decades of market and food hall experience 

Chris has a lifetime experience in International corporate finance and has held the most senior positions with Places for People, London and Newcastle, Colliers CRE, Lombard Odier, Prudential Bache, TriplePoint Social Housing and Market Asset Management.

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He is currently Chairman of London & Newcastle, Non-Executive Chairman of Places for People, which has gross assets of £3.1bn and profits of circa £44m, with over 150,000 properties and 1,500 employees.

Formerly, Chris was the first Managing Director of Colliers CapitalUK Ltd, the property fund management business of Colliers CRE, from 1998 to 2005.

Previously, Chris was also a director of leading private Swiss Bank Lombard Odier, where he specialised in International Corporate Finance. Prior to this he was Managing Director of Prudential Bache’s UK equities and bond business.

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Chris currently holds a number of non-Executive Directorships with companies listed in the UK and Europe, particularly specialising in property-focused investment vehicles such as Triple Point Social Housing REIT plc which listed on the London Stock Exchange in August 2017.

Raymond has been involved in markets his whole life. He has an innate understanding of the industry, its people and has a knack of knowing how to untap site potential.

He worked in France for 7 years, specialising in designing fresh food departments in markets and supermarkets in Spain, Portugal, France and Greece.

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He has been involved in more than 250 market developments throughout the UK and Europe, some of which have been truly iconic and ground-breaking.

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With a passion for localism, independent trade and authenticity, Raymond has dedicated his entire working life to bettering the opportunities of those who work in the industry and to help ensure communities enjoy the very best that markets and food halls can offer.

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Through the market development projects Raymond has led on, he was at the forefront of change. He revolutionised the way that markets were designed, taking a shopper led design approach rather than the historic view of maximising lettable space. Raymond has probably designed and specified more markets and food halls than anyone over the last 30 years or so.

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Although starting his career designing and specifying market developments, his time is now mostly spent refining long-term business plans ensuring successful post-development viability.

James has worked in the retail, leisure and hospitality industry for the last 19 years with experience of managing multiple venues, traders and working in partnership with key stakeholders such as landlords, property developers and councils.

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James has extensive experience of operating as an independent business.

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He has operated numerous placemaking venues, has also managed, restructured and remodelled Market Halls with annual sales of up to £3.5 million per/year.  James loves to look at the commercial model of venues, building an effective team, integrating effective events programming, and working with independent food and retail traders on a daily basis to improve the overall offering.

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James has worked with numerous property developers and local councils to deliver meaningful community and hospitality projects, which are all central elements within wider town masterplan developments.

Kelly is a skilled and creative graphic designer with a strong background in visual communication and project leadership. After completing a degree in Graphic Design at university, Kelly developed a passion for crafting visually compelling and strategically effective designs that communicate ideas with clarity and impact.

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She has spent several years working with Pioneer Market Group, contributing to a range of high-profile projects across the UK, including major developments in Darlington, Doncaster, and Crewe. Throughout her time, Kelly played a key role in shaping the visual identity of each project, ensuring that design work aligned with both client goals and community vision.

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As project lead on all aspects of graphic design, Kelly has managed the full creative process - from concept development and brand design to final delivery. Her ability to combine artistic vision with practical project management has consistently produced results that are both visually striking and commercially successful.

Kelly’s experience demonstrates a balance of creativity, leadership, and technical skill that makes her an asset to any design team or project.

Michelle is an experienced property professional with a strong background in lettings and estate management. She began her career working for a busy estate agency, where she developed a solid understanding of tenancy management, client relations, and the rental market. 

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For the past several years, Michelle has been part of the team at Pioneer, where she has overseen lettings operations across multiple sites. In this role, she has been instrumental in streamlining processes, supporting site teams, and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation. Her leadership and strategic oversight have helped maintain high standards of service while maximising performance across the portfolio.

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Michelle has a proven track record of improving occupancy rates and significantly reducing void periods, thanks to her analytical mindset and strong communication skills. She takes pride in building positive relationships with tenants, ensuring that properties are managed efficiently and to the highest standard.

Dedicated, organised, and results-driven, Michelle brings both experience and enthusiasm to every aspect of her work in lettings management.

Projects:

• Lennel Sage acquisition: Client Lead

• Client lead for £972 Million acquisition and delivery of 3000 plus homes between the Client (Sage Housing/ Leaf Living) and Vistry Countryside Partnerships.

• Leading a team of 11 Employers Agents/ Quantity Surveyors and 8 Clerk of Works to Cost manage, Quality manage and deliver completions of homes within the direction of the Development Agreement.

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• Sage Housing: Client Lead

• Client lead for section 106 development agreement schemes across the country.

• Leading a team of 6 Employers agents, Quantity Surveyors and Project managers to cost manage, project manage, quality manage and deliver completions defined by the Development Agreement.

Richard has over 20 years of experience working across both the public and private sectors, bringing with him a comprehensive understanding of business operations, strategic development, and stakeholder engagement. Throughout his career, he has built an impressive portfolio that spans retail markets, hospitality and leisure venues, and large-scale events management. His diverse background has equipped him with a unique ability to navigate complex commercial environments while delivering innovative solutions that drive growth and enhance customer experience. Richard’s leadership and hands-on approach have enabled him to successfully oversee multidisciplinary teams, implement effective business strategies, and maintain strong partnerships with local authorities, private investors, and community organisations.

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In addition to his operational expertise, Richard has played a pivotal role in the specification, planning, and delivery of several major market refurbishment and redevelopment projects across the UK. His work has often focused on revitalising heritage and listed buildings within established market estates, ensuring that modern functionality is achieved while preserving the architectural and cultural significance of each site. From concept design and stakeholder consultation to project delivery and post-launch management, Richard has demonstrated a consistent ability to balance commercial viability with community value.

His contributions have helped transform under-utilised spaces into vibrant, sustainable destinations that support local economies and celebrate the unique character of Britain’s market culture.

Gary comes from a third-generation market family with a career spanning 40 years. This time spent working in, managing, developing, and creating Markets has resulted in a wealth of experience in the specific factors and variables that allow Markets, traders, and the surrounding communities to flourish and maximise their potential.

Having finished his education at a prestigious Warwickshire School, Nik was quick to opt for a career in Electrical Services and in 1978 he became the youngest qualified approved electrician in the UK.

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In 1987 he had progressed to M&E National Contracts Manager for a large Multi-national M&E Contractor – EIC Ltd. At EIC Nik completed an Electrical and Mechanical Building Services degree (BEng).

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Nik headed up EIC Solutions which was the design and build division of EIC Group. In the coming 15 years, Nik rose through the company to a final status of M&E Operations Director. Prior to joining Greenway & Partners Ltd, Nik worked on several very high-profile projects including the first BREEAM Outstanding project in the UK (Blue Planet, Newcastle-under-Lyme) also, completing many landmark projects (Hoover Building Greenford, Tesco Data Centre, Cheshunt).

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In 2010 Nik joined Greenway & Partners Consulting Engineers as a joint partner using his extensive knowledge in the industry, but specialising in M&E Consultancy, M&E Cost Planning, M&E Design and Value Engineering.

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Nik specialises in M&E Cost Plans, Value Engineering and Renewable Technologies working within the remit of BREEAM and with Renewable and Sustainable Energy Technologies many years before it became a government stipulation.

Andrea, an experienced Accountant, has been with Pioneer for the past four years, where she leads the finance team in managing the group’s financial operations. In her role, she oversees all aspects of invoicing, cash flow management, and financial reporting, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency across the organisation. Andrea works closely with department heads and senior management to provide financial insights that support strategic decision-making and sustainable business growth.

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MAAT qualified and Xero certified, Andrea brings a wealth of expertise and professionalism to the team. With more than 15 years of experience in financial management across various sectors, she has developed a deep understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and process improvement. Her analytical approach and commitment to best practices help maintain robust financial systems and drive continuous improvement within the business.

Andrea’s strong attention to detail, coupled with her collaborative leadership style, makes her an integral part of Pioneer’s success and ongoing development.

Experienced and dedicated Health and Safety Manager with vast experience ensuring compliance, reducing workplace risk, and promoting a culture of safety across diverse industries. Skilled in policy development, risk assessment, and incident investigation, with a strong commitment to continuous improvement and employee wellbeing.

Provides guidance to managers and employees on HR policies and procedures, supports employee relations and performance management, and handles a range of HR operations, including recruitment, onboarding and payroll.

Dynamic and results-driven Events Manager with years of experience delivering high-impact events across the UK. Skilled in end-to-end event planning, vendor management, budget control, and creative concept development. Passionate about creating memorable experiences that align with objectives and elevate presence.