Our team

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 Places for London which is the cornerstone of our future pipeline.

About Rob

Rob is the Chief Investment Officer of Helical, predominately responsible for the execution of new transactions, corporate structuring related matters and financial/investment analysis across the portfolio. He is actively involved in the delivery of the Group’s development pipeline and is a Helical representative director for the Places for London and 100 New Bridge Street joint ventures.

Prior to joining Helical in 2018, Rob worked for PwC for 7 years in their Real Estate Deals practice providing M&A advice to a range of global clients. Whilst at PwC Rob qualified as a Chartered Accountant.

Rob lives in Surrey and is a keen golfer and a long-suffering Southampton FC fan. He holds an MA in Economics from the University of St Andrews.

About Nikki

Nikki is a Senior Development Executive and has been at the company since 2007. During her time at Helical she has been an integral part of the project team on some of the company’s most prominent schemes including Barts Square, The Bower, Kaleidoscope and The JJ Mack Building. Her current focus is on the company's new schemes, including 10 King William Street, Brettenham House, 100 New Bridge Street and Paddington.

She works closely with our design teams to ensure the highest quality product delivery and is experienced both in placemaking and branding, combining these skills to create comprehensive and successful marketing and place-creation schemes with the aim and result of attracting and retaining the best tenants and occupiers and maximising values.

Nikki is a keen cyclist and runner and lives in South London with her son. She fulfils her love of singing and music via her membership of an excellent choir and also through significantly less musically excellent evenings of karaoke. She is the current Chair of the City Property Association. 

About Alex

Alex is Helical's temporary Head of Sustainability, covering Laura Beaumont while she is on maternity leave. Alex joins Helical having spent the last two and a half years working across the private, public, and data centre sectors at Mace Construct. Alex is an engineer by background but transitioned to working in sustainability in 2021 and has since delivered at all levels, from driving the net zero agenda at a project level, to designing and implementing sustainability strategy across businesses. 

As part of the Sustainability Committee, Alex together with his fellow members champion sustainable practices in how Helical acquire, redevelop, manage, and dispose of their assets.

Outside work, Alex is an avid skier, average runner, and a terrible golfer. He spends most of his weekends playing courses around London with his partner and friends.

About John

John joined Helical from Cushman and Wakefield (then Healey & Baker) in 1995. He oversees the management of Helical's investment portfolio and has extensive experience in adding value through asset repositioning, design, refurbishment and leasing across a variety of commercial asset classes.

In addition to his asset management role, John is also responsible for the Group’s insurance policies and procedures, is part of the Sustainability Committee and part of the Corporate Health & Safety team. John is also a Mental Health First Aider.

John holds a BSc Hons In Estate Management and is a Member of the RICS.  

In his spare time, John enjoys a variety of practical and outdoor oriented hobbies.

About George

George is an analyst at Helical, working within the property team predominantly focusing on investment and development analysis across the portfolio. George also works on the delivery of assets within the Transport for London joint venture partnership, and helping to identify and execute new opportunities.

He began his career at Jones Lang LaSalle as part of the Capital Markets Graduate Programme, where he qualified as a Chartered member of the RICS. He has experience advising global and institutional investors within Jones Lang LaSalle’s Central London Capital Markets team, as well as working on operational real estate transactions, including hotels and PBSA.

Beyond his professional commitments, George has a strong passion for the automotive industry and frequently attends car events and rallies. He is also an avid sports enthusiast, actively participating in golf, tennis, and, most recently, padel.

About Matt

Matt is a Senior Development Executive at Helical working on the group’s development opportunities including 100 New Bridge Street, Brettenham House, Paddington Over-station Development as well as assessing new development opportunities.

In addition to his development role, Matt sits on Helical’s Sustainability Committee and is part of the Corporate Health & Safety team. He is also a Chartered member of RICS.

Matt lives in Crystal Palace with his wife and young daughter. When they're not exploring London they like to spend time on the coast.

About Elliott

Elliott joined Helical in January 2024 as a Senior Development Executive focusing on the joint venture sites with Transport for London. Prior to joining, he held Director roles at Third London Wall and Avison Young leading a variety of central London commercial schemes including Helical’s Kaleidoscope. 

In addition to his development role, Elliott sits on Helical’s Sustainability Committee and is part of the Corporate Health & Safety team. Elliott holds a BSc Hons in Building Surveying and is a Chartered member of the RICS. 

Outside of work, Elliott is a keen rugby fan and wishes he could make it back to the Rec more often!

About Francesca

Francesca joined Helical in 2012 and works in the asset management team, focussing on the London investment assets.

She is responsible for driving value in the existing portfolio through proactive management and leasing, creating and implementing strategic plans for the assets, and fostering strong occupier relationships.

Outside work Francesca enjoys travelling, true crime documentaries and walks with her cocker spaniel, Otto. She studied History & Politics prior to completing a Real Estate Masters degree at the College of Estate Management.