Gavin Taylor

Regional General Manager
Far East Consortium International Limited

Gavin Taylor is a Mancunian with over 15 years’ experience in development, construction and portfolio management.

He joined the Far East Consortium International Limited as Regional General Manager in 2016.  Gavin’s role sees him overseeing the expansion of the organisation in the north of the UK. He is also responsible for the Angel Meadow and Northern Gateway projects which will bring over 15,000 homes to Manchester.

Previously, as Operations Director for Beijing Construction, Gavin was instrumental in the introduction and establishment of the international conglomerate in the UK. He was also the first non-Chinese citizen to become a director of a Chinese State-Owned Entity.

Lynda Shillaw

Divisional Chief Executive for Property
Manchester Airports Group

Lynda Shillaw joined Manchester Airports Group (MAG) as Divisional Chief Executive Officer for Property in June 2014.

Lynda joined from Scottish Widows Investment Partnership where she held the role of Director of Real Estate. The role at MAG reports to Group CEO Charlie Cornish, and oversees the group’s £571m property division across its four airports. The existing portfolio also includes the £800m Airport City development at Manchester Airport.

Graduating in 1986 with a degree in Accountancy and Finance, Lynda has had a strong 20+ year career in the property industry, where she has headed Co-operative Estates plus roles at Lloyds Banking Group and BT where she worked for 18 years.

She has also held executive positions as a pension fund Trustee, an Environment Commissioner, a member of AGMA’s Business Leadership Council and a BT Regional Director. She is a Chartered Management Accountant with a degree in Accounting and Finance. 

Bill Hughes

Head of Real Assets
Legal & General Investment Management

Bill joined Legal & General in 2007 and is responsible for transforming its UK property fund management business into a global-reaching real assets platform. Operating in both the direct investment and lending markets, today it actively invests and manages over £27.2bn AUM across commercial property, private residential, infrastructure, property lending and corporate credit as at 31 December 2017. Since the beginning of 2015, L&G has worked closely with Government’s Regeneration Organisation to identify and invest in critical regeneration projects that support UK growth. 

Bill previously held positions at RREEF, the Real Estate Fund Management business of Deutsche Bank and Schroder Property Investment Management. From July 2014 to July 2015, Bill was President of the British Property Federation. He is currently Chair of the Property Industry Alliance (PIA), bringing together the UK’s leading property bodies to give them a stronger collective voice on issues such as policy, research and best practice.

James Sidlow

Project Director
Allied London

James Sidlow is the Residential Director at Allied London leading on the residential assets at St John’s, Trinity Islands and London Road Fire Station. James’ role includes acquisition, funding, concept and design. Prior to practical completion he provides strategic advice in relation to the sales, lettings and management strategy. He is responsible for a portfolio of over 2,500 units; a mixture of residential for sale, long term and short term build to rent, co-living and serviced apartments.

Prior to joining Allied London, James was an Assistant Director at Deloitte LLP where he provided investment and development advice to a range of clients including developers, private equity houses, international funds, high street banks and central government. He has experience in advising on a range of property types, including development sites, airports, city centre offices and residential premises.

His experience stretches cross border, having worked across Europe, the Far East and the Middle East.  James is a Chartered Surveyor and Registered Valuer.

Jessica Bowles

Director of Strategy
Bruntwood

Jessica joined the business in April 2016, a new role to support the company’s ambitions for long term growth.  Previously Jessica worked at Manchester City Council as head of City Policy.  Most recently she developed the 10 year Manchester Strategy ‘Our Manchester’ with partners across the city, lead work on the Northern Powerhouse with Richard Leese and other city leaders across the North and took a central role in the devolution agenda.  Before coming to Manchester Jessica spent 15 years in Whitehall in a diverse range of roles related to transport and local government.