Host

Chanté Bohitige

Senior Reporter, UK, CoStar News

Chanté is an experienced financial news and business reporter. She joined CoStar News as a Senior Reporter in July 2025.

In her previous role she was a reporter at business-to-business title TMT Finance, where she covered M&A and equity capital markets in digital infrastructure across the Americas region. Prior to this, Chanté was a reporter on the London and offices beat at Estates Gazette.

Avison Young Experts

Chris Pilgrim

Managing Director and Head of Capital Markets UK

Chris is a Principal at Avison Young, leading global capital markets strategy. With nearly 20 years’ experience, he has advised on over $10B in real estate investments across EMEA and APAC. Chris specializes in cross-border capital deployment, equity placement, and large-scale transactions, maintaining strong relationships with global investors. He is recognised for driving strategic growth, deal origination, and connecting capital with opportunities across major markets and asset classes worldwide.

James Walker

Head of London Office Leasing

James has over 20 years’ experience in the London leasing market. Skilled in working with landlords, developers and occupiers in providing leasing, acquisition, and development advice.

He has an exceptional track record across London in advising owners and occupiers on their commercial real estate assets.

Laura Jenkinson

Principal, Planning Consultancy

Laura is Principal within Avison Young’s planning consultancy team and has almost 20 years of planning experience. Joining in 2015, she has worked on a variety of projects throughout central and outer London. Laura is currently involved in a range of projects, including large scale commercial developments, leisure/ stadia projects, major mixed use developments and other high density developments including within London, the south east and beyond.

David Jones

Managing Director, Business Rates

David is the Managing Director of Avison Young’s national Business Rates team, overseeing a market-leading group of 80 professionals based across the UK. Under his leadership, the team delivers expert business rates advice to a wide range of clients, including occupiers, landlords, investors, and developers, with strong representation across both the public and private sectors.

Steven Mason

Managing Director, Building & Project Consultancy (London)

Steven is an established business leader with over 30 years of experience in the construction industry. Prior to joining Avison Young, Steven was the Managing Director of the Cost and Commercial Consultancy business at Mace Group, where he was responsible for the strategic direction and provision of cost consultancy services for over 23 years. Steven has provided cost, commercial and procurement advice on a broad range of project types that includes commercial, residential, regeneration, retail, leisure, and health schemes for both public and private sector clients.

Emma Berry

Head of Operations - Real Estate Management, Facilities Management and Infrastructure Management

Emma is a Principal and Head of Operations for Real Estate, Facilities, and Infrastructure Management at Avison Young. With over 14 years of industry experience, Emma is passionate about delivering innovative, client-focused solutions that enhance asset performance and foster long-term, sustainable relationships. She plays a key role in driving operational excellence and supporting clients through strategic, forward-thinking approaches. A champion for inclusion and collaboration, Emma is a founding member of Avison Young’s U.K. Women’s Network, Empower, advocating for greater equity across the industry.