MEET THE TEAM - We’re Open in name and Open in nature.
You have direct contact with our project team and the constant support of a dedicated client manager.
STEVE HAYES - Founder
Steve is an entrepreneur, innovator, instigator and dedicated sports fan.
Steve recognises that every person has different thoughts and requirements. With his experience as a farmer, land-owner, businessman and now a developer of farm buildings he is perfectly placed to assist the farming community and others. He relishes the opportunity to discuss with other farmers their own circumstances and the provision for themselves and their families.
Steve, through Open Limited, is now turning under-used and unloved agricultural barns into exceptional, life-enhancing homes. The first 2 barn conversion applications have realised 8 to 10 times their original value.
Steve is using his 30 years’ finance industry experience in the property development sector. Between 2014-2020 he chaired the most successful cash property buyer business, creating a portfolio of 100+ rental properties, whilst streamlining the process to the benefit of the seller; the customer.
Steve’s success in the finance sector was characterised in his starting Loans.co.uk in 1997 with 6 people, quickly reaching best in sector and selling in 2005 for a 9 figure sum. At this point he employed 600 people, had 6 figure+ annual profits and had redefined standards of employee excellence and customer care for the loans sector.
In 2010 Steve was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Buckinghamshire New University in recognition of his contribution to the local community through sport and business. He was the inaugural Chairman of the Dallaglio Foundation, he is a long-standing supporter of Cancer Research UK and was the force behind London Wasps’ inaugural St. Georges Day match at Twickenham, which now continues to raise substantial funds for Help for Heroes.
TIM PETTY - Facts & figures
Tim joined Open in 2018, bringing with him an insightful and empathetic approach to customers and their needs, along with his keen eye for detail, administrative efficiency and rigorous financial planning, budgeting and control. All this is underpinned by his comprehensive understanding and knowledge of property development planning, and RICS-compliant contract management and procurement.
Tim takes responsibility for every project that comes through the Open door, puts a sustainable process and KPI system around each one and leads them to success.
Tim has 30 years’ Finance, HR and general business experience across a variety of sectors. He has been involved in property development since the early 1990s, building temporary accommodation and infrastructure for the Royal Air Force in Italy, building B2L and HiMO portfolios for himself and others in the early 2000s and managing build projects worth between 6-8 figure sums through the 2010s.
MARK HAYES - Director
Mark joined Open in 2018 bringing his knowledge of construction, experience in social media, and his hands-on experience in farming estates management. A diverse set of abilities contributing to smooth running and successful projects.
As an integral part of the Open team, Mark’s overarching responsibility is for the green credentials of the company and its bold ambitions for minimising its carbon footprint.
Specifically - with electricity prices predicted to rise by 56.5% by 2030 - he is focusing on finding more affordable alternative forms of energy for our clients, so they no longer need rely on the national grid.
Pursuing this, Mark has educated himself and has experience working with key alternative renewable energy solutions including PV (Photovoltaic) Solar Panels, Combined Heat & Power and Ground Source Heat Pumps. All of which are dedicated to achieving the government’s Net Zero target - and cutting our clients’ energy bills.
Mark’s formative commercial years were spent in IT, at Tiscali in London’s West End. Here, his responsibilities changed and developed over time, moving from data management through to working as part of a team to develop large social media campaigns then on to the management of large projects and events including e-community management.
He developed his construction skill set from initially working 12 hour days, 7 days a week on the construction side of the film industry. With his target-driven approach Mark was very quickly moved on to leading large teams of builders constructing and pulling down film sets across the South of England.
Mark has been part of the farming community since Bullsland Farm became his home in 2003. These days he applies his skills to managing the estate and the ongoing farming business, the relationship with our tenant farmers and the maintenance and upkeep of all the buildings and the surrounding tied farm land.
Now, managing the energy side of all projects, Mark ensures that Open and its clients achieve a zero carbon footprint from project engagement through to planning, construction, and project handover.
MARTIN CROOK - Associate
Martin qualified in 1975 with a BA Hons degree in Urban and Regional Planning. He is also a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute
Martin spent 10 years working for various Councils, primarily in Development Control and Enforcement, then spent 2 years with a private consultancy before launching MSC Planning in 1988.
Martin has 45 years experience of planning matters and undertaken a significant number of successful barn conversions, either under the current provisions of Class Q of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 or through the normal planning permission.
NEIL OAKLEY - Associate
Neil originally worked in local and national practices, both in London and the South East, acquiring an unusually comprehensive breadth of experience.
Attracted by their extensive expertise in designing bespoke and beautiful spaces, Neil joined Danks Badnell Architects in 1995. He has been a Partner and Director since 2004.
It’s longevity that has given him the calm and informed perspective that we value in complex projects A qualified Architect, Neil Oakley has been a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects since 1993.
LIZ MAYLE - Associate
Liz Mayle is a specialist heritage advisor with over twenty years’ experience combining conservation expertise, excellent knowledge of architectural history and extensive working knowledge of the heritage planning system.
She has worked for five local planning authorities as a conservation officer. And as an Inspector of Historic Buildings for English Heritage advising local authorities and the secretary of state on applications affecting grade I and grade II* listed buildings. Today she advises architects to owners to craftspeople on the appropriateness of proposed schemes for the repair, alteration, adaption, architectural reinstatement and re-use or new use of listed buildings of all grades.
Liz holds an MA (Distinction) in Architectural Conservation and a BA (Hons) Heritage Studies.