Our Team
PIERS SLATER
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Founding Reef Estates in 2001, trading as Reef Group from 2017, Piers grew the business to a significant and respected real estate operation with over £2Bn under development management. In 2024 he is joined by Reef colleagues to
co-found the next iteration, Reef Origin. Responding to macro changes driving the global economies, Reef Origin provides platforms with both operational and specialist expertise with a completed portfolio value exceeding £20Bn under development management, increasingly focuses on the life science, knowledge, Industry 4.0, digital and energy infrastructure and venture capital sectors.His investment philosophy operates at the crossroads of the digital, knowledge, carbon and real asset economies. Whilst still operating in the traditional real estate and hospitality sectors he increasingly focuses on the life science, knowledge, Reef 4.0, digital and energy infrastructure and venture capital sectors.
He is a Chartered Surveyor and holds a BSc (Hons) in Estate Management from Liverpool John Moores University and a MSc in Property Investment (Finance) from City University.
Piers is a founding investor and Board Director to the sustainable space exploration company, Global Space Futures, nuclear space and terrestrial energy company, Perpetual Atomics and carbon credit platform Xange.com.
He sits on the Boards of Didcot First and Stevenage Development Board.
ELEANOR ALEXANDER
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Joining Reef in 2019 Eleanor has 15 years of multi-sector Design, Construction, and Delivery experience across complex developments and infrastructure projects.
Her role across the platforms includes leading a multi-disciplinary team on a number of large-scale digital and green technology infrastructure projects as Managing Director of Digital Reef. With a completed value in excess of £8 Billion, the platform’s projects drive economic growth through the co-location of digital technology, green energy and community infrastructure.
Eleanor supports the Forge_Kn platform in her capacity as Design & Technology Director bringing her capability as an experienced Architect to lead the wider team’s Design, Technology and Creative and process on several of the projects whilst leading the digital infrastructure and Forge Club strategy.
She is also Design, Creative and Commercial Director of A Place Apart, Reef Origin’s hospitality platform focusing on the repurposing of existing assets, to minimise the impact of embodied carbon generated by construction, whilst creating unique hotels underwritten by Reef Origin ESG.
Working closely with the team she also formulates and delivers Reef Origin’s ESG policies which are at the centre of our investment strategy to ensure all projects have market-leading sustainability credentials whether in infrastructure, real estate or venture capital.
Eleanor is committed to her continued professional development and holds qualifications in Sustainable Investing and Construction Law & Dispute Resolution in addition to a BArch and BA Hons in Architecture from the University of Manchester.
WILL ROHLEDER
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Will started his real estate career at ING Real Estate before moving from investment management into development, now having over 15 years of development experience and a reputation for his ability to structure complex transactions. His responsibilities cover the whole development lifecycle from sourcing new opportunities, planning, funding and delivery.
He has worked alongside significant landowners in both the private and public sectors and his experience spans the development of all sectors from residential, life science, hotels, retail and advanced manufacturing / logistics.
Joining Reef over 10 years ago he is Managing Director of Forge_Kn, Reef’s life science joint venture with UBS, a £3bn life science platform which includes schemes in Stevenage, North London, Cambridge and Oxford. The team recently completed their first scheme, a £60m advanced manufacturing facility in Stevenage town centre let to Autolus.
In addition to the life science platform Will is also Managing Director of Reef Origin real estate projects having, whilst at Reef, led and delivered schemes across most sectors with a combined value in excess of £1bn. The completed projects include over 800 hotel rooms across six UK hotel schemes in London, Oxford, Wimbledon, St Albans and Horsham.
He has a degree in Economics from Exeter University and a Masters from Cass Business School in Property Valuation and Law. He is a Member of the RICS and sits on the Stevenage Development Board.
JASON RUSSELL
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Relocating to the UK Jason joined Reef in 2006 and now has 24 years of industry experience in design and construction. Recognising his importance to the business Reef sponsored his UK citizenship and appointed him as head of design and construction in 2015.
Prior to his arrival in the UK Jason accumulated extensive international experience in design and project delivery across diverse sectors in his native New Zealand, Canada, and then Trinidad. His work spanned various fields including education, science, healthcare and government projects. Upon arriving in the UK, Jason worked with Lang O'Rourke, contributing to a mixed-use residential and retail design and build development before joining Reef.
During his career at Reef he has expanded his development capability to include urban regeneration, life science, advanced manufacturing, mixed use, hotels, digital and energy infrastructure projects. He is experienced at leading large professional teams and the delivery of complicated projects with expertise in collaborating with investors, local authorities, occupants and end users alike.
The combination of a proven track record, quest to keep learning and leadership skills have led to many successfully completed projects, characterised by his interest in design and innovative engineering solutions that optimise functionality whilst delivering on budget and programme without compromising a premium product.
Holding a Dip Arch Tech (NZQA) qualification Jason’s continued professional development extends to innovations in design and engineering and their application to improve the performance of Reef Origin’s ESG platform.
EDWARD SLATER
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Ed comes from a background in audit and risk management from his time as an Audit Manager for Smith & Williamson (now Evelyn & Co) in London and at Goldstein Golub Kessler LLP in New York preceding his role as Group Financial Controller for Financial Objects Limited (now part of Tenemos UK Limited) before joining Reef in 2006.
Aside from the traditional Finance Director and compliance roles Edward and his team are also heavily involved in the due diligence at purchase of all real estate and corporate transactions. This includes reviewing and preparing business plans, financial risk management, appraisals and cash-flow forecasts for our transactions to measuring and analysing the projected returns from our development and investment activities.
Once a transaction has closed Ed is responsible for monitoring performance against the budgeted appraisal and working with the Development and Investment teams to ensure the business plan and projected return is achieved.
As Finance Director for Reef, Ed has worked on all the Group's property transactions covering commercial, residential, hotel, leisure and corporate sectors. He also leads all tax structuring and funding of transactions working closely with our institutional and private clients to ensure suitable tax efficient structures implemented.
With Piers he has also been instrumental in setting up a number of operational platforms including our hotel joint venture, A Place Apart, with EQ Hotels.
Ed studied Geography as a degree at Kings College London and is a qualified Chartered Accountant (ACA).
CHRIS GOULDING
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I joined Reef Origin earlier this year for the chance to work on exciting projects. Since then, I’ve discovered that our life science initiatives are just the beginning. The team is engaged in cutting-edge areas like space, nuclear technology, advanced carbon reduction, and horticultural technologies. It’s an exciting time for Team RO!
OLIVIA FREW
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No two days at Reef Origin are the same. Working for a company that prioritizes growth and innovation fosters a dynamic team environment. I’m excited to explore new sectors and embrace emerging technologies, and it’s rewarding to see the positive impact of our sustainable and socially responsible developments in the communities we serve.
MATTHEW LAMBERT
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Delighted to continue working with such a dynamic and progressive team, passionate about global clean energy real estate, infrastructure, and innovative solutions to key sustainability questions. Our team of exceptional individuals enhances each platform within our Reef Origin eco-system with their own specialist skills and diversity of experience, and I am excited to take on this new challenge!
BRADLY HOOD
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The diversity of our projects is inspiring, enabling us to tackle challenges across various sectors and create a positive impact. What makes this journey fulfilling is working with a dedicated team that actively drives change. Together, we’re making a difference, and I’m proud to be part of this mission.
LISA LIU
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Reef Origin is a creative, forward-thinking workplace where I engage in all stages of design and construction across diverse projects. The dynamic environment promotes continuous learning and professional growth. I'm excited by the variety of projects and people, which offer unique challenges, and insights, and broaden my perspective.
AKOS VARGA
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Why Reef Origin: Reef Origin has a forward-thinking vision that thrives to holistically tackle today’s challenges for a prosperous future. It is a vibrant, broad-minded, multidisciplinary environment that allows me to see the wider picture and to push the boundaries of my own ambitions.
GWEN ALEXANDER
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Reef Origin is a leader in sustainable development, with ESG principles at the heart of everything they do. They prioritize the planet and social impact in their ethos and actions throughout their ecosystem. I’m eager to support their next phase of ESG strategy and contribute to their ongoing journey in global sustainable innovation.
SOPHIE SHIELDS
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The most rewarding part of my role at Reef Origin is collaborating with a diverse, multidisciplinary team. I’m inspired by the company’s commitment to sustainability and people in every project, which aligns with my passion for innovative designs that enhance the future. The focus on sustainability and human-centered design makes each project meaningful and exciting.
SOPHIE FREEMAN
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It’s brilliant working with such a talented and creative team. The variety of the projects makes this an enjoyable & exciting role for me. Working within a smaller yet still dynamic finance team has allowed me to develop my skills in a variety of different avenues and areas.
IVANA VAMOSIOVA
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Reef Origin is a superb team of professionals passionate about their work. There is so much opportunity to learn and develop in a growing industry, especially within ESG, the advancements in technology, and digital infrastructure.