Squire Patton Boggs claims "real coup" with senior planning hire
LAW firm Squire Patton Boggs has claimed “a real coup” with the appointment of planning specialist David Hardy from Eversheds.
He joins Richard Glover, the national head of the firm’s planning and consents team who is based in Leeds, to create a double act that the firm is excited about.
“David’s appointment creates real strength in depth in the planning team,” said John Alderton, managing partner of Squire Patton Boggs in Leeds. “Until this week, Richard [Glover] would have said David is his main competitor, and vice versa. We believe we have got two plus two, and it will get us north of four, to five or six.
“It’s a real coup for us. It is both opportunistic and strategic – David came to us and said he saw an opportunity, which we grabbed with both hands, and Richard had been looking to strengthen the planning team.”
“David has vast experience in renewables, and that does make us number one in that sector from a planning point of view. We have a strong focus nationally – it’s very much a national practice with a centre of excellence in Leeds.”
The addition of Mr Hardy is likely to be followed by further appointments in other areas in the remainder of 2015.
He added: “What we say – and adopting the party political rhetoric – is we see Squires as a northern powerhouse. Rob Elvin, our managing partner in Manchester, and I are looking at where we need to strengthen across the north.
“We will look at strengthening construction, we see that as a development area, and we would expect that over the next three to six months we will see growth in the North.
“Firms are looking to strengthen with big data issues and cyber-security. Leeds is a natural home for a strong IP, IT and commercial team and we will also be looking at that area.”
Mr Hardy, who joins after four years at Eversheds and seven at Cobbetts, was attracted by the “natural fit” with his new firm.
He is a dual qualified barrister and solicitor, specialising in contentious planning, environmental and compulsory purchase-related work, and for the past 10 years has been ranked as a Band 1 planning solicitor by Chambers UK.
Mr Hardy is looking forward to helping push the planning and consents team forward and expand its market share. Following the election result, he is also optimistic about the potential for “a sensible debate” about planning.
“Planning is a political system,” he said. “The Conservative Party have been worried about the UKIP position on wind and solar, so hopefully – now they have kicked UKIP into the long grass – they don’t have to match the rhetoric and we will get sensible decision-making. For commercial development and housing, it’s full steam ahead.”
The arrival of Mr Hardy follows the firm’s announcement that it had promoted financial services senior associate Andrew Fordham to the Leeds partnership at the beginning of this month. The firm is also relocating to flagship offices at 6 Wellington Place in Leeds at the beginning of 2016.
