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
Jason Balls is a Main Board Director at EPR with over 18 years’ experience as a Chartered Architect (RIBA) specialising in workplace and mixed use developments. Jason’s focus for EPR is to continually, drive an innovative approach to design through internal design reviews, achieving exemplar schemes that respond to both the individual context and the built environment. Jason is responsible for a number of significant projects including the extensive re-modelling and re-invention of 60 London Wall, in the heart of the City of London.
Jason started his involvement with the BCO as NextGen committee member and then Chair. For a number of years Jason was a BCO Judge for the South West Region and he currently sits on the Board of Management.
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.
Guy Bonser, Partner, Gleeds
Guy has been a Cost Manager in the Central London Commercial market for over 30 years – nearly all of which at Gleeds.
He has specialised in Refurbishment, Cat A Cat B and Directs contracts, but also has extensive experience of New Build offices, hotels and residential.
Guy has been a member of the BCO for over 20 years and assisted with the production of the BCO 2009 Guidelines, plus Cat A Expert Witness.
Projects range from the sublime to the ridiculous, some very small and some over 500,000ft, and currently he has just completed on Sports Direct’s HQ and is working on Spotify’s London HQ amongst other projects.
Racheal Cadey, Founder & Principal, Edge GB
Racheal Cadey is the founder and design principal of award-winning practice Edge Architecture and Design. An interior architect by training, and an integrator of brand and architecture, she drives connected design expertise across the practice to improve brand perception and business performance. Edge delivers return on design investment for clients across all sectors. As the design principal of The Crown Estate’s award winning headquarters and the first Platinum WELL Building standard certified project in Europe, she firmly believes a Wellness strategy is central in an effective workplace.
Peter Cummings, Director, Turner & Townsend
Peter is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor and joined Turner & Townsend in 2001. Peter works across all three segments of Real Estate, Infrastructure and Natural Resources, developing and implementing the strategic plans to drive business opportunities and develop client relationships.
Previously Peter was head of Cost Management in the South of England with accountability for managing all aspects of the Cost Management business.
Peter has been involved in formulating and delivering cost, commercial and programme management services on a number of major projects and programmes across all of Turner & Townsends global regions.
Kaela Fenn-Smith, Managing Director, Real Estate Balance
Helen Garthwaite, Partner, Wedlake Bell LLP
Helen is a partner in the Construction group and leads the Senior Living sector group at Wedlake Bell LLP providing construction advice for a wide range of construction schemes from project inception, feasibility and structuring through to completion. Her clients include corporations and institutions, owning, financing, investing in and procuring development and infrastructure. Recognised as a leader in her field of construction law for over 20 years, she also has leading expertise in sustainable construction having led the acclaimed industry reports Hitting the Green Wall (2009) and Behind the Green Façade (2010). Helen has provided construction advice for the development and financing of various city landmarks, both residential and office, including exemplar projects like the Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED), the first large scale zero carbon emission community; the Margaret Thatcher Infirmary’s Royal Hospital Chelsea, a 21st Century care home for the ‘Chelsea Pensioners’; the world acclaimed concert auditorium for The Guildhall School of Music and Drama and The Heron Tower, City of London. She is currently engaged with delivery of a series of projects in the later living sector. Helen is a member of the Board of Management of the British Council of Offices and recently chaired the launch of the BCO Report Wearables in the Workplace.
Carissa Kilgour, Founder and Director, Co.lab
Carissa Kilgour is the Founder of Co.lab, a workplace advisory business which supports organisations in making decisions about their real estate portfolio and working environment. Co.lab’s mission is to enable organisations to make smart workplace investments that adapt with their changing needs. Working with corporate occupiers, architects, and real estate developers, Co.lab brings experience and expertise across all aspects of the built environment to deliver work spaces and buildings designed with the future of work in mind. As a former Director at Deloitte and Workplace Director at Landsec, Carissa has an in-depth understanding of the real estate value chain as well as how the future of work is influencing business strategy and workplace. Carissa brings this depth of expertise to support clients in making workplace investments that align with strategic business objectives.
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!
Mark Kowal, Partner, Sheppard Robson Architects LLP
Mark is a senior partner and leads the office sector at Sheppard Robson. His expertise –
which spans workplace, retail and mixed-use developments – includes in-depth knowledge of the planning complexities common to working with Conservation Areas and with Listed Buildings. Mark’s 25 years of experience within the office sector has covered all aspects of workplace design, including speculative and headquarters buildings both across the new-build and refurbishment solutions.
Mark has recently completed the first phase of The Future Works development in Slough and is currently working on a large office scheme at 245 Hammersmith Road, London. He was also responsible for the Siemens Headquarters in Abu Dhabi, which was the first building in the region to achieve LEED Platinum accreditation.
Mark currently sits on the BCO Executive Board and Board of Management. He is chairman of the BCO Membership committee and one of six national judges for the BCO Awards.
Kavita Kumari, Associate, Cundall
I pride myself on being at the forefront of sustainability, specifically wellbeing and the integration of innovative principles in the built environment. At Cundall, I am an Associate in the health, wellbeing and sustainability team. As well as leading on the sustainable development offering for Cundall, I am first and foremost a building services engineer, providing sustainable design solutions for a range of local and international commercial developments for diverse clients. I strive to make significant contributions and positive impacts in the areas of sustainability, health and wellbeing and innovation within the corporate offices and co-working spaces through my technical involvement on projects and by sharing my experiences to advance the future of the industry. I believe these are essential qualities in influencing and encouraging others to enter the engineering profession. I am driven and passionate about all things which bring communities to life and actively involved in numerous industry advisory panels and a big supporter of STEM through various volunteering roles.
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.
Danny Parmar, Business Development Manager Overbury & BCO Chair Midlands & East Anglia region
I have been working with the Overbury and the wider group for around 36 years and my role is very much at the front end of the business in bringing the business into the company. I have done this through holding one to one meetings with work providers, networking and entertaining contacts. It is a skill that does come somewhat naturally but also through learning from others. Business development is very important whoever you work for and whatever you do, as an individual it gives you added value.
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
Corinne Pringle, Director, tp bennett
Corinne joined the interiors division of tp bennett, as a Director in 2014. Having been in the business for 35 years has extensive experience in working with Corporate Clients.
She has a keen interest and expertise in analysing changing corporate culture and using the design process to drive through appropriate change. She also has extensive experience working alongside clients through the building selection and due diligence process, ensuring a thorough interrogation of the base building offer in order to maximise the client’s aspirations and expectations.
Corinne is a member of the British Council for Offices and sat on the judging panel for The British Council of Offices Corporate Awards for four years.
Martin Smith, Associate Director, Buro Four
Martin is a project manager with a track record in central London office development that has seen him work with leading real estate owners and developers. He is passionate about design, sustainability and D&I. Martin is a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Mark Terndrup, Board Director, Waterman Group
Mark Terndrup is a Board Director of the Building Services operation at Waterman Group. An accomplished team leader and Chartered Engineer with 28 years’ experience as a Building Services Consultant, Mark takes a lead role in many of the company’s multidisciplinary projects, including the multi-award winning commercial tower Angel Court in London Architect Journal’s Tall building of the Year 2017.
He has built an extensive portfolio throughout his career, most recently featuring Fen Court, The Avenue, Jersey International Finance Centre, 8 Moorgate, The Clarges Estate and 6 Bevis Marks.
Mark actively promotes sustainable design as part of a holistic approach to building design. He maintains an active, ‘hands on’ strategic role, with specialisms in the financial and commercial fit-out, refurbishment and new build sectors, as well as large scale mixed use schemes.
Andrew L. Tyler, Proprietary Partner, Head of London Office Development, Knight Frank
Andrew joined Knight Frank in 1997, having previously been at British Gas for 7 years, and has since worked in Central London development. Andrew specialises in providing development and value-add advice primarily in the Central London markets with the benefit of considerable experience in all aspects of the development life cycle in addition to investment agency, funding and corporate representation. Andrew is also providing International Consultancy for several large scale redevelopment projects in Sydney (10m sq.ft.), Brisbane (4m sq.ft.), and Dublin (1.5m sq.ft.). Andrew is a Member of the Board of Management for the British Council for Offices.