The Line up
Ian Emmerson - Director - Carey Jones Chapman Tolcher (CJCT)
Having been with the Practice for over 5 years. A graduate of the University of Liverpool, Ian has been instrumental in shaping and delivering a diverse portfolio of projects at CJCT, with notable schemes in Leeds including The Junction, Leeds I & Leeds II, Beck Yard and Kirkstall Road.
The Junction, located in Leeds and delivered for City Developments Limited, is a landmark Build to Rent (BtR) development comprising 665 apartments set around a publicly accessible elevated park atop the historic Monk Bridge viaduct. Designed and led by CJCT, the scheme transforms a once-overlooked Victorian structure into a defining feature, integrating commercial space and unique public realm into the city’s fabric. The development realises the viaduct’s potential, converting it into a high-line-style linear park that connects with the broader Wellington Place masterplan, extending the city south and west and breathing life into a former industrial area.
The scheme comprises five distinct buildings ranging from 10 to 22 storeys, each featuring tailored amenities including communal lounges and private dining areas. Sustainability and buildability were embedded from the outset, with early adoption of BIM and local contractor engagement shaping a high-quality, phased delivery. The scheme not only unlocked the site’s viability but also catalysed further investment, with adjacent sites now supporting over 960 additional homes.
Praised by Leeds City Council as “the most exciting scheme to be brought before this committee in my 30 years as chair,” The Junction has rapidly become a vibrant residential hub and a celebrated example of heritage-led placemaking. The project has garnered multiple industry recognitions and stands as a model for innovative, community-focused urban renewal.
Sara Dawes - Regional Technical Sales Manager, UK Masonry - Leviat
Sara has been with Leviat for nearly 12 years where she has developed her career from initially working in the post-order design team, to then moving into the pre-order technical team, and now based in the major projects team, working on large-scale residential and commercial builds. Along with helping to get Leviat products specified, she spends her working day doing design and site meetings as well as CPDs.
Sara will be presenting Skinner Street. The nearly completed Skinner Street development in Leeds introduces a distinctive addition to the city’s skyline. However, its unconventional façade presented several challenges in designing an effective masonry support system.
In her presentation, Sara will outline Leviat’s initial approach to the project and the development of an optimal brick support strategy. She will address key complexities, including the curved façade and how the support system was adapted to accommodate its geometry. Additional topics include the treatment of projecting masonry over the suspended link section, managing pipe penetrations near the slab edge, and integrating the support system within the building’s slim structural profile.
Alex Whitbread - Partner - Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Alex Whitbread is a Partner at FCBStudios, where he leads the mixed-use sector with a focus on urban design, regeneration, and large-scale city centre developments. He has extensive experience in workspace, higher education, residential and cultural building typologies, which helps him in the design of robust and deliverable masterplanning strategies. Alex has particular experience of contexts that include Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings and has played a key role in regeneration schemes across the UK, including Circle Square in Manchester, Heart of the City Sheffield and Globe Point in Leeds.
Globe Point is a distinctive flat iron building marking the gateway to Leeds’ Temple district. Offering five floors of next-generation, flexible workspace, it has been recognised with a BREEAM Excellent rating, WiredScore Platinum and a NABERS 4.5 rating.
Responding to a complex site, its crafted brick form references Leeds’ first flat iron building while meeting the city with confidence and character. A vibrant café kitchen and lounge activate the ground floor, creating a social hub close to the station. With generous terraces and panoramic views, Globe Point delivers high-performance architecture that is both environmentally responsible and deeply rooted in place.
Mick Heir - Senior Quality Manager - Marlborough Brickwork Limited
Mick will be presenting Springwell Gardens, a striking 250-apartment development near Leeds city centre, known for its bold stepped design and expert brick craftsmanship.
With over 40 years’ experience in the construction industry Mick previously worked at Carillion, where he served as Senior Masonry Advisor, overseeing the design and construction of masonry to ensure full compliance with British Standards and best practices. Mick holds an Advanced Craft in Brickwork, a Diploma in CIOB Site Management, and a BTEC HNC in Building Studies. He is a member of the CIOB and sits on the judging panel for the Association of Brickwork Subcontractors annual awards.
Mick brings deep technical knowledge and a passion for quality and safety, developed over decades on site.
