Yorkshire Industrial & Logistics 2026

Holmes leads on quality assurance, curriculum development and innovation across the college, helping drive its recent recognition as Construction Apprenticeship College of the Year (2025) and as a finalist for Quality Improvement Team of the Year at the Quality Professionals Awards. He plays a key role in LCB’s position as lead partner for the Yorkshire & Humber Construction Technical Excellence College (CTEC) network, and is closely involved in regional initiatives to strengthen the construction skills pipeline. He regularly speaks on employer-education collaboration, apprenticeships, and closing regional skills gaps in construction.

Asher is an industrial agent with over 20 years’ experience in the Yorkshire industrial warehouse and logistics markets. He focuses on the marketing and disposal of standing stock and providing strategic development advice to a number of developers and landowners on build to suit opportunities and future development projects. He also represents a number of occupiers providing property acquisition and relocation advice

Rolinson is chairman of Spawforths who are one of the largest planning, masterplanning and architectural companies in Yorkshire. He is a chartered town planner with nearly 40 years’ experience working mainly in the private sector. Rolinson provides advice to a wide range of clients including industrial and logistics developers, land promoters, housebuilders, landowners, and retail/leisure developers. He is also a member of the West Yorkshire Mayoral Business Board and the Leeds Chamber of Commerce Property Steering Group.

A public sector leader with 20 years experience of leading policy and programmes that have a real and lasting impact on people, businesses and communities. Burton is head of employment and skills at West Yorkshire Combined Authority, where she has led this growing and high profile agenda through its devolution journey, bringing new powers, funding and responsibilities to the region. Control over skills funding has allowed the Combined Authority to better target investment in line with regional priorities, including to develop the workforce required to deliver major infrastructure schemes.

Kearsley is northern regional director at Glencar, leading operations across the North of England. With more than 20 years’ experience delivering major industrial and logistics developments for leading developers and occupiers, he combines operational expertise with a deep understanding of client priorities, long-term partnerships and the evolving demands shaping the sector.

Bhalla specialises in the UK industrial and logistics property market. She contributes to Savills thought leadership by co-authoring the Big Shed Briefing publication, the firm’s regular analysis of the UK logistics market and, more recently, creating the firm’s new Prime Mid-box Report. Through regular reports, presentations and client research, Bhalla translates detailed property data into clear market insights. Her research helps clients understand how occupier demand, the availability of modern warehouse space and the development pipeline are affecting industrial and logistics markets across the UK.

Burn leads Panattoni’s Northern office, based in Manchester. He is responsible for accelerating the company’s land purchase, build-to-suit and spec build programme across both the North West and Yorkshire Region. With 20 years transactional experience, he is well recognised within the market, having been involved in many of the UK’s pre-eminent industrial & logistics schemes. Since working in the sector, Burn has gained a reputation for his approachable, pragmatic and customer focused approach to business.

O’Neill is a highly accomplished public sector leader with over two decades of experience in economic development, regeneration, strategic planning, and delivery of front-line services. Currently serving as the executive director of place at Barnsley Council, O’Neill provides strategic leadership across a wide portfolio including economic regeneration, planning, housing, culture, zero carbon initiatives, waste, neighbourhoods, highways, assets, environment, transport, communities, and regulatory services.

McDowell is responsible for driving performance and unlocking value across the firm’s diverse real estate portfolio. With a proactive, hands-on approach, she oversees asset strategies and initiatives, working closely with occupiers, advisers and investors to maximise returns throughout the investment lifecycle.

Rockett has more than 25 years of experience in the property industry. He has held several leadership positions across the sector, including development director at Scarborough Property Group and director of Gentian Development Group. Since joining Potter Space as managing director in 2020, Rockett has led the business through a period of significant transformation, evolving it from its logistics roots into a leading industrial and logistics property company specialising in the sub-100,000 sq. ft “small-to-mid-box” sector. Beyond property, Rockett’s leadership extends into professional sports. As chief executive officer of Sheffield United, he oversaw the substantial growth in the club’s property and commercial portfolio alongside responsibility for football operations.