Richard Upton

Richard founded the specialist regeneration property developer, Cathedral Group, and was previously a co-founding director of Mount Anvil. He has extensive experience in the field of major complex regeneration projects throughout the UK. He was appointed as Deputy Chief Executive of U+I the FTSE quoted specialist regeneration property and investment business in July 2015, following the merger of Cathedral Group and Development Securities. In January 2021 Richard was appointed Chief Executive of U+I and immediately restructured the business leading to a sale of the business to Land Securities Plc in December 2021. Richard stepped away from that merged business, LandSecU+I in 2024.

Richard is a now a Visiting Fellow at the University of Reading and in 2024 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Ravensbourne University in recognition of his services to social impact in the built environment. Richard is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. In April 2024 Richard was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Richard has served as a Historic England's London Advisory Committee member since 2012 and has campaigned extensively for sustainable restoration of heritage buildings, including the campaign to save Smithfield Market which he co-funded and fought successfully; the historic market buildings will now house the Museum of London.