ft of commercial office space and a £5m leisure complex. As Managing Director, Mark will be able to share thought leadership and best practice on this development, alongside how this development will impact the region.

University of Bristol – Barra Mac Ruairi, Chief Property Officer

As it’s campus gradually expands and regenerates to meet the needs of a worldwide student population, several new schemes are in the pipeline including plans to develop an £80m landmark new library at the heart of its Clifton campus. As part of this session, Barra will talk about how the campus will evolve in the coming years and the University’s role in the city’s placemaking strategy.

Cubex – Gavin Bridge, Director

Cubex are staples of the development landscape in the South West and have a particular affinity to regenerating sits in Bristol. Their next project is a £70m eco-building on the site of former Avon Fire and Rescue station. They are determined to build a long term legacy in the region and on this panel Gavin will set out their future development vision scheme-by-scheme.

Dandara Living – Zoe Sharpe, Senior Development Manager

Dandara Living are developers and operators of apartment buildings designed specifically for the rental market. Their growing portfolio includes more than 7,400 homes in 10 towns and cities across the UK. Dandara Living’s pipeline in Bristol will deliver over 1000 new homes.

They recently submitted a planning application for their Clarence Road project which sits within the Temple Quarter masterplan area.  It will create 432 high quality apartments plus a ground floor terrace and public space with commercial uses connecting Chatterton Square and Clarence Road with a much improved public realm and public route through the scheme. Zoe will discuss this project, their key role played in the Bedminster Green regeneration area and their wider ambitions for the city

Commonplace – Chris Neil, Regional Director, South West

As a result of COVID-19, many companies have been using digital engagement methods to ensure their planning proposals are still able to go ahead even though face to face consultations can’t. As organisations turn to online tools to capture public opinion safely and effectively on a wider scale, many have achieved outstanding community engagement results. As a Regional Director, Chris is responsible for building Commonplace’s relationships in the South West and excited to provide our innovative software as a meaningful and transparent digital community engagement tool to shape and transform our places in an inclusive way.

DCW Group – Dean Ward, Managing Director

DCW Group has developed a new innovative solution that will save time and costs within the development journey of new homes – potentially shaving 3-months off the process. He’ll reveal all in this session.

Atkins – Sonia Davidson-Grant, Associate

Sonia is an experienced Executive Director, Chair and Board Member of both private and public sector organisations, an International researcher and a Strategic Advisor to governments in the UK and the Middle East. Sonia has previous worked with Atkins and is currently working with Ernst & Young. Sonia’s particular expertise lie in leading major capital delivery and change programmes, developing new commercial arrangements to deliver innovative efficiencies, ensuring supply chain benefits, maximising social value and embedding sustainable practice.  Sonia is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation.

EY – Sarah Phillips, Partner

Sarah is a trusted adviser with a passion for projects that create value-enhancing individual, community and city wide resilience; improving life outcomes and building a better working world. Sarah leads our local government and public sector strategy and transactions team for England & Wales. She has recently returned from a period with EY Oceania, where she focused on transformational regeneration-led capital projects.

Atkins – Philip Hoare, President

Philip Hoare is President of Atkins, SNC-Lavalin’s Engineering, Design & Project Management sector. He is responsible for the company’s infrastructure engineering and design services around the world. He is a member of the Executive Committee of SNC-Lavalin.

Philip joined SNC-Lavalin following the 2017 Atkins acquisition, but has been with Atkins since 1997. He has held several senior positions, including leading the transportation division as well as operations across Europe.

He is committed to collaborating with clients and partners to deliver their objectives today and to face the future, taking full advantage of digital transformation to improve the efficiency and productivity of infrastructure delivery through best-in-class capabilities in engineering, design and project management. He is passionate about the skills agenda and celebrating diversity and inclusion, as well as a strong advocate of STEM and early career development. He is the senior leadership sponsor for our Women’s Professional Network and the sponsor for the Diversity & Inclusion program in the UK and Europe.

Philip is a highly respected leader in the UK market having worked on behalf of the UK Government and the industry to develop a new Sector Deal for rail as part of the government’s Industrial Strategy. Philip has also held a number of positions across the industry including roles on the Boards of the Railway Industry Association, the Rail Supply Group, the Defence Growth Partnership and the National College of High Speed Rail. He has also held positions as the Chair of the Highways Term Maintenance Association and as a Non-Executive Director of the Rail Safety and Standards Board.

A chartered civil engineer by profession, Philip is a member of both the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation

Cheltenham Borough Council – Nick Sturge, Strategic Advisor

Cheltenham Borough Council are currently developing the ‘Golden Valley Development’, which will be home to Cyber Central and will be the UK’s focal point of cyber security activity. As a Strategic Advisor for Cheltenham Borough Council and Consultant of The Golden Valley Development, Nick is best placed to share insight into the £300 million project which will supply up to 3,000 new homes in an exemplar garden community.