Keep checking back to see more mentors confirmed. Would you like to be a mentor? Get in touch by emailing events@bco.org.uk.
The Mentors
Jon Allgood, Senior Asset Manager - London Offices, The Crown Estate
Clare Ashmore, Main Board Director, Parkeray
I have held the position of Main Board Director for 13 of my 18 years at Parkeray with a background in Business Management and Marketing. I am a loyal and committed member of the BCO; with 8 years’ experience as an active BCO Board participant.
I champion forward thinking, progression, and something particularly important to me; focus on the younger generations. I wholeheartedly support Nextgen, mentoring schemes and schools/college roadshows encouraging fresh, innovative and diverse talent into our amazing industry. I am a good listener, trained in coaching and am looking forward to assisting with your career development.
Jason Balls, Main Board Director, EPR Architects
Dan Bayley, Executive Director – Central London Offices. BNP Paribas Real Estate UK
Dan is a senior director in our Central London Office agency team and also provides support to BNP Paribas Real Estate’s offices group.
Dan has over 25 years’ experience providing development and leasing advice to landowners, funds, developers and occupiers in Central London. Whilst most of his career has been based in the City, his responsibility for the Central London team has developed a wider view of markets across London, whether working with occupiers or owners. He has worked at BNP Paribas Real Estate since graduating in 1991 and leads the offices sector group.
Racheal Cadey, Founder & Principal, Edge GB
Kaela Fenn-Smith, Managing Director, Real Estate Balance
Helen Garthwaite, Partner, Wedlake Bell LLP
Katrina Kostic Samen, Founder and Managing Partner, KKS Strategy and BCO President
Katrina is a regular speaker on best practice for workplace design, development criteria, and occupier strategy. As the current British Council for Offices (BCO) President, Katrina chaired the 2018 BCO Annual Conference in Berlin, which was a ground-breaking shift for the industry.
Since 2004, Katrina has built a practice which is a recognised leader in workplace strategy and interior architecture, reflected in many achievements and awards over the last 15 years. Katrina’s belief in pushing boundaries, striving for excellence, and expanding the professional body for commercial offices is represented in her fundamental principle: Be Creative, Add Value, Have Fun!
Benjamin Lesser, Associate, Development, Derwent London
A qualified architect, Benjamin started his career at Sheppard Robson, after graduating from Edinburgh University. Following an MBA at the College of Estate Management, he moved to Stanhope as Development Manager delivering Chiswick Park amongst other key schemes. Benjamin joined Derwent London in 2010, one of London’s most innovative office regenerators, where he is responsible for delivering a number of major office schemes such as the forward-thinking White Collar Factory. In 2011, Benjamin joined the BCO Board of Management in the Developer category and is keen to challenge some of the accepted norms in the property industry.
Michelle Marwood, Senior Vice President, Corporate Services, EMEA & India, Head of EMEA Operations, Blackstone Group International Partners LLP
As an occupier in the field of either global corporate or workplace services, for more than fifteen years, I’ve worked in New York, Tokyo and London; across industries; financial, legal, media and Fin-Tech, I have a unique occupier view.
Defining offices, now and in the future is a constant evolution, ripe for debate, research and ultimately changes to the workplace. It’s a conversation I’m already part of, navigating daily internally and externally from my interactions with built environment service providers.
James Pellatt, Director of Workplace and Innovation, Great Portland Estates
James is responsible for ensuring the business innovates in the design of its workplaces and to ensure that the group is positioned at the forefront of creating spaces that meet the changing workplace needs and which will enhance occupiers experience and productivity. Prior to his current role James was Head of Projects successfully leading a varied development programme for Great Portland Estates. He has previously held senior roles at Tishman Speyer, More London Development and EC Harris.
Neil Pennell, Head of Design Innovation and Property Solutions, Landsec
Andrew L. Tyler, Partner, Head of Central London Office Development, Knight Frank