As the CEO of Pragma, Alex leads the development of the team and proposition, and oversees project delivery. He has long-standing experience of supporting leading investors, developers, operators, and brands improve the commercial performance of retail assets.
During his time at Pragma he has specialised in commercial space optimisation, retail strategy, and commercial due diligence, building the team into a globally recognised consultancy. He has overseen projects across the world, supporting the development of leading retail and airport assets in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.
Alex’s key strength lies in using a combined understanding of consumer behaviour, trading performance and the built environment, to develop strategies that create a positive experience and enhance the commercial value of retail developments.
He regularly speaks at industry conferences, on subjects ranging from consumer trends, to travel and retail property innovations, reflecting his interest in brands, people, and places.
Hunting out the best places to eat, discovering new concepts and music in different countries around the world keeps Alex occupied in his spare time.
Andrew works with asset management, leasing and marketing teams.
Andrew works with a diverse mix of investors, developers, asset managers and local authorities, all with a view to maximising the value of their retail assets. With such a broad scope of end users, Andrew is often a key part of a broader team including architects, leasing, marketing and property teams.
Andrew joined the team following the integration of FSP and Pragma, having worked at FSP since May 2010, where he was appointed to the Board as Sales Director in June 2015. Prior to joining FSP, Andrew had worked at both ORC and CACI, having graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a BSC Hons degree in Geography.
Andrew utilises Pragma’s wide range of research capabilities and vast industry knowledge to understand customer behaviour and quantify the impact it has on retailer profitability. In doing so, Andrew is able to work with clients on both high level strategic assessments through to practical steps to maximise asset value.
Out of the office hours, Andrew spends most of his time debating the fighting capabilities of various dinosaurs with his young sons, sneaking the odd evening out with his wife and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of retail locations on various shopping trips.
James focuses on our products, strategy, data and analytics capabilities, and project delivery.
With 25 years commercial and data analytics leadership experience, James has contributed to thegrowth and transformation of dozens of organisations across multiple sectors. He has a track record of translating ideas into powerful data and analytics initiatives, and has specialist experience in, data strategy, customer analytics, advanced analytics and AI, location planning, target marketing, technology strategy, consumer research, data literacy, and the monetisation of new products and services.
James began his career in retail and real estate. He led the market strategy function at Dixons Retail (Currys), marketing and spatial analytics consulting at Experian, analytics consulting at Starcount, and worked as Head of Analytics and Insight at intu where he established the UK’s largest shopping centre owner’s data and insight capabilities, with a focus on consumer and tenant performance across its 17 high profile destinations.
Prior to joining the team, James worked as a freelance Chief Data Officer, supporting major retail and real estate organisations, and was Product & Strategy Director at data strategy specialists, Carruthers & Jackson.
He has a passion for the better use of data and insight to improve customer experience and decision making in the retail and built environment sectors.
Outside of work, he loves to escape to the countryside or beach with his family and overexcitable dog, tries to stay fit, and writes about data leadership.
Patrick works with retailers, commercial developments, airports and investors.
Patrick has considerable consulting as well as operational experience, across space planning, retail strategy, consumer insights and brand development. With a global client base, Patrick has experience in most continents, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia. Patrick focuses on maximising the value of retail assets, with significant interaction across architect, leasing, marketing and property teams.
Having joined the team in 2015, Patrick has gained wide-ranging experience across all of Pragma’s capabilities and divisions. Prior to joining Pragma, Patrick worked for CBRE and Harper Dennis Hobbs, having graduated from University College London. Patrick has also spent time as a retail strategy consultant in Australia and as Operations Director for a high-growth retailer.
Patrick is highly experienced in the development and oversight of statistical models to forecast financial performance and optimise space configuration. He has a strong understanding of the consumer, as well as the latest in international trends and benchmarking, and how to apply these to global commercial developments.
Outside of the office, Patrick remains very keen on global travel, and can also often be found either swimming outside somewhere, on his bike or on the golf course.
Matthew focuses on building commercial strategies for airports globally.
Matthew joined from London Luton Airport where he was the commercial development manager, specialising in developing and maintaining London Luton airport’s commercial retail strategy, harnessing his experience in revenue modelling, master planning and account management.
Matthew, prior to London Luton Airport, worked in travel retail and retail consultancy, having worked with international airports throughout the world and supported international brands acquire space within the travel retail industry. Matthew’s strengths come from his background in Data Analysis, Consumer Trends, Revenue Forecasting and Account Management.
All things sport keep Matthew occupied outside of the office with interests in rowing, triathlons and cricket to name but a few. Matthew loves to travel; however, it is advised not to fly with him due to his excitement of visiting a new airport retail area.
After graduating from Leicester De Montfort University where he studied Architecture, Graham joined Gordon Benoy & Partners in 1974 and, following a management buy-out in 1992, became CEO until 2016.
Graham is a passionate supporter of British design and a fervent champion of international trade. He has worked alongside UK and international Prime Ministers, Cabinet Ministers and numerous dignitaries in furthering the work of British business overseas. Today, Graham maintains his global network via multiple roles including Honorary Member, 48 Group Club; former Vice Chairman, China-Britain Business Council (CBBC); Board Advisor, UK-India Business Council; Board Member, Infrastructure Exports UK (IE:UK) and Board Member, Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire LEP (D2N2.
In 2007, Graham and his family established a grant-making charitable trust that supports tangible, lasting projects in building, sustainability, community and education. A firm believer in education, The Domlal Foundation has supported projects from Nottinghamshire to India and Vietnam.
In 2008, Graham was honoured by The Queen with a CBE for services to architecture and charity. He also holds an Honorary Doctorate of Design from De Montfort University, given in recognition of his achievements in architecture and business. He is also a Doctor of Architecture honoris causa from the University of Nottingham.
With a varied and international background spanning real estate, retail and investment, Tom is driven by a passion to change the world through design. Appointed CEO in 2016, his vision is shaped by the desire to leave a positive, lasting legacy for people, places and the built environment, underpinned by economic prosperity, social wellbeing and sustainable developments.
As CEO, Tom has created a global family of integrated design businesses within Handley House. Once a stand-alone firm, Benoy now operates alongside Pragma, Holmes Wood and Uncommon Land, benefitting from a range of complementary disciplines and collaborative opportunities. Tom has also overseen the company’s shift into new service areas, including wider mixed-use and masterplanning schemes, and its expansion into new sectors, such as aviation. This strategic redirection has led to landmark project wins, such as Terminal 4 and Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore; ICONSIAM, Thailand and Royalmount, Canada.
Tom is hands-on and engaged in his role, working alongside clients to help them realise their ambitions. Drawing on his past experience, he understands and helps to bring together the core components of successful design solutions – solutions which deliver longevity and value for clients, shareholders and wider stakeholders.
Laura is Group Brand Director.
An experienced marketing and communications professional, Laura has over 20 years’ know-how of strategic planning, business development, employee engagement, stakeholder relations, PR, events and issues management.
Prior to joining Handley House in 2017, Laura was Director of Communications at London Business School. She began her career working agency side for notable organisations including Weber Shandwick, Hill & Knowlton and Freud Communications.
Laura studied History at Goldsmiths, University of London.
She is a Member of The Marketing Society and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
Dawn is Group Talent Director.
A specialist in providing integration, transformation and change projects to global professional service firms, Dawn has been with Handley House since 2018.
Dawn was a consultant for nearly 10 years, working in the areas of talent management and leadership development, coaching and change management.
Prior to this, Dawn has held key roles including Head of Organisational Effectiveness at Gowling WLG UK and Director of Learning and Development at Holman Fenwick William LLP.
Dawn is an experienced OD and Talent Director and Board member.
Neil is Group Finance Director.
Prior to joining Handley House in 2018, Neil partnered with the CEO of Olswang LLP to secure the iconic, tripartite merger with Nabarro LLP and CMS LLP to form the sixth largest global law firm. Prior to joining Olswang LLP, he was integral to the merger of EC Harris LLP, as Chief Financial Officer, into Arcadis NV which created a leading global built asset consultancy which now employs 28,000 professionals with a turnover of over €3.0 billion.
Neil is a regular conference speaker and has worked with organisations such as Innovation Enterprise, Global Business Events, The Executive Network, KNect365, Corporate Parity, World Finance Forum, ExecLN and Richmond Events. He has also contributed to and written articles for Finance Director, Accountancy Age, The CFO, The Economist and Reed Finance.
Neil is a a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants and the Institute of Directors.
