Expert Panels

NLA brings people together to shape a better city and improve quality of life across London. Our vision is a better planned, designed and managed built environment, as set out in the New London Charter.

We do this by seeking to guide policymakers and professionals and engaging a wider audience in the debate. Our year round programme includes research, public events and debates, training, roundtables, industry viewpoints and exhibitions. As an independent member-supported organisation, our audience brings together the public, government, and cross-sector professionals both in London and internationally.

Our new series of NLA Expert Panels bring together industry experts from across the NLA membership to advise on our core programmes, provide thought-leadership on design, development and construction in London and respond to new policies or consultations.

Panels are formed of 12-15 individuals, representing the public and private sectors across development, design, planning and construction in London, and providing a unique voice to comment on the key issues facing the capital. Members are invited to commit to joining the Panel for one year.

Panels meet 3-4 times a year, setting out key lines of enquiry which shape our forward agendas and inform our year-round programmes. Reports from each meeting are shared with NLA members and the broader network, alongside a selection of contributions and viewpoints from Panel members.

Built Environment Technology

Technology and the use of data are already transforming how people live in cities. Innovation in technology used in the built environment can contribute to address critical issues such as reducing carbon emissions, improving mobility and promoting more effective community engagement approaches. London is a hub of innovation and the need to harness the potential of technology to create a better city needs to be supported by the right policies, governance and collaboration. This Panel will focus on how technology and better use of data can contribute to create a better city while addressing the challenges that the adoption of new technology brings with it.

Chair: Camilla Siggaard Andersen, Urban Research Lead, Hassell

Adam Blaxter-Paliwala, Director of Strategy, Technology Blueprint
Garry Bosworth, Principal Engineer, Technical Services - Buildings & Architecture, Network Rail
Karen K Burns, CEO and Co-founder, Fyma
Ei-Lyn Chia, Principal Planner and Urban Designer, Greater London Authority
Lucette Demets, Head of Sustainability, London & Partners
Danny Hall,Head of Engineering & Operations, The Crown Estate
Jan-Maarten Heuff, Director & CEO, Squint/Opera & SpaceForm
Ruth Hynes, Senior Design Researcher, Atkins
Candice Lemaitre, Commercial Development Innovation Lead, Transport For London
Paul Oesten-Creasey, Chief Technology Officer, VU.CITY
Dr. Giuseppe Paritá, Associate, Project Architect & Senior Urban Designer, HKS Architects Limited
Nathan Parsad, Director, Concilio
Matt Griffiths-Rimmer, Director of Communications and Partnerships, Hadley
Edoardo Tibuzzi, Director and Computational Team Lead, AKT II
David Weir-McCall,AEC Business Development Manager - Unreal Engine Enterprise at Epic Games,Epic Games
Jess Williamson, PropTech Strategist, MHCLG
Neil Sartorio, Lead Partner for Local Public Services, EY

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Education

Focusing on the future needs of the education, healthcare and knowledge economy sector, The Panel will explore how we make sure we plan and design the right spaces for high tech, life sciences and innovation that will lead the UK economic recovery in the future years.

Chair: Ben Marston, Director, Jestico + Whiles
Ian Goodfellow, Principal (and Director of Architecture), Penoyre & Prasad

Marta Galinanes-Garica, Design Director, AKT II

Ann Dalzell, Building Services Engineer, Arup

Jess Mailey, Architect Associate, BDP

Rachel Moulton, Senior Associate, Senior Architect, HKS Architects Limited
Pedro Gil, Founder & Director, Studio Gil

Katherine Watts, Senior Architect, John McAslan + Partners

Neil Pinder, Head of Product Design & Architecture, Graveney School

Mat Oakley, Head of Commercial Research, Savills

Judy Raper, CEO and Dean, TEDI-London, TEDI-London

Alan Ollier-Thompson, Head of Skills, Waltham Forest Council

Darren Connolly, Technical Director, WSP Ltd
Douglas Inglis, Director, Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands
Angela Mitten, Director, Estates & Campus Operations, Royal College of Art
Bruce Glockling, Head of Regeneration, London Borough of Southwark
Crawford Wright, Head of Architecture and Design, Department for Education

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Healthcare

The healthcare sector is set to see a new level of government investment not seen in over a decade. This Panel will focus on the delivery of new healthcare buildings for London, best practice in design, health and adaptability, as well as the opportunities for wider regeneration and integration into the urban environment.

Chair: Mark Rowe, Principal, Penoyre & Prasad

Mark Carter, Partner, Ryder
Dominic Conlin, Hospital Directo, Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust
Ernest Fasanya, Director, Hopkins Architects
Sara Grohmann, Partner, FCBStudios
Jane Ho, Healthcare Design Director, HKS Architects Limited
Simon Hodson, Head of UK Healthcare, JLL
Jonathan Martin, Director of Inward Investment, LB Waltham Forest
Jane McElroy, Principal, NBBJ
Mark Rowe, Penoyre & Prasad
Charlotte Ruben, Architect and Partner, Head of Healthcare Design, White Arkitekter
Kristin Ziemer, Senior Medical Planner, HOK

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Housing

Delivering the quality and quantity of housing Londoners need remains perhaps the biggest challenge for London. This Panel will focus on developing thought-leadership around housing design and the impact that the coronavirus pandemic is likely to have in shaping housing design in the future; moving on with the Net Zero agenda across our housing stock; housing tenure including housing for key workers; and the future delivery of housing through offsite technology.

Chair: Jo McCafferty, Director, Levitt Bernstein
Tom Burnage, Senior Development Manager, TfL Property Development
Nick Cuff, Chief Commercial Officer,Pocket Living
Jennifer Daothong, Commercial Director Housing Delivery, Waltham Forest Council
Jacqueline Esimaje-Heath, Growth Director, L&Q London Housing
Alex Flint, Director, shedkm
James Green,Development Director, Westminster
John Lewis, Executive Director Thamesmead, Peabody
Isabel Pietri, Product Architectural Lead, Residential. Lendlease Integrated Solutions, Europe ,Lendlease
Sarah Beth, Riley, Associate Architect, Be First
Mariana Schiller, Co-housing and Self-Build Project Manager, Tower Hamlets Council
Darra Singh, Senior Partner, EY
Carla Smyth, Head of Design, LLDC
Danny Sutcliffe, Partner, Red Loft
Prisca Thielmann, Associate Director, Maccreanor Lavingon
Carl Vann, Partner, Pollard Thomas Edwards
Robert Whitton, Founder & CEO, Impact Capital Group

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Industrial & Logistics

Supporting the urban logistics that keep the capital functioning, The Panel will examine the evolution of London’s industrial and logistics sectors which support London as a world-leading centre and in its post-COVID recovery.

Chair: Tom Alexander, Director, Aukett Swanke
Catriona Fraser, Planning Director, Turley
Bridget Outtrim, Director , Savills
Josh Pater, Partner, Gerald Eve
Mark Bradbury, Director of Property & Economy, LB Enfield
Ian Craig, Director, Evolve
Damian Meehan, Technical Director, WSP
Victoria Towers, Partner, Forsters
Tim Ward, Managing Director, Chetwoods
Joost Lansbergen, Senior Associate, Gensler
Caroline Harper, Chief Planner, London Borough of Barking & Dagenham / BeFirst
Robin Woodbridge, Head of Capital Deployment, Prologis

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INNOVATION DISTRICTS

London and the Golden Triangle contains the strongest biosciences cluster in Europe studying genomics, digital health, artificial intelligence in healthcare, and neuroscience; the greatest concentration of top universities in the world; as well as clusters of global tech companies. This panel will develop findings from NLA’s recent Knowledge Networks report, to focus on the design and delivery of spaces for the science, tech and innovation sectors to support the burgeoning knowledge economy, and the clustering of businesses across the region to foster innovation.

Chair: Jonathan Burroughs, CEO, Creative Places
Peter Baird, Urban Design Associate, Perkins&Will
Max Bryan, Head of Science & Technology, Bidwells
Gary Clark, Regional Leader, Science + Technology I Lead Sustainable Architect, HOK
Rui Dinis, Associate Prinicpal, Elementa Consulting
Richard Fagg, Development Director, VINCI UK Developments
Emma Frost, Director of Innovation, Sustainability and Community, London Legacy Development Corporation
Kate Gibbs, Head of Inclusive Economy, LB Camden
Miloš Halečka, Innovations Director, MiddleCap
Kat Hanna, Masterplan Strategist, Lendlease
Ed Hayden, Director, Scott Brownrigg
Faaiza Lalji, Director, Precis Advisory Limited
Rob Partridge, Design Director, AKT II
Emily Slupek, Project Director and Sciences Sector Lead, Buro Four
Jennifer Townsend, Associate Director, Knight Frank
Chris Walters, Head of UK Life Sciences, Life Sciences, JLL

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Net Zero

To meet the Paris Agreement declaration the Mayor of London has declared a climate emergency, committing to become carbon neutral by 2050. This Panel will focus on understanding the priorities for London to achieve Net Zero, and the role that the built environment has to play in meeting this target. Topics of focus will include London and local leadership, adaptability and flexibility of building stock, resilience and green infrastructure, and a prioritising a green recovery for London.

Chair: Ashley Bateson, Partner, Hoare Lea

Mel Allwood, Sustainability Consultant, Arup
Gareth Atkinson, Director, London, Civic Engineers
Marion Baeli, Partner, PDP London
Rory Bergin, Partner, Sustainable Futures, HTA Design LLP
Louisa Bowles, Partner, Sustainability Lead, Hawkins\Brown
Martyn Bridges , Director of Technical Communications and Product Management, Bosch Thermotechnology Ltd. (Worcester Bosch)
Luisa Brotas, Sustainability and Infrastructure Lead, LB Kingston
Kristen Guida, Manager, London Climate Change Partnership, GLA
Mina Hasman, Associate Director, Sustainability Lead, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Graham Hurrell, Wicona UK Sales Director ,Hydro Building Systems UK Ltd
Nathan Millar, Principal, Sustainability, Elementa
Nils Rage, Head of ESG,Stanhope plc
Charlie Scott, Director of Waterman Structures, Waterman Group
Tom Steel, Director, Heyne Tillett Steel
Derek Wilson, Head of Sustainability, Transport for London
Claudine Blamey, Head of Sustainability and Digital Strategy, Argent (RE)

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Planning

The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the digitalisation of the planning system, leading to significant, and potentially long-lasting, changes in the way we approach consultation and accessibility of information and data. This Panel will focus on best practice in the planning system to support London’s development, including new approaches to community consultation and trust in the development process; accessibility and transparency of data; the role of local and regional plans; and how the planning system can better support London’s economic recovery.

Chair: Jonny Popper, Managing Director, London Communications Agency

Patricia Cazes-Potgieter, Head of Planning, TfL
Gordon Ingram, Founding Director & Chairman, VU.CITY
Andrew Jones, London Cities Executive, AECOM
Peter Kemp, Head of Change and Delivery, Greater London Authority
Brett Leahy, Head of Planning & Building Control and Interim Programme Director for HRA, LB Redbridge
Diana Lee, Studio Director, Senior Associate, Gensler
Riette Oosthuizen, Head of Planning, HTA Design LLP
Katie Parsons, Head of Planning and Heritage Reform Strategy (secondment), Historic England
Jennifer Ross, Consultant, Tibbalds
Alex Savine, Head of Planning Policy, London Legacy Development Corporation
Mike Saunders, CEO and Co-founder, Commonplace
Nik Smith, Associate Director, Nexus Planning
Tom Venables, Director of Planning, Prior + Partners
Sarah Wardle, Associate Director, BECG
Lisa Webb, Partner, Gerald Eve
Joanne Woodward ,Hammersmith & Fulham
Alexandra Woolmore, Head of Planning, Argent (RE)

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Retail & Hospitality

The retail and hospitality sector faces an unprecedented era of flux. Probably one of the sectors most affected by COVID-19, the successive lockdowns and social distancing measures drove the collapse of retail giants and the drop in international tourism left food and beverage outlets and hotels with minimum occupancy rates, causing central business districts to lose their vibrancy. The Panel will focus on how the built environment sector can adapt successfully and promote the recovery of London’s town centres and high streets?

Chair: James Mitchell , Partner, Axiom Architects
Jane Maciver, Creative Director, Buckley Gray Yeoman

Ben Grose, Head of Retail Leasing, British Land

Mark Bruce, Main Board Director, Head of Hotels, EPR Architects

Angela Dapper, Principal, Grimshaw

Owain Lloyd-James, Head of Places Strategy, Historic England

Veronica Givone, Managing Director, Hospitality, IA Interior Architects

Connor McDonagh, Assistant Director of Economic Growth, London Borough of Ealing

Jace Tyrrell, Chief Executive, New West End Company

Katya Samokhvalova, Associate Planner, Nexus Planning

Derek Griffin, Head of Acquisitions, Whitbread

Katerina Mercury, Senior Asset Manager Retail, The Crown Estate
Andrew Denye, Partner, Forsters LLP
Mary Wallace, Retail and Consumer Behaviour SME, IBM

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Tall Buildings

London is now a city of tall buildings, a city traditionally associated with a low-rise, low-density character. In the past decade, major new clusters of tall buildings have emerged in areas such as Nine Elms, Elephant and Castle, the Isle of Dogs and the City of London. And still more are to come, with a pipeline of over 500 tall buildings either in planning, approved or under construction in the capital. NLA has played a vital role in this debate and this Panel will play in key role in developing NLA’s contribution, including placemaking and environmental impacts of towers, construction of towers post Grenfell, and attitudes to tall buildings for those living and working in the capital.

Chair: Stuart Baillie, Partner, Head of Planning, Knight Frank

John Bushell, Design Principal, KPF
David English, Development Advice Team Leader, Historic England
Sharon Giffen, Quality & Design Team Lead, TfL Commercial Development
Peter Jackson, Director, Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM)
Steve McGuckin, Global Head of Client Programmes, Turner and Townsend
Ender Ozkan, Vice President, RWDI
William Poole, Partner, Glenn Howells Architects
Gwyn Richards, City of London
Emma Talbot, LB Lewisham
Vince Ugarow, Design Director, Hilson Moran
Kevin Vinson, Business Development Director, Otis
Russell Whitehead, Director, Robert Bird
Dr Agnieszka Zimnicka, Regeneration Manager, LB Tower Hamlets

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Technical Competency

In the aftermath of Grenfell, the relationship between architects, project managers and contractors’ roles the delivery of buildings is under question. In a world dominated by BIM the building team need to understand how different elements of their buildings go together. This Panel will share thought-leadership on improving technical competency in the detailed design and delivery of buildings in London, and advise NLA on the development of a new technical programme. Topics of focus will include fire safety and material performance, building regulations and procurement, modern methods of construction, digital collaboration, and training and education.

Chair: Arita Morris, Director, Child Graddon Lewis

Peter L. Caplehorn, Chief Executive, Construction Products Association (CPA)
Neil Farrance, Director and Trustee, Formation Architects
Nattasha Freeman, Safety, Health, Environment and Quality Director, Turner & Townsend
Simon He, Technical Director, Farrells LLP
Kin Kay Lee, Project Architect, PDP London
Michael Morgan, Technical Manager, London Building Control Ltd
David Murray, Preconstruction Director, Boygues
Dale Sinclair, Director of Technical Practice, AECOM
John Robertson, Director, JRA
Seya Tansill, Senior Associate Technologist and Head of Design for Manufacture, Stride Treglown
Brendan Treanor, Preconstruction, Procurement & Design Director, Errigal
Matthew Wallace, Specification & EcoXpert Sales Leader UK&I, Schneider Electric

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Transport & Infrastructure

The Mayor of London has launched ambitious new plans that will dramatically transform London’s streets to accommodate new cycle lanes and space for walking. As lockdown restrictions are eased, public transport will face challenges to respond to social distancing rules while meeting demand. This Panel will focus on the future of mobility and modal share of streets for all users, as well as the impact of transport infrastructure in unlocking growth and accessibility across the capital.

Chair: Bruce McVean, City of London

Mike Axon, Managing Director, Vectos
Colin Bennie, Associate Director, John McAslan + Partners
Vanessa Bold, Partner, Gardiner & Theobald
Anthony Dewar, Network Rail
Peter Heath , Atkins
Kosh Kar, Development Lead - Infrastructure Coordination Service, GLA
Declan McCafferty, Partner, Grimshaw
Mark Powers, Waterman Group
Vivian Sin, Partner, Infrastructure Sector Lead, Hawkins\Brown
Sophie Thompson, LDA Design
Chris Williamson,Weston Williamson
Claire Cheriyan, Streets Analysis Manager, Transport for London

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Wellbeing

Understanding the impact of the places we live, work and spend free time on our physical and mental health. This Expert Panel will share thought-leadership on the relationship between the urban environment and mental health; physical wellbeing – improving air quality, physical activity and health outcomes for all Londoners; and social sustainability – understanding how the design of the physical environment links with infrastructure to support social and cultural life, social amenities and systems for citizen engagement.

Chair: Heath Harvey, Project Play Lead, Argent LLP
Carrie Behar, Associate and Head of Sustainability, Useful Projects
Matt Bell, Director of Corporate Affairs, Grosvenor Britain & Ireland
Mei-Yee Man Oram, Associate Director, Arup
Stephen O'Malley, Founding Director, Civic Engineers
Olaide Oboh, Director, First Base
Rory Olcayto, Writer and Critic, Pollard Thomas Edwards
Nivene Powell, Senior Community Engagement Manager, EcoWorld London
Romy Rawlings, Commercial Director, Vestre Ltd
Murray Smith, Managing Director, SiteSales Property Group
Lisa Woo, Head of Placemaking for Meridian Water, London Borough of Enfield
Phil Coffey, Director, Coffey Architects
Ruth French, Associate, Ryder Architecture

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Work

The way we work has been particularly impacted over the last few months, leading to potentially significant changes to the requirements of workspaces across the capital. This Panel will consider what the future holds for London’s office space; the adaptation of spaces as we emerge from lockdown; alongside longer term implications for office requirements, space standards, flexibility, wellbeing and changes in worker behaviours and travelling patterns.

Chair: Katrina Kostic Samen, Head of Workplace Strategy and Design, KKS Savills

Ben Adams, Founding Director, Ben Adams Architects
Jason Balls, Main Board Director, EPR Architects
Oliver Bayliss, Director, Buckley Gray Yeoman
Maria Cheung, Director/Head of Interior Design, Squire & Partners
Matthew Dillon, Economist, Arup
Kelly Harrison, Associate Director, Whitby Wood
Puja Jain, Senior Property Development Manager, Transport for London
Oliver Knight , Landsec
Sascha Lewin, W.RE
Shahi Mofozil, New Business Growth Manager, London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Henry Pelly, Wellbeing Leader, Max Fordham LLP
Steven Skinner, UK CEO, HB Reavis
Saul Tyler , Partner / Workplace Sector Lead, Hoare Lea LLP
Ruth Duston, Primera Corporation and Chief Executive, South Westminster BIDs and Executive Director, Cheapside Business Alliance

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NEW: Public Realm

The coronavirus pandemic has evidenced the need for providing streets, parks and pedestrian-friendly public spaces to improve people’s health and quality of life. Black Lives Matter and Extinction Rebellion have contested the democratic role of public spaces, demanding for a city that truly responds to the climate crisis, reconsiders representation in the public realm, and ensures equal access to all Londoners.

In 2022 this new Panel will focus on safety, diversity and wellbeing in the public realm; accessibility to and management of green and blue open spaces; and best practice in placemaking through new and existing public places that support London’s recovery and resilience.

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