We have a fantastic line-up of industry leading speakers, who’ll be presenting a variety of keynote addresses, workshops and presentations over the course of the weekend.
Georgia Ball
Solicitor – Property Management Legal Services
Georgia, specialises in leasehold matters with a particular focus on enfranchisement, right to manage (RTM) and lease variations.
Georgia is graduate of Northumbria University, where she obtained her Master in Law with First Class Honours, achieving her highest grades in property law and practice. She also gained an honour roll certificate whilst at university for achieving within the top 10% of all law students in the year 2018/2019
Before joining Property Management Legal Services, Georgia worked at HM Courts and Tribunal Service.
Andrew Banister
Chief Strategy Officer & Head of North & Midlands – Earl Kendrick
Andrew Banister launched Earl Kendrick’s northern office in Manchester in 2017, and now leads the firm’s work across the north and central England, working with clients in both the residential and commercial sectors.
He has a passion for buildings, particularly those of historic, architectural or special importance, like the Manchester Town Hall and all its gothic features. But as well as appreciating the aesthetics of architecture, he also relishes the challenge of undertaking complex major works projects on buildings of any kind. His varied experience in the property business means he is able to view a project from both the surveyor’s and client’s perspective, to the benefit of all stakeholders.
Andrew previously worked in the project management team of a major retailer, before moving into the leasehold sector. As a building surveyor, he has a strong background in the high-end residential sector.
Andrew obtained his Degree in Building Surveying Nottingham Trent University and is a chartered building surveyor. Andrew is training to become an APC assessor and is involved with the Manchester RICS Matrics committee and is currently coaching three students to achieve their MRICS status.
Justin Bates KC
Barrister – Landmark Chambers
Justin is a barrister at Landmark Chambers. On 18 March 2024, he was appointed King’s Counsel. He practices in the fields of housing, landlord and tenant and property law and has appeared in more than 100 reported/significant cases in the Upper Tribunal, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
James Biley
Director of Customer Experience – Vegner Group
James Biley is a seasoned property professional whose career spans two vibrant sectors beginning in the world of Advertising and Media across London and New York diversifying into the UK Residential Property industry.
James built a significant part of his property expertise at Countrywide, part of the UK’s largest property service group, where he held a diverse range of senior roles including Property Management, Head of New Business, and Marketing & Communications Director. During this time, he played a pivotal role in the London-to-Country roadshows with Hamptons, driving strategic Marketing & PR initiatives, and contributed to the successful launch of two major Build to Rent schemes in Liverpool and Manchester.
Following his time with Countrywide, James worked as a marketing consultant to the property sector, undertaking a key assignment with Grainger PLC. He subsequently joined Grainger full‑time as Head of Block Management for its Freehold portfolio, gaining valuable first-hand insight into both Agency and Client-side relationship management. James later moved into the role of Brand & Marketing Director at Earl Kendrick Project & Building Consultancy, where he successfully led the launch of the company’s Group brand and strengthened its market presence.
James currently holds the position of Director of Customer Experience for Vegner Group, a forward-thinking provider of collective services overseeing the customer experience strategy across brands including HML, Faraday, Altus PM, and Dauntons Soar. James’s work centres on transforming customer journeys, elevating service standards, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement.
Among his proudest professional achievements are the successful launch of two Build-to-Rent developments supported by interactive social media campaigns, and the management of multiple Managing Agent brands across digital platforms. As a former columnist for Flat Living Magazine with his feature “Be More Social,” James has shared thought‑provoking insights into the ‘influencer’ sector of social media within the property industry. He has also broadened his creative reach by launching an international interior design brand in Milan, showcasing versatility and global reach.
As a passionate advocate for personal branding, James has developed a robust online presence and collaborated with respected interiors and lifestyle brands including Neptune and Alitex. James firmly believes that personal and corporate brands must evolve in today’s multi-channel landscape, where customer expectations are more sophisticated and experience-led than ever.
Andrew Bulmer
CEO – The Property Institute
A Fellow of both The Property Institute and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Andrew started his residential PRS and leasehold management practice in 1995, exiting to take on the role of UK Residential Director at RICS in 2013 to 2016, before his CEO role at the Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM), the UK’s leading body for residential property management professionals. He oversaw IRPM’s 2022 merger with the Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA), becoming CEO of The Property Institute, the new professional body formed from the merger.
The Property Institute is the UK’s leading professional body providing OFQUAL accredited qualification and training for 6,500 professionals, and accreditation for 350 estate management firms, in the residential leasehold and multi-family property management sectors. Andrew is passionate about raising standards across the property management sectors and encouraging property professionals to be a progressive and ethical force for good.
Mark Briggs BSc (Hons)
MCIOB AssocRICS Cert CII
Managing Director BCH
Having worked in construction as a project surveyor, Mark brings extensive knowledge of the application of construction principals to his role as Managing Director of BCH. Keeping Reinstatement Costs at the forefront, Mark is supporting the delivery of additional construction services including valuation and construction project management, providing better value to customers and assurance that BCH RCAs are based on a working understanding.
Jessica Burkinshaw
Solicitor Apprentice – Property Management Legal Services
Jessica is a solicitor apprentice at Property Management Legal Services. She graduated from the University of Warwick, achieving her Master of Research in Classics and Ancient History with distinction.
Jessica then started her legal journey in November 2022 and successfully completed her SQE1 exams in August 2023, attaining the first quintile in these exams.
Jamie Curley
Head of Earl Kendrick Interior Design
Jamie is Head of Earl Kendrick Interior Design, based in our London office. He specialises in the design and delivery of interior projects across communal areas, high-end homes, and commercial spaces.
With a background in hospitality, events, and design, Jamie combines creativity with practical problem-solving. Jamie is excellent at collaborating closely with property managers, managing agents and leasehold clients, with a strong understanding of stakeholder needs, sustainability, long-term building care and high-impact design.
Jamie has a keen eye for design and a deep interest in the built environment. Having worked in The Building Centre for a number of years, he has a deep understanding of the sector.
As part of the wider Earl Kendrick team, Jamie collaborates seamlessly with colleagues across the business, bringing together a range of expertise to deliver complex projects from concept through to completion
Zoe Davenport BSc (Hons)
Head of Customer and Brand BCH
A leaseholder herself, Zoe understands the intrinsic role an accurate Declared Value plays in securing best cover, for best value, as well as the impact of potential premium changes. Zoe began carrying out flats Reinstatement Cost Assessments in 2009, and now supports Insurers, Brokers and flats managing agents obtain prompt Declared Values.
Lawrence Diamond
Training Manager – The Property Institute
Lawrence is the Training Manager at The Property Institute, where he has spent the past five years shaping and evolving the organisation’s training provision to meet the demands of a dynamic and ever-changing industry.
With a strong focus on driving growth and developing future-ready skills across the sector, Lawrence ensures that training remains aligned with industry direction, legislative changes, and emerging best practices. His work supports TPI members—and the wider sector—in staying compliant, confident, and well-equipped through practical, timely learning.
By leading and delivering a robust programme of professional development, Lawrence ensures TPI Training remains relevant, impactful, and empowering—helping professionals stay informed, skilled, and one step ahead.
Jackie Dickins
Lead Trainer – TPI
Jackie has been the lead trainer for TPI (formerly IRPM)’s pre-exam workshops for over a decade. Jackie has been involved in leasehold property management for over 35 years both in the private and public sector. Jackie not only has her own consultancy company but is also an associate consultant with the Housing Quality Network a nationwide company that provides consultancy services to social housing providers of leasehold property.
Nigel Glen
Non-Executive Director at Emeria Europe
After gaining a doctorate in animal behaviour, Nigel enjoyed an extensive international career in the global oil, financial software and investment banking sectors.
He founded a property management company in 2009 and upon selling it in 2016 was appointed as CEO of the Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA). He spearheaded the interaction with government ministries, Parliament, TV and the press through the Grenfell and Covid years. He led the 2022 merger between ARMA and the IRPM to create the TPI, becoming its Executive Chair with a particular interest in Net Zero.
In 2023, he left to join the board of Emeria, which with a turnover of €1.5bn is the worlds largest property services company. Nigel is also a special industry advisor for Fixflo, a proptech company, and the ESG advisor to the Residential Freehold Association.
Outside of the day jobs, he maintains a fascination with science and the natural world.
Sophie Gibson
Barrister – Landmark Chambers
Sophie is a barrister at Landmark Chambers. She practices in residential and commercial property law with a focus on landlord and tenant. She has appeared in the Upper Tribunal and Court of Appeal on cases concerning the right to manage and building safety, with her first Supreme Court appearance due to take place this summer.
Joe Goss
Head of Sales – Block Management – Fixflo
Joe is Head of Sales for Fixflo’s Block Management sector. A full TPI Member, he worked as a block manager between 2010 & 2020. He also managed the initial stages of resident engagement for one of the UK’s first substantial ACM re-cladding projects. Having spearheaded Fixflo’s growth in the Block Management sector since the first ‘lockdown’ in 2020, he remains committed to new tech & AI function that makes PMs lives easier and keeps buildings safe.
Amanda Gourlay
Barrister – Magdalen Chambers
Amanda is known for her expertise on service charges, the appointment of a manager, the right to manage and building safety. Her practice covers all courts and tribunals where those matters are litigated.
Her Substack website, Law & Lease, is a well-known resource for reported cases and webinars. The webinars are the cornerstone of her social responsibility project supporting the homeless.
She has twice given evidence to Parliament, most recently to the Public Bill Committee in January 2024 on the service charge reforms in the then Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.
In 2025, she returned to private practice at Magdalen Chambers in Exeter after two years as in house Counsel.
Amanda is a Fellow of The Property Institute.
David Hoffman
Barrister – 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square
David specialises in business and property work, including contract drafting as well as litigation, and general commercial work such as insurance, construction, e-commerce and professional negligence. His property practice includes property disputes, landlord and tenant, trusts and wills and he regularly acts in probate and inheritance matters.
He is listed in both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, the Legal 500 recommends him as having “exceptional understanding of the law.”
Olivia Hopewell
Trainee Solicitor – Property Management Legal Services
Olivia is a solicitor in our litigation team, specialising in leasehold litigation. She holds a Master of Laws (with commendation).
Olivia has particular expertise in acting for landlords and residents’ management companies in Tribunal proceedings, dealing with disputes in the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) (and Leasehold Valuation Tribunal).
She also deals with complex proceedings in the County Court.
Alongside her litigious work, Olivia also deals with non-contentious matters, including lease extensions, right to manage and deeds of variation.
Outside of the office, Olivia enjoys travelling to new places, and scrapbooking all her new experiences.
David Hurren
Chief Operating Officer – Abbatt Property Recruitment and Abbatt Dual Management
With 30+ years of operational HR and recruitment experience, today David is Chief Operating Officer of the Abbatt Group, comprising Abbatt Property Recruitment and Abbatt Dual Management.
David’s detailed knowledge of recruitment processes and talent strategies including outsourced staffing solutions led him to successfully establish the award-winning Abbatt Dual Management. This innovative employment model has delivered great results for clients freeing up property management time and creating cost-savings along with an increase in staff satisfaction levels. Setting up staffing structures for 150+ residential developments by TUPE transfer and team restructures, David has played a significant role in reshaping the employment model within the residential property sector.
David advocates the importance of training and supporting staff and considers this vital to delivering long-lasting results. This is supported by Abbatt’s CPD Accredited Concierge Academy and FPA Accredited Fire Marshal Training.
Outside of work David enjoys playing pétanque and has managed the English team in numerous World Championships!!
Shelley Jacobs
Operations Director – Michael Laurie Magar Ltd
Shelley Jacobs is the Operations Director at Michael Laurie Magar Ltd., a Hertfordshire-based managing agent. As a Business Psychologist and Cognitive Behavioural Coach, Shelley specialises in leadership, wellbeing and organisational culture, and is widely regarded as a trusted voice on workplace wellbeing in the sector. She regularly writes and speaks on different aspects of wellbeing and leadership, delivers TPI training programmes, and is an active member of TPI’s Wellbeing Working Group. Shelley won Professional of the Year in the NOTB PMA’s 2025.
Michael Lee
Chartered Surveyor and Director of Michael R Lee Chartered Surveyors
Michael Lee is a Chartered Surveyor and Director of Michael R Lee Chartered Surveyors.
Michael has over 35 years’ experience in the valuation, survey and management of residential and commercial property in the Central and Greater London area.
He graduated in 1990 and joined Moss Kaye & Roy Frank (Swiss Cottage NW3) where he qualified as a Chartered Surveyor and became an Associate Partner. In 1997 he joined Shaw & Company (Richmond) as Principal Valuer and became joint partner in 2000 and Managing Director in 2003. He built up a professional department dealing with reinstatement cost assessments, mortgage valuations, homebuyers, building surveys, commercial rent reviews and lease renewals, enfranchisement and valuations. He sold his business to the HML Group in 2006 following which as Managing Director, he expanded it from 2,500 to over 10,000 units under management. The professional business provided valuation, technical support and building services to private clients and the HML Group which had 50,000 units under management.
In July 2017, Michael set up his own independent practice specialising in Leasehold Enfranchisement, Valuations, Reinstatement Cost Assessments, Service Charges and Expert Witness.
He has given evidence to the First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) on several high-profile cases on Enfranchisement matters. He is regularly appointed as expert or joint expert in matters of litigation.
Michael has also been a Director, honorary treasurer and member of the managing council of the Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA).
He has spoken at a variety of professional conferences for ARMA on Preparation and attendance at the FTT; s20 (Phillips v Francis/Daejan) and Re-instatement Cost Assessments for Property Managers; for RICS regional conferences on Reinstatement Cost Assessments; and the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) on Enfranchisement Development Value.
He has written articles for ARMA’s AQD Magazine on Reinstatement Cost Assessments, CDM and Enfranchisement and for Flat Living Magazine on Ethics in Property Management.
Michael is a keen motorcyclist – having recently completed the longest UK and Alpine rallies he is now planning his next adventures with his team.
Jonathan Li-Parrett
Associate – Building Pathologist – Earl Kendrick Property & Construction Consultancy
Jonathan Li-Parrett BSc(Hons) C.Build E MCIOB MCABE is a Building Pathologist with over 18-years’ experience specialising in investigating and remediating damp, mould & condensation (DMC), flooding, and constructional defect matters, servicing Clients across the public, private, insurance and legal sectors.
He graduated from the University of Westminster with a BSc(Hons) in Building Surveying, latterly becoming a Member of the MCIOB and MCABE in 2016, carrying the titles of a Chartered Construction Manager and Chartered Building Engineer.
Jonathan is also involved within the city livery and is a Freeman Member of the Worshipful Company of Constructors.
Dr Shaun Lundy
Chief Strategy Officer – Tetra Consulting Ltd
Dr Shaun Lundy is Chief Strategy Officer at Tetra and a Chartered Fellow of the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH) and Chartered Building Engineer with over 25 years’ experience in health, safety and fire risk management across the built environment. He is currently President Elect of IOSH, Chair of the IOSH Construction Community and a Board Member of The Property Institute (TPI). Shaun has recently been working with the Industry Task and Finish Group on new competence management guidance in the built environment.
Sam Massey
FRICS Chartered Surveyor – SAMAS Property Management
A qualified FRICS Chartered Surveyor (Residential) and a Fellow and Director of the TPI (The Property Institute). I have enjoyed a career in the wider residential property sector spanning over 25 years and have spent 20 years working in the block management industry.
In 2016 Co-founded – Doyenne a networking group to connect women working in the leasehold sector. More recently launched her own company SAMAS Property Management now entering its 3rd year.
Emma Peach
Founder of Peach Property Consultancy
Emma Peach is the Founder of Peach Property Consultancy and Co-Owner of Tailored Management Support Ltd. Through PPC she delivers strategic consultancy, industry collaboration and training across the sector. Through TMS she provides experienced temporary staffing solutions, supporting businesses through growth, transition and change.
A Fellow of The Property Institute and Doyenne Ambassador with Doyenne Women in Property, Emma champions professional standards, leadership capability and meaningful progress, working alongside trusted industry businesses to actively shape the future of the profession.
Malcolm Perryman
Chief commercial officer – TPI
Malcolm joined ITI in 2020 having worked for eight years at RICS. Malcolm’s early career was in the construction industry trade press working on national weekly titles The Architects’ Journal and Construction News.
Paul Robertson
Managing Director – Midway Insurance Services Limited and 1st Sure Flats
Paul is managing director of Midway Insurance Services Limited, the parent company to 1st Sure Flats, recognised as specialist brokers in the block insurance market and six-times winners in the Property Management Awards as well as winners in last years ARMA ACE awards. Paul is passionate about ensuring the right outcome for flat owners who are the ultimate beneficiaries and pay the premium. He regularly gives lectures and speaks on best practices in the leasehold insurance market, and is considered one of the country’s leading experts in insurance for blocks of flats as well as being known for his ways to make insurance a more interesting topic. His book – Robertson’s insurance principles for leasehold flats is widely accepted as the go to reference for property managers.
As always with Paul speaking expect the unexpected from this lively and animated speaker.
Rob Robertson
Managing Director – Robertson Property Consulting Limited
Rob has been involved in residential block management for over 35 years. He has held positions ranging from Property Manager to Managing Director/Partner. He has also been an owner and director of several successful support businesses. He has a proven track record in developing individuals, departments and businesses.
In 2021 he set up Robertson Property Consulting Limited and he currently works with a range of agents and support businesses around the residential property sector. He is predominantly focused on mentoring, training and business development for a diverse group of clients.
He has a passion working with people and helping them achieve success.
He is an innovator and a strong believer that hard work and determination are essential ingredients in reaching successful conclusions.
Tom Shrive
Chief Product and AI Officer – Adiuvo
Tom Shrive is Chief Product and AI Officer at Adiuvo, a property and technology services company serving over 1 million properties worldwide and Chairman of the RED Foundation AI Committee.
Having founded and sold Google-backed AI real estate management platform askporter to Germany’s largest facilities operator in 2023, his focus is now on helping Real Estate companies solve problems and unlock new opportunities with Artificial Intelligence.
Alastair Smith
Managing Principal – Rocco Advisory.
Alastair established his management consultancy practice in 1991. His long career as a strategic advisor has involved supporting the growth objectives of leading media and property services companies internationally.
In 1999 Alastair was invited to advise the Institute of Strata Title Management in Sydney. The professional body that represented the interest of strata managers was at a crossroads around it future and the challenges facing the sector.
After advising numerous strata management companies in Australia, Alastair acquired a substantial interest in a leading management company in Sydney which he led for more than a decade before exiting and returning to his consulting work in 2011.
Alastair has had a long association with the block management sector in the UK involving substantive advisory roles with property management businesses and involvement at industry level as a keynote speaker.
Alastair also has a keen interest in the international evolution of community management and supporting innovative service suppliers to the sector with building out their intellectual property and opportunities internationally. For the past three years he has been retained as group Advisor to Adiuvo.
Despite leaving management practice 15 year ago, Alastair has retained his Class 1 Licensed Strata Manager status in NSW and continues to advise leading strata management businesses around innovation, strategy and managing change.
Mark Stuart
Head of recoveries – Property Management Legal Services
As head of recoveries, Mark takes a firm but fair approach to arrears recovery.
Mark oversees the recoveries team of fee earners and assistants, to deliver a high level of service to our clients. Service delivery is at the heart of what we do. And communication is key.
Mark is popular amongst clients, and is recognised for his straight-forward and accessible advice.
Before diverting his legal career to private practice, Mark spent over 25 years in the police force.
Amy Thakurdas
Amy is qualified and board certified naturopath specialising in stress management and transformation of behaviour and consciousness through movement meditation, energy psychology and medicine.
Alan Wake
CEO – National Leasehold Group (NLG)
Alan has over 20 years experience within the property management sector specialising in Leasehold Management within the Social Housing sector. Since 2016 he has been CEO of the NLG, the national networking group for Housing Association and Local Authority Leasehold Managers. He has held senior roles at a number of HAs, including an MD role in the For-Profit RP sector. He is a regular speaker at industry events, has held numerous honorary positions within the sector and advises on various sector research projects.
Luke Williams
Managing Director – Summit Estates
Luke is the Managing Director of Summit Estates whose mission is to empower and support property management with the green space needs. Luke studied Landscape architecture and identified a need for a grounds maintenance supplier with stronger professional competencies so founded Summit Estates to fill that void.
Cassandra Zanelli
Solicitor and CEO – Property Management Legal Services
Cassandra Zanelli, Solicitor and CEO at PMLS, is widely recognised for her expertise in the industry. Amongst her industry related qualifications, she is a fellow of TPI and an associate of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). She is a member of the TPI’s Commonhold and Leasehold Expert Group (formerly the ARMA advisory panel) and an honorary consultant to the Federation of Private Residents’ Associations.
Cassandra is a regular speaker at conferences, events and seminars, having worked with leading organisations including TPI, ARMA, IRPM, RICS, the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE), the FPRA and many more.
She is a leading authority in First Tier Tribunal matters and is regularly called upon to advise and represent her national client base.
Cassandra has launched www.legallyspeaking.co.uk, a free online resource hub for property management professionals.
