Pinsent Masons has strengthened its national planning and environment team with the recruitment of Mike Pocock as a partner.
Mike will be based in Manchester and will spearhead Pinsent Masons’ continued expansion into the regional planning market, in addition to leading a number of national planning and environmental initiatives. Mike has nine years’ experience of the Manchester market and arrives from DLA Piper, where he was head of the firm’s Sheffield planning team.
Specialising in planning and compulsory purchase, Mike has specific expertise in the energy and natural resources sector, as well as multi-disciplinary experience across the core industries and markets sector, including development, retail and university work.
Richard Ford, head of the planning and environment team at Pinsent Masons, said: “Mike’s arrival at Pinsent Masons underlines the firm’s continued expansion in Manchester, with a focus on top-quality development and infrastructure work. He is a leading force in the region, and his skills and expertise will add considerably to our national capabilities.”
Mike’s arrival brings Pinsent Masons’ planning and environmental team to 50 lawyers, making it the UK’s largest. Simon Colvin will continue to lead in the environmental sector, working alongside Mike.
Mike Edge, head of property at Pinsent Masons’ Manchester office, commented: “Mike brings a great deal of experience and expertise and further enhances our growing property services offer in Manchester and the regions. His expert understanding of planning and compulsory purchases will help us provide our clients with an even better level of advice and service and we welcome him to the group.”
