PEOPLE.
PEOPLE.
We bring creativity, a commitment to people and planet, and a determination to do things differently.
TOWN is led by its founding directors, Jonny Anstead and Neil Murphy, who established the business in 2014. Jonny and Neil have a combined 30 years’ experience of planning and development for residential-led mixed-use places gained in both advisory and developer capacity and encompassing residential development, urban regeneration and large-scale urban extensions.
The directors work in tandem to set the direction of the business, the commercial framework and design vision for each TOWN project, and oversee all projects from conception to delivery.
Jonny Anstead, Founding Director.
Jonny cofounded TOWN in 2014 with Neil Murphy and they jointly oversee the business. Over 18 years of working in the built environment, Jonny’s experience spans land assembly, commercial appraisal, urban design, masterplanning and delivery. He has wide experience of stakeholder and community engagement and codesign approaches, including having supported several Neighbourhood Plans through his involvement with the Prince’s Foundation for Building Community. He is a passionate advocate for community-led housing and a Trustee of Brighton & Hove Community Land Trust. Jonny holds a first class degree in modern languages from Cambridge University and is an academician of the Academy of Urbanism.
Jonny Anstead, Founding Director.
Jonny cofounded TOWN in 2014 with Neil Murphy and they jointly oversee the business. Over 18 years of working in the built environment, Jonny’s experience spans land assembly, commercial appraisal, urban design, masterplanning and delivery. He has wide experience of stakeholder and community engagement and codesign approaches, including having supported several Neighbourhood Plans through his involvement with the Prince’s Foundation for Building Community. He is a passionate advocate for community-led housing and a Trustee of Brighton & Hove Community Land Trust. Jonny holds a first class degree in modern languages from Cambridge University and is an academician of the Academy of Urbanism.
Neil Murphy, Founding Director.
With a career history taking in central government policymaking, city and regional planning, and urban regeneration and growth at many scales, Neil has a wide perspective on urbanism and development. He is particularly interested in how planning and design influences social and economic outcomes, and a strong believer in widening public understanding of the built environment. Neil holds an honours degree in politics, philosophy and economics from the University of Oxford. He is a Visiting Fellow within the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape at Newcastle University, an academician of the Academy of Urbanism and a Fellow of the RSA.
Neil Murphy, Founding Director.
With a career history taking in central government policymaking, city and regional planning, and urban regeneration and growth at many scales, Neil has a wide perspective on urbanism and development. He is particularly interested in how planning and design influences social and economic outcomes, and a strong believer in widening public understanding of the built environment. Neil holds an honours degree in politics, philosophy and economics from the University of Oxford. He is a Visiting Fellow within the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape at Newcastle University, an academician of the Academy of Urbanism and a Fellow of the RSA.
Guy Rochez, Associate Director.
Guy leads our Development Management team, bringing a wealth of experience from both the private and public sector, having previously worked for Brick By Brick and Croydon Council, where he led on delivering portfolios of residential schemes and regeneration projects. Guy’s development knowledge is balanced by a passion for good design, and he is both a member of the RICS and a qualified Architect, having studied at Cambridge and the Royal College of Art. Guy works across a number of our projects, and is leading on Love Wolverton, Still Green and Hemel, as well as supporting the day-to-day running of the company.
Guy Rochez, Associate Director.
Guy leads our Development Management team, bringing a wealth of experience from both the private and public sector, having previously worked for Brick By Brick and Croydon Council, where he led on delivering portfolios of residential schemes and regeneration projects. Guy’s development knowledge is balanced by a passion for good design, and he is both a member of the RICS and a qualified Architect, having studied at Cambridge and the Royal College of Art. Guy works across a number of our projects, and is leading on Love Wolverton, Still Green and Hemel, as well as supporting the day-to-day running of the company.
Mike Bodkin, Development Manager & Head of Planning.
Mike is a Chartered Town Planner with over 30 years’ experience in planning and regeneration. Working in private practice with Peter Brett Associates and then Strutt & Parker, Mike previously worked for over 20 years for Kent County Council, where he became Head of Growth Areas and Development, in which role he led regeneration and economic development in the Thames Gateway and Ashford Growth Areas. Mike is an experienced coordinator of multi-disciplinary design teams and has a particularly strong understanding of the relationship between planning issues and development viability. Mike plays a leading role in projects with a strong planning angle, such as Beeston Park and Pincents Lane, as well as in the scoping and appraisal of new projects.
Mike Bodkin, Development Manager & Head of Planning.
Mike is a Chartered Town Planner with over 30 years’ experience in planning and regeneration. Working in private practice with Peter Brett Associates and then Strutt & Parker, Mike previously worked for over 20 years for Kent County Council, where he became Head of Growth Areas and Development, in which role he led regeneration and economic development in the Thames Gateway and Ashford Growth Areas. Mike is an experienced coordinator of multi-disciplinary design teams and has a particularly strong understanding of the relationship between planning issues and development viability. Mike plays a leading role in projects with a strong planning angle, such as Beeston Park and Pincents Lane, as well as in the scoping and appraisal of new projects.
Frances Wright, Head of Community Partnering.
Resident of Marmalade Lane, Frances is now working with TOWN and leading on community partnering. Frances has been a member of two cohousing groups before moving to Cambridge and is a director of the UK Cohousing Network. Frances joins TOWN after a career in the charity sector, having qualified as a solicitor following a law degree at the London School of Economics.
Frances Wright, Head of Community Partnering.
Resident of Marmalade Lane, Frances is now working with TOWN and leading on community partnering. Frances has been a member of two cohousing groups before moving to Cambridge and is a director of the UK Cohousing Network. Frances joins TOWN after a career in the charity sector, having qualified as a solicitor following a law degree at the London School of Economics.
James Cox, Senior Development Manager.
James is a Senior Development Manager at TOWN, where he leads day-to-day on the Core Site project alongside development partners U+I in North-East Cambridge having previously led Love Wolverton to planning. Dual-qualified as urban designer and chartered planner, prior to joining TOWN James worked on a range of complex major developments and mixed-use regeneration projects in London.
James Cox, Senior Development Manager.
James is a Senior Development Manager at TOWN, where he leads day-to-day on the Core Site project alongside development partners U+I in North-East Cambridge having previously led Love Wolverton to planning. Dual-qualified as urban designer and chartered planner, prior to joining TOWN James worked on a range of complex major developments and mixed-use regeneration projects in London.
Gemma Holyoak, Development Manager.
Gemma joined TOWN as a Development Manager in 2021, and is working across a number of projects including Angel Yard Cohousing and Nile + Villiers. In her previous role at Community Led Housing London, she worked with community groups at an early stage and supported them in pursuing deliverable projects that met their objectives. Gemma’s background is in architecture. She graduated with a post-graduate MArch from Central Saint Martins in 2018 and has worked on custom-build, community led and large-scale residential projects.
Gemma Holyoak, Development Manager.
Gemma joined TOWN as a Development Manager in 2021, and is working across a number of projects including Angel Yard Cohousing and Nile + Villiers. In her previous role at Community Led Housing London, she worked with community groups at an early stage and supported them in pursuing deliverable projects that met their objectives. Gemma’s background is in architecture. She graduated with a post-graduate MArch from Central Saint Martins in 2018 and has worked on custom-build, community led and large-scale residential projects.
Kate Percival, Development Manager.
Kate is a Town Planner who came to TOWN in 2022 from a local government role in strategic development, project managing town centre regeneration and economic growth projects. Prior to this, Kate worked in the third sector with a specialism in public engagement in regeneration and development. This included ten years working at a regional Architecture Centre, advocating for good placemaking and delivering design awards schemes, events, public engagement and community development programmes in regeneration projects.
Kate Percival, Development Manager.
Kate is a Town Planner who came to TOWN in 2022 from a local government role in strategic development, project managing town centre regeneration and economic growth projects. Prior to this, Kate worked in the third sector with a specialism in public engagement in regeneration and development. This included ten years working at a regional Architecture Centre, advocating for good placemaking and delivering design awards schemes, events, public engagement and community development programmes in regeneration projects.
Claudia Evans, Development Manager.
Claudia joined TOWN as a Development Manager and works on both Love Wolverton and Westwick Row. She brings experience from Be First Regeneration, where she led projects at various scales—including a key phase of the Gascoigne Estate regeneration, which won AJ Client of the Year 2024. Claudia also brings experience from Brick By Brick, Croydon Council’s in-house development company, delivering new homes across the borough. An architect by training, Claudia qualified in 2018 while working at HTA Design, an award-winning AJ100 practice.
Claudia Evans, Development Manager.
Claudia joined TOWN as a Development Manager and works on both Love Wolverton and Westwick Row. She brings experience from Be First Regeneration, where she led projects at various scales—including a key phase of the Gascoigne Estate regeneration, which won AJ Client of the Year 2024. Claudia also brings experience from Brick By Brick, Croydon Council’s in-house development company, delivering new homes across the borough. An architect by training, Claudia qualified in 2018 while working at HTA Design, an award-winning AJ100 practice.
Richard Pender, Development Manager, Delivery Lead.
Richard began his career in Public Affairs, predominantly working on environmental issues. His route in to development came about first through small scale property development and then through the design and delivery of his parent’s house in Northumberland. Self-built Shawm House, won an RIBA National Award and was runner up in Grand Designs House of the Year. The experience led him to found Shawm Ltd., a design and build company, which amongst other projects designed and delivered the first certified Passivhaus on Tyneside. Richard has a diverse academic background with a BA in History and Politics, and MSc’s in both Psychology and Renewable Energy, and is a certified Passivhaus Consultant. Prior to joining TOWN Richard spent a year with KLH Sustainability, a built environment sustainability consultancy, building a more rounded understanding of sustainability across the sector. He has a real passion for trying to bring about better processes and ways of working in order to realise better, more sustainable outcomes.
Richard Pender, Development Manager, Delivery Lead.
Richard began his career in Public Affairs, predominantly working on environmental issues. His route in to development came about first through small scale property development and then through the design and delivery of his parent’s house in Northumberland. Self-built Shawm House, won an RIBA National Award and was runner up in Grand Designs House of the Year. The experience led him to found Shawm Ltd., a design and build company, which amongst other projects designed and delivered the first certified Passivhaus on Tyneside. Richard has a diverse academic background with a BA in History and Politics, and MSc’s in both Psychology and Renewable Energy, and is a certified Passivhaus Consultant. Prior to joining TOWN Richard spent a year with KLH Sustainability, a built environment sustainability consultancy, building a more rounded understanding of sustainability across the sector. He has a real passion for trying to bring about better processes and ways of working in order to realise better, more sustainable outcomes.
Tia Castillano, Assistant Development Manager.
Tia assists and supports our directors on a range of our largest and complex projects. Tia has recently graduated from a Masters in Urban Design & City planning at UCL and has various work experience in a range of sectors from planning, regeneration and urban design. Tia has a particular interest in quality placemaking and co-design processes, regularly volunteering in planning and sustainability related workshops with young people in her free time. She will also work towards leading on the Vision Workstream on the Core Site Project.
Tia Castillano, Assistant Development Manager.
Tia assists and supports our directors on a range of our largest and complex projects. Tia has recently graduated from a Masters in Urban Design & City planning at UCL and has various work experience in a range of sectors from planning, regeneration and urban design. Tia has a particular interest in quality placemaking and co-design processes, regularly volunteering in planning and sustainability related workshops with young people in her free time. She will also work towards leading on the Vision Workstream on the Core Site Project.
Lily Holbrook, Assistant Development Manager.
Lily joined TOWN as an Assistant Development Manager in 2022, and works on multiple TOWN projects including the Core Site, Cambridge and a student housing project in Brighton. In her previous role at Human Nature, a Lewes-based developer, Lily focussed on designing and implementing a comprehensive engagement programme for a major regeneration scheme. Lily is also a member of the Architecture Foundation Young Trustees.
Lily Holbrook, Assistant Development Manager.
Lily joined TOWN as an Assistant Development Manager in 2022, and works on multiple TOWN projects including the Core Site, Cambridge and a student housing project in Brighton. In her previous role at Human Nature, a Lewes-based developer, Lily focussed on designing and implementing a comprehensive engagement programme for a major regeneration scheme. Lily is also a member of the Architecture Foundation Young Trustees.
Emma Symon, Development Manager.
Emma is a Development Manager at TOWN, leading on Northstowe and Oundle. She started her career in development and regeneration with a Geography degree and an RICS-accredited master’s, gaining experience across the private and public sectors in Bristol and London. She has worked on large, complex brownfield sites, mixed-use residential schemes and major infrastructure projects. Prior to joining TOWN, Emma worked at Homes England, helping unlock strategic sites such as Charlton Riverside and Bristol Temple Quarter.
Emma Symon, Development Manager.
Emma is a Development Manager at TOWN, leading on Northstowe and Oundle. She started her career in development and regeneration with a Geography degree and an RICS-accredited master’s, gaining experience across the private and public sectors in Bristol and London. She has worked on large, complex brownfield sites, mixed-use residential schemes and major infrastructure projects. Prior to joining TOWN, Emma worked at Homes England, helping unlock strategic sites such as Charlton Riverside and Bristol Temple Quarter.
Nat River, Brand Manager.
Nat is a graphic designer with over 18 years experience. Nat has worked with us on design projects from the beginning and joined TOWN in 2021 as Brand Manager. Nat has a wealth of experience in design and brand management, running her own design consultancy for the last 11 years. Nat specialises in branding and UI design, but has wide ranging experience of illustration, design strategy, packaging, print, video and art direction, and is an experienced coordinator of collaborative design teams. Having worked with a wide range of clients throughout her career, Nat has worked on many different projects from mobile apps, to large web builds, branding projects, video campaigns and design systems. Nat is particularly skilled at distilling complex core messages into clear, effective and engaging brands.
Nat River, Brand Manager.
Nat is a graphic designer with over 18 years experience. Nat has worked with us on design projects from the beginning and joined TOWN in 2021 as Brand Manager. Nat has a wealth of experience in design and brand management, running her own design consultancy for the last 11 years. Nat specialises in branding and UI design, but has wide ranging experience of illustration, design strategy, packaging, print, video and art direction, and is an experienced coordinator of collaborative design teams. Having worked with a wide range of clients throughout her career, Nat has worked on many different projects from mobile apps, to large web builds, branding projects, video campaigns and design systems. Nat is particularly skilled at distilling complex core messages into clear, effective and engaging brands.
Richard Ford, Finance Director.
Richard, a Chartered Accountant, has been involved in the real estate and alternative investment sector for around 25 years. He qualified and spent ten years with Ernst & Young in London and subsequently worked with Norges Bank Investment Management, building their real estate portfolio globally from 2011 to 2017. He now works independently with and advises a number of real estate businesses and alternative investment funds, and is responsible for directing financial matters at TOWN.
Richard devotes some of his time to not-for-profit, previously completing a six month appointment in Kenya for an NGO and is currently finance trustee for The Quality of Life Foundation. Richard has been a member of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland since 2004 and holds a full public practicing license.
Richard Ford, Finance Director.
Richard, a Chartered Accountant, has been involved in the real estate and alternative investment sector for around 25 years. He qualified and spent ten years with Ernst & Young in London and subsequently worked with Norges Bank Investment Management, building their real estate portfolio globally from 2011 to 2017. He now works independently with and advises a number of real estate businesses and alternative investment funds, and is responsible for directing financial matters at TOWN.
Richard devotes some of his time to not-for-profit, previously completing a six month appointment in Kenya for an NGO and is currently finance trustee for The Quality of Life Foundation. Richard has been a member of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland since 2004 and holds a full public practicing license.
Jeemit Patel, Group Financial Controller.
Jeemit brings experience having worked in a variety of different working environments ranging from Financial Services, Real Estate, FMCG, Sports, Transport, and Energy. Jeemit brings a hands-on and pragmatic approach to team management, having delivered system implementation, found efficiencies through finance transformation and process improvement in previous roles.
Jeemit Patel, Group Financial Controller.
Jeemit brings experience having worked in a variety of different working environments ranging from Financial Services, Real Estate, FMCG, Sports, Transport, and Energy. Jeemit brings a hands-on and pragmatic approach to team management, having delivered system implementation, found efficiencies through finance transformation and process improvement in previous roles.
