Demmi Russell

Project Manager delivering two residential development sites for WV Living from land acquisition to handover

Hampton Park | 178 Units | £25m

• Led the delivery of a 178-unit mixed-tenure development (Hampton Park from RIBA 4-7, ensuring compliance with the budget, quality, and program.
• Managed plot handover sequencing to meet sales program requirements.
• Managed Employer's Agent financial administration, including valuations, payment approvals, change control, and cost reviews for customer modifications.
• Coordinated with the City of Wolverhampton Council to deliver S106 affordable homes.
• Aligned construction completion with sales targets through close coordination with the sales team, ensuring timely unit handovers.
• Conducted weekly Sales Build Meetings to provide progress updates and facilitate proactive cross-team communication.
• Oversaw monthly Site Project Meetings, led by the Employer's Agent, focusing on scheme overview, budget control, and program adherence.
• Supported the Sales team with project inquiries and ensured accurate property information for sales and shared ownership.
• Monitored financial performance against budget, identifying potential savings throughout project development.
• Collaborated with the Clerk of Works and Employer's Agent to ensure consistent quality handover across all tenures.
• Conducted pre-handover quality control checks to identify and address minor defects, minimizing post-defect issues.
• Liaised with the Customer Care Manager to ensure timely resolution of post-completion defects, enhancing customer satisfaction.
• Prepared correspondence and reports and executed legal documents; represented WV Living in legal matters.
• Addressed customer build and defect complaints promptly and effectively, ensuring positive stakeholder relationships.

Pear Tree | 34 Units | £Confidential

• Collaborated with the Head of Land and Planning to support land acquisition for the Pear Tree development.
• Partnered closely with the WV Living Sales Team to ensure seamless delivery of quality homes at Pear Tree.
• Managed the appointment of consultants, including Architect, Interior Designer, and Employer's Agent.
• Developed procurement briefs and specifications to support WV Living's Standard House types.
• Led Contractor technical teams (architects, drainage, structural, and planning consultants) to develop and efficiently deliver effective designs meeting WV Living's sales specifications.
• Managed cash flow and financial forecasts for Pear Tree, including budget preparation and risk assessments.

Project Manager for eight residential and strategic land projects for Solihull Metropolitan Council, including residential and sports facilities

East of Solihull | 775 Units | £80m+

• Lead on daily project management for the 775 mix tenure East of Solihull Local Plan Masterplan site.
• Collaborated with the Development Manager to assemble and finalise Heads of Terms and Collaboration agreement with Landowners
• Developed project briefs and reports for specialist Planning consultants and land owners for negotiations.
• Liaised with landowners, agents, consultants, and Council planning officers
• Monitored Social Value initiatives that contributed to positive community benefits
• Managed monthly cash flows and provided cost reports for £80m+ Masterplan viability assessments.
• Supported Head of Strategic Land & Property and Programme Manager in resolving Local Plan/development conflicts.
• Prepared Outline Business Cases (OBCs) for West Midlands Combined Authority grant funding.

Rowood Drive (Lode Heath Academy)| 35 Units | £6.5m

• Managed project delivery of 35 homes and update of Lode Heath Academy sporting facilities
• Managed procurement for site disposal to Registered Affordable Housing provider.
• Delivered regular reports to the Programme Board, ensuring clear communication of project performance and Local Plan strategic alignment
• Ensured project alignment with Homes England grant conditions for securing funding.
• Led technical teams of architects, drainage, structural, and planning to deliver the RIBA Stage 3 master plan.
• Provided Development Manager with monthly reports on actions, milestones, and cash flow for the Property Board.
• Prepared Outline Business Cases (OBCs) for West Midlands Combined Authority funding.
• Produced detailed financial appraisals, secured approvals, and reviewed finances for design changes.
• Developed and implemented risk management plans (registers and mitigation) for project delays.

Middlewood House | 23 Units | £4.9m

• Led demolition and decant of existing NHS Drug and Alcohol Centre for housing redevelopment.
• Delivered project management and coordinated the Design for 23 homes from Planning to RIBA Stage 3.
• Produced and maintained project reports and dashboards for the program and property board.
• Managed scheme financial appraisal and reviewed cost plans to meet budgets.
• Collaborated with Solihull Community Housing, Housing Policy, and Highways on Council housing objectives.
• Coordinated multi-disciplinary technical consultants from Nathaniel Lichfield and Cushman & Wakefield to provide integrated solutions for the design and the business case.
• Monitored and administered the project risk register, conducted workshops, and prepared comprehensive reports.

Solihull Household Waste and Recycling Centre

• Supported site identification, relocation, and design of SMBC Household Waste and Recycling Centre.
• Led design coordination and stakeholder management for the HWRC and Depot team, driving the development of a solution for a combined site.
• Managed liaison with external stakeholders including Waste management specialists to develop design briefs.
• Developed briefs and specifications for Planning consultants to facilitate land negotiation.

Play Pitch Sports Hub Strategy

• Managed the design team and sports consultant specialists through RIBA stages 1-2 in the development of four sports hubs.
• Collaborated with Landowners, Developers, Sports Teams, and Planning Policy to provide Design and site solutions.
• Produced West Midlands Combined Authority funding reports and provided project monitoring for the Programme Delivery team.
• Liaised with landowners, developers, consultants, and planning officers for Local Plan site agreements.

Key achievements:

• Maintaining positive feedback Planning Policy team to in support if the Masterplan of East of Solihull
• Accelerating the demolition for Middlewood House to resolve issues related to anti-social behaviour.
• Achieving a 90% pass rate for Outline Business Case to releases funding for Middlewood and Rowood Drive.

Managed a portfolio of 9 residential new build sites for Southwark Council's affordable housing program from design to construction

Goschen Estate | 16 units | £7.5m

• Leading on all project management activities for the delivery of 16 new build residential homes from Contract award to Practical Completion.
• Managing monthly cash flows and providing cost reports.
• Collaborated with contractor to maximise social value outcomes during the construction phase,
• Managed the performance of the Employer's Agent, reviewing and approving valuations, payment recommendations and change control instructions.
• Resolving outstanding issues throughout construction works via site visit and liaison with Clerk of works.
• Ensured project delivery adhered to council's housing policies, design standards, and procurement guidelines
• Producing detailed financial appraisals and secure approvals and carrying out financial reviews when instructing major changes to scheme scope and change management.
• Reporting and ensuring Change management process for Quality, Cost and Programme to ensure an appropriate change to be implemented.
• Delegating and providing project management tasks to Project Officers to support with Personal development.
• Executed and managed the BAPA agreement, maintaining liaison with Network Rail
• Ensured project compliance with all requirements related to local STATS and Section 278 agreements, maintaining budget and schedule.
• Provided regular programme updates to the GLA, ensuring clear communication of progress, risks, and key milestones.
• Prepared monthly dashboard reports for Programme Board, including progress updates, cash flow, and change control.

Fendall and Maltby | 45 Units | £15m

• Leading on all project management activities for the delivery of 45 new build residential homes from Planning to Contract Award.
• Coordinated the Design team and consultants throughout the design process RIBA stages 2 to Design and Build Contract appointment.
• Managed the procurement of contractors through open tender (ProContract), achieving significant tender returns,
• Produced Cabinet gateway reports for approval through Gateways unit mix, risks, and financial status, securing timely approvals from lead council members.
• Ensured design adhered to council's housing planning policy and Southwark Council design standards.
• Leading on engagement with residents, including preparing public exhibitions and briefing workshops to ensure the local community is informed on project plans.
• Liaising with internal stakeholders, including legal, procurement, planning, clerk of works, quality inspectors and consultants.
• Implemented Building Safety Act requirements into Project design with emerging policy changes
• Producing financial appraisals and evaluating option appraisals for the development.
• Successfully led the preparation and submission of planning applications and pre-application enquiries.

Rotherhithe New Road |14 units and x2 Commercial units | £5.5m

• Leading on all project management activities for the delivery of 14 new residential homes and 2 commercial units from RIBA stage 2 to Procurement.
• Developing financial appraisals and conducting assessments of alternative options for house types on the project
• Directed the planning application and pre-application discussions, including market and feasibility research to secure consent for commercial unit types.
• Liaising with local stakeholders including BT, Hyde Housing and Network rail to resolve access and BAPA agreement.
• Managed resident decanting process, ensuring clear communication and minimising disruption for contractor appointment
• Producing Greater London Authority funding reports and providing project monitoring to support the Programme Delivery team.
• Managing procurement activities for projects including leading on the procurement through multiple frameworks including - Hyde Housing and OJEU procurement procedures.

Hidden Homes | 7 sites | £3m

• Managed a portfolio of concurrent Hidden Homes projects throughout the project lifecycle.
• Conducted site assessments and market risk analyses.
• Liaised with Planning Officers/Building Control on design approvals.
• Led design development, creating innovative solutions for infill sites in Conservation areas.
• Collaborated with Architects and Quantity Surveyors to develop affordable homes.
• Implemented logistic strategies to minimise construction disruption.
• Oversaw Quantity Surveyor to ensure contract administration compliances

Key achievements:

• Achieving £1million saving on remediation through negotiations with D&B Contractor and Planning authority.
• Successful mentorship of Project officer to support in promotion into Project Manager role.
• Receiving Planning approval for 3 residential sites with no objections due to diligent resident consultation.

Providing Project Management and Employer Agent Consultancy services for London Borough Lambeth for three regeneration projects.

Knights Walk | Phase 1 - 18 units | £25m.

• Leading as Employer Agent for the delivery of Phase 1 of a £25 million residential scheme for Lambeth Council.
• Coordinating with the Client, Design, and Development team to determine the Design and Specifications.
• Assembling the document required under JCT design Build Contract 2016, including the development of Employers requirements.
• Leading on Single Stage procurement for the Appointment of D&B Contractor.
• Developing project reports to ensure Client is informed on the changes in project scope, schedule and costs.

Westbury Estate Regeneration - Phase 1 - 64 residential units

• Assisting Homes for Lambeth in negotiations with the developer in regards to changes to the design and specifications and contract procedures and conditions in accordance with the Client's requirements.
• Administered Development Agreements Contracts, ensuring contractual compliance with St James Developer.
• Acting as the Client's Agent under the Development Agreement by administering the terms of the Agreement.
• Visiting site on a weekly basis to discuss progress during the construction works and report on all relevant matters to the client.
• Leading on monthly project site meetings and distributing notes.
• Developing reports and documentation to Client Project Manager to ensure Client Leadership team are informed.
• Managing contract management software Aconex on behalf on the client to ensure that client is notified about Request for information, change request and design development.

London Borough of Camden - Bourne Estate Regeneration - £21m -

• Supporting Project Manager/Employer Agent with the handover of a 75 unit, mixed tenure, estate regeneration scheme.
• Undertaking site pre-handover inspections and managing a defects tracker.
• Generating regular reports to the Project Manager quantifying the rate of defect close out.
• Preparing handover documents including the preparation of an asset data register.
• Coordinating with the council to ensure Contractor handover documents comply with the contractual requirements.
• Assisting the Clerk of Works to ensure meetings with contractor are arranged.

Supported the delivery of key construction and infrastructure projects, gaining foundational project management experience in Consultancy environment

Heathrow Airport – Risk Management

Responsibilities:

• Provided risk management services to Heathrow Airport Q6 projects.
• Supported the Risk management team within multiple Q6 projects including new baggage system and Flight Connections lounge.
• Managed multiple risk assessments, and risk evaluation sessions.
• Assisted in running risk workshops to all subcontractors.
• Drafted a risk management plan template to be used to support all project managers within the Q6 projects.

Environmental Agency – Hertfordshire and North

Responsibilities:

• Provided the Environmental Agency with development of Partnership Funding Strategy to help deliver flood schemes.
• As an assistant project manager was responsible for the stakeholder management, CMRS and research and data collection required by EAs flood alleviation projects.
• Tasks included identification, allocation, mitigation and transfer of risks within Flood schemes.

Anglian Water – Thorpe wood House Peterborough, UK

Responsibilities:

• Supported Anglian Water with a new revised strategy for all Commercial Management.
• As a Commercial Assistant Project Manager was responsible of the development of Anglian Water new Quality Assurance strategy.
• Participated in change management reviews, audits and supporting project teams with assurance on managing the awarded NEC3 contracts.

High Speed 2

Responsibilities:

• Provided Support on delivery output for NEC3 programme interface for HS2 Commercial Team.
• Supported with procurement the Project controls framework.

Network Rail – Crossrail, Paddington Enterprise House, UK

Responsibilities:

• Provided project management on multiple sites from the West to the East.
• Assured contract assurance and compliance, programme performance tracking, stakeholder management and budget management on multiple schemes