The Team.
Great Developments
are
Built by Great Teams.
We work with experienced professionals across planning, design and construction, bringing the right people together for each project.
James Cook
Founder & Managing Director - Three Keys Developments.
James founded Three Keys with a focus on delivering thoughtful, high-quality homes designed to stand the test of time.
Homes that respect their surroundings, preserve local character, and stand as lasting additions to their communities for generations to come.
After serving six years in the British Army, he spent eight years in the Superyacht industry, progressing to Captain. Taking responsibility for complex operations, managing crew, guests, cruising itinerary, finances, maintenance and refit projects, both planned and unplanned.
Across both careers, he developed a strong foundation in leadership, planning, and delivering results in demanding environments.
A key principle that underpins his approach is that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. This has shaped the way he approaches development, placing particular emphasis on working with the right people and ensuring every stage of a project is handled by experienced professionals.
With a deep appreciation for the British countryside and timeless architecture, his focus is on prioritising thoughtful, well-considered developments that strengthen existing communities in built-up areas first.
Looking ahead, his long-term vision is to create homes that reflect the character of the past while meeting the standards of the future.
“Homes that look like the old, but live like the new.”
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
Below are some of the key independent professionals we work with.
Dan Stiles
Quantity Surveyor and Project Manager.
Director - Syndicate Property Development Ltd.
Dan is an experienced Quantity Surveyor and Project Manager with over 30 years of expertise in delivering complex commercial, residential, and public sector projects.
His extensive portfolio spans a wide range of developments, including retail parks, healthcare facilities, ultra-high-end residential properties, aviation hubs, and large-scale commercial conversions.
Dan’s diverse experience reflects his ability to adapt to the unique challenges of each project while maintaining a consistent focus on quality and client satisfaction.
As the Director of Syndicate Property Development Ltd, Dan is committed to fostering strong client relationships and driving efficiency in every project.
His hands-on leadership, strategic insight, and ability to deliver results have earned him a reputation for excellence in the construction industry.
Additionally, Dan sits as head technical coach on the technical team panels where he mentors aspiring developers through the international professional training academy provider ‘PropertyCEO’, sharing his wealth of knowledge to support the next generation of property professionals.
Dan's proven track record, combined with his focus on quality and client satisfaction, makes him a trusted leader and valued contributor to any construction or development project.
Click the logo below to check out Syndicate Property Development Ltd.
Colin Smith
Planning Consultant, Developer and Public Speaker.
Planning Expert - Go Planner.
Colin Smith has been established for over 30 years and over that time has been involved with hundreds of planning issues and resolved a great many of them positively for his clients. With wide experience in all areas of buildings and planning regulation, he helps people make the most out of their property or any land they may own.
The important factor is in knowing what you can and cannot do with a property or area of land. So, with an insight into building controls, planning policy and law, he can help find a practical and economical solution.
He works with clients so they achieve value out of their property in a way which will usually give them more space, enable them to expand, or realise a land asset.
In terms of land, he advises on the options available and the potential uses of that land, whether that is a residential property or number of properties or other use. He will oversee the design process and liaise with the Local Authority and obtain necessary approvals.
He has extensive knowledge of planning regulations and controls, hands-on construction know-how, can project manage, and possesses an acute understanding of planning law and policies. He is widely regarded as a key authority on commercial to residential conversions using strategically applied permitted development rights.
Relationships are key to the process – with both the client and the planning authority – and through his experience, knowledge and contacts, he offers a comprehensive “one-stop shop” service to all planning and building needs.
His early experience was in private architectural practice, learning the art of drawing and design and helping the company become one of the early adopters of CAD (computer-aided-design).
On becoming self-employed, he ran an architectural, property and design business and co-ordinated a design and building team on a wide range of domestic projects. Whether it is an extension, conversion or new-build, he offers a complete planning consultancy through helping secure planning permission, providing expert advice, estimates, liaison with councils and builders and troubleshooting.
Click the logo below to check out Go Planner.
Tony Power
Legal Consultant | Strategic Legal Advisor | Property Legal Specialist
Director - Empowerment Legal Consultancy Ltd.
Tony Power is the founder of Empowerment Legal Consultancy Ltd, working with business owners, property investors and developers to identify legal and structural risk before positions become commercially restrictive, expensive or difficult to unwind.
His work focuses on strategic contractual and commercial risk advisory across property, development and business transactions, helping clients understand where leverage, exposure and control truly sit within their agreements, structures and decision making while flexibility and strategic choice still remain.
Tony’s background spans frontline policing, County Court advocacy, university law lecturing, accredited expert witness work and strategic legal advisory, combining practical dispute awareness with commercially focused legal thinking.
Alongside his consultancy work, Tony operates within high level property investment and development environments, serves on the expert panel for Property CEO, and forms part of the Key Leadership Team at Meta-Dology as Legal Advisor for the UK and Europe.
He is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and retains professional affiliation with the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple.
Disclaimer
Tony Power is an independent legal consultant. He is not a practising solicitor or barrister and does not carry out reserved legal activities. His consultancy services are limited to non-reserved legal work, including advisory, drafting and compliance related support. His inclusion on this website does not create a partnership, employment relationship, or agency arrangement, nor does it constitute an endorsement of any investment opportunity or an assumption of responsibility for the affairs of the hosting organisation.
Click the logo below to check out Empowerment Legal Consultancy Ltd.
Every project is different.
The right outcome starts with the right team.
Get in Touch
If you have a building, site, land opportunity, would like to discuss a potential partnership, or investment opportunity, complete the form and briefly outline your situation.
We’ll review the details and come back to you to arrange an initial conversation.
Prefer to speak directly?
Call us on 01258 488 870.