Phillips, a chartered town planner, joins Strutt & Parker from GL Hearn where he spent eight years in their development group. He has an established track record in leading large multi-disciplinary teams involved in developing and negotiating a wide range of projects through the planning process in London and the south east. He has acted as an expert witness at planning and enforcement inquiries, public examinations and in mediation.

Strutt & Parker’s London planning team will work with its national development and planning, London residential development and investment and commercial teams to assist clients in accessing commercial, residential and mixed-use development opportunities across Greater London.

The appointment forms part of Strutt & Parker’s ongoing expansion strategy and follows the recent acquisition of planning consultancy AKA Planning, a team of six planners, who have joined the Guildford office. Strutt & Parker’s planning network now comprises eight planning teams, with a total of 47 planners.

John McLarty, head of planning at Strutt & Parker said: “David brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role that will be essential to establishing a successful London planning team that understands both the challenges of delivering development within the capital and the unique opportunities it presents.