Partnerships
Managing Director
Managing Director
Founder of First Step Group Harinder ‘Harry’ is a property person through and through, he has over 25 years’ experience in the industry.
Under his leadership the company has built up a track record of delivering successful, high quality developments in the North West and West Midlands. He is passionate about making places and only delivering developments that he would be happy to live in himself.
Harry draws inspiration from his travels and has a keen eye for detail, which is reflected in the company’s ethos. In his free time Harry enjoys walking, playing table tennis, visiting great restaurants, and exploring the latest design trends and exhibitions. Harry is a self-confessed design junkie and can often be found getting excited over the tiniest of design details!
Senior Project Manager
Senior Project Manager
A degree in Civil Engineering was the starting point for a thirty-year career in Tier 1 main contracting operating across all sectors. Steve brings a wealth of technical knowledge, experience, and a passion for ensuring successful project delivery to the highest quality.
When not working on the seemingly endless DIY jobs on his Victorian family home, Steve loves to escape to walk his dog Jasper on the hills and valleys around Ramsbottom and attends live music events whenever possible.
Development Director
Development Director
Patrick manages development projects for Step Places from their inception to completion. His role is to oversee the planning, legal and design development stages of the projects and provide input into the procurement process. His role continues throughout the construction and sales stages having an overall responsibility for the project's success. Of key importance within Patrick’s role is to develop relationships with our joint venture partners in both the public and private sectors.
Patrick’s semi-professional rugby career was brought to a premature end, and he quotes his main hobby is now enjoying family life at home. As a family, they designed and self-built their home and now enjoy the health benefits and cost savings of 'green living’.
Affordable Housing Consultant
Affordable Housing Consultant
Phil has worked within the Housing Association sector at a senior level for over 30 years as Director of Development and has a wealth of experience in delivering affordable housing projects for various social landlords. He has a particular interest in sustainability and has procured and project managed award-winning Passivhaus schemes across Salford and Manchester. He has also served on the Boards of numerous Housing Associations, previously being appointed as Chair of a large Manchester-based landlord.
Outside of work, Phil is a keen table tennis player, and as well as being a qualified coach, he plays competitively in numerous local leagues. He is a lifelong Manchester United supporter and also enjoys walking and travel.
Financial Director
Financial Director
Ryan prides himself on being first into work every day. A qualified chartered accountant, Ryan has worked in property and construction for over 15 years with some major companies, before becoming a key part of the Step Places team.
Ryan is a keen runner and keep fit fanatic. He enjoys a round of golf with a single digit handicap and got his first hole in one at the age of 13.
Being a big family man, he has indoctrinated his son to support into his boyhood club, Oldham Athletic FC.
Health & Property Advisor
Health & Property Advisor
Paul joins the team having spent the majority of his career in the NHS, the last 12 years as Director of Estates and Facilities in both Acute and Mental Health Hospitals. Bolton born and bred; Paul serves his penance as a Bolton Wanderers season ticket holder. To escape the trials and tribulations of football, you will find Paul on the moors above Bolton and the Lake District with family and friends or accompanied by Messrs Jagger, Plant and Lemmy through his avid listening of rock music.
Management Accountant
Management Accountant
Darya works alongside Ryan Booth and Ryan Hoolihan. She likes diversity and trying new thing, so once she graduated from Accounting and Finance, she went to do a Masters in Education Studies. She has worked in accounting industry for over 5 years and found an amazing opportunity to join a growing business. Her future goal is to grow into a managerial role in the accounting industry.
She loves travelling, mostly with her family and enjoys trying new food and new places. Any free time she has, she listens to music (and she loves dancing along as well!). Through her interest in South Korea music, she home-studied Korean language to intermediate level, so now she speaks three languages: Khmer, English and Korean.
Construction Director
Construction Director
Steve Burke has over 40 years experience in the construction industry, 30 of them as a managing director at a multinational tier-one contractor with £60m turnover.
Since joining the Step Places team, Steve has brought added dimension to the team and is adding value in many key areas. He directs our team of highly experienced construction professionals, and meets and satisfies the most stringent requirements of any project.
Steve operates across our business on carefully planned strategic objectives. He has achieved ISO9001, ISO14001, OHSAS 18001 Investors in People Accredited Status. Steve is also Construction Line and CHAS accredited for major schemes.
Finance Controller
Finance Controller
Ryan has a degree in accounting and finance. He has worked in the industry for over 12 years and decided to be part of a growing business. He combines his experience and level-headedness to bring an all-round offer to the accounts team.
With a passion for travel, F1 and all things Manchester United, Ryan is also a keen gardener and enjoys running in his spare time.
ESG Lead
ESG Lead
Ashmit is studying Management with a specialisation in International Business and Economics at the University of Manchester and has joined us for his industrial placement year. He is working alongside Harry Dhaliwal and his future aspirations are to diversify his skills around the business and work towards a managerial role within a fast-paced environment.
He loves listening to music, whether it be 70s rock bands such as Pink Floyd or current music such as The Weeknd and loves a bit of karaoke too. He is extremely competitive when it comes to any sports especially playing football or his latest passion, padel.
Sales & Marketing Manager
Sales & Marketing Manager
Ella has completed a degree in Marketing and Management. She is now working alongside Harry, to incorporate her creative flare and passion for Marketing into the Step Places Brand. Her goal is to evolve, grow and gain an abundance of knowledge from everyone at Step Places.
In her spare time Ella loves travelling, fashion and spending time with friends and family. She also loves hiking in the peak district and going to Pilates classes!
Executive Assistant
Executive Assistant
Vineet has graduated from Computer Science and recently finished a master's in game development. He has a keen passion for graphics and visuals which will help Step Places move forwards to the next "step". He also helps with the overall organization of the company.
He has got quite few interests, he plays pool competitively for both Manchester Unis, he enjoys videogames, loves eating out with friends, a film is a really good plan for him (specially romance or animated) and a bit of poetry.
Collaboration
Collaboration lies at the heart of everything we do at Step Places. We recognise that the best places are created through strong partnerships built on knowledge, shared ambition, trust, and a combined vision.
By working alongside public sector organisations, housing associations, and local authorities, we bring forward development opportunities that deliver genuine community benefits. Our approach is rooted in openness and mutual respect. We listen, engage, and collaborate to align strategic goals with tangible outcomes. Ensuring every project contributes to thriving, inclusive, and resilient neighbourhoods.
Through these partnerships, we deliver not just buildings, but places that inspire belonging and pride.
Expertise
Our team brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to every partnership. Throughout the different stages of Master Planning and Development Management to the delivery of Project Management, Financial Modelling, and Investment Strategy, we provide comprehensive services that supports our partners at every step.
We understand the complexity of modern regeneration and development, and our expertise allows us to navigate each challenge with clarity and purpose. Whether delivering Social Housing, shaping place making initiatives, or offering strategic consultancy, we combine commercial insight with social responsibility to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Delivery
Partnerships are only as strong as the results they deliver. At Step Places, we take pride in turning shared visions into reality through a meticulous and hands-on approach.
Our ability to act as Main Contractor, manage construction delivery, through AEDI Construction, which ensures that every project is delivered with a common goal.
We focus on long-term value, creating sustainable developments that stand the test of time and contribute to the social and economic wellbeing of communities. Together with our partners, we are shaping places that make a lasting difference.
Environmental
We actively assess our impact on the environment from the inception of our vision to the delivery of homes on site. Adopting modern methods of construction allowing us to minimise waste and reduce our carbon footprint. This off-site process results in fewer vehicles on site, cutting emissions to a minimum.
Our homes are designed to insulate more effectively, incorporating Air Source Heat Pumps and MVHR ventilation systems to reduce energy wastage and lower fuel bills for homeowners. Through active research and the adoption of these heating methods, which we have been installing since 2014, we proactively respond to industry challenges and align with future government regulations.
Social
At Step Places, we recognise that regeneration is about people as much as places. Through our partnership with Mustard Tree, our team actively volunteers time and resources to support individuals facing poverty and homelessness, helping to build stronger and more resilient communities.
Alongside this, we collaborate with graduates and students, offering guidance, mentoring, and opportunities to gain valuable industry experience.
By investing in future talent and supporting those most in need, we ensure our projects deliver a positive social impact that extends well beyond the built environment, fostering inclusion, opportunity, and long‑term community wellbeing.
Governance
Strong governance is the foundation of any business. We operate with transparency, accountability, and integrity at every stage of the development process, ensuring that our decisions are guided by robust ethical standards.
Our governance framework promotes clear oversight, risk management, and compliance with industry regulations, giving confidence to our partners, stakeholders, and communities. We are committed to maintaining the highest levels of professionalism, from financial modelling and investment strategy through to project delivery.
By embedding good governance into our culture, we safeguard long‑term value, build trust, and ensure that every project aligns with our vision and responsibilities.
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