The Team

David is a nationally recognised expert in housing-led regeneration with over 20 years of experience as an award-winning residential developer, CEO and advisor. As the founder and CEO of Placefirst, he built the company into a multi-award-winning development business, transforming over 1,500 derelict homes into vibrant, affordable rental communities. Under his leadership, Placefirst became a market leader in creating sustainable, design-led housing solutions, before its successful sale to a private equity fund in 2020. Following this, David established Place Capital Group, applying his expertise to support local governments and housing associations in delivering transformative regeneration projects in underserved and failing housing markets.

As CEO of Place Capital Group, David leads the business with a clear focus on growth, innovation, and impact. He oversees strategic direction, team leadership, and operational development, ensuring the company continues to deliver projects that combine design innovation with financial viability. With deep financial and market acumen, David blends strategic vision with hands-on expertise to deliver viable, aspirational developments that set new benchmarks in placemaking and sustainability.

Peter is an experienced leader with expertise in corporate finance, strategic development, and business growth. As chair of Place Capital Group, Peter draws on his wealth of experience to help the business innovate and grow.

His career spans over 20 years in corporate finance, advising UK and international clients, including private equity firms, and co-founding the corporate advisory firm Anvil Partners. In 1999, Peter became a founding shareholder of Tribal Group, driving its rapid growth through acquisitions.

He later led its subsidiary Mercury Health, overseeing its successful sale in 2007, before serving as Group Chief Executive of Tribal Group until 2011. After Tribal Group, Peter co-founded Placefirst with David Smith-Milne, focusing on transformative housing projects. He also holds three non-executive directorships, cementing his role as a trusted advisor and strategist.

Gerry is a highly experienced real estate professional with over 35 years in the sector, including as former CEO of GVA and European Chief of Avison Young. Passionate about the transformative power of real estate to create positive societal impacts and improve lives, he holds several Non-Executive positions and has been awarded an Honorary Professorship at Queen’s University Belfast.

A visionary strategist and accomplished leader, Gerry specialises in leading multi-disciplinary teams in placemaking, guiding projects from strategy development to delivery. He was a pioneer in advancing public/private partnership delivery models in the UK and developing innovative financial structures to deliver complex projects.

As a Non-Executive Director, Gerry leverages his extensive expertise to drive internal growth and identify external opportunities that move the business forward.

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Eleanor is Project Director at Place Capital Group, overseeing all project and development delivery. A chartered project manager with extensive expertise, she excels in managing large and complex programmes. Previously at Buro Four, Eleanor has delivered a diverse range of challenging and sensitive projects for both private and public sectors, managing over £500 million in capital works. Her portfolio spans new builds, refurbishments, redevelopments, listed and civic buildings, education, and arts and culture projects.

Eleanor ensures the Group’s project management framework is robustly applied across all programmes. She brings deep expertise in project governance, programme management, NEC contract administration, stakeholder engagement, live-environment delivery, and public funding streams. By leveraging this knowledge, Eleanor ensures efficient project execution, adherence to timelines, and delivery of objectives aligned with each client’s programme.

As Development Director at Place Capital Group, Frank oversees the Group’s development management services, working with clients to deliver transformative regeneration projects.

Frank brings over 30 years of leadership and delivery experience within corporate and blue-chip environments, spanning sectors including housing, education, public buildings, student and elderly accommodation. Prior to Place Capital Group, Frank held senior leadership roles with Placefirst and Keepmoat Regeneration, where he consistently demonstrated his ability to innovate and scale new business ventures.

Frank has extensive expertise in contract bids, negotiations, and partnership development under JCT, PFI, JV, and development agreements. His leadership includes aligning supply chain strategies with business objectives, enhancing delivery, and fostering value-added partnerships.

David is the Managing Director of MCAU, the Group’s award-winning team of architects and urban designers. With 25 years of experience across the built environment, David has delivered projects spanning regeneration, housing, mixed-use developments, heritage repurposing, and education. Having held board-level roles in international practices and worked client-side, he brings specialist expertise in housing across all tenures, town centre regeneration, and transformational estate renewal. Notable achievements include leading his team to deliver the multiple award-winning Silk Street scheme for Manchester City Council, the city’s first net zero and low-carbon social housing project.

David is known for his hands-on approach, seamlessly integrating design, placemaking, and technical expertise throughout a project’s lifecycle. His work champions place-shaping principles that reduce carbon impact, minimise waste, and enhance health and wellbeing. Committed to driving positive change, David ensures quality of life is central to the work of MCAU.

As Operations Director at Place Capital Group, Vicky is responsible for overseeing the central business functions, including operations, IT, HR, marketing, and facilities, ensuring seamless day-to-day activities across the Group.

With over 18 years of experience in operational and commercial leadership, marketing, and project management within the regeneration and housing sectors, Vicky has a proven track record of driving performance and growth. Prior to joining PCG, Vicky held senior roles at Placefirst and was a fundamental part of the multi-award-winning development business, transforming over 1,500 derelict homes into vibrant, affordable rental communities.

Vicky initially led the integration of Fourth Street into PCG as Managing Director, establishing the frameworks and processes needed to improve performance, Group integration and reporting mechanisms. Now as Operations Director, she focuses on optimising operational strategy and budgets and allocating resources to align with the Group's strategic growth objectives and business success.

As Director of Fourth Street, part of the Group’s design arm alongside MCAU, Jim leads place-led advisory services to drive transformational development. With over 25 years of experience advising on leisure, cultural, and heritage destinations globally, he combines creative vision with financial discipline to deliver strategies and business cases that balance market realities with innovative ambition. Jim’s expertise in heritage-led placemaking and regeneration has shaped numerous impactful projects, including the £11m restoration of Swindon’s Grade II* Health Hydro, where he authored the business case and oversees phased delivery.

A founding director of Fourth Street and former director at Colliers International plc, Jim has a proven track record of advancing complex projects that blend cultural and historical significance while ensuring sustainable outcomes. Beyond his professional endeavours, Jim lends his time and expertise to several non-executive roles, contributing to the wider community and sector development.

Dan is the founder and Managing Director of Paper Films, a subsidiary of Place Capital Group. With a background in journalism and as a former founding partner of SKV Communications in Manchester, Dan leads a full-service film and documentary production team. Passionate about pushing creative boundaries, he and his team craft powerful, compelling films that help clients tell their stories and achieve their goals.

Dan’s influence extends beyond filmmaking. A dedicated advocate for Manchester’s creative scene, he mentors aspiring filmmakers and shares his expertise through workshops and talks. Driven by a belief in storytelling’s ability to build bridges, ignite conversations, and inspire change, Dan remains committed to making a lasting impact both on and off the screen.