Richard Cook

Head of Residential
Lendlease

Richard is Head of Residential at Lendlease, where he oversees a portfolio of projects in the North of England, centred in Manchester and York, as well as across an number of major projects in  London. Under Richard’s leadership the business has secured a forward pipeline of over 5000 apartments with annual completions on average  over 750 apartments.

One of Richard’s prized project, Potato Wharf in Manchester, forms a key part of the portfolio. The final phase of this  residential development of 191 homes is at the heart of Castlefield, in central Manchester, and has responded to market demand by offering a rare open market sale opportunity amid a competitive build to rent environment.

Joining Lendlease in 2010 his experience  includes serving as Delivery Director of the design and build contracts at the London Olympics Athletes’ Village where his team were responsible for the delivery of circa £400 million of residential, education and health care sector projects across the London 2012 programme. Richard has previously been Project Director for MACE International in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. During this time Richard was responsible for a number of major signature projects in the residential and retail sectors, notably the 96 storey Burj Al Fattan project in Dubai and Port Baku Residences in Azerbaijan.

Prior to his time with MACE, Richard worked for a number of Taylor Wimpey Plc businesses, for over 10 years, where he was responsible for delivery of the mixed-use business before being appointed Managing Director and establishing a new business sector for first-time buyers. He is a member of the NHBC Foundations Expert Panel.

Matt Crompton

Managing Director
Muse Developments

Matt is the Managing Director of Muse Developments – one of the UK’s best in mixed-use development and urban regeneration, with a forward development pipeline of £2.5bn. A true national developer, Muse delivers innovative places and spaces through collaboration, bringing together the best of the public and private sector to drive transformational change and maximise community benefit. Matt has considerable experience of commercial, residential and mixed-use development and through a highly focused and driven team. Matt is also on the board of The English Cities Fund, a £200 million mixed-use regeneration vehicle owned by Muse, Legal & General and Homes England. Muse also acts as the development manager for the fund. Matt joined Muse in 1990 as Development Surveyor, was promoted to Development Director in 1995 and joined the Board in 2001. He was appointed Managing Director in 2018.

Jennie Daly

Group Operations Director
Taylor Wimpey

Jennie was appointed to the Taylor Wimpey PLC Board in April 2018 and also holds the role of Group Operations Director. Jennie joined Taylor Wimpey in 2014 from Redrow plc, as UK Planning Director, before becoming UK Land Director in 2015. She has a wealth of experience in the housebuilding industry gained from roles which include strategic land and managing director of Harrow Estates Plc. As Group Operations Director, Jennie oversees the land, planning, design and technical, production and supply chain functions, in addition to managing the Taylor Wimpey Logistics business. Jennie is also a non-executive director of the Peabody Trust, a large affordable housing provider based in London.  

James Heather

Development Director
U+I

James was appointed by U+I in March 2017 to deliver the transformational £1.4bn+ regeneration of Manchester city centre’s Mayfield.

An adoptive Mancunian, he is proud to be leading a passionate team dedicated to delivering an incredible place to live, work and play.

Previously a partner with Argent, James was responsible for the delivery of both No1 St Peter’s Square in Manchester and elements of Brindleyplace in Birmingham. In his spare time he enjoys motor sports and watching rugby.

John Hughes

Managing Director
ASK Real Estate

John has almost 20 years’ development experience, the majority of which has been gained during his time at Ask, delivering highly complex, city centre office, leisure and retail projects.

John joined the Board and became a shareholder in 2008 and works closely with some of Ask’s key strategic partners including Manchester City Council, Salford City Council and Network Rail.  He leads on the company’s flagship schemes in Manchester, including Greengate Embankment, Manchester Central and First Street.

John took Ask into joint venture with Carillion and Tristan Capital Partners alongside Network Rail and Salford City Council to deliver the 600,000 sq ft mixed-use scheme at Embankment in the City Centre, the first office phase of 165,000 sq ft which was completed in December 2016 and is fully let to Swinton Insurance.  He is a regular contributor to property-related seminars, events and round table discussions including North West Business Insider, Estates Gazette and Place Northwest.