A highly professional team with a different way of working producing a different way of thinking.
Sheila King - Founder & Chief Executive
Sheila is renowned for her visionary approach to retail destinations, global industry contacts and retailer relationships. Throughout her career, Sheila has consistently anticipated trends in retail mix and the growth of new international brands and implemented strategies to benefit from them.
She established Sheila King International in 2014 after 20 years as Group Leasing Director and New Business Director at Hammerson plc.
Sheila led the leasing strategy for all nine of Hammerson’s major city centre and regional developments including Bullring, Birmingham, Brent Cross and Spitalfields London.
Before joining Hammerson plc in 1994, Sheila was a Senior Executive at Capital Shopping Centres (CSC) and, at 26, was given the responsibility to run the development and leasing of the 1 million sq ft Glades shopping centre, Bromley. At the time, CSC were the leading shopping centre innovators in the UK, introducing turnover rents to the UK in Bromley.
Industry Appointments
• Member of the Supervisory Board, Multi Corporation - The Blackstone Group 2015 - 2017
• Advisor to The Blackstone Group Europe 2017-current
• ICSC European Executive & Advisory Boards 2008-2019
• Property Week Editorial Board Member
Michaela Dakin
Michaela is one of the UK’s leading retail real estate consultants with a huge passion for retail, mixed use and placemaking.
She has built a considerable track-record in providing strategic leasing advice on prime retail assets and developments for URW, Hammerson, Land Securities, Grosvenor and British Land. Michaela has also built valuable long term international relationships within the retail and leisure occupier markets.
Michaela’s wealth of knowledge and network provide landlord clients with an informed strategic overview and dialogue with key retailers.
Michaela joined SKI in April 2020 following a 20-year career at Cushman & Wakefield as an International Partner within their EMEA Retail Team.
Ruby Elmhirst
Ruby Elmhirst joined Sheila King in May 2019 and is responsible for building relationships with new emerging and DTC brands, identifying new concepts and trends and evaluating the strength of these retailers as they move into the real estate domain.
Ruby previously worked at The Maiyet Collective, described by Refinery 29 as ‘fashion’s coolest sustainable store’ and by the Financial Times as ‘the pop-up reinventing eco-fashion’. She sourced, secured and managed partnerships with 80+ brands. Ruby has also worked with L’Estrange London, developing brand partnerships and the concept for their first retail ‘Apartment’.
Currently, Ruby also works as a producer on launches and campaigns for digital-first brands such as Away and luxury labels including Gabriella Hearst. She also serves as an expert for Atelier100, the initiative launched by Ingka Group (the largest IKEA franchisee) and H&M, which funds and mentors emerging and British designers, particularly those with a sustainability focus.
Rebecca Pearson
Rebecca is a highly experienced retail real estate professional with over a decade of international experience working directly with brands supporting their expansion across Asia, North America and EMEA.
She successfully guided global brands through complex market entry strategies, high-profile retail rollouts and multi-site acquisitions in key cities including Hong Kong, Singapore, London and New York. Her expertise spans tenant representation, transaction management, landlord leasing and strategic market planning.
Rebecca joined SKI in May 2025 following a successful international career at CBRE, a global leader in commercial real estate services, where she held senior roles in Hong Kong and Singapore and led global retail mandates for retailer clients expanding into key global markets
Passionate about retail trends and the growth journey of emerging brands, Rebecca brings a globally informed, proactive approach to every project. Her deep international experience and cultural awareness have helped her build lasting relationships with landlords, retailers, brokers and developers around the world.
Rebecca Knott
Rebecca is responsible for client liaison and the administration of the business.
Rebecca joined SKI in January 2026, and brings over 25 years of experience as an Executive Assistant.
Her career has taken her through some of the most prestigious organisations in the financial world, including HSBC Asset Management and GLG Man hedge fund, where she supported senior executives.
Most recently, Rebecca ran her own personal assistant company, partnering with a variety of business owners to help with the day-to-day running of their businesses.
Tom Horne - Specialist Consultant
Tom co-founded L'Estrange London, a direct to consumer menswear brand on a mission to reduce the amount of clothes we need in our wardrobes. Their simplified clothing system comprises comfortable, seasonless, versatile pieces designed to be worn in any setting. Fewer things, fewer decisions and less impact on the planet.
L’Estrange has been championed by major international publications including Esquire, GQ, Fast Company, The Times who named them “the new smart casual” and was recently listed in the top 100 of the Financial Times list of Europe's Fastest Growing Businesses for 2021. Business Insider also included L'Estrange in their 10 Sustainable Brands to Watch in 2020.
Alongside L’Estrange, Tom consults for Sheila King International on the changing face of retail, advising on emerging brands, trends, retail concepts and placemaking.
Yago Bonastre - Specialist Consultant
Yago Bonastre is a hospitality and real estate professional with extensive experience developing food, beverage and leisure strategies across international mixed-use and retail destinations. Having worked as landlord, consultant and retailer, he brings a unique 360-degree vision of the hospitality ecosystem and a strong understanding of how F&B concepts can enhance customer experience and asset value.
Throughout his career, Yago has held positions at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, Europacity, Time Out Market and Nhood, where as part of the management team he has led the development and expansion of hospitality and leisure projects across Europe and the Middle East.
Since October 2024, Yago has been Co-Founder of Krudo Raw Bar in Madrid, a contemporary dining concept focused on elevated raw cuisine and guest experience.
Today, he continues to focus on innovative hospitality, leisure and experiential food destinations which create value to their surroundings.
Yago holds a Master’s Degree in Hospitality Management at MACC (Madrid Culinary Campus) by Ferran Adrià.
Sarah Mander - Specialist Consultant
With 21 years experience at Hammerson, Sarah was responsible for shopping centre leasing during both the development and investment phases, Sarah is now a consultant for Sheila King International specialising in project work.
Sarah’s expertise lies in her involvement in prime retail and leisure destinations and understanding the unique value these environments offer to brands in today’s digital world.
At Hammerson, Sarah led the leasing team at the 158,000 sq. m Bullring Estate, Birmingham formulating the post pandemic leasing strategy, cultivating strong relationships with occupiers and engaging with key stakeholders.
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