Behind the scenes: the Commercial Property Committee
As we get closer and closer to opening the permanent Gympanzees centre, there is a lot going on behind the scenes. Hard hats, plans, spreadsheets, meetings, site visits and more cups of tea than anyone can count.
One of the teams quietly making the magic happen is our Commercial Property Committee.
A group of seven brilliant humans with a huge mix of property skills and experience, all volunteering their time to help turn our very big dream into an actual, real-life centre, and a sustainable one too.
Their role is not about bricks and mortar. The committee has been working on how part of the site could generate long term income to support the charity once the doors open. That means carefully exploring how surplus space could be commercialised in the right way, through sale or rental opportunities that align with our values and support our long term sustainability.
All options have been thoroughly investigated, including selling part of the site. After detailed review and speaking to different interested parties, that route was ruled out for the time being. The focus now is firmly on finding the right rental partners and uses that help secure Gympanzees future without compromising our mission.
To bring this to life a bit more, we had a chat with one of our committee members, Jayne Rixon.
Jayne is a Chartered Surveyor with over 25 years’ experience in the Bristol property world and luckily for us, she is also very generous with her time and expertise.
So Jayne… what does the Commercial Property Committee actually do?
Jayne laughs and keeps it refreshingly simple.
“The role of the committee is to advise on matters relating to creating additional income from surplus space or land, helping to maximise income for the charity.”
In human terms, that means guiding the big decisions about how the building and site can generate sustainable income after we open. The committee has explored every option thoroughly, from property strategy and negotiations to long term planning for how the space can work hard for Gympanzees in the future.
It is about ensuring the centre is not only built well but also sustainable, accessible, and financially sound for years to come. Protecting the charity and making every square metre count.
From vision to actual bricks and mortar
Some of the committee have been involved from the early days, including helping Gympanzees find and secure the right site for our forever home.
That meant negotiating, working closely with solicitors and funders, and staying with the process through to completion. A lot of patient, detailed, behind the scenes graft.
For Jayne, one moment really stood out.
“Starting the strip out meant it was all starting to happen.”
That was the point where years of planning, dreaming, meetings and problem solving suddenly turned into something you could actually see on site. Dusty. Noisy. Very real.
The tricky bits (and teamwork making the dream work)
Big projects always come with big challenges, and fundraising is a huge one, especially when you are building something from scratch.
What we love is that committee members not only worked above and beyond what was expected of them to commercialise our land, but also rolled up their sleeves to support fundraising. They became Gymbassadors, promoted campaigns and helped raise funds alongside the wider team.
Jayne was part of our crowdfunding campaign and loved being involved.
“Being a Gymbassador and helping with the crowdfunding campaign was very rewarding.”
The real superpower of the committee is the mix of brains around the table. Planning, infrastructure, sustainability, accessibility, finance and property expertise are all covered.
“The range of expertise on the committee appears to have addressed all of these considerations,” Jayne says.
Which is exactly what you want when you are building something this important.
Looking ahead (the bit that makes us emotional)
When we asked Jayne to sum up what the centre will mean for families, she did not hesitate.
“It will be life-changing for so many families.”
When the centre opens, the committee will turn their attention to how to commercialise the spare 10,000sqft we have on our first floor (which is yet to be developed). This will provide new income streams to continue to support Gympanzees’ sustainability.
“Working together as a team really can make incredible things happen.”
The Commercial Property Committee may not be the most visible part of the project, but their impact will be felt for years to come, helping ensure the centre is not only extraordinary on opening day, but sustainable long into the future.
Join us to hear what's next
If you would like to hear more about what is coming next for Gympanzees, including timelines, design progress and how we get over the finish line, we would love you to join our upcoming webinar.
📅 10 February
⏰ 8.30am
💻 Online
With huge thanks to our Commercial Property Committee
We are incredibly grateful to the members of our Commercial Property Committee, who give their time and expertise to help make Gympanzees not just possible, but sustainable for the long term.
Their combined knowledge across property, development, investment and estates strategy has been invaluable.
Thank you to:
Stephen Davies, Chartered Building Surveyor, RICS
David Mace, Director, Bayliss Estates and Property Consultant
Simon Bennett, Director, Investment, Acquisition and Disposal Consultant
Spencer Crowder, Chartered Surveyor and Development Director
Martyn Jones, Partner, Alder King Property Consultants
Jayne Rixon, Chartered Surveyor specialising in office, industrial and retail agency
William Bill Marshall, CEO, Just Good Solutions, AI and Estates Data Researcher, Pro Vice Chancellor Emeritus
