Revitalising our Town and City Centres 2026

Caring and collaborative in spirit, bringing people together is Chithra Marsh's get-out-of-bed purpose. As former National Chair of Women in Property, she hopes to leave an indelible mark on the property industry with her commitment to “bringing people into focus”. With nearly three decades of experience as an architect, in her role as a director at Buttress Architects she leads on community regeneration projects, including those funded through Levelling Up alongside the “Community” and social value areas of the practice’s B Corp business strategy. EDI principles are threaded throughout her career and in her volunteer roles with Women in Property and the RIBA (Regional and National Councils and co-chair of the NW EDI Committee), supporting an equitable profession. For the last fifteen years, she has also been a strategic ambassador for PLACED, a social enterprise specialising in place education and engagement. Most recently she has become a supporter and mentor with the Future of Greater Manchester and the Diverse Voices programme. Marsh was named EDI Champion of the Year at the 2024 Property Week 'Inspiring Women in Property' Awards.

As founder & co-owner of the Sheila Bird Studio, Atul Bansal lives by his motto, “love what you do,” bringing energy, care, and creativity to every project. With 35 years of experience, he has shaped vibrant, high-performing workspaces and cultural environments that inspire engagement and deliver lasting value for clients. Bansal believes that creativity is at the heart of successful spaces; designed with care and joy naturally encourage collaboration, focus, learning, and social connection. His work creates environments where people thrive, communities flourish, and brands come to life.

Ingall is the chairman, CEO, and founder of Allied London, an award-winning multi-platform real estate investment, development and services group. He has earned a reputation for tackling complex, difficult and pioneering developments, as well as the restoration of listed historic buildings and iconic landmarks. Ingall’s ability to blend vision with technical and financial skills has established Allied London as a leader and authority in the area of complex city centre redevelopment.

Watson is responsible for the leadership of economic growth and housing, property and strategic asset management, and health and safety. This includes leadership of the council’s significant growth and strategic investment programme, of which the Southport Town Deal (including the Marine Lake Events Centre) and the future of Bootle town centre (including the revitalisation of the Strand and Salt & Tar) are priority parts. His professional background is in corporate strategy, finance and investment, and mergers and acquisitions, having previously held executive roles and board positions in the private sector in both the UK and Canada.

O'Neill is a highly accomplished public sector leader with over two decades of experience in economic development, regeneration, strategic planning and delivery of front-line services. Currently serving as the executive director of place at Barnsley Council, O'Neill provides strategic leadership across a wide portfolio including economic regeneration, planning, housing, culture, zero carbon initiatives, waste, neighbourhoods, highways, assets, environment, transport, communities and regulatory services.