Property Week Hall of Fame

Ian Marcus OBE

Ian Marcus, senior adviser at Eastdil Secured, has held a number of impactful positions. These include: director of Town Centre Securities; chair of Shurgard Storage; chair of the Bank of England commercial property forum; British Property Federation president; Investment Property Forum chair; chair of The Prince’s Regeneration Trust; and trustee of The Prince’s Foundation.

He was awarded an OBE in 2020 for services to the economy (London) as commissioner to The Crown Estate.

Presenting the award, Tim Sketchley, former managing director of Old Park Lane Management and a previous Hall of Fame inductee, said it was “virtually impossible” to summarise Marcus’s profile due to the vast number of positions he has held.

Anne Kavanagh

Former Telford Homes chief executive Anne Kavanagh is a global board member and Europe chair at the Urban Land Institute, a Legal & General Asset Management non-executive board member and a non-executive director at Trinity College Cambridge and The Crown Estate.

Announcing Kavanagh’s induction, 2021 Hall of Fame inductee and British Property Federation chief executive Melanie Leech described her as “a trailblazer and role model for women” for building a successful investment management career at Lazard and Cambridge Place Investment Management when “few, if any”, women worked in global capital markets. Her career has also included long stints at AXA Investment Managers and Patrizia, being the first woman to join the board at both.

In 2023, Kavanagh received the ULI Outstanding Contribution to Real Estate award for her work on sustainability, change, equity, diversity and inclusion. She was recognised for her “remarkable vision and leadership within our industry” and for her generosity in sharing her time and experience through mentorship of younger professionals.

David Pearl

David Pearl left school at 15 and set up Pearl & Coutts at 19 with childhood friends Norman Silver and Stuart Appleman. They grew the business until Silver left in 1970 to invest more in the West End, Pearl preferring to stick to the East End.

In 1978, Structadene was set up to hold the firms owned by Pearl and his family. Recognised by The Sunday Times in 2006 as one of the top 100 companies in its Profit Track list, it now has a huge range of assets mainly in London and the South East. In 2007,

Pearl appeared on Channel 4’s The Secret Millionaire, posing as a volunteer at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, and by the end of the episode donated £50,000 to recipients including a fellow volunteer porter and the Stroke Rehabilitation and Cancer Care organisations.

He is vice-president of Tottenham Hotspur and is also a generous donor to many charities.

Elizabeth Edwards FRICS

Elizabeth Edwards is a true property trailblazer – a fellow of the RICS and the first ever female vice president of the institution. She has worked in the UK and European commercial investment property markets for over 30 years, in both senior and management consultancy roles. She spent 25 years running German banking operations in London, funding many well-known buildings, and now has a successful career as a non-executive director (NED), currently in a number of organisations including CLS Holdings and Schroder European Real Estate Investment Trust. She has also been a NED for several charities over the years, including the international Salvation Army, the domestic abuse charity Refuge and various educational foundations, and is now a member of the board of trustees at the Central School of Ballet.

The judges commented: “Liz is a true pioneer for women in property and has made a significant impact on the landscape of the UK. A perfect candidate for the Hall of Fame.”

Steve Norris

Steve Norris was born in Liverpool and went to the Liverpool Institute High School with Bill Kenwright, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. Like his illustrious schoolmates, he has really made his mark and has played a prominent role in both politics and property for many years. He served as a Conservative MP in the 1980s and 1990s, stood twice for the role of London Mayor, and afterwards developed his interest in real estate and infrastructure. He is chairman of Soho Estates, chairs the council of the National Infrastructure Planning Association, is a commissioner of the Independent Transport Commission and is president of ITS UK, a branch of the global ITS network. He also served as regular columnist for Property Week for over 20 years.

The panel said: “We’re delighted to give Steve this accolade. His commitment to property is unwavering.”

John Stephen

After a stellar career with JLL in London, Hong Kong and Tokyo, John Stephen retired as chairman of JLL’s English business in 2009. Since then, he has been a director and trustee of a range of public and private property companies and was, for nine years, a member of the Prince’s Council (the ‘board’ of the Duchy of Cornwall). His impact on the property landscape has been significant and while working to elevate the sector he also drove corporate responsibility. He is a patron of LandAid and has been a trustee of Age Concern, Turn2us and Hospice UK.

The panel said: “John’s contribution to property has been incredible over the years. He has driven the sector forward thanks to his dedicated, strategic wisdom and has set a real example to the rest of the industry.”

Harvey Soning FRICS

Harvey Soning has been a true leader since his earliest days in property and founded James Andrew International in 1974 following the first part of his career at Peachey Property Corporation and Guardian Properties (Holdings). He has been involved in many major property developments and investment acquisitions and disposals in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and the USA over the past 40 years and is well known across the industry. The impact he has made on property all over the world is incalculable and his influence has helped to drive forward the remarkable march of the property sector. Property Week is delighted to induct him into the Hall of Fame with a special Lifetime Achievement accolade.

The panel commented: “Harvey has been at the forefront of the property world for more than 50 years. There is no one more deserving of this Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Vivienne King

In a career spanning more than 30 years in urban development and regeneration, King has provided leadership in a wide variety of settings, including 20 years at The Crown Estate.

Currently head of real estate social impact at The Good Economy, King previously ran her own consultancy business and before that won plaudits for her work during the pandemic as chief executive of Revo, the retail property trade association. There, King pivoted the business to handle the economic shock of lockdowns and worked with government to secure a fair deal for property owners at a time when the focus was on saving high street brands.

Between 2016 and 2020, King was chief executive of central London housing association Soho Housing and its commercial property business, Soho Ltd, investing, developing and managing commercial and residential portfolios to provide affordable quality homes in London’s West End. In those four years, she oversaw approximately £30m in urban investment and development transactions.

Tim Sketchley

When Sketchley stepped down as chief executive of Old Park Lane Management in 2021, it marked the end of a career that began in 1973 when he joined Healey & Baker, now part of Cushman & Wakefield, after finishing his studies at the University of Cambridge.

During his career at Healey & Baker, Sketchley spent 16 years working at the firm’s Netherlands office before returning to London to establish the central London investment team. In 2003, he became the chairman of the capital markets group at Cushman & Wakefield. He also served as a member of its UK management committee and was an ex-officio member of its EMEA management board. He also led the opening of the firm’s operations in the Middle East.

Announcing Sketchley’s departure, Cushman & Wakefield’s then chief executive Paul Bacon said: “Tim has been a driving force in our capital markets business in the UK and beyond. On behalf of the firm, I would like to thank Tim for his outstanding contribution over many years.”

Roy Richardson

Richardson founded Black Country-based developer Richardson with his twin brother, Don, in the late 1940s. Under Roy’s stewardship, the company became one of the West Midlands’ most important developers, taking on high-profile and complex projects including the building of Merry Hill shopping centre.

Its other schemes in the region included Birmingham’s £90m Star City leisure complex and Fort retail park, as well as two major leisure schemes on Broad Street. Now run by his three sons, the business operates across the UK and internationally.

In a video shown on the night, Richardson said: “I’m very proud of all the things our family business has contributed to society, creating tens of thousands of jobs and supporting essential services such as schools and hospitals. Winning this award means a great deal to me, my family and all the loyal and dedicated staff who have worked hard to receive this sort of national recognition.”

Jackie Sadek

Sadek has enjoyed a long and varied career in regeneration. She was chief operating officer at Regeneration UK for more than a decade and has held key roles at the London Docklands Development Corporation and CBRE.

She is now a writer and broadcaster and served as specialist adviser to government on urban regeneration between 2014 and 2016. Two years ago, she co-wrote the book Broken Homes on Britain’s housing crisis. Last year, she was appointed chair of Ipswich Vision, an initiative that aims to transform the town centre over the next five years.

Speaking at the awards, Sadek said she was overwhelmed to be entered into the Hall of Fame. “When I started in this industry 40 years ago, I remember going into rooms and there would be 25 people there and I would be the only woman. I’m delighted to receive an award for all the things I’ve tried to do for the industry.”

Rob Bould

Bould made his name during a 40-year spell at real estate advisory firm GVA UK, which later merged to become Bilfinger GVA.

During his time at the company, Bould held a number of senior posts including the role of chief executive. He later went on to become executive vice-president of Bilfinger Real Estate before setting up his own commercial real estate consultancy six years ago. Bould is a past chair and life member of the Investment Property Forum, and also served as chair of the property industry charity LandAid for three years up until this March.

Collecting the award on behalf of Bould, Paul Morrish, chief executive of LandAid, said Bould had made a fantastic contribution to the sector over many years. “The work he has done for LandAid has been absolutely legendary,” said Morrish. “As the CEO to his chair, I take my hat off and pay respect to what he’s done.”

Elliott Bernerd

Born in 1945, Bernerd started his property career at Michael Laurie & Partners prior to its incorporation with Morgan Grenfell Group. In 1986, he co-founded development and investment company Chelsfield with Sir Stuart Lipton and went on to deliver iconic schemes such as Stockley Park, among many others.

During an illustrious career, Bernerd served as a governor and chairman of the South Bank Board and was responsible for the vision behind the reconstruction of the Royal Festival Hall.

In a rare interview in 2003 following a cancer diagnosis, Bernerd told Property Week: “I work out four times a week, I work six days a week and I work until eight at night.” This work ethic has stood him in good stead and he is still doing deals – just last month it was announced he had bought a 30% stake in Fletcher King.

Mark Dixon

Entrepreneur Dixon dropped out of school at the age of 16 to start a sandwich delivery business. He went on to hold jobs as a logger and an encyclopaedia salesman before creating flexible workspace provider Regus in 1989 after identifying a need for flexible office space when he noticed businesspeople meeting around coffee tables.

In 2000, Dixon successfully floated IWG on the London Stock Exchange and in 2019 the company surpassed 50m sq ft of office space globally.

Today, IWG operates a number of different flexible workspace brands, including Regus, in more than 3,000 locations globally. Earlier this year, Dixon said the Covid-19 pandemic had posed one of the greatest challenges in the group’s history but also “provides our greatest opportunity in 31 years”.

Melanie Leech CBE

Leech had some big shoes to fill when she took over from former British Property Federation (BPF) chief executive – and fellow Hall of Fame inductee – Liz Peace in 2015. But fill them she has. Over the past year and a half, the former police constable and director-general of the Food and Drink Federation has become ever more outspoken on behalf of the commercial property industry on a wide range of issues.

If she isn’t berating the chancellor over his failure to introduce fundamental business rates reform, she is calling on the government to provide the right regulatory framework to enable the industry to get to net zero carbon. Indeed, the BPF recently helped shape UKGBC’s Net-Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap, outlining how government, local authorities and the property and infrastructure sectors can come together to reduce emissions.

Helen Gordon

Accepting her award, Grainger chief executive Helen Gordon said: “Thank you so much for this great honour. I am celebrating 40 years in the real estate industry and what an amazing industry it is. It has given me a great career and I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing people over the years, including everybody in the Hall of Fame.

“The impact of Covid-19 is probably my fourth session of disruption in the market, but I have observed that often we emerge with more opportunities to do exciting things in our industry.

“This time, I think our country is going to need more than ever the support of the real estate industry, not only to build back better, but to deal with inequalities and to support our economy, not only from Covid-19, but from the impact of Brexit.

“With that come opportunities for all of us to add to the diversity of what we do and to add to the different people that we work with. I for one am looking forward to the next chapter. Thank you once again for the great honour of the Hall of Fame.”

John Burns CBE

Derwent London co-founder John Burns said: “I’m honoured to accept this award and join so many renowned names in the Hall of Fame.”

He added that although he had witnessed numerous times of hardship during his years at Derwent London, including recessions and the oil crisis, “nothing I have experienced compares with the pandemic we are living through, with the horrendous effects to people’s lives and businesses across all sectors”.

He added: “When we come out of it, there will be many changes we will have to adapt to.

“But I have no doubt that we will do so successfully. We must never forget the medium- and longer-term property has always proved to be a great asset.”

Burns went on to thank business partner and “design guru” Simon Silver and the wider Derwent team “without whose skills and professionalism I would not be speaking with you today”.

Liz Peace CBE

Peace had a truly transformative effect on the industry at the British Property Federation during her 13-year tenure as chief executive. She retired from the post in 2014, but has continued to be an outspoken advocate of change and general feather-ruffler during her subsequent portfolio career and charity work, not least in her capacity as chair of the Government Property Agency, the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation and LandAid.

After accepting her award a clearly delighted Peace said: “I am overwhelmed by this accolade! As a ‘newbie’ to property – a mere 17 years. I hope I have nevertheless been able to do my bit to promote our wonderful, creative industry which is a potential force for so much good in society!”

Sir John Ritblat FRICS

The former chairman and chief executive of British Land is the very definition of an industry legend. Described by fellow knight of the realm Sir Stuart Lipton as “one of the great investors”, this man was responsible for turning the company he had paid Jim Slater just £1m for in 1970 into a behemoth worth almost £7bn by the time he stepped down as chairman in 2006. Thirteen years on, he is still making waves, as chairman of Delancey, the firm founded by his son Jamie.

In his acceptance speech Sir John Ritblat, who took to the stage to the cries of “legend”, recalled how he was paid just £2 and 10 shillings a week when he started his property career at Edward Erdman in the early 1950s. “I’m last up and I just want to say this has been a fabulous evening,” he added. “Can I just say I am extraordinarily honoured in my dotage to receive this award.”

Michael Slade OBE

Industry heavyweight Michael Slade announced his intention to step down from his role as non-executive chairman at Helical, after 34 years with the company, earlier this year.

One of the property industry’s most colourful figures, he joined the board as an executive director in 1984 and was appointed chief executive in 1986 and chairman in 2016.

During his stewardship of Helical, Slade – known for his love of sailing and his 100ft yacht Leopard – helped to transform the group from the steel rebar group it was when he took over into a major force in commercial property.

Accepting his award, Slade, who is president of property industry charity LandAid, thanked Helical chief executive Gerald Kaye for “all his support over the years”.

He then spoke of his pride in working in such a “fantastic industry”, adding: “This is one of the top industries in the world and we play it beautifully in London and elsewhere in the UK, so just enjoy it.”

He went on to ask members of the audience to continue to support the work undertaken by LandAid. “Please back it and stay backing it because every industry has its charity and LandAid – I’m happy to say – is your charity.”

Dame Alison Nimmo FRICS DBE

Alison Nimmo joined The Crown Estate in January 2012 as its first female chief executive and has overseen one of the most successful periods in the organisation’s history.

She had already enjoyed a glittering career, spending five years with the Olympic Delivery Authority where, as director of design and regeneration, she was responsible for the design and delivery of many of the venues for the London 2012 Olympic Games. Previous roles included chief executive of Sheffield One and project director of Manchester Millennium. She was awarded a CBE in 2004.

When Nimmo took to the stage, she quipped “that’s two surprises tonight”, in acknowledgement of her Personality of the Year award. “It’s a real privilege to lead the most fantastic and talented team at The Crown Estate,” she said. Predicting that in the next five to 10 years the industry would “change beyond recognition”, she added: “The best is yet to come so belt up and get ready”.

She also praised the diversity of the winners and called for further change: “We have got to reach out to all the talent out there that is outside our industry, so go home tonight and speak to your daughters, nieces and sisters and tell them what a fantastic industry this is because we need that.”

Sir Gerald Ronson CBE

In a career that now spans more than 60 years, Gerald Ronson has had his fair share of dramas. To quote one of his best friends, his life is “biblical” in its proportions. Having left school at 14 and a half, the Heron Tower developer worked in the family furniture manufacturing business, invented self-service petrol stations and built a sprawling business and property empire straddling Heron International, Ronson Capital Partners, Rontec Investments, the Snax 24 petrol retail business and GMR Capital.

Along the way, he has made, lost and remade a fortune, but what has never changed is his work ethic. Now in his late 70s, Ronson still works a six-day week and, as he told Property Week in 2015, he will retire “when they carry me out in a box – and I’m not planning that for a long time”. A self-declared “property dinosaur”, Ronson is also known for being firm but fair. In the words of one of his peers, he is “a tough guy who knows what he’s doing and has a sense of honour and fairness”.

Sir George Iacobescu CBE

It is no exaggeration to say that George Iacobescu has done as much as anyone to change the face of London. Born in Romania in 1945, Iacobescu studied engineering at Bucharest University before escaping the rule of Nicolae Ceauşescu in 1975 and establishing a career in the property industry in Canada. By the late 1980s, he had become vice-president of Olympia & York, in which capacity he moved to London in 1988 to oversee the construction of Canary Wharf.

Iacobescu stayed with the project after the developer went into administration in 1991, working first as construction director, then deputy chief executive of the Canary Wharf Group when it formed in 1995, before taking the top job in 1997. For almost exactly two decades, he has presided over what is now unquestionably one of the greatest business districts in the world.

The regard in which he is held is underlined by the fact that he remains in place as both CEO and chairman two years after the Qatar Investment Authority and Brookfield Property Partners acquired the Canary Wharf Group. While many new owners would have ousted the incumbent in favour of one of their own, Brookfield and the Qataris clearly view Iacobescu as indispensable. It’s hard to disagree.

Tony Pidgley CBE

“Simply London’s biggest and best developer of new homes,” declares one industry heavyweight. “He was still buying up sites at the depth of the recession, knowing London would come good again.”

Tony Pidgley’s uncanny ability to read the market correctly has served him well over the years, enabling him to liquidate assets ahead of the late 1980s housing crash, move into the booming city centre market in the 1990s and pull back from volume housebuilding in 2004 ahead of the nancial crisis.

As well as driving outstanding development in central London, Pidgley’s Berkeley Group was also prescient to push into new areas in the capital, with the Royal Arsenal Riverside scheme in Woolwich; the regeneration of Woodberry Down in Hackney; and a deal to develop 3,500 homes in Newham.

“I care passionately about the product that we do,” says Pidgley. “I think housebuilding should be a force for good; property should be a force for good.”

Irvine Sellar

Few have faced the sort of obstacles Irvine Sellar did with The Shard, as he himself acknowledged in a Property Week interview in 2012:

“You can call it an accident, call it luck, call it a miracle – a lot of things happened with this project without which it might never have happened. But you have to recognise these things and take those opportunities.”

Take them Sellar did and today, the elegant Renzo Piano-designed edifice stands as soaring testament to his vision. The ‘vertical village’ has also become the beating heart of the burgeoning London Bridge Quarter – as he always said it would.

No wonder one of the senior industry gurus who nominated him described him thus: “Impossible to ignore, a fighter who’s tough as old boots.”

In his own words: “Let’s hope what I have achieved is going to be an inspiration. Don’t give up, fight against the odds and there will be a few more winners in the years to come.”

Sir Stuart Lipton

Hailed by Chelsfield supremo Elliott Bernerd as an “architectural mentor”, Sir Stuart Lipton set the bar high with seminal 1980s and 90s schemes such as Broadgate, Stockley Park and Chiswick Park.

And he has raised it again with his ambitious vision for Silvertown, which is set to transform a 62-acre tract of derelict land in east London, and 22 Bishopsgate, the 1.4m sq ft tower poised to rise from the ashes of the Pinnacle in 2019.

The projects, tackling one of the last great former industrial sites in London and creating the tallest building in the City, are testament to his ambition.

“His ability to handle very complex development schemes is legendary,” attests one industry guru. “Stuart never stopped seeking perfection.” Indeed, even now Lipton’s passion for what he does is palpable.

“Come ride with me on the cusp of a new world, of tech, of people, of placemaking and of fun,” he told guests at the Property Awards.