Jake Shilston – Indurent

Company: Indurent

Role: Development Director

As Development Director, I oversee the full lifecycle of industrial property development across the UK, from the acquisition of sites to their eventual sale or lease to customers. This includes everything from the initial site promotion, planning, and design, to the technical delivery and legal aspects involved in development. I manage the design and execution of land remediation, earthworks, utilities, flood modelling, and highways, ensuring that we meet both environmental and technical standards.

My role is also integral to the financial side of the business; I work closely with the investment team to lead on “oven-ready” site acquisitions and forward-funding arrangements with other developers. This requires a deep understanding of both the property development process and the investment landscape to ensure the success of each project.

After my A Levels, I attended Nottingham Trent University, where I earned a BSc (Hons) in Property Development & Planning. My degree provided me with a solid foundation in both the practical and theoretical aspects of property development, including planning, legal, and financial considerations. I am also a Chartered Surveyor (MRICS).  For my current role, I was approached by a recruiter. The role found me, and once I understood the breadth and scope of what was involved, I was immediately interested. The dynamic nature of property development drew me in, along with the opportunity to work on large-scale, impactful projects.

In property development, no two days are alike. You’re always working on something new, whether it’s designing a new site, negotiating with investors, or liaising with local authorities. There’s also a thrill in the deal-making process, whether it’s landing a new tenant for a speculative development or finalising an acquisition. This diversity offers the chance to develop skills across multiple disciplines, from finance to engineering, to project management and legal matters. I also believe property development is one of the most rewarding professions for chartered surveyors. The ability to transform land into valuable infrastructure, create jobs, and drive economic growth is a huge motivator for me. Equally rewarding is the long-term impact of the projects I work on. It’s immensely satisfying to see greenfield or brownfield sites transformed into thriving industrial hubs. These developments not only benefit local economies but also provide new jobs, boosting the community. Knowing I’m contributing to that positive change is a key reason I find my role so rewarding.

One of my proudest achievements was during the COVID-19 pandemic when I helped deliver over 700,000 square feet of industrial space across two sites in Stoke-on-Trent. The average empty time was less than three months, and involved delivery of key local infrastructure including a new bridge and road network for Etruria Valley. During a challenging period this scheme was a huge success and allowed us to work with major logistics operators in the region. Another major highlight was securing a prime site near East Midlands Airport for a joint venture. This development will deliver a 640,000 square foot industrial unit, the largest in our company’s history and one of the biggest speculative developments set for 2026. It’s an exciting project, and we expect to secure a major logistics occupier before the build is completed. Being involved in such high-profile projects has been a fantastic career milestone.