Our Team
Brian Bickell, FCA
Chief Executive
Board appointment
Appointed Finance Director in 1987 and Chief Executive in 2011
Overall responsibility for implementing the Group’s strategy and day-to-day operations
Joined the Group in 1986
External appointments
Director of Longmartin Properties Limited
Board member of Westminster Property Association
Chairman, UK China Visitor Alliance
Board member of Freehold
Simon Quayle, BSc, MRICS
Executive Director
Board appointment
Appointed Property Director in 1997
Responsible for the asset management and operational strategy in Carnaby, Soho and Fitzrovia
Joined the Group in 1987
External appointments
ZSL development strategy board
Revo strategy board
Member of Council of Sustainable Business
Tom Welton, MRICS
Executive Director
Board appointment
Appointed Property Director in 1997
Responsible for the asset management and operational strategy in Covent Garden and Chinatown
Joined the Group in 1989
External appointments
Director of Longmartin Properties Limited
Chris Ward, MA (OXON), ACA
Finance Director
Board appointment
Appointed Finance Director in 2012
Responsible for implementation of the Group’s financial strategy and all aspects of accounting, taxation and IT
Joined the Group in 2012
External appointments
Westway Trust: trustee, chairman of audit committee and member of property and regeneration committee
Non-executive Directors
Jonathan Nicholls BA (Hons), ACA, FCT
Non-executive Chairman and Chairman of the Nomination Committee
Board Chairman appointment 2016
Experience
From 1985 various roles at Abbey National. In 1996 joined Hanson PLC and became Finance Director in 1998.
Old Mutual plc Group Finance Director from 2006-2008
Non-executive director of Man Group plc 2004-2006
Non-executive director and chairman of the audit committee of Great Portland Estates plc 2009-2016
Non-executive director and chairman of the audit committee of SIG plc 2009-2017
Current external appointments
Non-executive director, senior independent director and chairman of the audit committee of D S Smith Plc
Chairman of the board of Ibstock plc
Skills
Over 20 years’ experience of public company boards and their operation
Finance, commercial, strategic, communication, investor relations and management skills
21 years’ experience in property and related industries
Jill Little
Non-executive director and Senior Independent Director
Board appointment 2010
Experience
John Lewis Partnership 1975 to 2012
Merchandise director 2002-2011 and
Business and Development director 2011-2012
Current external appointments
Chairman of the Commercial Group of the National Trust, NTE Limited and NTRE Limited
Non-executive director of Joules Group Plc and Nobia AB
Skills
Extensive experience in the retail sector
Communication and management skills
Sally Walden
Non-executive director and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
Board appointment 2012
Experience
From 1984 to 2009 with Fidelity International in senior fund management roles
Current external appointments
Trustee of the Fidelity Foundation
Director of the Pantry Partnership
Skills
Experience of financial markets and fund management
Financial analysis skills
Experience in remuneration structures
Dermot Mathias BSC, FCA
Non-executive director and Chairman of the Audit Committee
Board appointment 2012
Experience
Partner in the corporate finance department of BDO LLP from 1980
Senior partner of BDO and chairman of the policy board of BDO
International 2004-20010
Current external appointments
Non-executive director and chairman of the audit committee of JTC PLC
Governor of Activate Learning
Skills
Strong financial skills
Extensive experience in leadership and management
Richard Akers FRICS
Non-executive director
Board appointment 2017
Experience
Senior executive of Land Securities Group PLC 1995-2014. Joined main board in May 2005 following appointment as Managing Director of the Retail Portfolio.
Director and President of the British Council of Shopping Centres 2009-2012
Current external appointments
Non-executive director, senior independent director and chairman of the remuneration committee and safety, health and environmental committee of Barratt Developments PLC
Member of the advisory board of Battersea Power Station Development Company Limited
Non-executive director of Unite Group plc
Skills
Broad range of real estate knowledge and experience at board level, including retail property
Hilary Riva, OBE
Non-executive director and designated non-executive director for employee engagement
Board appointment 2010
Will retire from the Board in February 2019
Experience
Previously managing director of various high street brands including Top Shop, Warehouse, Dorothy Perkins and Evans
Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council from 2005-2009 and remained in a non-executive capacity until November 2010
Current external appointments
Non-executive director and chairman of the remuneration committee of ASOS Plc
Director of Shepherd Neame Limited
Skills
Extensive experience in the fashion retail sector
Understanding of consumer behaviour and strategic planning
Property Team
Julia Wilkinson
Portfolio and Group Restaurant Strategy Executive
Joined June 1997
Asset management – ownerships in east and west Covent Garden and Charlotte Street
Group-wide restaurant and leisure strategy
Andrew Price
Portfolio Executive
Joined February 2001
Asset management – Chinatown ownerships
Group-wide acquisition strategy
Shelley Webb
Head of Group Residential and Kingly Court
Joined March 2003
Asset management - Kingly Court
Group-wide residential management and strategy
Robert Kirk
Portfolio Executive
Joined May 2004
Asset management – Carnaby and Soho ownerships
Group-wide property management and sustainability strategy
Samantha Bain-Mollison
Head of Retail
Joined December 2011
Group-wide retail strategy and leasing
Charles Owen
Portfolio Executive
Joined January 2012
Asset management – north Covent Garden ownerships (Seven Dials and St Martin’s Courtyard)
Group-wide planning strategy
Addy Williams
Retail Portfolio Manager
Joined June 2015
Senior Retail Portfolio Manager
Lydia Clarkson
Head of Public Realm
Joined April 2016
Group-wide public realm projects and stakeholder liaison
Jess Hickey
Portfolio Manager
Joined June 2017
Asset management - Carnaby and Soho ownerships
Andy Hing
Portfolio Manager
Joined July 2017
Asset management - Chinatown ownership
Carol Lathbridge
Property Administration
Joined January 2014
Group-wide support for executive team
Estate Management
Kieran Daly
Carnaby Estate Manager
Joined April 1998
Facilities management and tenant liaison across Carnaby
Marketing & Communications
Karen Baines
Head of Group Marketing and Communications
Joined May 2016
Group-wide strategic marketing, partnershps, PR and events and corporate communications
Emma Steele
Marketing and Events
Joined April 2013
Delivers the marketing, events and PR plan across Carnaby, Seven Dials and Soho
Stephanie Edwards
Marketing manager
Joined March 2018
Delivers the marketing and PR plan for Chinatown London.
Georgina Palmer
Marketing Manager
Joined August 2018
Delivers the marketing and PR plan for our Covent Garden & Fitzrovia holdings.
Fiona Daly
Community Engagement
Joined April 2003
Liaison with local community groups and charity partners. Biodiversity initiatives.
Penny Thomas
Company Secretary
Joined October 2005
Rob Jessett
Head of Finance and Tax
Joined February 2011
Stefanie Doede
Group Financial Controller
Joined February 2016
Rhys Brewer
Accountant
Joined May 2017
Executive Assistants
Gill Smith
PA to the Chief Executive and Executive Director
Joined March 1987
PA to Brian Bickell and Tom Welton and property team executives
Investor relations co-ordination
Office administration
Beverley Groenewald
PA to Executive Director and Finance Director
Joined April 2013
PA to Simon Quayle, Chris Ward, property team executives and marketing
Lynne Wardle
PA to Company Secretary and property team executives
Joined May 2015
PA to Penny Thomas and property team executives
Gareth Field
Gareth John Field
Passed away 20th June 2018
Aged 54
Our dear colleague Gareth died suddenly on 20 June 2018. Our Financial Controller and IT manager, he joined the Group in October 1987, and was close to completing 31 years' service.
He is greatly missed by all his Shaftesbury colleagues as well as all those who were fortunate to meet him. He will be fondly remembered by all for his love of life, his personality, his warmth and humour, his gregarious nature, his loyalty and support, his openness and his commitment to Shaftesbury. His was the cornerstone of the Shaftesbury team and a great ambassador for the business and our culture; he embodied the best of us.
His love of sport and Wales was second only to that of his family; our thoughts are with his wife Nicki, his children Chris and Annabel, and his mother Carole. We share the pain of their loss.
As you were you will always be,
treasured forever in our memories of the times we shared.