Knight Frank hires industry heavyweight to bolster planning and strategic land offering

Churchill joins Knight Frank with more than 25 years of experience and an extensive track record in securing large-scale planning permissions, having advised many of the country's leading housebuilders, land promoters, institutional investors and landowners.

Based at Knight Frank's Baker Street headquarters and reporting to Chris Benham, Head of Planning, London, Churchill will work closely with the firm's planning and land agency teams across the UK, advising on a broad range of strategic land and development opportunities, with a particular focus on green belt, greenfield, urban extension and garden community projects.

Churchill's appointment comes at a pivotal moment as the Government's planning reforms seek to accelerate housing delivery across the country. The new Plan Making System and revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is creating new opportunities for development, while the forthcoming London Plan, is set to shape growth across the capital and beyond for years to come.

Chris Benham, Head of Planning, London at Knight Frank, said: "David joins us at a hugely important time for our industry. With planning reform high on the agenda and local authorities, developers and landowners adapting to a rapidly evolving policy environment, clients need clear, commercially focused advice more than ever.

"David's market standing and track record of securing major planning consents will strengthen our ability to provide high-quality strategic land advice at a time of significant change across the sector."

Charlie Hart, Head of Development Land at Knight Frank, said: “We're delighted to welcome David to Knight Frank. He's highly regarded across the industry, and his planning expertise will be a tremendous asset to both our team and our clients.

"David's appointment is particularly exciting because it will also enhance the way we work across our development land and rural asset management teams. With significant changes taking place in the planning system, including opportunities arising from green belt release, we will be well placed to identify opportunities, create value and deliver the best possible outcomes for our clients."

ENDS