SSA UK Conference 2025

Alexis Conran

Conference Chair

Alexis Conran, TV Presenter, Times Radio Presenter, and Actor (LAMDA trained) is best known as the man who identifies, uncovers, and helps us to protect our businesses and ourselves against scams. As writer and presenter of the highly acclaimed BBC TV show, The Real Hustle, he is in the rare position of being able to advise and educate even the most foolhardy, on issues surrounding security and risk (in the real and virtual world), and identify the human behaviour, communication skills, and confidence tricks that the world’s top scammers rely on to achieve their unscrupulous aims. He hosts his own weekend review show on Times Radio and since May 2023 has been hosting his own daytime show on Channel 5.  He also contributes to ITV’s This Morning and BBC Radio 4 and 5Live and was crowned champion of Celebrity MasterChef in 2016.

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Geoff Burch

Keynote

Geoff Burch is one of the most sought-after business speakers and thought-leaders in the world, renowned for his electrifying and humorous presentations that inspire real change in organisations. With a unique blend of sharp wit, deep business insight and charisma, Geoff has captivated audiences across the globe, helping businesses to unlock their full potential. His focus on sales, leadership, customer service, and change management has earned him an enviable reputation.

Geoff has consulted with some of the biggest companies in the world, consistently delivering tangible results that drive performance. His expertise has transformed countless businesses, earning him an exceptional track record of success and a devoted following of executives, entrepreneurs, and sales teams.

Geoff is the best-selling author of numerous influential business books, including Resistance is Useless, Writing on the Wall, Go It Alone, The Way of the Dog, Irresistible Persuasion, and Self-made Me. His books are revered for their practical advice, engaging stories, and humour, making complex business strategies accessible to all. In addition to his writing, Geoff has made many TV appearances, most notably as the star of the hit BBC series All Over the Shop, where he transformed struggling businesses with his dynamic coaching and no-nonsense approach, and is a regular business presenter on the BBC’s Inside Out programme.

Geoff’s speaking and training programmes are focussed on high-impact areas critical to business success, including:

• Sales Mastery: Unconventional yet powerful strategies for closing deals and boosting revenue
• Leadership: Inspiring, effective leadership that drives motivation and growth
• Customer Service Excellence: Building customer loyalty through superior service and engagement
• Change Management: Guiding organisations through change with innovative and actionable strategies

Geoff’s contribution to business and management have been recognised with multiple accolades. He was awarded the prestigious Business Communicator of the Year by the Speechwriters’ Guild and was also named one of the world’s Top Ten Motivational Speakers by the Wahstory Organisation. He continues to be featured amongst the top Keynote speakers and business influencers globally. His humour combined with insightful takeaways ensures that Geoff consistently receives rave reviews from his audiences.

If you are looking for a speaker who can not only entertain but also deliver proven results, Geoff Burch is your go-to expert. His unforgettable presentations and master classes leave a lasting impact on businesses, empowering teams to exceed their goals.

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Kate Ancketill

Futurist

Kate stands as a distinguished authority in the realm of global retail and business futurism, boasting unparalleled expertise in retail dynamics, consumer behaviour, brand strategy, hospitality trends, and cutting-edge technology. With an adept ability to decipher intricate societal shifts and emerging technologies, Kate excels at making these complex concepts relatable for diverse audiences. As the esteemed CEO and founder of GDR, Kate brings over 25 years of invaluable experience in business futurism and trend analysis. Serving as the innovation partner to approximately 30 of the world's foremost consumer brands, she provides top-tier consultancy and delivers captivating keynote speeches to industry giants such as P&G, Tesco, Waitrose, Target, Sephora, Microsoft, Google, and Lego. Kate's presentations transcend mere business discussions; she weaves compelling big-picture narratives that delve into the profound impacts of macro forces on the economy, the planet, culture, and technology. Backed by a team of adept researchers and strategists, she identifies global trends and presents innovation case studies that serve as beacons of successful business adaptation, offering invaluable lessons for others in the field. As a dedicated full-time professional conference speaker, Kate's versatility extends to engagements in various mediums, including television, radio, podcasts, panel discussions, board advisories, client presentations, and print. Her commitment to delivering impartial insights underscores her reputation as a trusted expert in navigating the intricate landscape of global business and retail futurism.

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Helen Bourke

SSA UK

Helen is Operations Director at the Self Storage Association, taking up post in March 2019.  Previously, Helen was Director of Membership Services at the Association of Employment and Learning Providers, a not-for-profit, national membership organisation where she spent 8 years working across membership, communications and events. Prior to this, Helen spent 12 additional years in the education, learning and training sector and a number of years working within the corporate sector.

She is passionate about the ‘member’ journey, great customer service and communications.

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Emma Chesterton-Kay

Storage King

Emma has worked in the self storage industry since 2003, initially as a Store Manager in London for Access Self Storage, before moving into Property and Development. Emma moved to Safestore as Acquisitions Manager in 2008 followed by Storage King in 2011 where she has been the Head of UK Property for over ten years.  Prior to joining the self storage industry, Emma spent most of her time in the air teaching Air Cadets to fly motor gliders and achieved her Private Pilots Licence in 2001.

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Gareth Davies

Redsix

With twenty years post qualification sustainability experience of major capital projects, Gareth is a BREEAM Accredited Professional, and a licensed BREEAM Assessor for all public and private sector assessments with an in-depth working experience of all BREEAM schemes, currently involved in a diverse range of projects throughout the UK. He is also a qualified CIBSE Low Carbon Consultant (LCC) for Building Design & Simulation (Levels 4 & 5). 

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Frederic de Ryckman de Betz

Hold Self Storage

Frederic de Ryckman de Betz is the Chair of our immensely popular and engaging Technology and Innovation Sector Forum.  Having founded his own self storage business in 2008, Fred has experience in every part of the business from financing, site finding & viability assessments, through construction to operations.  Under Fred’s leadership, the business he founded won numerous awards including several industry awards for a variety of initiatives, including innovation.

A former director and Chairman of the SSA UK (and Vice President of FEDESSA), Fred has spoken at numerous conferences both at home and abroad on a variety of topics.  The business he founded was the first in the UK to introduce online check-in & account management in 2016, and the first to introduce electronic locks throughout a store in 2020.  Join our well-liked, well-regarded thought-leader and innovator as he continues to explore new opportunities for growth and innovation in the self storage space. 

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Rory Dunn

Approved Business Finance Ltd

With over a decade of experience at the helm of one of the UK’s largest brokerages, where he played a pivotal role in its success, Rory's journey in the commercial finance sector is defined by ambition and innovation. In 2019, he took the bold step to establish his own brokerage, Approved Business Finance Ltd, founded on strong client-first principles.

Now in its sixth year, the Approved Finance Group has become a trusted partner for SMEs across the UK, delivering tailored commercial finance solutions ranging from Asset Finance to Commercial Mortgages. Under Rory’s leadership, the firm has stayed true to its ethos of putting clients at the heart of every decision, ensuring it remains a champion for businesses navigating the financial landscape.

Rory’s forward-thinking approach and dedication to empowering SMEs have firmly established him as a respected voice within the industry.

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James John

Rooks Rider Solicitors

James John is a partner in the Real Estate Department and focuses on commercial and residential real estate. Since joining the firm in 2002, James has developed his interest in self-storage, but was originally connected with the industry from 1997 onwards. His expertise extends beyond national borders, making him a trusted advisor for international clients, including the self-storage industry. James' work is instrumental in navigating the real estate needs of private companies and high-net-worth individuals in the UK.

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Christel Land

Clover 4

Christel Land is a popular business coach/consultant and an experienced sales and marketing trainer with extensive experience working in the self storage industry.  She regularly delivers sales, service, and marketing training sessions for the SSA UK and FEDESSA.  She started out in self storage over 20 years ago and since then she has worked at every level of the industry. It is this experience she brings to her training and coaching. Christel also works with web design and specializes in building smart booking systems for self storage websites. She is the author of the only book to date on sales in the self storage industry.  Combining her engaging training style with an enormous amount of industry knowledge, Christel will give you all the tools you need to grow your sales skills and improve your performance.

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Jill Leckie

Developed by Me

Jill trained at one of the most prestigious digital schools in the world, Hyper Island. She is an accredited Facebook marketing manager and Google Ads and G4 properties manager. Having worked within the self storage vertical for almost 3 years now, Jill is very excited about the future of marketing and advertising within the self storage industry. The opportunities are limitless. Her advice for any new client is “Don’t stress too much about being perfect in this digital age. There can be no such thing as perfection because the digital landscape is changing too quickly. All we can do is test, review, iterate, and test again. Data is everything.”

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Paul Levy

Rooks Rider Solicitors

Paul Levy brings a wealth of knowledge in corporate law with a particular focus on franchising. Since joining the firm in 2020, Paul has worked with the self-storage sector, guiding them through the complexities of corporate structuring and compliance. His background in advising startups and investors enriches his capacity to support SSA UK members, particularly in areas such as business formation, risk management, and strategic growth planning. Paul's extensive experience in the healthcare and hotel and leisure sectors also provides a broad perspective on operational issues.

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Sarah Manning

Secure Stores Nationwide Ltd

Sarah Manning is Managing Director of Secure Stores Nationwide, supplier of shipping containers and related accessories.

Sarah has been in the container industry for the past 14 years, starting her career at Mr Box, which she ran and grew in to one of the largest market players.  Mr Box was then acquired by Mobile Mini in 2016, who Sarah continued to work with for a further 4 years.  Sarah has recently launched her own container business, Secure Stores Nationwide. Secure Stores specialist area is Self-Storage, with a strong focus on customer service.

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Steffan Morgan

Cushman and Wakefield

Professional Expertise and Summary of Experience

Steffan has 11 years of experience in the Real Estate sector and has a wide-ranging skill set that includes brokerage, capital markets and valuation. Steffan is an RICS registered valuer with experience in valuation of retail, industrial, offices and alternative assets across the UK and Europe. Steffan is a former director of a small independent practice in Wales, and later joined Vail Williams concentrating on UK based operation occupancy and strategy.

Steffan joined Cushman & Wakefield to bolster the self-storage team in 2021 and has been a key part in dealing with valuations and transactional activity across the EMEA region. He has a significant network of agents, clients, and investors on a pan European level.

Cushman & Wakefield

Steffan is a Partner in the Self-Storage Team and now leads the Self-Storage Investment and Advisory initiative in the EMEA region.

Steffan works closely with Cushman & Wakefield’s most valuable self-storage clients offering advise and services relating to capital markets, investment and advisory, working closely with client on growth aspirations and portfolio strategy. His experience in valuing the asset class and transactional work makes him an invaluable resource to any client’s team.

Advising across the UK and Europe has meant that Steffan has developed an understanding of international capital flows, cross border operational intricacies and complicated corporate structures.

Developing key relationships with small, medium and large self-storage operators has been at the fore front of Steffan’s activity, understanding the complicated operational drivers of value of his clients’ businesses, developing the Cushman & Wakefield business consultancy offerings.

Portfolio strategy and growth have been a priority for Steffan, using client requirements, data and locational expertise to identify geographical voids and opportunities across the UK. deploying strategic teams across Europe, including the industrial and logistics and repurposing teams to unlock on and off market opportunities. Conversely his role as a portfolio strategist makes him well placed to advise on exit strategy and disposal, leveraging his team to advise on and deliver the best possible exit or restructuring for operators, investors and partners.

Advising on sell side and buy side M&A transactions on a single asset and portfolio level, his expertise on pan European advisory has enabled the development of a best in class offering for Cushman & Wakefield.

Capital Markets and Valuation work undertaken for C&W’s self-storage clients is pan European and coverage includes;

• UK
• Netherlands
• Germany
• Spain
• France
• Denmark
• Belgium
• Italy
• Sweden
• Portugal

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Laura Moxham

YBA

Laura started YBA (Your Business Angels) in 2014 having a lightbulb moment after attending a marketing course in Google Ads. Implementing what she learned in the following six months, they attracted 108 new customers, adding £30,340 to their turnover, with a huge ROI of 220%. From there, she invested heavily in learning, travelling the world, attending programs and courses from some of the biggest marketing names in the world; devouring book after book, course after course, and spent a solid six months of her life studying her new craft, day and night. 8 years later and with multiple awards under her belt and earning the prestigious accolades of being both a Google Premier partner and in the top 3% of agencies, Laura can tell you how using Google Ads and Facebook Ads can transform your business and produce new enquires like a well-oiled machine!

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Jon Neal

Suffolk Mind

Jon Neal is the Chief Executive of Suffolk Mind, who deliver The Mental Health Toolkit across the UK. The training and consultancy are helping employers of all sizes to meet modern-day challenges around mental health in the workplace. In his session, Jon will look at how you can achieve a work/life balance for yourself, and how you can enable this for your team.

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Neil Newman-Shepherd

NNS Consulting

Neil Newman-Shepherd has over 20 years’ experience of developing, operating and selling landmark, institutional grade assets in the UK self-storage market.  His extensive experience spans Business Strategy, Site Selection, Development, Branding and Marketing, Sales & Operations as well as Third-Party Management, Investor Relations, and Corporate Finance.

Last year, as Managing Director of Lok’nStore, Neil led the deal team that successfully sold the business to Shurgard for £385m, delivering significant investor return.

Currently Neil is consulting for Institutional Investors and Operators in the UK and Europe.

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Sean O'Meara

Essential Content

Sean O’Meara is an award-winning public relations advisor, best-selling author and managing director of Essential Content.

He’s written extensively on the topic of brand reputation, including columns for The Telegraph and CityAM.

In 2019, he co-authored the chart-topping reputation management book The Apology Impulse.  

As managing director of Essential Content, he helps to protect and enhance the reputations of businesses of all sizes, across a range of sectors, including storage, removals, logistics, transport, banking, finance and manufacturing.

Daily Mail journalist Tom Cotterill once referred to him as a ‘PR guru’.

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Daryl Perry

Cushman & Wakefield

Daryl is responsible for leading the UK Research & Insight team, delivering value-adding market insight across offices, retail, logistics and industrial and specialist markets, as well as thought leadership on emerging trends and issues.  He works closely with the firm’s subject matter experts and analysts to deliver innovative data-driven insight and analysis for its clients across all property sectors.  He has been directing production of the SSA UK industry report for the past 3 years.

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Rennie Schafer

SSA UK & FEDESSA

Rennie is the current CEO of FEDESSA and the Self Storage Association UK, having previously been the CEO of the Australasian Self Storage Association for over 9 years.  Rennie has extensive knowledge of the self storage industry across the world, from the developing Asian markets through to the birthplace of self storage in the USA.  He has over 27 years of association management experience, 21 at CEO level.  Rennie has an MBA from Deakin University and completed the Oxford University High performance leadership programme.

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Trevor Williams

Economist

Trevor Williams served as Chief Economist at Lloyds Bank for over a decade. Now an author, academic and consultant, he analyses the key trends and policies that shape the economy and markets. From energy and climate to how companies use their data to understand the wider economy, he brings clarity and relevance to an often complex and abstract field.

Trevor worked for the civil service whilst studying for his economics PhD, after which he went on to work for over 30 years as an economist in the City, most notably at Lloyds. His professional life has encompassed equity and foreign exchange, forecasting and financial analysis. Today he provides clear insight into how politics, demographics and trade shape economies and economic trends.

From earnings and inflation to stock markets and trade deals, Trevor explores what is going on in the economy and what it means to organisations and individuals. Looking at both the global and the local, the long and short term, he explains what the numbers really reveal. With a focus on interpreting the information as it is, not as people might think or wish it was, he considers the effects of disruptions like Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, and how (and how quickly) economies can recover and what actions influence that recovery.

Trevor also studies what risks businesses and government face and how the economy will react. In particular, he looks at the political economics of climate change, including the risks for investors, insurers and the general population that this existential challenge could impose. He also examines the economics of energy; the likelihood, causes and potential effects of energy shortages and what decisions and policies have increased the risk of energy reserves running low, as well as the cost to businesses and consumers.

As rotating Chair of the Institute of Economic Affairs’ Shadow Monetary Policy Committee Trevor keeps a close eye on Bank of England decisions and direction of travel. He unpicks the impact of interest rates, monetary policy and quantitative easing and translates them into useful intelligence businesses can use to inform strategy. He also reveals how companies can use their own big data sets to reveal insights into the broader economy and their place within it.

Along with his own blog, Trevor writes regularly on financial and market matters, including a regular column in the personal finance magazine Moneyfacts. He is the co-author of Trading Economics, a clear guide to the statistics and indicators that underpin market economics. He is a Professor at St Mary’s University, London and Visiting Professor at the University of Derby.

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