National Utilities & Infrastructure Team

Nigel Billingsley

Partner, Head of Skills and National Utilities & Infrastructure North

BSc  MRICS  MCIWM  PgDip  RICS Registered Valuer

As Partner and Head of the National Utilities & Infrastructure Team North, Nigel specialises in the delivery of property advice to a range of clients across key sectors, including:

• Road
• Railway
• Light Rail
• Utilities

Based at our Leeds hub, Nigel’s primary focus is on delivery of CPO/TWAO and DCO projects. He also acts as expert witness at public inquiries. In addition to his role developing projects, he leads complex compensation cases including Upper Tribunal work.

With over 35 years’ experience in complex property development and claims management, Nigel has brought valuable insight to Bruton Knowles since joining in 2004. Drawing on his background in both public and private sectors he provides practical, strategic advice in the delivery of major projects across the UK’s transportation sector.

Nigel is also a regular on the Bruton Knowles Landmark Podcast and is a key spokesperson for the business in the Utilities & Infrastructure sector.

Giles Lister

Head of Utilities

MRICS

Having joined Bruton Knowles in 2025 as our Head of Utilities, Giles brings over 30 years of experience across the electricity, water, gas and renewables sectors.

Throughout his career, Giles has guided major infrastructure programmes from inception to execution, often working at the intersection of strategic land acquisition, statutory rights, and multi-disciplinary team coordination. Working on some of their highest profile projects, Giles has advised clients such as:

• National Grid
• UK Power Networks
• Southern Water
• RWE
• The Environment Agency

In addition to leading the Utilities team, alongside Nigel Billingsley, Giles plays a central role in shaping Bruton Knowles’ long-term Utility and Infrastructure strategy for innovation, process efficiency, service delivery across the UK, and the development of junior team members.

Russell Davies

Partner, Head National Utilities & Infrastructure Wales

Dip REM

Based at our Cardiff hub, Russell boasts over two decades of experience across the utilities and infrastructure sector. He leads a team of Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), Utilities and Infrastructure professionals to deliver on a range of infrastructure projects.

With an extensive understanding of the sector in the UK, and particularly in Wales, which includes advising companies, landowners and occupiers on compensation claims, wayleaves and easements, land acquisitions and sales, Russell has additionally led on a number of utilities projects in the water, sewers, electricity, oil, gas and telecoms sectors.

May Beaney

Partner

MSc MRICS

Based at our Birmingham hub, May is a RICS Registered Valuer and Assessor. She has over 14 years experience in the sector and manages Utilities & Infrastructure projects across the West Midlands.

May has been with us since 2013, when she joined us as a Graduate Surveyor and has gained a deep knowledge of valuation, tenant & landlord and development appraisals along the way.

Sam Dobney

Partner

MRICS

Sam is a Chartered Surveyor specialising in compulsory purchase & compensation advice to facilitate and deliver major infrastructure schemes and regeneration projects across the country.

He works across sectors including:

• Solar
• Electricity
• Hydrogen
• Renewables
• Housing
• Rail, road and other transport sectors.

Sam has a leading national remit leading on complex CPO cases and expert work.

A member of the CPA & NIPA, Sam actively advocates for appropriate industry reforms and best practice throughout the sector.

Chris Renshaw

Partner

MRICS

Chris leads the Utilities and Infrastructure team in the Northern region, including Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle hubs.

He is responsible for both agency & professional matters including acquisitions on behalf of a variety of retained retail clients, as well as CPO and valuation work for a wide variety of developers, banks and other lending institutions. Chris joined Bruton Knowles as an Associate in 2012, bringing with him over 16 years of experience in the sector.

Theresa Tschainer

Partner

MRICS

Theresa has over 12 years of experience in the surveying industry. Committed to helping clients achieve their objectives and deliver public value, Theresa specialises in:

• real estate strategy and management
• compulsory purchase
• compensation

Based at our Birmingham hub, she is involved projects across various sectors, such as transport, energy, and housing.

Theresa is passionate about promoting women in surveying and compulsory purchase, and is actively engaged with the Women in CPO network.