Partner Article

North East construction consultancy Identity Consult adds Planning to list of services

A Sunderland-based construction consultancy with ambitions to be the consultant of choice for the north of England has added planning to its extensive list of services.

And directors at Identity Consult, based at Quays West in Southwick, say the move is looking like a ‘game-changer’ in terms of the company’s offering to clients.

Managing director Mark Doherty said: “Over the past 16 years we’ve provided a range of consultancy services to ensure our clients’ building projects run smoothly and are delivered on time and on budget but many have regularly asked whether we can supply planning services too”

“We’ve been ambitious in setting up our planning consultancy, IC Planning, by joining forces with two experienced and well-respected planning specialists - Sam Thistlethwaite first and now Richard Morgan - and it’s already paying real dividends for our clients and our company’s reputation.”

Identity Consult has been involved in delivering dozens of high-profile building developments across the North East and North West, especially in the fields of health and education, as well as iconic buildings in Sunderland such as the Beam, the Beacon of Light and the Hope Street Xchange.

Mark said: “The company offers project management, cost consultancy, employer’s agent, health and safety, and digital construction services across the UK taking projects from design to completion but the new planning services enables Identity Consult a new key service which supports development.

“Sam has made an exceptional start, setting up and leading the service just over eight months ago and then successfully recruiting Richard, who is a very experienced and successful planner with a strong portfolio of projects.”

“It’s a big strengthening of our offer and the board is delighted with the way our clients have welcomed the addition, it has been way beyond our expectations.”

Sam Thistlethwaite, who previously spent 11 years at County Durham’s Banks Group and arrived from Barton Willmore said: “We have a busy pipeline of projects nationwide and we are delighted to bring Richard Morgan on board, who I know very well and can trust to deliver a client-focused service and build long term sustained client relationships, which is incredibly important to us.”

Richard Morgan, who joins from North East property consultancy youngsRPS, where he successfully established and headed up the planning team, said: “I’m very pleased to become part of IC Planning at what is a very exciting time for the company.

“Identity Consult is very well-regarded for its honest and innovative service and this aligns with my own values and approach to consultancy.

“The knowledge sharing across the team and established connections within the development industry is hugely impressive and provides the perfect platform for Sam and I to develop IC Planning.”

Among the projects the planning duo have helped deliver are a community hub in Redcar, largescale energy developments on Teesside, housing and infrastructure projects across Tyneside, as well as providing witness support at two high-profile public inquiries.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Graeme Anderson .