Leading property developer Ashfield Land has today announced the appointment of planning specialist Ian Mellor as a non-executive director to support the company’s projects right across the UK.
Ian, a former senior equity partner at Barton Willmore, joins Ashfield Land to oversee the company’s strategic planning projects throughout the UK.
Ian’s extensive experience has seen him work on land development for a range of developers, land owners and financial institutions as well as local authorities and government departments such as the Ministry of Defence and the NHS throughout England and Scotland.
Ashfield Land projects include the development of Regent Circus, a five-acre retail and leisure venue in Swindon. Construction is currently underway with the scheme due to open in 2014. Facilities include a 50,000 sq ft Morissons, six screen Cineworld and eight high quality restaurants including Prezzo, Nandos, Coal and Ask.
Andrew Fisher, managing director of Ashfield Land, said: “Ashfield Land’s biggest asset is its people. Our team has over 140 years’ combined experience in the property business, encompassing planning, development, investment and agency.
“Ian will be a valuable addition to the Ashfield Land team. He joins at an opportune time as the company continues to grow with the recent launch of our London office in Mayfair, right at the heart of London’s bustling commercial property sector.”
Ian said: “I’m delighted to be joining Ashfield Land at such an important time and I’m excited about contributing to the many projects on the horizon. I hope that my experience within strategic planning will give Ashfield Land an advantage with projects already in the early stages of development and others that are yet to reach the planning stage.”
Ian achieved an honours degree in economics and a postgraduate diploma in town planning. He is a Fellow of the Royal Town Planning Institute and a Fellow of the Forum for the Built Environment. His career highlights include leading a team of more than 50 staff and opening new offices in Cardiff and Edinburgh. He has been called to give evidence at numerous public inquiries into development projects and Lands Tribunals and has assisted the High Court in planning issues. His main area of expertise has been residential developments throughout the South West. Married with two children, Ian lives in Wiltshire.