PWA Planning strengthens regional team

North West planning and development consultancy PWA Planning has strengthened its team with three appointments across its Manchester and Preston offices.

Jake Challinor-Smith joins as senior planner in Manchester, while Matthew McHugh and Zach Taylor have been appointed planner and assistant planner respectively in Preston.

Jake joins from Rapleys, bringing experience in retail and commercial planning, alongside work on public sector projects.

Matthew previously worked at Leith Planning, where he gained experience across residential development, health and social care, and town centre regeneration.

Meanwhile, Zach joins from Graham Anthony Associates, having supported planning and design projects in the commercial and residential sectors.

The trio will support PWA’s growing portfolio of projects across the UK, working with clients in the residential, commercial, renewable energy and agricultural sectors.

Their appointments follow PWA’s acquisition by NFU Commercial Holdings, the commercial services arm of the National Farmers Union, in 2024.

The consultancy now operates as part of The 1908 Group alongside Acorus and Woolf Bond, providing planning, design and development services to clients nationwide.

Paul Walton, managing director at PWA Planning, said: “Jake, Matthew and Zach are great additions to our team, bringing a useful mix of sector experience and planning knowledge with them.

“These appointments take our team numbers to 20 in the North West, which includes 16 planners. 

“Since becoming part of The 1908 Group, we’ve also become part of a far larger UK planning team that’s able to deliver a broader range of specialist services in support of our clients’ aspirations and we’re excited by the many opportunities this brings.”

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