ADRIAN BLAND

Partner & Head of Commercial Real Estate, Shakespeare Martineau

Adrian is an experienced real estate lawyer focusing upon development and regeneration. He has an outstanding record as a leader in the legal services industry. Skilled in strategy, project leadership, negotiation and making things happen.

Widely connected and trusted in the world of real estate and regeneration, Adrian works both visibly and discreetly to make deals and projects happen. He has advised on projects such as Bullring, Mailbox and Birmingham Airport as well as projects in London and across the UK.

Adrian is Chair of global organisation Urban Land Institute in the Midlands and sits on ULI`s UK Executive. He chairs Birmingham City Council`s Developers` Sounding Board and is a Fellow of the RSA.

BEK SEELEY

Managing Director for Development, Lendlease

In her current role, Bek is responsible for leading the Development business to successfully deliver Lendlease’s European pipeline including the Over-Station Development at Euston, Thamesmead Waterfront, Birmingham Smithfield, Elephant Park, Silvertown Quays, IQL Stratford, Deptford Landings, High Road West and Milano Santa Guilia and MIND in Milan.

Most recently she held the position of Chief Operating Officer for Development and was instrumental in winning a number of major projects for Lendlease, as well as overseeing operations and the driving overall growth of the business.

Before joining Lendlease in 2015 Bek’s career spanned the public and private sectors, having held a range of operational and commercial roles in economic development, infrastructure, built environment and public services.

Bek regularly speaks at industry conferences and events, including at MIPIM and the West Midlands Forum for Growth.

DAV BANSAL

Partner, Glenn Howells Architects

Dav is a Partner at GHA, responsible for the Birmingham Studio. He has built significant experience of residential and commercial projects as well as leading on urban regeneration and masterplanning projects throughout the UK.

Dav has overseen the masterplan for the Royal Wharf development on the north bank of the River Thames in Newham and has led on award-winning office buildings including Eleven Brindleyplace, Birmingham and One St. Peter’s Square, Manchester.

In Birmingham Dav is currently overseeing masterplaning projects at Paradise in central Birmingham, New Garden Square in Edgbaston and St. Paul’s Quarter in the historic Jewellery Quarter area. He is also working on a number of alternative residential sectors including the tallest ‘build to rent’ tower in Birmingham and a recently completed student housing scheme in Vauxhall which is recognised as the tallest brick tower built in the UK.

In previous years, he has led on a number of award-winning projects which include the National Memorial Arboretum in Lichfield, the Severn Trent Water Offices in Shelton and the Urbanest student residences in King’s Cross Central.

DR LOUISE BROOKE-SMITH

OBE, FRICS, MRTPI

Louise has over 30yrs experience across the property, land use and construction sectors within the UK and overseas. She holds numerous Non-Executive Directorships and was previously a Partner of Arcadis LLP – UK Head of Development & Strategic Planning.

As the first female RICS Global President (2014-15), Louise led a series of ground- breaking property related initiatives, and championed diversity & inclusivity.

She is a Freeman of the City of London; was National Construction Achiever (2015) and holds Honorary Doctorates from Universities of Wolverhampton, Sheffield Hallam and Birmingham City. Louise was awarded the OBE in 2019 for services to the built environment.

MARIA DUNN

Head of Development Policy at Birmingham City Council

Maria is a qualified planner working in the public sector since 2006. Maria became a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute in March 2009. Maria is highly experienced in the preparation of planning policy having been involved in the complete process of preparing the Wyre Forest District Adopted Core Strategy, Site Allocations and Policies Local Plan and Kidderminster Central Area Action Plan. Maria also has considerable knowledge of the Sustainability Appraisal process and neighbourhood planning. Maria was a member of the YP West Midlands committee between May 2010 and October 2013 and has been a member of the RTPI West Midlands Regional Activities Committee since 2013. Maria has been a Planning Aid volunteer since 2005.

RALPH MINOTT

Director of Development at Calthorpe Estates

Ralph has more than 23 years of experience in the Property and Development industry, and is currently the Director of Development at Calthorpe Estates, a 640 hectare parcel of prime real estate on the edge of Birmingham city centre.