Leadership


Ian Hawksworth, FRICS
Chief Executive

Ian has over 36 years’ experience in global real estate investment, development, asset and corporate management, having previously been Chief Executive of Capital & Counties Properties PLC (“Capco”) since Capco’s inception in 2010. Following the merger of Capco and Shaftesbury PLC, Ian leads the enlarged company, shaping strategy and driving performance. Ian was previously Executive Director of Hongkong Land Ltd and Liberty International PLC. Ian is a Chartered Surveyor and a member of leading international industry bodies.
External appointment
- Non-executive Director of ChanceryGate Limited
Situl Jobanputra
Chief Financial Officer

Situl leads the finance function at Shaftesbury Capital, including reporting, corporate finance, treasury and tax. He works closely with the Chief Executive on strategy, capital allocation, investment and transactions. Situl joined Capco in 2014 and undertook a number of senior roles across the business before being appointed Chief Financial Officer in 2017. He is an experienced corporate financier, having previously worked in mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets, corporate broking and real estate investment banking, latterly at Deutsche Bank.
Chris Ward
Chief Operating Officer

Prior to the merger between Capco and Shaftesbury, Chris was Chief Financial Officer of Shaftesbury PLC. Chris spent 11 years at Shaftesbury and nine years with Redevco as Finance Director of the UK and Nordic countries, and has significant financial and real estate experience, which contributes to Group strategy. Chris is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Jonathan Nicholls
Chairman

Jonathan joined the Shaftesbury Capital Board in March 2023 following the merger between Shaftesbury and Capco. Prior to the merger, Jonathan was Chairman of Shaftesbury, having joined in 2016.
Jonathan has over 20 years’ experience of public company boards and their operations and was previously Non-executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of Great Portland Estates plc, SIG plc and DS Smith plc. He was also Senior Independent Director of Great Portland Estates and DS Smith plc. Prior to this, Jonathan was finance director of Hanson plc and of Old Mutual plc.
Jonathan has over 21 years of experience in the property sector and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
External appointments:
- Chairman of Ibstock plc
Richard Akers, FRICS
Senior Independent Director and Independent Non-executive Director

Richard joined the Shaftesbury Capital Board in March 2023 as Senior Independent Director following the merger between Shaftesbury and Capco. Prior to the merger, Richard was Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Sustainability Committee at Shaftesbury, having joined in 2017. Richard was previously Non-executive Director, Senior Independent Director and Chairman of the Remuneration, Safety, Health and Environmental Committees of Barratt Developments PLC, Non-executive Director of Unite Group PLC and a fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Prior to this, Richard was a senior executive of Land Securities Group PLC from 1995 and joined the main board in 2005 as managing director of the retail portfolio until 2014.
External appointments:
- Chairman of Redrow plc
Ruth Anderson
Independent Non-executive Director

Ruth joined the Shaftesbury Capital Board in March 2023 following the merger between Shaftesbury and Capco. Prior to the merger, Ruth was independent non-executive director and Chair of the Audit Committee at Shaftesbury, having joined in 2020. Ruth was previously Non-executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at Ocado Group plc, Travis Perkins plc and Coats Group plc. Ruth has over 30 years’ experience advising UK and global businesses and was with KPMG for 33 years, where she was a partner for 20 years and a member of the UK board for six years. Ruth is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Charlotte Boyle
Independent Non-executive Director

Charlotte joined the Capco Board in 2017 as an independent non-executive director and was Chair of Capco’s Board ESC Committee. Charlotte spent 14 years at The Zygos Partnership, an international search and board advisory firm, including nine years as a partner, where she led the real estate practice. Prior to this, Charlotte worked for Goldman Sachs International and Egon Zehnder International. Charlotte is a Non-executive Director of Coca-Cola HBC AG and Thatchers Cider Company Limited, a Non-executive adviser to Knight Frank LLP, and a Trustee of Alfanar, the venture philanthropy organisation. Charlotte is also Chair of UK for UNHCR.
External appointments:
- Chair, UK for UNHCR. Non-executive Director of Coca-Cola HBC AG and Thatchers Cider Company Limited. Non-executive adviser to Knight Frank LLP and a Trustee of Alfanar
Helena Coles
Independent Non-executive Director

Helena joined the Shaftesbury Capital Board in March 2023 following the merger between Shaftesbury and Capco. Prior to the merger, Helena was an independent Non-executive director at Shaftesbury, having joined in 2021. Helena has over 20 years’ experience in emerging markets and Asian equity investment, including co-founding a specialist investment boutique part-owned by State Street Global Advisors. In addition, Helena has held roles with Fidelity International and the Bank of England, focusing on ESG and banking supervision, respectively.
External appointments:
- Non–executive Director of JPMorgan Emerging Markets Investment Trust Plc, Non-executive Director of Schroder Japan Growth Fund plc and Independent Investment Advisor to the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
Anthony Steains
Independent Non-executive Director

Anthony joined the Capco Board in 2016 and was appointed Senior Independent Director in 2020 until Capco’s merger with Shaftesbury in March 2023. Anthony is the chief executive officer of Comprador Limited, a strategic corporate finance advisory firm based in Hong Kong and has over 30 years of corporate finance experience. Prior to founding Comprador Anthony was a senior managing director and Head of Blackstone Advisory Partners in Asia and held senior positions in Asia at Lehman Brothers, Deutsche Bank and ING Barings. Anthony is also a Director of Twelve Seas Investment Company II, which is listed on NASDAQ. Anthony is a Chartered Accountant.
External appointments:
- CEO of Comprador Limited and a Director of Twelve Seas Investment Company II
Jennelle Tilling
Independent Non-executive Director

Jennelle joined the Shaftesbury Capital Board in March 2023 following the merger between Shaftesbury and Capco. Prior to the merger, Jennelle was independent Non-executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee at Shaftesbury, having joined in 2019. Jennelle has over 25 years’ experience of consumer marketing, digital and innovation within food retail brands. Jennelle held a variety of senior marketing roles over 17 years at Yum! Restaurants, and is the Founder and Chief Brand Strategist at Marketing with Insight Ltd.
External appointments:
- Non-executive Director of Camelot and Non-executive Director of Yorkshire Building Society. Trustee for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. Fellow of The Marketing Society, member and past president of Women in Advertising and Communications London and a mentor to The Marketing Academy.


Ian Hawksworth, FRICS
Chief Executive

Ian has over 36 years’ experience in global real estate investment, development, asset and corporate management, having previously been Chief Executive of Capital & Counties Properties PLC (“Capco”) since Capco’s inception in 2010. Following the merger of Capco and Shaftesbury PLC, Ian leads the enlarged company, shaping strategy and driving performance. Ian was previously Executive Director of Hongkong Land Ltd and Liberty International PLC. Ian is a Chartered Surveyor and a member of leading international industry bodies.
External appointments:
- Non-executive director of ChanceryGate Limited
Situl Jobanputra
Chief Financial Officer

Situl leads the finance function at Shaftesbury Capital, including reporting, corporate finance, treasury and tax. He works closely with the Chief Executive on strategy, capital allocation, investment and transactions. Situl joined Capco in 2014 and undertook a number of senior roles across the business before being appointed Chief Financial Officer in 2017. He is an experienced corporate financier, having previously worked in mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets, corporate broking and real estate investment banking, latterly at Deutsche Bank.
Chris Ward
Chief Operating Officer

Prior to the merger between Capco and Shaftesbury, Chris was Chief Financial Officer of Shaftesbury PLC. Chris spent 11 years at Shaftesbury and nine years with Redevco as Finance Director of the UK and Nordic countries, and has significant financial and real estate experience, which contributes to Group strategy. Chris is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Michelle McGrath
Executive Director

Michelle is Executive Director, responsible for the leadership of the Group’s Covent Garden portfolio and works closely with the Chief Executive on strategy and investment. Michelle was previously on the Board of Capco where she led Capco’s asset management, leasing, investment and marketing teams.
Michelle has significant financial and real estate experience having joined Capco in 2014 and has undertaken a number of senior roles across the business. Michelle is an experienced Corporate Financier and was previously at UBS Investment Bank, advising companies across the UK listed real estate sector.
Andrew Price
Executive Director

Andrew is Executive Director, responsible for the leadership of the Group’s Carnaby, Chinatown, Soho and Fitzrovia portfolios, working closely with the Chief Executive on strategy and investment. Andrew was previously Property Director at Shaftesbury, having joined in 2001, and was responsible for the asset management of the Chinatown and Soho villages, and Shaftesbury’s group investment strategy. Andrew also chaired Shaftesbury's Community Investment Committee.
Andrew is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.