Leading property consultancy Fisher German has strengthened its planning team with seven appointments as it responds to increasing demand for specialist planning advice across the UK.
The firm has welcomed Ben Hackeson, Jack Merrin, Antonia Wyatt, Chloe Duggan, Jenny Perkins, Chris Romano and Sophia Neeld, further enhancing its expertise across infrastructure, strategic and general practice planning.
Ben Hackeson has rejoined Fisher German’s infrastructure planning team and is based at the firm’s Manchester office. He returns to the business following a period with another consultancy, where he advised on a range of projects across the water, rail and electricity sectors.
Jack Merrin has joined Fisher German as a Graduate Planner and will be based at the firm’s Ashby-de-la-Zouch office.
Antonia Wyatt has also returned to Fisher German and will work within the infrastructure planning team from the Ashby-de-la-Zouch office. She joins a growing team alongside newly promoted Partner Jenny Occleshaw.
Chloe Duggan has joined as a Senior Associate Planner within the infrastructure planning team. She brings around eight years of experience in infrastructure planning and consenting and currently serves as Secretary of the Women in Planning North West branch.
Jenny Perkins has joined the strategic planning team from Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, where she worked as a Planning Policy Officer, helping to prepare evidence for the authority’s Local Plan. Alongside her role at Fisher German, Jenny is completing the final year of an MSc Urban and Regional Planning Chartered Degree Apprenticeship at the University of Birmingham and is working towards Chartered Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
Chris Romano has also joined the strategic planning team following his graduation from the University of Birmingham with a degree in Geography and Urban Planning.
Sophia Neeld has joined the firm’s general practice planning team after impressing during a summer placement with Fisher German following the completion of her BA (Hons) in Geography from the University of Liverpool. Sophia has since begun studying part-time for a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Birmingham, supported by the business.
The appointments reflect Fisher German’s continued investment in its planning services and commitment to developing the next generation of planning professionals. The expanded team brings together expertise from both the public and private sectors, enabling the firm to provide clients with a broad range of planning advice across infrastructure, development and strategic planning.
Sarah DeRenzy-Tomson, Partner and Head of Planning at Fisher German, said: “With the planning system entering a a significant period of transition, clients are seeking advisers who combine deep expertise in development and infrastructure with a practical understanding of how to deliver solutions and consents working closely with local planning authorities.
“Changes to the planning system and the wider restructuring of local government will create both challenges and opportunities. Having colleagues with experience from across the public and private sectors will help us guide clients through that changing landscape and provide advice which supports the delivery of sustainable development.
“Ben brings valuable experience in delivering major infrastructure projects and already has a strong understanding of Fisher German and the collaborative way we work.
“We are delighted to welcome Ben and Antonia back to Fisher German and to welcome Jack, Chloe, Jenny, Chris and Sophia to the team. Their combined experience, technical expertise and fresh perspectives further enhance the depth and breadth of our planning team.
“At a time when the planning landscape is undergoing significant change, these appointments strengthen our ability to deliver trusted and forward-thinking advice to clients across the development, infrastructure and property sectors.
“It is important that the profession continues to attract and develop new talent. Graduates are the future of planning, and we have a responsibility to give them exposure to a wide variety of projects, experienced colleagues and structured professional development.”
Angela Brooks, Partner in the strategic planning team at Fisher German, added: “These appointments are an important part of the continued growth of our planning team and strengthen the breadth of expertise we offer to clients.
“Jenny’s local authority background will also provide an important perspective, particularly when advising clients on local plan-making and navigating the relationship between policy and development delivery.
“Their experience, combined with the enthusiasm and fresh thinking Jack, Chris and Sophia bring, creates a strong balance within the team.
“Our structure enables us to take a long-term view of the business and invest in people at every stage of their careers. This is central to maintaining the high-quality, commercially focused advice our clients expect while creating opportunities for talented people to develop within the firm.”
Scott O’Dell, Partner leading the general practice planning team at Fisher German, added: “Our new colleagues have been recruited during an exciting period of change for the planning industry, with reforms to plan-making and decision taking creating new opportunities for the diverse range of clients we advise.”