Craig Blatchford becomes Montagu Evans’ Head of Planning

Montagu Evans has announced that Craig Blatchford will become its new Head of Planning following Julian Stephenson’s decision to step down from the role after nine years to focus on commercial projects and increasing town centre repurposing activity as part of an emerging firm-wide consultancy-led team.

Craig Blatchford joined Montagu Evans as Equity Partner in 2015 when independent consultancy Blue Sky Planning merged with the firm. He specialises in commercial and out of town retail planning, with key clients including The Crown Estate, CBRE Global Investors, M&G Real Estate, British Land, Orchard Street, Aviva, Siemens and John Lewis.

Julian Stephenson remains an Equity Partner at the firm, sitting on its management committee and continuing to head up strategic projects for the business. He will continue to work with clients, focussing on commercial retail, residential and office developments, including for Aberdeen Standard, DWS, UBS, Sovereign Centros, Queensberry, LGIM and Westfield as well as his work for the universities of Sheffield and Southampton.

Montagu Evans’ 70-strong planning team based in London, Edinburgh and Glasgow works with both private and public sector clients. Its strong profile in London and expert heritage consultants are complemented by planners specialising in residential, retail and leisure, business space, education and town centre regeneration, working with project teams across the UK.

Recent successes include Greycoat’s Stonecutter Place office redevelopment and Premier Place refurbishment in the City of London, The Stage mixed-use office and residential development for Galliard, advising on the capital’s Illuminated River project for the Rothschild Foundation, Edinburgh’s Waverley Mall redevelopment, the extension of two of the country’s largest retail parks – Fosse Park and Teesside Park, one of the largest estate renewals in Wandsworth for Taylor Wimpey, advising on planning for the whole of the University of Leicester’s estate, Inland Homes’ mixed use proposals in Broxbourne and the latest phases of Sheffield city centre’s redevelopment.

Rob Bower, Montagu Evans’ Managing Partner, said: “Montagu Evans’ planning team is central to our business and under Julian’s leadership it has grown, both in size and reputation. We have all benefitted from his commitment and look forward to it continuing, both through client work and other strategic projects.

“In agreeing his successor, the team felt that Craig’s experience and commercial focus were a great fit at a time when the business is growing in increasingly tough market conditions. Planning and development will always be at our core and our task now is to focus on our sector expertise, where we can best add value for clients.”

Both Craig Blatchford and Julian Stephenson are members of the RTPI; Julian is also a member of the RICS.