Tom Atherton
Strategic Finance

Non-Executive Director. The President and Chief Operating Officer for a major UK PLC on the FTSE 250 index, Tom is helping us choose the right investment strategy and financial partners.

Tom is a chartered accountant who has worked for Dairy Crest Group plc since 2005, his latest promotion following the acquisition of Dairy Crest by Saputo in April 2019. He is a member of the Board of Dairy UK and a member of Business in the Community’s Finance and Risk Committee. He has previously held senior finance positions in Logica plc and Thorn plc.

Vanessa Charles
Housing Management

Non-Executive Director. Currently Operations Manager for a public sector organisation leading bid writing and managing funding. Vanessa will advise us on which homes to build and how to run them.

Vanessa has a post-graduate diploma in Housing Studies and has worked for two leading Housing Associations in the South East. She has been involved in a number of high profile projects including the Rough Sleepers Initiative and the Private Sector Leasing Scheme for homeless families. She has managed housing in London, Kent and Brighton and so knows the challenges intimately.

Hugh Dennis
Acquisition and Strategy

Founder and Managing Director. Hugh has run architecture practices and property development companies for the past 20 years (he is currently also a director of Urban View and of Rosefield Group).

Hugh brings together his experience in construction, property and design to disrupt the failing status quo that has brought about the housing crisis. His background in construction and ecological building design, along with his architectural training and knowledge of property development informs how Little Ships can maximise the social, aesthetic and financial benefit of their target sites.

Carol Duncumb
Governance

Independent Advisor. Carol is an experienced Non Executive Director and Business Mentor, with a proven track record of developing owner managed businesses in consumer technology.

With over 30 years experience of growing, managing and selling businesses with notable successes, Carol has strong interpersonal ability, negotiation, Business Planning and development, Building Sales and Marketing Strategy skills. At Little Ships, Carol acts as a key mentor and advisor to the board and leadership team

Richard Hoile
Project Management

Non-Executive Director. A working partner at a leading project management and surveying practice, responsible for large infrastructure  projects, Richard will help us organise and build our projects efficiently.

Richard has recently completed the enabling works for over 1,000 apartments to be built above an active post office in central London. He is a collaborative team player, an effective mediator and a dynamic negotiator when faced with complex and difficult construction problems.

Rupert Maitland
Development and Construction

Non-Executive Director. An experienced construction and property professional with a long track record in delivering construction and housing projects across a very wide range of sectors, Rupert will be helping us deliver our projects on time and to budget.

As comfortable with multi-million pound new-build projects as he is with the smaller refurbishment sites, Rupert understands the intricacies required for each type of project and, as a qualified Quantity Surveyor, has a very cost-focussed approach. As a self-made property developer, he also knows what it is like to put one’s own money into projects as well as the importance of obtaining an income stream at the earliest opportunity.

Bill Murray
Communications

Non-Executive Director. A public relations specialist and lobbyist Bill assists us with communications planning and engagement. With a background in major schemes he advises developers and design practices on business development initiatives. Bill relishes assisting Little Ships with its future plans and wider media strategy.

Bill currently also provides PR advice to regional and national developers on large commercial-led projects, advising on a range of urban regeneration and mixed use residential led projects. Helping professionals and the general public understand complicated and difficult projects is a key part of Bill's role, whilst steering his clients through the necessary scrutiny that accompanies high profile projects in the media and the planning process.

Kate Olley
Legal Counsel

Non-Executive Director. An established and highly experienced Barrister specialising in land use and planning matters, Kate will help us negotiate planning, property, public and environmental law.
She is valued for her judgment, good legal sense, the clarity of her advocacy and written advice, and for her approachability and excellent client care. In her planning work Kate acts for both developers and local authorities at planning inquiries and hearings and in the High Court and Court of Appeal.

James Stevens
Acquisition and Growth

Non-Executive Director. A C-level executive with extensive commercial experience across FTSE & Fortune100 organisations and various successful start-ups, James will build our relationships with land owning public sector bodies in the UK, and abroad.

James’s leadership track record has seen him heading teams across EMEA, US and Asia Pacific with national and international organisations, giving him a depth and breadth of hands-on experience across management consultancy, sales & marketing, and product development. He is an entrepreneur with a passion for leading teams to deliver success both at a country level and internationally.

Brent Taggart
Strategy and Growth

Non-Executive Director. A seasoned, international C-level executive for technology sector start-ups as well as established businesses, Brent is helping us develop and maintain a viable business model.

Brent has been the Financial Director for a $250m pan-European business unit, Head of Strategy and Planning through two IPOs (Equant 1998, Promethean World 2010), a PwC management consultant, and interim Cheif Operating Officer for a €20m run-rate EdTech company growing at 60% per annum.