Simon will work concurrently within both teams on a variety of planning work streams. He will continue to assist public sector clients in managing their assets and developing their policy. 

He will also continue to assist private sector landowners and developers to shape and promote development proposals, including specialist technical assistance with property market and land use analysis and viability appraisal.

Before joining LSH, Simon spent three years as a regional director at chartered surveyors Aspinall Verdi, where he headed the firm’s Manchester office. 

Simon said: “I’m excited to have joined LSH. It’s one of the UK’s leading commercial property consultancies and I hope to be able to add to its already vast expertise. Now is a time of significant opportunity in the North West; the market is strong and this will only be helped by the government’s commitment to the Northern Powerhouse agenda. I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Adam Mirley, director planning and development at LSH said: I have known Simon now for a number of years and he will be a great addition to our team. His track record and client base is exceptional and his appointment demonstrates LSH’s commitment to planning and development work in Manchester. We look forward to working with him and are delighted to have him as part of our team.”

LSH’s head of public sector in the north, Richard Platt, said: “In a time of austerity, our public sector clients are under increasing pressure to demonstrate they are getting the best value out of their assets. Simon’s considerable expertise in the sector will help LSH to continue offering the best possible consultancy services to these clients. We’re delighted to have him on board.”

Simon has over 15 years’ experience of working on both public and private sector planning projects and is both a qualified chartered surveyor and chartered town planner. 

His appointment comes at a time of significant growth for LSH in Manchester. Earlier this year, the firm acquired retail property specialist Tushingham Moore and in September took on ten new graduates – a record for the Manchester office.