Our team

About Richard

Richard Cotton was appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive Director in March 2016 and as Senior Independent Director in February 2018. Our  Shareholders elected him as the Group’s Chairman at the 2022 AGM. Richard is Chair of the Nominations Committee and a member of the Remuneration Committee.

Richard has a wide range of experience in both executive and non-executive roles at a number of 
quoted and unquoted companies. He was formerly head of UK Real Estate at J.P. Morgan Cazenove, a position he held until 2009, and he spent five subsequent years as Managing Director of Forum Partners. Richard has also previously held the position of Chairman of Centurion Properties and was a Non- Executive Director of Hansteen Holdings plc and Big Yellow Group plc.

His experience in the financial sector, together with his knowledge and skills in property, strengthens the overall expertise of the Board. He is a key contributor to the firm’s strategic discussions, and his knowledge of the financial services industry is frequently drawn upon in Board discussions and assists the Board in decision making.

Since assuming the role of Chairman, he has proven himself to be an effective Chairman as demonstrated both through his contribution to Board discussions and his ability to proficiently chair Board and Committee meetings. Richard’s effectiveness as Chairman is further bolstered by his experience on public company boards and extensive experience in stakeholder relations.

Through his wealth of skills and prior experience, Richard is able to contribute to all aspects of business discussions and his valuable knowledge and insight is key to promoting the sustainable success of the Company.

Other current external appointments

• Non-Executive Director of Target Healthcare REIT plc 

About Matthew

Matthew Bonning-Snook, BSc (Urb Est Surveying) MRICS, joined Helical in 1995 and was appointed to the Board as an Executive Director in 2007, assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer following the conclusion of the 2024 AGM. He also serves as Chair of the Sustainability Committee leading our commitment to measuring and improving Helical’s corporate ESG performance and driving the Group’s sustainability initiatives.

Prior to joining Helical, Matthew was a Development Agent and Consultant at Richard Ellis (now CBRE).

With his extensive experience, expert knowledge of the London property market and established network of contacts within the industry, Matthew provides valuable insight to lead the business and execute the Group’s strategy, including securing our joint venture with TfL which is the cornerstone of our future pipeline.

About Tim

Tim Murphy, BA (Hons) FCA, joined the Group in 1994 and became Chief Financial Officer of the Company in 2012. He is responsible for the financial statements, financial reporting, treasury and taxation. Before joining Helical Tim worked at the financial and professional services firm Grant Thornton.

Tim is a highly experienced financial practitioner with significant sector knowledge, both technical and commercial.

Tim is experienced in working with boards and management teams in respect of financial and commercial management, reporting, and risk and control frameworks. These experiences make Tim particularly well-placed to contribute to the Group’s broader strategic agenda and further the sustainable success of the business.

About Amanda

Amanda Aldridge was appointed to the Board in April 2024.

Having spent 33 years at KPMG, Amanda has garnered extensive experience in the fields of audit, governance and capital markets. She was a KPMG partner for 20 years, holding numerous positions and was latterly the Head of Intellectual Property & Contract Governance in the firm’s Risk Consulting Division. 
Over the last 6 years, Amanda has served as a Non-Executive Director on several quoted and unquoted company boards, and is an experienced audit and risk committee chair. Through her directorships, she has also gained considerable experience in the property sector. 

Amanda qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1987 and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. She is also an active member of the Institute’s Corporate Governance, Sustainability & Climate Change and Construction & Real Estate Communities.

Amanda's strong financial background, combined with her knowledge and experience in risk management across a variety of sectors, including property, will be highly valuable to the Board and contribute to the long- term success of the business.

In July 2024, Amanda succeeded Joe Lister to become Chair of our Audit and Risk Committee.

Other Current External Appointments

• Non-Executive Director and Chair of Audit Committee at Impact Healthcare REIT plc;  
• Non-Executive Director and Chair of Audit Committee at The Brunner Investment Trust plc;
• Non-Executive Director and Chair of Audit Committee at Staffline Group plc; and
• Non-Executive Director and Chair of Audit & Risk Committee at The Low Carbon Contracts Company Limited.

About Sue

Sue Clayton, FRICS, was appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive Director in February 2016. She is 
Chair of the Property Valuations Committee and a member of the Nominations Committee, the Audit and 
Risk Committee and the Remuneration Committee. Sue’s appointment as the Group’s Senior Independent 
Director on 14 July 2022 is underpinned by her extensive board experience and understanding of stakeholder interests.

In 2019, the Board appointed Sue as the designated Non-Executive Director for workforce engagement and she offers a direct engagement channel to members of the workforce throughout the year. Our workforce are key to our strategy and long-term sustainable success and Sue’s role thus contributes to the strategic aims of the Group.

Sue has over 30 years of experience in UK investment markets.She is a former Managing Director of CBRE’s Capital Markets Team and has sat on the CBRE UK Management and Executive Boards. She also held the position of Employee Director on the CBRE Group Inc. Board. Sue started her career as a graduate with Richard Ellis (now CBRE) and worked in Valuation and Fund Management before moving into Investment Agency. At present, as well as being a Non-Executive Director of both Helical and SEGRO plc, she is a Senior Adviser to Blue Coast Capital.

Sue is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and her extensive commercial experience in the property industry and knowledge of the UK property market render her a highly valuable contributor to the Group’s strategy. It is also through her skills and experience in the field of property valuation that she provides a significant contribution to the effectiveness of the Group’s governance structure, especially with respect o the work of the Property Valuations Committee.

Sue's philanthropic endevours include being a Patron of Land Aid and a Vice President of The Story of Christmas. She is also the CoFounder of Real Estate Balance and Chairs their Patrons Group.

Other current external appointments:

• Non-Executive Director of SEGRO plc

About Sue

Sue Farr is the Chair of the Remuneration Committee and has served on the boards of a diverse range of companies and has experience on other remuneration committees, both as a member and chair. Her effectiveness as Chair is bolstered by her understanding of employee and wider business perspectives, as well as her ability to consider the consequences of remuneration decisions. She is also a member of the Audit and Risk and Nominations Committees.

In May 2021, the Board appointed Sue as the designated Non-Executive Director for ESG & Sustainability and she plays a key role in monitoring Helical’s Culture and ensuring its alignment with Company strategy to support the long-term sustainable success of the business.

Sue contributes considerable knowledge, skill and experience to the Board and its Committees, particularly in the areas of marketing, branding and consumer issues, which are key areas of focus for the Board and important for the continued success of our business.

Sue is a former Chair of both the Marketing Society and he Marketing Group of Great Britain. In 2003, she joined the Chime Group, where she was Chair of the Advertising and Marketing Services Division and Strategic and Business Development Director until 2015, and served as a Special Advisor to their Board until July 2020. Prior to joining the Chime Group, Sue served as Marketing Director of the BBC for seven years, Director of Corporate Affairs at Thames Television for three years and Director of Corporate Communications at Vauxhall Motors. Sue has also served as a Non-Executive Director for British American Tobacco plc, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc, New Look plc, Accsys Technologies plc, Lookers plc, Unlimited Marketing Group Ltd, DNEG Limited, Dairy Crest plc, Dolphin Capital Partners and Historic Royal Palaces.

Other current external appointments:

• Senior Independent Director, THG plc
• Non-Executive Director, Ebiquity Plc 

About Robert

Robert Fowlds was appointed to the Board in February 2024.

Robert has over 40 years’ experience in real estate. He was head of real estate investment banking at J.P. Morgan Cazenove until 2015, advising on numerous capital markets and M&A transactions. Prior to working in corporate finance, Robert was MD and Co-Head of the Pan-European real estate sector equity analyst team at Merrill Lynch, and previously a member of the team at Kleinwort Benson. Robert is a chartered surveyor and spent his early career specialising in investment and development.

Robert’s financial knowledge and background in the real estate industry, as well as his experience as a non-executive director in the listed sector, strengthens the overall expertise of the Board and contributes to the long-term success of the business.

Other Current External Appointments

• Member of the Supervisory Board, Klepierre S.A.
• Non-Executive Director, LondonMetric Property plc

About James

James Moss, MChem (Hons) (Oxon) FCA, joined Helical in September 2014 as Group Financial Controller and was appointed Company Secretary in May 2015 and to the Executive Committee in March 2018. He was subsequently appointed Chief Operating Officer in May 2022.

James has a broad range of responsibilities, contributing to setting and delivering Helical’s strategy and ensuring its operational and financial effectiveness.

As Group Company Secretary, he is responsible for corporate governance and Board administration matters.

James was previously at Grant Thornton, where he was responsible for leading audit and other assurance assignments in their real estate division.