Gavin Bridge

Founder and Managing Director
Spatia

Property developer Gavin Bridge launched Spatia in 2021 with an ambition to transform places, communities and lives by creating sustainable mixed-use neighbourhoods, future-fit workspaces and low and zero carbon homes in towns and cities across the UK. Gavin, who grew up in Liverpool and lives in the South West, combines a fresh, open-minded and collaborative approach with over two decades of successful, award-winning property development and urban regeneration experience.

Paul Smith

Group Chief Executive
Elim Housing

​TBC

Jo Davis

National Head of Planning Development & Regeneration
Avison Young

Jo Davis is National Head of Planning Development & Regeneration in the Bristol office of property adviser, GVA. Heading up the Planning, Development and Regeneration team across the South West and Wales, her twenty years’ experience in the industry has seen her involved in the planning of many of the region’s most prominent regeneration projects, residential housing developments, and complex brownfield site developments, working alongside companies and organisations such as HCA, St Modwen, Change Real Estate, Skanska, Goodmans, Royal London, Linden Homes, and Barratt Homes.

Jo is a firm believer in taking the holistic view to achieving commercially deliverable and sustainable development. Aware of both the opportunities and obstacles to effective delivery, she has an extensive understanding of what is achievable in this emerging market.

Karime Hassan

Chief Executive and Growth Director
Exeter City Council

Karime was appointed Chief Executive and Growth Director of Exeter City Council in 2013. He joined Exeter City Council as the Director of Economy and Development in February 2011, following eight years as Corporate Director at East Devon District Council. During his time at East Devon he set up the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point, managed the strategic development proposals for the growth area and established regeneration programmes for Exmouth and Seaton.

Prior to joining East Devon District Council, Karime was Head of Planning Services at Exeter and led on projects such as the award winning Princesshay shopping centre and the relocation of the Met Office.

Kate Ives

Director of Strategic Growth
Wates

Kate is Director of Strategic Growth for Wates Residential. She is responsible for growing the business’ investment in new developments across London and the south of England, building on an existing portfolio of partnership housing and joint ventures.

The Wates Residential ethos is one of working collaboratively with partners to deliver positive outcomes for people and places. Current investments include 2,000 homes with Cardiff Council, over 3,500 homes with Havering Council, 850 homes at Erith Park Bexley with Orbit Housing, and 200 homes with Homes England in Gosport.

Kate’s role is not just about building new places. She also works across new and existing projects to ensure they deliver to Wates’ sustainable investment criteria. She believes business should be a force for good, which she accomplishes through creating social value programmes that are integrated into project business plans.

Kate is a positive role model who has made a significant contribution to the success of Wates Residential and in particular, the interests of women in the sector. She is one of the founding members of Wates Women.