We understand how high streets and town centres work
We bring experience and insight to every project, building trusted relationships with clients, stakeholders, and partners.
Our team
Together we provide comprehensive support for destination, town centre and high street regeneration.
Attis brings together a range of independent specialists to help you address the specific challenges of your place.
Our Director Team cover vital elements such as strategic positioning, place management, economic modelling, public realm, BID formation, place-making, the night-time economy, security, destination branding and marketing.
Our additional specialities include staff recruitment, training and tourism and other specific expertise to meet your needs.
Directors
Paul Barnes
Strategic Positioning and Community Engagement
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Paul is a strategic advisor in retail, hospitality, and planning with 25 years of experience. He has worked with Business Improvement Districts in London's West End and major regeneration projects like Regent Street and North West Cambridge, emphasising strategic thinking and local engagement.
Gary Reeves
Partnership and Governance
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Gary is an expert in Business Improvement Districts and Town Centre Management with 25 years in retail and property. Former CEO of New West End Company and Property Director at Bluewater, he prioritises balancing stakeholder needs with commercial sustainability.
Dan Johnson
Placemaking and Public Realm
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Dan specialises in placemaking and public realm design, transport planning, and sustainability. He led major projects such as the transformation of Leicester Square, transport planning for Oxford Street, and regeneration of Charing Cross Road, focusing on attractive, comfortable, and accessible destinations.
Hugh Stevenson
Place Branding and Marketing
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Hugh is a place branding and marketing expert. Managing Partner of a brand agency, he works across sectors like infrastructure and healthcare. His projects include East West Rail and Vauxhall One BID, focusing on bridging strategy and creative expression.
Tony Nash
Safety and Security
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Tony is an expert in safety and security planning, crisis management, and resilience. Former senior police officer, he co-founded My Local Bobby and consulted for ExCeL, with experience in international police advisory roles and understanding community challenges.
Leighton de Burca
Night-time Economy
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Leighton is a specialist in the night-time economy and 24-hour place regeneration. He has 10 years of experience in retail and community-led projects like the Old Market Quarter regeneration in Bristol, focusing on communication and partnership for a safe environment.
Carlos Kytka
Special Projects
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Carlos is a special projects expert with experience in hotel management, recruitment, and tourism associations. He assisted with the tourism industry's reopening guide, London's West End Christmas Lights, and corporate security procedures, focusing on innovative solutions.
Partners
Alexander Jan
Economic Research and Policy
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Alexander is an expert in economic issues facing major cities, including planning, transport, and real estate. He is a non-executive chair of BIDs, Chief Economic Advisor to the London Property Alliance, and former Chief Economist at Arup.
Chrissie Farley
Diversity and Inclusion
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Chrissie is a diversity and inclusion expert, with over 30 years in education and leadership consultancy. She advocates for equality, mentors leaders, and designs inclusive curricula, emphasising partnerships and creating environments where everyone can succeed.
Diane Wehrle
Intelligence and Insights
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Diane is an expert in intelligence and insights on retail and destination performance. She established footfall analytics and created a UK retail benchmark, transforming data into actionable insights for BIDs, destinations, and businesses.
Duncan Stewart
Customer Insights
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Duncan’s expertise lie in customer insights with over 25 years of experience across various sectors. He provides clear insights for clients like Anglian Water and Scotland Food and Drink, working in partnership to achieve business goals.
Paul Cornwell
Facilities, Asset & Operational Management
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Paul is a seasoned leader in facilities, asset, and operational management. He has a 24-year track record, including ESG initiatives at JLL and managing portfolios for UHNW families, focusing on efficiency and sustainability.
Jackie Bedford
Recruitment and Skills
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Expert in recruitment, employability, and training, Jackie is the CEO of Step Ahead. She delivers programs like Westminster Works and partners with Landsec for staffing solutions, also contributing as a speaker and career advisor.
Jace Tyrrell
Global Cities and Capital Investment
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Jace is an expert in global cities and capital investment, fundraising, and destination partnerships. He led London's investment initiatives, established Australia's first "Improvement District," and managed significant destination marketing strategies and customer insights projects.
Kate Nightingale
Behavioural Strategy and Design
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Kate is an expert in behavioral strategy and design, consumer behavior, and customer experience. She works on global store concepts and brand repositioning, focusing on subconscious decisions and creating strategic taps into people's brains.
Katie Blake
Destination Promotion
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Katie is an expert in destination promotion, creating vibrant and successful places by harnessing tourism. Her projects include Battersea Power Station launch and London's West End initiatives, with a focus on clear goals and creative delivery.
Pete Bowyer
Public Affairs and Political Communication (Labour)
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Pete is an expert in public affairs and political communication, focusing on tax-free shopping, government relations, and campaigning. He co-founded the Association of International Retail and currently advises Keir Starmer's team.
Shaeren McKenzie
Strategic Consultant and Communication
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Shaeren is a strategic consultant in brand development and retail marketing with over 30 years of international experience. She has held C-suite leadership roles and developed brand partnerships and consumer insight programs, focusing on strategic communication.
Esther Worboys
Stakeholder Engagement Market Consultancy
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Esther is an expert in stakeholder engagement and market consultancy, advising on market redevelopment and town center events. She is an expert member of the High Street Task Force, focusing on community needs and commercial viability.
Jim Eccleston
Insights and Market Research Specialist
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Jim is an expert in insights and market research with over 30 years of experience. He specialises in travel and tourism research, delivering solutions-oriented findings with implications for business growth and achievement.
Kurt Janson
Tourism Policy
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Kurt is an expert in tourism policy and strategy, with experience in government relations and strategy development. He held roles at Tourism New Zealand, VisitBritain, and the Tourism Alliance, focusing on policy and strategic planning.
Sarah Clover
Planning and Licensing
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Barrister for 27 years, Sarah is an expert in town planning and licensing for the hospitality industry. She founded NEXSTART and advises on licensing regulations, emphasising navigating the regulatory labyrinth and addressing issues like noise nuisance.
Steph Handley
Chartered General Practice Surveyor
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Steph is a Chartered General Practice Surveyor with 30 years in the property industry. She focuses on sustainable solutions for workspace and environment improvement, leading net-zero carbon strategies and public realm masterplans.