Speakers BBRC event

Jez has initiated and managed strategic development in a variety of settings. His previous positions include CEO of Guildhall Barrister’s Chambers, and CEO of a charitable national skills training organisation. He founded the Bristol Housing Festival in 2018 and believes collaboration is the key to lasting social development. Jez lives in Bristol with his wife, Joanna and his three children.

Paul has worked in residential property development for 12 years. Initially concentrating on refurbishment and extension sites and following on to high-end new build projects. Before this he spent 5 years working in residential property finance.

Paul joined Bristol Together in 2018 and has to date completed sites up to a GDV of £1.5 million, as well as growing the company's building contract income significantly over the last 3 years. In that time the workforce has grown to be able to support up to 8-10 ex-offenders working and training on sites at any one time and the re-offending rate has remained under 10% compared to a national average of over 50% in the first 12 months from release.

Outside of work Paul is a keen rugby player and spends lots of time walking his hyperactive Vizla.

Richie leads the BBRC Homes team who aim to become a leading developer and financier of homes in the Bristol and Bath area. Richie joined BBRC Homes after a 14 year career in the Military where he was a Major in the Royal Logistic Corps. He has built up his own property portfolio which includes a 48 bed co-living tower block. Richie is passionate about making a difference to where and how people live, he believes an inclusive local community is the cornerstone to driving regional success.

“I believe that owning your own Home can you give you the freedom to live how you want and pursue your dream life. I believe in high impact housing schemes that create community and that are highly sustainable.”

Lindy is a passionate believer in the right to a home that is affordable and the important fundamental role a home plays in the sustainability and strength of communities. Her 30 years of housing experience has been based mainly around new homes development as well as mixed use regeneration for both local authorities, housing associations and community groups in both executive and non-executive roles including chairing a major southern based housing association as Chair of Westworks. She hates waste and reinventing the wheel and strives to maximise access to opportunities to work effectively and efficiently.

“I believe ordinary people can make things happen with and for their communities.”

Bristol Community Land Trust works across the West of England to build homes and strengthen communities. Since Steve’s first job was as a youth worker in Knowle West, he has spent the last 20 years managing people, projects and organisations in a range of setting across the region. With specialisms in volunteer management and community engagement, he is passionate about helping individuals and communities to realise their potential.

Simon is a Chartered Architect. Formerly a Director at Barton Willmore, a large national planning, architecture and urban design consultancy, serving many of the UK’s leading housebuilders and housing associations.

Simon is now Principal Architect at ASH Studios Ltd. and also Chairs the Diocesan Advisory committee for the Anglican Diocese of Bristol – overseeing the church’s equivalent of planning and listed building approvals.