42 Roles in the Built Environment - Real Estate Advisor

"The way I was always told earlier in my career to try and understand my own role in the process is to be the ‘ringleader’. Imagine it’s a circus and you’re the one that’s trying to chaperone and cajole and bring everyone together. And on my best day, I like to think that that’s what I do – that’s what I add to the process" - Nicola Rigby

With over 20 years’ experience, Nicola is a property advisor with specific specialism in regeneration strategy and delivery.

Based in Manchester for most of her career (aside from a brief stint in London), she leads the Avison Young regeneration offer nationally, overseeing a team of 13 people including planners, surveyors, and economists, working for both public and private sector clients.

Nicola has a real passion for delivering meaningful positive change for existing communities – with specialisms in masterplanning and delivery strategy for existing housing estates and existing housing areas.

42 Roles in the Built Environment - Strategic Director of Growth

"We have not seen a drop off in demand for commercial space – take up is still really strong – and, if anything, there is an undersupply – but people use the space differently" - Becca Heron

Becca Heron is the Strategic Director of Growth and Development at Manchester City Council. Formerly Director of Economy and Skills at Wigan Council, Becca’s career has included a number of different public sector roles, including previous positions within both Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

During her time with the GMCA, Becca led on a series of high-profile and complex initiatives, including the development of 2014 Devolution Agreement. At Wigan, she took on the economic development and regeneration brief, playing a pivotal role in bringing key sites forward for development and kickstarting the redevelopment of Wigan town centre.

As Strategic Director of Growth and Development at Manchester City Council, Becca has a key role in the delivery of the ambitions set out in the Our Manchester strategy, leading the city’s recovery following the pandemic, building on the successes of the last two decades to drive inclusive growth that will ensure the city continues to be one of the most exciting destinations in Europe to live, work and play.

42 Roles in the Built Environment - Architect Founder

"Increasingly, all businesses are recognising the need to show and demonstrate what impact they’re having on the environment, and the community. And there are many ways to do that, from reducing a building’s operational carbon footprint, to improving access to amenities. But in addition to those environmental and social benefits, I think it’s important to recognise that ESG brings value to developers – so climate-ready and healthy buildings are much more valuable" - Rachel Haugh

Rachel co-founded SimpsonHaugh Architects in 1987, and has since played an integral role in building the practice’s strong project portfolio and reputation as leading urban and civic design architects. Having studied at the University of Bath, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2018 by The University of Manchester and in 2021, received the ‘Outstanding Contribution’ Award from the Manchester Society of Architects. Involved in all projects, practice management and strategic direction, Rachel is a strong, intuitive designer, powerful critic, and passionate advocate of the rigorous interrogation essential to maintaining design quality through to completion.

42 Roles in the Built Environment - Head of Regeneration

"We want to bring people on the journey with us, rather than us as people from outside the borough coming in and saying, ‘this is what you should have in your town’. It’s amazing how many people don’t have that approach" - Cathy Palmer

Cathy is an experienced regeneration specialist managing teams delivering large-scale complex projects to drive inclusive growth, build communities and improve outcomes for citizens. Utilising government funding often to rebalance risk on challenging brownfield sites, including working with Community Interest Companies, developers, a range of public sector agencies and multidisciplinary consultant teams, Cathy is passionate about new challenges and opportunities facing the UK’s regional towns and cities.

42 Roles in the Built Environment - Interior Design & Strategy Director

"We’re talking about neurodiversity quite significantly these days - every person has a specific requirement from the office. We need to consider that the space is usable for every type of need. And allow people to give their best" - Atepheh Amid

Atepheh is an Associate Director in AECOM Interior Design & Strategy team with specific interest in user requirements-centred design focusing on how built environments can function to support their occupants’ needs. She has a strong background in understanding and developing initial analytical data and business objectives, into creative solutions that provide effective long-lasting design.

She is recognised as a trusted advisor by her clients and a visible team lead who dedicates time to the driving client-focused design, innovation, lessons learnt and mentoring colleagues with a strong emphasis on future-proof design, sustainability, inclusivity, value-for-money, safety, wellbeing, and award-winning quality.

42 Roles in the Built Environment - Sustainability Consultant

"Be curious. And stay curious. Keep learning, and if you see something you’re interested in, even if it’s a niche thing, go after it" - Wendy Broomhead

Wendy is a Partner at Ridge and Partners, and was a founding director of Scott Hughes Design. She has over 30 years of experience in construction, as both a Structural Engineer and Sustainability Consultant.

She enjoys working on a diverse range of projects from commercial developments through theatres & sports stadia to schools, universities, and healthcare facilities. Wendy has developed a reputation for being pro-active and client focused. Over the past twenty years, she has developed her sustainability services offering to include Net Zero Carbon, ESG, Sustainability Accreditations (e.g. BREEAM, Homes Quality Mark, LEED, SKA, WELL & Fitwel), Post Occupancy Evaluation and Life Cycle Costing.

42 Roles in the Built Environment - Residential Consultant

"The naming of a scheme is the hardest part, and that’s why you have great marketing and creative agencies – the name stays with a building forever" - Louise Emmott

Louise specialises in residential consultancy and her career has spanned over 20 years working for Chesterton, King Sturge and JLL. More recently, Louise has set up her own residential agency, Kingsdene.

Louise has been involved in many city centre developments in one form or another, working with developers such as Muse Places, Clarion Housing Group, Renaker, and Urban and Civic. She provides developers with either combined or individual UK and international sales and marketing strategies from conception to completion, and is passionate about delivering the correct design and specification of individual apartments and amenity spaces to create residential communities.

Louise is also a committee member for Women in Property North West.

42 Roles in the Built Environment - Health and Safety Advisor

"I sit at the table. If it’s a good team, they welcome our professional input. But you don’t always get such a good team. And that’s the frustration; when you walk away and think they’ve heard nothing that I’ve said" - Karen Bennett-Jones

Karen Bennett-Jones MSc is a Chartered Health & Safety Consultant with Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), working in different sectors such as residential, science, retail, and infrastructure. She is based out of their Manchester office and leads the Liverpool office health & safety team.

She has been involved in the construction industry for over 20 years after starting her career working for the family construction company and moving on into health and safety in the private sector and consultancy services. Karen has also worked in health and safety management and safety systems in the Middle East, within the hospitality industry.