Who we are

Start Advisory is a specialist real estate consultancy with the experience and scale required to unlock and deliver complex regeneration projects. With a proven track record leading some of the UK’s largest and most prestigious property developments, we combine the provision of strategic advice with hands-on delivery expertise to create demonstrable lasting value for our clients and the community.

Start Advisory was founded on a shared belief that great places are shaped by people who genuinely listen, challenge and care.

OUR UNIQUE POSITIONING

Independent and Director-led, we combine the analytical rigour of management consultancy with the creativity of experienced developers.

This balance enables us to:

Provide impartial, conflict-free advice aligned with client priorities.
Apply assurance frameworks trusted by governments and leading institutions.
Deliver large-scale, multi-phase regeneration that balances ambition, value, and community benefit.

Our values

Our values guide every project and relationship:

RESPONSIBILITY AND PRIDE

We treat every project as if it were our own: promoting value, reputation, and purpose.

EMPATHY AND CARE

We design for all, creating experiences and communities that delight and endure.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

We recognise and prioritise reporting responsibilities and the positive impact of true, sustainable placemaking on communities.

INNOVATION AND CURIOSITY

Our naturally collaborative culture means our teams embrace change, leverage the right technologies and build strong relationships based on trust and respect.

For us, success is people playing on the grass and splashing in the water features. We design places to be lived in, not just looked at.”

Phil Sullivan, Construction Director

Meet our Leadership

Each of our directors brings over 25 years’ experience leading major regeneration projects, combining deep sector knowledge with a practical, positive approach. Their pragmatism, perspective, and humility guide everything we do, grounded in an understanding of the responsibility involved in creating places that endure.

Supported by a trusted network of specialist advisers in infrastructure, project management, branding, GIS, planning, finance, and legal, we can scale and adapt to deliver a complete service as project needs evolve.

Ruairidh Jackson

PRINCIPAL
Over a 25-year career, Ruairidh has had a key role in some of the UK’s most influential regeneration projects and forward-thinking businesses. Combining his core master planning, commercial, transaction and regulatory expertise with a deep commitment to collaboration, partnership, and community engagement, Ruairidh guides highly complex projects, leads ambitious and committed teams and achieves results.
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Phil Sullivan

PRINCIPAL
Phil has in depth experience in the strategic planning and execution of large-scale mixed-use developments from initiation to occupation and subsequent management of the assets. During his 20 years in the industry, he has worked with private and public partners and clients, institutional and private equity funds, and charities. Phil makes a point of building a relationship with each of our clients and partners before establishing a development plan. Phil spent 10 years in the leadership team at Argent as a Development Director, Head of Programme Management and Construction Director. 
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James Heather

PRINCIPAL
James is a highly motivated and experienced client Development Director and a well-known and respected member of the Manchester property community. With over 26 years’ experience, James has the skills and experience required to form, manage, and motivate internal and external teams of consultants. His track record shows his ability to deliver exceptional projects, under strict timeframes, budgets, and specifications.
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