Quod powers northern expansion amid UK planning reform
Hannah Hiscock will build on Quod’s industrial and logistics offer across the North as the consultancy expands its Leeds team to meet rising demand created by planning reform and regional investment.
Leading planning consultancy Quod is strengthening its northern operation with the relocation of industrial and logistics specialist Hannah Hiscock from its London to Leeds offices, and three mid-year promotions in its Leeds team.
The investment comes as devolution, the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Local Plan reform reshape development across England. From its Leeds office, Quod is responding to growing demand for commercially focused advice across industrial and logistics, housing, mixed-use development, infrastructure, town centre regeneration, sustainability and placemaking.
Hannah Hiscock will relocate from Quod’s London office to Leeds. A Newcastle University graduate, she began her career in local authority planning at Leeds City Council before moving into private practice. Since joining Quod in July 2023, she has advised on complex industrial and logistics schemes, bringing national project experience and specialist sector knowledge back to the region where her planning career began.
The appointment of Hannah follows Amy Pickering joining the team as an Assistant Planner six months ago to bolster the infrastructure offer.
The Leeds promotions see Jonathan Welton progress from Planner to Senior Planner, Lucas Fallon from Assistant Planner to Planner, and Melissa Bell from PA to Office Manager.
Together, the appointments increase Quod’s capacity across key northern markets and reinforce its ability to deliver policy-led, commercially grounded planning advice at pace. They also demonstrate a clear succession pipeline as the Leeds operation expands, just one year after Senior Director, Richard Frudd, was appointed to head up the regional office. Quod’s headcount is approaching twice that of three years ago, reflecting the growing importance of the city as a planning market outside London and the firm’s sustained investment in northern talent and specialist capability.
With the revised NPPF now in force, devolution gathering pace and Local Plan reform changing how development is planned and determined, Quod expects demand for strategic advice and delivery expertise to remain strong. The firm is positioning Leeds as a major platform for further growth across the North and the wider UK market.
Commenting on the expansion, Senior Director, Richard Frudd said: “Quod is growing its northern business with purpose, investing in specialist expertise, creating clear routes for progression, and giving clients access to one integrated national team.
London and Leeds are not competing centres of expertise; but are complementary parts of one business. Together, the combination gives us the capacity and talent pipeline to support more clients as planning reform accelerates development opportunities across the UK.”
Hannah Hiscock, Associate, Quod, said: “The North is entering a decisive period for growth, with major opportunities across multiple sectors with devolution helping to unlock investment, drive forward regeneration and support local economies. Clients need advice that combines policy expertise, commercial judgement and a clear route to delivery. For the Leeds team, I’m looking forward to supporting Quod’s growth and as a core advocate, driving forward Quod’s Next Gen initiative, developing the planners who will shape the future of the profession.”
The appointments form part of Quod’s wider Next Gen approach, which gives emerging talent structured mentoring, visible routes to progression and stronger networks across the business. In the North, that investment supports continuity for clients while building the leadership capacity needed for sustained growth.
Quod is also investing in the capabilities that will define next phase of UK planning, including dedicated AI training, climate resilience and responsible placemaking. These capabilities strengthen the firm’s ability to help clients navigate policy change and unlock development that creates long-term value for both investors and communities.
To find out more about Quod, visit: https://quod.com.