Board of Directors

Michael Dobson

Appointed as an independent Non-executive Director on 8 June 2022. Michael became Chairman on 6 September 2022. Michael brings extensive leadership, corporate and financial experience to the Board. He stepped down as Chairman of Schroders plc in April 2022 after six years, following an executive career in the City spanning over 40 years. Michael was Chief Executive of Schroders plc from 2001 to 2016 and previously held a number of leadership positions at Deutsche Bank AG, including Head of Global Asset Management, Head of Global Investment Banking and a Member of the Board of Managing Directors. Prior to this he was Chief Executive of Morgan Grenfell Group PLC and Deutsche Morgan Grenfell. Michael is Chairman of the Nomination Committee and a member of the Remuneration Committee.

Rachel Downey ACA

Appointed a Non-executive Director on 8 December 2017 and Senior Independent Director on 8 September 2023, Rachel brings extensive regeneration expertise to the Board. She is Project Director of Manchester Life, a joint venture between Acre Real Estate Investment & Development LLC and Manchester City Council, established in 2014 to make a significant contribution towards achieving Manchester's regeneration and residential growth ambitions. 

Rachel, a Chartered Accountant, is also currently a Non-Executive Director of Lancashire Country Cricket Club and a Trustee of the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund and was previously a Trustee of the Lord Mayor of Manchester's Charity Appeal Trust (2015 to 2019). She is a member of the Nomination Committee and the Audit Committee.

Rob Perrins BSc (Hons) FCA

Joined the Company in 1994 having qualified as a chartered accountant with Ernst & Young in 1991. He has been a Main Board member since 1 May 2001 and Chief Executive since 9 September 2009, having previously been Chief Financial Officer from 2002.  Under Rob’s management, Berkeley has increasingly focused on transforming large-scale brownfield sites which are beyond the scope of conventional homebuilders.

Rob has worked extensively in property development throughout his career, working on projects ranging from single houses to mixed use neighbourhoods with more than 10,000 homes.  Rob champions Berkeley’s operating culture and values, which are based on customer focus, individual design, exceptional placemaking and a commitment to delivery for all stakeholders.  He oversees a highly disciplined but decentralised operating structure that fosters accountability and innovation, chairing the boards of Berkeley’s 21 autonomous operating companies.  Rob additionally oversees an industry leading sustainability strategy, including innovative climate action, nature recovery and social value programmes.

Rob has been Chair of Trustees of the Berkeley Foundation since its launch in 2011. This independent charity works in close partnership with the Berkeley Group to maximise its positive social impacts.

Richard Stearn BSc (Hons) FCA

Richard re-joined Berkeley on 13 April 2015 as Chief Financial Officer, having previously worked for the company from 2002 to 2011 as Group Financial Controller. Prior to re-joining Berkeley, Richard spent three years at Quintain Estates and Development plc, becoming its Finance Director in July 2012.

Richard is responsible for the Group’s finance, investor relations, treasury, tax and insurance functions. He also leads on strategic risk management and has oversight of the Group’s IT function.

Richard has 21 years of direct experience in the property and development industry. Prior to joining Berkeley, he trained and practised for 12 years as a chartered accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, auditing and advising a wide range of clients.

Andy Kemp BA (Econ) FCA

Appointed a Non-executive Director on 1 July 2021, following his retirement from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC") after a 39 year career with the firm. Andy is a Chartered Accountant and was a senior partner at PwC in London, advising the boards of some of the UK's largest multinational companies. Andy brings extensive knowledge of accounting, risk and governance matters having been an audit partner for 27 years and through his chairmanship of the PwC Non-Executive Director Programme. Andy was previously a member of PwC's Audit and Risk Assurance executive board. 

Andy is a Non-executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee, Irwin Mitchell Holdings Limited, Member of the Board of the Audit Committee Chairs’ Independent Forum and Governor and member of the Audit Committee, Birkbeck University of London. 

He is Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Nomination Committee and the Remuneration Committee.

Natasha Adams CCIPD

Appointed as a Non-executive Director on 1 February 2022, Natasha is Chief Executive Officer of Tesco Ireland since 7 March 2022 and is a member of the Tesco PLC Executive Committee. Immediately prior to her current role, Natasha was Group Chief People Officer of Tesco PLC. Natasha has experience as a Trustee of the Tesco Pension Scheme and is a Trustee of the Institute of Grocery & Distribution.

Natasha brings to the Board valuable insight on commercial and social governance matters. Natasha is Chair of the Remuneration Committee and a member of the Nomination Committee.

The Ven. Elizabeth Adekunle

Appointed as a Non-executive Director on 5 January 2021. The Venerable Elizabeth Adekunle is currently a Non-executive Director of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and a Chaplain to His Majesty the King. Elizabeth was previously Chaplain to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (since April 2017) and Archdeacon of Hackney in the Diocese of London. She was awarded the Freedom of the City of London in April 2019.

Elizabeth is on the Board of STRIDE, Metropolitan Police Board, a member of the National Police Chief’s Ethics Committee and also a Board member of Hive Education Trust. She was previously Chair of the Monuments and Plaques Committee at St Paul’s Cathedral. Elizabeth has considerable experience of social and ethical matters and brings a valuable perspective on the potential of urban regeneration and good place-making to improve the lives of those living in the communities within which Berkeley operates.

Liz was appointed a Trustee Director of The Berkeley Charitable Foundation on 11 July 2023.

William Jackson

Appointed as a Non-executive Director on 5 January 2021. William Jackson is Executive Chairman of Bridgepoint Group plc, one of Europe’s leading private equity firms, which he has led since 2001. William has served on a wide range of UK and international boards during his career and stood down as Senior Independent Director of British Land plc in 2020 and as a Non-executive Director in March 2021. 

William is also Senior Independent Director and Non-executive Director of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. William brings extensive property, commercial, financial and PLC experience to the Board.

William is a member of the Nomination Committee and the Remuneration Committee.

Sarah Sands

Appointed as a Non-executive Director on 30 April 2021. Sarah is a journalist by profession and was Editor of the BBC Radio 4 Today programme from 2017 to 2020. Prior to this, Sarah was Editor of The London Evening Standard and The Sunday Telegraph and has held Editor in Chief and Consultant Editor roles at Reader’s Digest and the Daily Mail. 
Sarah is currently Deputy Chair and Acting Chair of the British Council, a Non-Executive Director of Channel Four Television Corporation, a Partner at Hawthorn Advisors and a member of the Board of Trustees of The Science Museum Group. Sarah is a founder of the Braemar Science Summit and was Chair of the Gender Equality Advisory Council for G7 for 2021 and has continued to sit on the Advisory Council in 2022 under the Germany Presidency and in 2023 under the Japan Presidency.

Sarah brings to the Board a broad insight on economic, political and social matters and a valuable perspective on issues such as the environment, sustainability, community and inclusivity.

Sarah is a member of the Audit Committee.