People & culture

George Downing is the Founder and Chairman of Downing Group. He has led the company to become one of the UK’s largest privately owned property investment and development firms. George has shaped Downing into a fully integrated real estate business, managing everything from development opportunities and funding to planning, construction, and property management.

As a pioneer in the PBSA sector, George has overseen the company’s growth for over 35 years. Downing has delivered real estate projects worth more than £3.5bn and maintains a development pipeline of over £1.6bn.

Sally, an innovative and inspirational leader, has been pivotal in the growth and success of Downing Group. As CEO, she has successfully guided the company through the completion of over £3 billion worth of projects. Sally’s extensive experience ensures that Downing Group remains a market leader, as she oversees branding, design concepts, and key commercial and international relationships to drive the business forward.

In her role as CEO, Sally plays a crucial part in all operational aspects, including Accounts and HR. She is dedicated to exploring the latest technology and business systems to keep the company ahead of the curve.

Bay Downing oversees the family office investments for the Downing Group, a leading privately owned property company in the UK. Established in 1987, Downing Group has successfully delivered over £3.5 billion in residential and mixed-use projects and has a strong £1.65 billion development pipeline.

In his role as Investment Director, Bay is tasked with identifying and assessing investment strategies and opportunities that align with the Group’s goals. His extensive experience has provided him with a profound understanding of the property market. Bay is also committed to enhancing the company’s ESG initiatives, serving as Director of On-Site Energy, a Downing Group company dedicated to helping energy-intensive manufacturers meet their sustainability targets.

Paul brings over 35 years of expertise in delivering complex urban regeneration projects across the UK’s major cities. As Development Director at Downing for more than 20 years, he has led the development of over £1.7bn in PBSA schemes and facilitated the construction of over 500,000 sq ft of educational buildings for universities. Paul leads a team of highly skilled specialists dedicated to managing Downing’s future development pipeline, valued at £1.5bn, with a strong emphasis on cost certainty, programme certainty, risk management, and quality assurance. His exceptional ability to secure major inner-city sites and navigate the intricate planning process has resulted in a flawless track record of planning approvals and successful project completions.

Simon has been the Chief Financial Officer at Downing since 2008, expertly guiding the Group’s financial strategy. He oversees all financial operations, including strategic planning, financing, asset management, business planning, and reporting.

With extensive experience, Simon has led the financial, structural, and legal efforts to secure equity through joint ventures and co-investment funds and has managed various property portfolio disposals. On the debt side, he has successfully arranged over £1.5 billion in development and investment funding from a wide range of bank and non-bank sources, ensuring robust financial hedging and compliance with funding covenants.

Simon has built a top-tier finance team at Downing, establishing the strategic framework for the Group’s growth through meticulous project evaluation, financial planning, and performance forecasting.

Before joining Downing, Simon developed his skills as a chartered accountant with KPMG, specializing in audit and corporate finance. He then moved into commercial finance roles in publicly listed companies and a national developer/housebuilder.

John brings over 35 years of asset management experience across the UK to Downing, where he joined in 2005 to build a team of multi-disciplined facility and asset management professionals. Before his time at Downing, he managed the Corporate and Investment Property Estate at Liverpool City Council, specializing in landlord and tenant matters. At Downing, John has overseen portfolios valued at over £1 billion, covering the PBSA, commercial, and residential sectors, with new assets continually being added. He leads a versatile and pragmatic team, adept at tackling new challenges with a strong focus on sustainability and energy performance management.

Ian has vast experience across the property and construction sector. Prior to his non-executive role, Ian spent 24 years at Downing where he headed up our construction arm.  Today, he works closely with the team to advise on new developments.

Lindsey is responsible for overseeing tax structuring and compliance at Downing, ensuring that tax efficiency is a key component of both acquisition strategies and disposal plans. She leads the tax compliance function, focusing on due diligence and smooth transaction handovers. Lindsey also manages audit processes and oversees the preparation of statutory accounts.

Before joining Downing in 2016, Lindsey was a Director at KPMG, where she led the North-West Property Tax team. Her portfolio included REITs, listed property groups, and a variety of privately owned property developers, investors, and construction firms. Lindsey holds qualifications as a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser.

Tariq has been an integral part of Downing since July 2009, leading residential operations and customer relations. He ensures asset management aligns with strategic business plans, focusing on enhancing the resident experience and achieving outstanding business results. Tariq has been pivotal in mobilizing residential communities, totalling over 20,000 beds.

With over 15 years of experience in the residential rental sector, Tariq excels in strategic leadership and operations management. He has a deep understanding of growth strategy, business planning, and market entry. Known for building high-performing teams, Tariq oversees the customer experience and daily operations of Downing’s residential platforms. He is dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and continuously improving through customer insights.

Tariq’s leadership contributed to Downing winning the prestigious ‘Operator of the Year’ award at the Property Week Awards, underscoring the company’s strategic approach and customer focus.

Michelle brings nearly 20 years of expertise in the PBSA sector, with a distinguished record of accomplishments across diverse industries. She is a visionary strategist and adept manager, recognized for refining operations, enhancing commercial performance, cultivating talented teams, and driving growth in sales and revenue.

As an engaged leader, Michelle excels in inspiring her team and formulating integrated market strategies that uncover new opportunities. Her areas of expertise include leadership, sales, strategic planning, compliance, governance, and comprehensive project management.

Jade is an accomplished marketing strategist with over 15 years of experience in driving brand growth and enhancing customer engagement. She excels at attracting high-quality investments and customers through her innovative marketing campaigns. Jade is responsible for showcasing the unique value of the Group’s residential living assets, leveraging her expertise in digital marketing, market analysis, and consumer behaviour to develop strategies that optimize performance, revenue, and ROI.