Jessie Wilde, Deputy Project Director, Bristol Housing Festival
Jessie is jointly responsible for the development and delivery of the festival. Her previous roles included working for a leading anti-slavery organisation, developing key stakeholder relationships and supporting organisational growth. Jessie is passionate about social justice and equality. Her work is motivated by her conviction of the value and dignity of every person. She is currently undertaking a MSt in Social Innovation at the Cambridge Judge Business School.
Jim Dyer, Construction and Technical Director, Sovereign
Jim joined Sovereign in 2020 as Construction and Technical Director bringing with him in-depth design, technical and construction experience from across the development and construction industry.
Sovereign’s ambitious land-led development and strategic asset management programmes are underpinned by the their new Homes and Place Standard, representing a holistic approach to sustainable placemaking, health, wellbeing, affordability and a simple pathway to net zero. Jim is responsible for operationalising these design and delivery strategies across the new and existing portfolio.
Set against the backdrop of a national housing shortage, diminishing trades, affordability and the climate emergency, Sovereign have embedded net zero and DfMA design principles into their new house type range which will future-proof delivery of 2,400 new homes per year target over the next 10 years, all delivering to the new Sovereign Quality Standard.
Jim’s career spans 25+ years working with Crest Nicholson, Hab Housing, Kajima Construction and as a qualified Architect.
Stephen Lodge, Executive Director of Development, Abri
As the Executive Director of Development at Abri, Stephen leads the delivery of up to 1,500 new homes a year spanning rent, shared ownership and market sale, with a focus on Off Site Manufacture.
Stephen has a varied career in housing which extends over 30 years and spans time spent working in direct access night shelters for the homeless, housing management and development and asset management. He has worked in local government and the housing association and voluntary sectors, both regionally and nationally and held a number of Non-Executive Director roles.
In his role, Stephen is focused on investing more into existing homes, giving our customers great opportunities, and achieving carbon neutrality. He also has a particular interest in Modern Methods of Construction and champions this approach in the sector.
Elaine Olphert, Head of Housing Delivery, Bristol City Council
Mary Bennell, Director, South West Procurement Alliance
Mary worked on the client side in social housing at a senior level for over 25 years specialising in property, regeneration and procurement. As a director of property in a number of organisations, she had overall responsibility for delivering large scale planned maintenance, development and regeneration programmes and for ensuring compliance with statutory requirements for buildings and homes. She is also the current chair of Constructing Excellence South West Smart Construction Theme Group.
