Property group headhunts planning director to deliver 12m sq ft

IM PROPERTIES has head-hunted one of the country’s best-known planning advisers to lead on the delivery of 12m sq ft of industrial space.

David Smith will move from Turley in January after 13 years with the consultancy in Birmingham to become planning director at IMP.

The group’s development director Kevin Ashfield believes the appointment will enable IMP to deliver planning on its growing land bank. 

He said: “We’ve brought over 6m sq ft of space through the planning process to date but now we’re looking to take the business to the next level.

“We’ve secured land which could deliver 12m sq ft of logistics and manufacturing space in the short-to-medium term and the appointment of David is key to achieving this ambition.

“David’s name was the one that really stood out to us as he has worked with IMP for a number of years on various projects. He has a clear vision of the future delivery of industrial sites – he understands the sophistication of the logistics market, it’s challenges and is widely respected. We are very pleased to have persuaded him to make the move.”

 

Mr Smith added: “I leave the company knowing it still has significant capabilities to service this sector and hope to have opportunities to continue working with them in my new capacity.

 

“My new role at IMP will predominantly be to focus on the logistics sector, helping the business deliver the 12m sq ft of space they have under control, and looking to new opportunities that might be on the horizon. E-commerce is still very much driving the sector, and land supply remains a critical issue.”