New Recruits Appointed At Hybrid Planning & Development

Following continued growth during 2022, award-winning urban planning consultancy, Hybrid Planning & Development has appointed two new recruits.

Joining the East London-based firm are planner, Simone Ward and assistant planner, Elliot Smith.

Simone moves from the Development Management Team at Ealing Council while Elliot has relocated from Bristol and his role with environmental consultancy, Enzygo. Both have begun work on some of Hybrid’s current commercial, residential and mixed-use schemes, including Class MA and Section 73 applications, viability assessments, and appeals.

Elliot, who holds a Masters in Spatial Planning & Development from Cardiff University and is a Licentiate Member of the RTPI, said: “From a young age, I had a real interest in cities and places but it wasn’t until I studied geography that I realised a planning career would allow me to have an influence on how these develop. My move to London marks the fifth major city I’ve lived in, following time in Cardiff, where I’m from originally, and Bristol plus Melbourne and Sydney in Australia. This has only broadened my appetite of how development projects progress in urban environments, and I’m excited to support Hybrid’s clients as they shape sustainable new communities.”

Simone has made the switch to the private sector following three and a half years in local authority planning roles. She said: “I was looking for an opportunity to join a consultancy where I could offer more of an advisory role to clients and see a project through from start to finish. I was also really inspired by the Hybrid story and how its founders, Claire and Danielle, have established a successful business in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Having literally just graduated last month (25 November 2022) with my Masters in Urban Planning and Resilience, I’m looking forward to putting theory into practice and also aspire to start my RTPI membership application next year.”

Simone and Elliot’s appointments take the Hybrid team to 13. The firm’s director and co-founder, Danielle St Pierre MRTPI adds: “Despite economic challenges, new development remains resilient, especially in towns and cities where Build to Rent and Co-Living models are increasing in popularity. As specialists in urban, mixed-use schemes, it’s important we attract the talent to advise and deliver such development, and both Simone and Elliot are proving to be great additions to the team.”