Thomas Harris

Land Director +

Thomas Harris

Land Director

I joined Gleeson Land in January 2024 as Land Director for its newly established ‘Western Region’.  With significant growth aspirations, I’m tasked with identifying and securing new land opportunities that support the Group’s ambitious expansion plans and strengthen our presence in the region.

With a strong portfolio of sites and an unrivalled reputation as a leading land promoter, it is an exciting time to be part of the business. Utilising our market leading Planning, Technical and Research & Analytics teams, we are dedicated to working with agents and landowners to unlock true value in their sites.

Prior to joining Gleeson Land, I worked for land promoter competitor MacMic Group. I operated out of their ‘South West’ office covering a very similar patch to our newly establish ‘Western region’. Notable successes include the capture of 55 acres in West Oxfordshire, 52 acres in Wiltshire and 79 acres in North Somerset, all will help deliver much needed housing and affordable homes, whilst benefitting the local communities.

Prior to that I worked for a regional SME house builder and developer. I’m a Chartered Planning & Development Surveyor (MRICS), a Chartered Construction Manager (MCIOB) and hold a BSc Hons degree in Land Management from the University of Reading.

In my spare time I am a devoted footballer and long-suffering Cardiff City supporter, I still play 11-aside on a Saturday, clinging to hope that I’ll one day be selected to represent Wales. I am also a keen golfer who just needs more time on the course!

Rob Phillips

Planning Director +

Rob Phillips

Planning Director

In my role as Planning Director, I manage the Planning Team and the planning function across the three Gleeson Land regions. This involves some direct project management but mainly I agree and oversee the planning strategies on our sites, making sure planning applications are submitted at the most opportune time and to ensure each scheme maximises value for our landowners.

I will also advise on the planning prospects of new land opportunities and work with the Land Team in bringing these into our growing portfolio.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree and Post Graduate diploma in Town Planning and  have been a member of the RTPI for over 25 years. I started my planning career with the London Borough of Hillingdon and then spent 5 years working for BAA at Heathrow Airport before moving into the housebuilding sector, where I spent over 12 years managing the planning function of a plc housebuilder. I joined Gleeson Land in summer 2018.  

During my career, I have been lucky enough to work on a wide range of major residential led development projects across the south east of England ranging from high rise apartment buildings in town centres, to major greenfield urban extensions

For my sins I am a season ticket holder at Queens Park Rangers and still just about manage to play 6 a side football every week, with other likeminded old folk!  I also enjoy a bit of cycling in the summer months, mostly the mid cycle rest where a coffee and cake is in order!

I also enjoy a bit of cooking, particularly a Sunday roast - nothing too fancy!

Dushyant Shastri

Technical Manager +

Dushyant Shastri

Technical Manager

As Technical Manager for our newly created Central England operating area, I provide technical assistance during the promotion and planning stages of our land portfolio. My role involves conducting technical due diligence on new opportunities, managing external consultant teams, advising on infrastructure costs for viability appraisals, and ensuring projects are technically deliverable and optimised - where every site seems to have at least three "impossible" constraints that somehow need to become possible. I focus on finding creative solutions that work for everyone involved, turning technical puzzles into successful developments that landowners, developers, and communities can all be proud of.

Over 10 years in the industry managing residential developments ranging from 1 to 1000+ units. I've handled everything from bespoke luxury builds where clients notice if mortar joints are 1mm off, to large-scale housing schemes where you're juggling multiple contractors and enough red tape to wrap around Bristol twice.

I got into this through design - BSc & HND Architectural Design & Technology from Cardiff Met, even won an Aston Martin car design award at secondary school before realizing I preferred building things that exist. I own a classic BMW E30 325i that spends more time at the garage than my driveway, slowly draining my bank account. Turns out coordinating major infrastructure doesn't make you good with a spanner.

I’m a Liverpool FC fan taking my 1-year-old son to Anfield soon for his proper education. Row on the River Avon when its possible - surprisingly therapeutic after managing construction sites. I enjoy exploring the countryside with my giant schnauzer who's almost as stubborn as some people.

Matthew Bean

Senior Land Manager +

Matthew Bean

Senior Land Manager

I am very excited to have taken on the role of senior land manager at Gleeson Land. I will be overseeing our central England operating area alongside fantastic colleagues in the land, planning, technical and analytics teams. With a focus on growing our strong track record of delivering quality outcomes for our landowner partners, my time will be spent sourcing new strategic land opportunities where our expertise can be utilised. I will also be working with the teams on existing projects in the portfolio as we bring these through the planning process and toward an eventual sale.

Having completed a degree in human geography and economics at Swansea university, I began my career at St. Modwen as their first graduate surveyor. Over a ten-year period with the company, where I was able to undertake my part-time master’s in real estate management and complete training to become a chartered surveyor, I was exposed to a multitude of sites, sectors and objectives. These included the valuation of assets within our company portfolio, the negotiation of tenancies on various commercial and agricultural sites, and the sale of land to housebuilders. However, a passion of sourcing, securing and promoting strategic land became clear over time and I was able to really apply myself to this area, resulting in the successful acquisition of multiple opportunities ranging in size from 300 – 2,000 homes.

With a young family, trips to the rock bar have become fewer and further between! Instead, I am fully embracing visits to the park, swimming pool and various museums around Oxford in my spare time. We have been fortunate to find a spectacular t-rex skeleton at the natural history museum which satisfies my eldest sons current love of dinosaurs!

With my wife being Italian, I am once a week undertaking lessons to improve my ability to discuss the intricacies of political events and the renaissance era with her family when we visit. After 5 years, I feel confident enough to order the coffee.