People

Paris brings a wealth of experience in facilities and operational management to Populate, with a proven track record of enhancing efficiency and client satisfaction across diverse environments. Having managed service contracts for over 70 buildings and led teams in both public and private sectors, Paris is adept at building strong relationships with tenants, contractors, and stakeholders alike.

Paris’s approach is hands-on and people-centred, ensuring that every space not only runs smoothly but also feels welcoming and inclusive. With expertise in CAFM systems, health & safety, and financial administration, Paris is committed to delivering high-quality service and supporting vibrant, engaged communities. Passionate about creating places where people thrive, Paris is excited to champion the values of Populate at the London Cancer Hub.

Barry, Chairman of Populate and Managing Director of Socius, is a leader in the realm of sustainable mixed-use development and the growth of vibrant ecosystems. With over 25 years of experience, Barry has left an indelible mark on landmark projects such as Bluewater, Chapelfield, and Greenwich Peninsula.

Olaide leads the Populate team as Managing Director and sits on the Executive Board at Socius.

She brings extensive expertise in urban regeneration, ensuring that developments achieve commercial goals while delivering substantial social value.

A serial entrepreneur and innovation expert, Claire specialises in real estate innovation and placemaking. She has co-founded and led numerous innovation centres, including Plexal, Level39, and LORCA. Claire’s work involves designing and delivering business services, accelerator programs, and events to foster collaboration among start-ups and established businesses.

Joss is a dynamic and innovative place-maker, celebrated for shaping, managing and driving value across a wide range of developments.

As Head of Activation at Populate, Joss plays a key role in curating and delivering engaging experiences that transform spaces and strengthen communities. At the London Cancer Hub, he is leading a broad programme of activation initiatives, including the introduction of new padel courts which opened in October 2025, the Moon Bloom art installation in the Community Garden, improved wayfinding, curated site tours, and London Festival of Architecture events held across the site in summer 2025, all designed to bring energy, engagement and a strong sense of place to the development.

With previous experience at Bow Arts Trust, Joss has successfully integrated art and culture into new developments, helping to drive footfall, enliven places and increase long-term value. His work continues to shape vibrant, thriving environments that encourage community interaction and support sustainable growth.

With decades of experience in commercial property, Neil has played a key role in leasing major retail developments such as Liverpool One and Bluewater.

At Populate, Neil curates and manages a diverse mix of retail and F&B offerings creates tailored retail strategies and partnerships to enhance tenant and visitor experience.

Barry brings over 25 years of expertise in property development, having contributed to prominent projects throughout London and the South East.

His real estate journey began at Lendlease, where he worked on significant developments like Bluewater, Chapelfield, and Greenwich Peninsula. Barry subsequently played a foundational role at First Base, elevating it to a top-tier mixed-use developer and ascending to CEO in 2020. First Base achieved nearly £1bn GDV in developments, including the innovative Adelaide Wharf and the transformational East Village at the Olympic Park.

In 2021, Barry launched Socius, a development firm dedicated to socially impactful urban regeneration. Since its establishment, Socius has initiated projects exceeding £1.5bn across key cities such as London, Brighton, Bristol, Milton Keynes, and Cambridge, emphasizing a diverse portfolio that includes office spaces, life sciences, residential rentals, student housing, retail and leisure.

Barry's commitment to asset management is reflected in his approach to curating, managing, and stewarding properties long after completion. His strategic vision and leadership have not only set new standards in the industry but have also secured substantial returns for investors like Barings, Railpen, Patron Capital, and Ares. Barry's team at Socius is a testament to his dedication, comprising seasoned professionals skilled in various sectors of the real estate market.

Track Record

Olaide is a strategic thinker and adept problem-solver with over 20 years of successful initiatives in both public and private sectors. She holds a degree in Sociology, a field that fuels her fascination with interpersonal interactions, physical environments, and societal dynamics. This curiosity informs and drives her professional efforts.

In her role, Olaide spearheads external relations, diligently building and nurturing essential partnerships with local communities, businesses, investors, and stakeholders. She is also instrumental in expanding the company's reach, actively developing its pipeline across new and existing markets nationwide.

Olaide is a seasoned public speaker, frequently invited to share her insights and participate in discussions on topics such as public-private partnerships, social impact, arts and culture, community engagement, and emerging trends.

In 2022, her influence was formally acknowledged when Estates Gazette named her one of the industry's 50 most influential figures. Following this, in 2023, Planner Magazine recognised her as a Woman of Influence, further cementing her status as a key player in her field.

Track Record

Daniel is a seasoned professional affiliated with the Royal Institute of British Architects, boasting over 20 years of industry experience. He has been involved in all phases of development, specialising in enhancing value creation through his expertise in design, planning, engineering, financing, and construction. Daniel has also contributed his knowledge to the architectural community as a tutor at the University of East London and has assisted the RIBA in enhancing their Client Services. Moreover, he has mentored emerging architectural firms, helping them refine their business strategies.

Currently, Daniel is leading the development team for the London Cancer Hub, aiming to establish a district dedicated to excellence in cancer research. This project focuses on creating a new ecosystem of labs, R&D, and commercial facilities, complemented by essential amenities and accommodations designed to attract top global researchers and expedite the development of pioneering cancer treatments.

In addition to his developmental duties, Daniel plays a pivotal role in shaping the business and acquisition strategy for Socius, identifying and capitalising on opportunities in various sectors including offices, life sciences, build-to-rent, student housing, retail, and leisure.

Within Socius, Daniel oversees the portfolio of projects, ensuring the integrity of the project vision and placemaking agenda. He also leads the company’s ‘People & Performance’ strategy, demonstrating his commitment to fostering both organisational and employee growth.

Track Record

Steve has spent the past two decades overseeing numerous high-profile projects throughout London and the South-East, including estate regeneration and expansive mixed-use town centre redevelopments.

His projects consistently emphasize placemaking, aiming to ensure long-term success by seamlessly integrating developments into their urban surroundings. Steve is particularly focused on the impact of social value, advocating for its thorough consideration throughout the development process.

He managed the £110 million Edward Street Quarter Development in Brighton and is currently leading a £190 million project in Milton Keynes. Both ventures are set to deliver more than 400,000 sq ft of workspace and over 400 new homes, further illustrating his expertise in fostering impactful urban growth.

Track Record

Mike brings a wealth of development experience to his current role, with over a decade spent at Quintain, where he was a key figure in the delivery of over a thousand homes at Wembley Park. This 85-acre site in North-West London stands as the UK's largest single Build-to-Rent development.

Before joining Quintain, Mike served as a Development Manager at Capital & Counties for two years, leading several complex projects within the Covent Garden estate. He also spent two years at Manhattan Loft Corporation, known for iconic developments such as the Chiltern Firehouse and the restoration of the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel at King’s Cross.

Mike is managing the residential strategy for the London Cancer Hub, aiming to establish a premier district for cancer research and development.

Track Record

Vic is an integral member of the Socius team, overseeing daily operations to ensure seamless functionality across HR, corporate PR, technology, office management and corporate social value initiatives.

In addition to the operational role, Vic enhances the Socius profile by organising events and supporting promotional opportunities. In HR, she plays a pivotal role in attracting and retaining talent, working closely with the Board to strengthen the workforce. Vic was also instrumental in the working group that achieved B Corp accreditation, reinforcing Socius's commitment to high social and environmental standards.

Joel is a Project Director at Socius, currently leading the Mill Yard project in Cambridge. This development will deliver Grade A workspace, residential units, and a new public park near the railway station. With a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, Mill Yard aims to achieve net zero carbon operations and set new benchmarks for biodiversity enhancements. Joel was instrumental in securing the construction contract for this transformative development, and work has now commenced on-site. Mill Yard represents a landmark project for Cambridge, combining innovative design with a focus on sustainability and placemaking.

Before joining Socius, Joel played a key role in delivering several high-profile projects across London and the South-East. His experience spans a diverse range of sectors, including commercial offices, industrial warehousing, hotels, and estate regeneration schemes.

At Socius, Joel successfully delivered the £110 million Edward Street Quarter development in Brighton. This ambitious project included 168 apartments, 110,000 sq ft of office space, and 40,000 sq ft for retail, leisure, and dining, creating a vibrant new community in the heart of the city.

Joel is also actively contributing to the MK Gateway team, assisting with the preparation of construction plans.

Track Record

Izzy graduated from Bristol University with a degree in International Business Management. During her studies, she focused on sustainability reporting in commercial real estate, culminating in a dissertation on the topic.

As Assistant Development Manager at Socius, Izzy plays a key role in supporting the active projects; Mill Yard, Botanic Place and London Cancer Hub. She also works closely with the New Business team, Project Managers and Development Directors, helping to ensure that social value commitments are embedded and delivered across all projects.

In addition, Izzy leads the Green-Up Britain project, engaging key stakeholders through on-site tree planting initiatives that contribute to environmental sustainability and community wellbeing.

Track record

As Director, Doug oversees two significant projects in Cambridge, both financed by Railpen. These initiatives target BREEAM Outstanding status, employ an all-electric energy strategy, and adhere to the NABERS certification process.

Botanic Place is a £500 million development situated in a prime central location in Cambridge. This project is set to provide 500,000 sq ft of the city’s most sustainable and intelligent office space, with an energy demand projected to be 70% lower than typical office buildings of similar scale.

Mill Yard, a £180 million mixed-use development also in central Cambridge, will offer a range of workspaces across three interconnected buildings. Additionally, the scheme includes 70 new rental homes, a children’s nursery, and a new public park with a pavilion, all conveniently located a short walk from Cambridge station.

Doug is also responsible for leading sustainability efforts across the business. He champions a proactive approach to minimizing environmental impact, ensuring that all direct carbon emissions are measured, validated, and reported. Through the company’s commitment to Planet Mark, he drives annual reductions in these emissions.

Previously, Doug gained extensive experience at DTZ and the London & Aberdeen Group, where he successfully led and delivered major mixed-use projects, including the Landing in Maidenhead and Ryger House in St James’s, London.

Track Record

Connie is a highly efficient financial administrator who provides vital support across the company, particularly to the Project and Finance teams. She plays a key role in ensuring the smooth operation of our working environment, handling communications with building management and addressing day-to-day operational issues.

Additionally, Connie manages complex scheduling for diaries and coordinates various team events, contributing to the overall organisation and efficiency of the business.

Currently, Connie is working towards her CIMA qualification, actively expanding her financial knowledge and expertise.

Peter is an accomplished engineer and developer known for his work with both government and industry to enhance environmental and operational practices in construction. His significant contributions to the field earned him a CBE for Services to Construction in 2007. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society of Arts, and an Honorary Fellow of the RIBA.

As a co-founder of Stanhope and Lipton Rogers, Peter has played a pivotal role in the cost-effective design and delivery of many of London’s iconic projects. His portfolio includes developments such as 1 Finsbury Avenue and Broadgate in the 1980s, extending to 22 Bishopsgate in the 2020s.

Peter also served as the Founder Chairman of the UK Green Building Council and has been involved with various industry and government bodies, including The Strategic Forum, the 2012 Commitments Task Group, Constructing Excellence, the Code for Sustainable Buildings steering group, and the Construction Act Review.

At Socius, Peter takes on the role of mentor and adviser, consistently challenging the design and construction standards of all projects.

Track Record

With over 30 years of experience, Phil has been instrumental in delivering some of the most substantial and complex mixed-use projects, including Ebbsfleet, Chapelfield in Norwich, and TresAguas in Madrid. His career has spanned senior positions at Lend Lease, Mace, and Taylor Woodrow, where he has overseen everything from land assembly and site infrastructure to planning, design, project management, and construction.

While at First Base, Phil led the team that secured planning consent for Silvertown Quays, a significant 62-acre site in East London, which includes over 5 million sq ft of commercial space and 3,000 homes. His project portfolio also extends to major London projects like Printworks, Highbury Gardens, and Ashchurch Villas, as well as key developments in cities such as Brighton and Bristol.

In his current role as a Non-Executive Director, Phil provides expert advice on development management and project delivery, leveraging his deep industry knowledge and experience.

Track Record

Andy is an experienced property finance professional who heads the finance and payments functions at Socius. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1998 and has since held several diverse roles with major residential and commercial property developers. His expertise includes managing the financial aspects of joint ventures, as well as handling mergers and acquisitions.

Andrew brings over 30 years of experience from the construction and project delivery sector. He began his career as a site manager and ascended to the role of Construction Project Director at Muse, where he successfully led multiple regeneration and mixed-use projects from feasibility to completion.

Throughout his career, Andrew has overseen the entire construction process, managing construction teams to ensure the delivery of high-quality products safely and professionally, achieving the highest levels of customer satisfaction.

Andrew excels in his interactions with clients, partners, contractors, and site teams. He is a natural leader on projects, consistently driving for continuous improvement.

He has played a pivotal role at Edward Street Quarter, assisting the team through the stages of Practical Completion and the final handover to residents. Currently, Andrew is engaged with the Botanic Place project in Cambridge, which involves the development of a new £500 million office scheme.

Track Record