LionHeart's Board of Trustees

CHAIR

Philippa Sampson-Bancroft FRICS

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Philippa has worked in housing, development and regeneration throughout her public sector career, qualifying as a Planning and Development surveyor in 2016 and achieving FRICS in 2024.  She currently works at Westminster City Council as the Head of Stakeholder Engagement and Transformation, in the Regeneration, Economy and Planning Directorate.

Philippa became particularly aware of LionHeart's work when she was preparing for her APC. She says: "As a trustee, I hope to support LionHeart's work both in helping as many people as possible through challenging times but also in building resilience in professionals to help prevent crisis. I'm honoured to to take on the role of chair of the LionHeart board; we have a great team of trustees who are committed to stewarding the charity and ensuring that we continue to support surveyors and their families in times of need."  

VICE CHAIR

Philip Nell MRICS

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Philip Nell has over 30 years’ experience in the real estate industry, spanning the private and public sectors. He is currently strategic director of the Place, Prosperity and Sustainability Directorate at Birmingham City Council, with previous roles at LaSalle Investment Management, Hermes Investment Management and Aviva Investors.

He is a former member of the Governance and the Regulations Committees of the Association of Real Estate Funds, the Build to Rent Sub-Committee of the British Property Federation, and the Academic Faculty of the Investment Property Forum. He is currently a member of the MSCI UK Client Group, the RICS Commercial Property Forum and Investment Property Forum.  
He says: "I look forward to using my experience to support my involvement with LionHeart's investment committee, as well as contribute to the lives of those in the surveying profession, and their loved ones."

Neil A'Bear MRICS FRSA

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Neil started his career working with Fund Managers on Fixed Income, Equities and Real Estate fund distribution before joining CBRE in 2017. During this time he gained an MSc in Real Estate Investment & Finance at Heriot Watt University, going on to become a Chartered Commercial Surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer in 2019.

He first became involved with LionHeart as an APC ambassador, having admitted he "over-studied to an unhealthy level" during the process himself.

He said: "I decided to become an ambassador having benefitted first-hand from the work LionHeart does. I had some excellent support and coaching which was integral to me passing my own APC."

He later sat as a co-opted member on LionHeart's investment committee for the past two years before becoming a full board member in December 2022.

Clare Clague MRICS

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Clare became a Chartered Commercial Property Surveyor in 2009 and has always had an interest in property and the built environment. She has extensive knowledge of the commercial property sector having worked in various Property Management, Landlord & Tenant and Lease Advisory roles in the North-West. In 2023 Clare became the Fundraising Manager at Chester Cathedral where she oversees all fundraising matters whilst developing key relationships with local businesses and supporters.

Clare says: "As a trustee of LionHeart I want to play a part in helping surveyors who may find themselves in need of advice or support. This incredible charity has transformed lives and will continue to do so. It is a privilege to be involved."

Dr Diane A Dumashie FRICS CEDR

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Diane currently serves as Vice President of the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) and has previously been on RICS Governing Council after many years on RICS regional and faculty boards and international expert group panels. 

Starting her career in commercial property management she moved into the retail and hospitality sector. She gained her doctorate in coastal land policy and business strategy before joining the development consultancy division at Grimly JR Eve. She then founded her own practice supporting UK public sector client organisations in property development and regeneration. Internationally she works across Africa, helping public sector and multilateral agencies to benefit local communities through land and economic development, and has also established 'Leadership 4 Change' programs to assist African professionals and community groups. 

She says: "The work LionHeart does is truly inspiring: the charity is an unsung hero of our profession. I look forward to contributing."

Simon is a chartered quantity surveyor and a director of Arbicon, specialising in dispute resolution, adjudication and mediation in the construction industry.

He said: "Having worked with Lionheart as a volunteer ambassador, I was pleased to be able to contribute to the charity further by joining the board of trustees. I hope to be able to assist in the delivery of the charity's strategic priorities and see LionHeart support more and more RICS members and their families."

Amy Leader, FRICS MAPM

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Amy began her career as a Building Surveyor, progressing on to Project and Programme Management, and is currently Partnership Director for NPS London.  Amy has been actively involved in the RICS since joining her local RICS Matrics group as a student; since then she has sat on several boards including the Transitional Governing Council.

She is currently an RICS East of England Judge and also an Assessor.

Amy is passionate about the concept of 'paying it forward' and says: "I am delighted to be appointed as a LionHeart trustee so that I can help support my fellow RICS professionals and their families."

Caroline Legg FRICS

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After graduation from Sheffield Hallam University in 1999, Caroline started her career in social housing development which provided a varied experience base to enable her to complete the RICS APC process. 

After qualification Caroline moved into residential survey and valuation work with Countrywide Surveyors in London, before moving back to her native Yorkshire with the same company. She now works as regional surveyor for Paragon Banking Group, recently being made FRICS partly in recognition for the contribution she has made to diversity and inclusion within the profession and for her service to LionHeart’s governance over a number of years.  

She initially became involved with LionHeart's work as one of our mental health ambassadors, and hopes to contribute further to work on wellbeing and mental health awareness as a trustee.

Sarah Sandbrook FCIPD

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Sarah is a Fellow of the Institute of Personnel and Development and has led HR functions and built teams both in the UK and internationally. She has experience of working with large corporates, SMEs and start-ups. She currently runs her own business, Hopdale Consultancy, providing strategic advice and support to a range of organisations.

Her connections to the surveying profession led to an awareness of LionHeart and the vital support it offers surveyors and their families at all stages of their careers.

She says:  "I've seen in my professional life how, in today's changing and challenging world, people can quite suddenly find themselves in difficulty. They can however, with the right support, get back on their feet.  It is a privilege being able to support the critical work LionHeart does in this field ."

James Williamson FCA

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James is a Chartered Accountant, and is the first trustee of LionHeart not to be a member of the RICS.

He spent much of his career working for an American multinational in financial and general management roles at European Director level and, before retirement, worked as a non-executive Finance Director for several small business across a broad range of industry sectors.

He has considerable experience of being a charity trustee as board member of two large Housing Association groups and as chair of the Shropshire Hills AONB and a trustee and Hon Treasurer of the National Association for AONBs.

He says: "For most of my career I gave nothing back to society and now in retirement get a huge amount of satisfaction helping those in less fortunate positions than myself."

Neil Worrall FRICS

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A qualified accountant as well as a chartered surveyor, Neil Worrall is a partner and head of asset management at Montagu Evans. He has more than 20 years' experience in UK real estate and has a keen interest in the importance of mental health, wellbeing, inclusion and sustainability within the industry.

He said: "The safety net and broad range of support that LionHeart offers, from the very beginning of RICS professionals' careers as an APC candidate or apprentice, right through to retirement is a critical pillar for many. I hope to bring a combination of my lived personal and professional experience to support the continued great work of the LionHeart team."

Adil Sajjad

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Adil is a building surveyor committed to making impactful changes in the built environment. Growing up in Birmingham, he was inspired by the redevelopment of the city centre, which first sparked his interest in the field. He graduated with a degree in Building Surveying from Birmingham City University in 2021 and has since worked in client-side roles with Bruntwood and Birmingham City Council before moving into consultancy. He now applies his expertise in a consultancy role at Cogent Building Consultancy.

Adil is also a committee member of the RICS Local Professional Association Birmingham and is working towards his MRICS accreditation.

Having seen the positive impact of LionHeart through a close friend’s experience, he was motivated to become involved, saying: "I am dedicated to contributing to LionHeart’s mission and expanding its reach. My experience as a BAME professional drives me to ensure that the charity’s resources benefit everyone in our field."

Kate Wheway

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Former Royal Marine musician Kate transitioned to the construction industry as a quantity surveyor in 2019 and has experience in consultant and contractor roles. She is aiming to undertake her RICS APC in 2025. 

She has undertaken many volunteering roles at grassroots level throughout her working life and is a secondary carer for two foster children.
She said: "Volunteering provides exposure to all walks of life and is an integral part of society. I enjoy giving back to help others and this is a unique opportunity to help surveyors in times of need. Having not volunteered with a charity before, I am particularly looking forward to understanding the governance required and gaining experience at board level, being involved with decisions made at a higher level than I am accustomed to and understanding the impact of these."