With more than 40 years’ experience in planning, property and development consultancy, I have worked with some of the UK’s leading property businesses, developers, investors and public-sector organisations on complex and high-profile projects.

My experience extends beyond planning advice. I have built and grown successful consultancy businesses, developed high-performing teams, advised senior leadership on business strategy, and acted as an expert witness on major planning and development matters. I now bring that experience to organisations looking for an independent, commercially focused perspective.

Growing Businesses

I have established and developed planning teams and offices, created business plans, developed new client relationships and helped businesses respond to changing markets. As a Partner at Drivers Jonas, I helped establish the Manchester office and built a team of 75 people. Later, as Head of London Planning and Head of the National Planning Practice at Deloitte, I was responsible for a national team of around 80 planners across London, Manchester and Leeds.

I can provide practical advice on business strategy, growth opportunities, organisational structure, succession planning, business development and managing change, drawing on experience of building businesses from the ground up as well as leading established national practices.

Building and Managing Teams

I have extensive experience recruiting, developing and leading multidisciplinary teams, from creating new offices to managing established national practices.

My leadership experience includes recruitment and onboarding, talent management, performance reviews, career development, resource allocation and succession planning. I have coached colleagues through senior promotions and supported individuals in developing the confidence and skills to take on greater responsibility.

I also understand the challenges that accompany periods of significant change. Following the merger of Drivers Jonas and Deloitte, I led engagement and change-management activity within the planning business, involving employees in business planning and helping teams adapt to a new organisational structure.

Expert Witness

I have extensive experience acting as an expert witness in planning, development and compulsory purchase matters. I have prepared expert reports and given evidence at planning inquiries, Local Plan examinations, called-in applications and Compulsory Purchase Order inquiries, as well as proceedings before the Lands Tribunal.

My work has included acting as expert witness for Waverley Borough Council on the Dunsfold Park project and advising HS2 as an expert planning witness on major compulsory purchase compensation claims relating to Euston Station. I have also provided expert evidence concerning the economic need for major developments, including Liverpool One.

I combine detailed technical knowledge with an ability to analyse complex evidence, identify the key issues and communicate conclusions clearly and objectively. My experience working across planning, economics, development and multidisciplinary teams enables me to understand both the technical and commercial context of a case.