Savills has appointed two new planners to its Reading-based team, further strengthening its planning advisory capabilities across the Thames Valley.
Adam Thomas has joined the business as a senior planner, while Matt Smith joins as an associate.
Adam has more than eight years’ experience in public sector planning, working on a wide variety of applications across Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. His most recent role was as a Senior Planning Officer for St Albans City and District Council. Prior to this he was a Planning Officer for Buckinghamshire Council and Aylesbury Vale District Council.
Matt joins Savills from Berkeley Group, where he spent more than four years as a Strategic Planner, working on the promotion and delivery of residential-led development opportunities. Before joining Berkley, he was a Planning Officer for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.
Adam and Matt have been appointed by Savills at a time of growing demand for professional consultancy as clients navigate an increasingly complex planning and development environment. Both become part of the Savills Central Planning team which has offices in both Reading and Oxford.
The team advises a range of clients, including housebuilders, developers, landowners and promotors, providing strategic planning, development and policy expertise across the Thames Valley and beyond.
Elsewhere in the team, Amy Allen, who joined Savills Central Planning as a graduate planner in September 2023, has achieved Chartered Town Planner status with the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). Amy has been promoted to a planner within the business.
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Adam said: “Savills is one of the region’s leading multi-disciplinary real estate businesses with a highly respected planning team. I am looking forward to using my public sector experience in development management to the benefit of our clients across the region.”
Matt said: “Having worked in both local authority and developer roles over the last eight years, I am delighted to support clients in identifying opportunities, navigating the planning system and delivering successful outcomes.”
Julia Mountford, joint head of Savills Central Planning team, said: “The appointment of Adam and Matt alongside Amy’s promotion, together reflect our continued investment in talented planning professionals. Both Adam and Matt bring with them an excellent blend of experience and insight that will further enhance the strength of our team.”
Image: Savills, l-r: Matt Smith, Amy Allen, Adam Thomas
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