Leeds-based property regeneration consultants AspinallVerdi make two senior appointments.

Independent nationwide property regeneration consultants AspinallVerdi continue to expand with two senior appointments.

Associate director Tom Smith and principal consultant Ed Clothier will operate from the firm’s head office at 46 The Calls in Leeds and its office at 1 Mann Island in Liverpool, serving a growing number of clients in the public and private sectors throughout the north of England and further afield.

Tom joins from Stockport Council and Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) as a Development Manager. He led teams of consultants and contractors to bring forward key regeneration schemes for the Council and MDC and successfully achieved full planning permission on key projects.

His projects included:

Stockport 8, Stockport Town Centre West – Tom was part of a team responsible for the appointment of a JV partner for a c.£300m, 1,200 unit residential led mixed-use development in Stockport Town Centre West. He managed the procurement process on behalf of the Council and MDC, was responsible for scoring submissions, ensuring a compliant process and acting as the point of contact for all parties. This led to an efficient process with English Cities Fund (ECF) being appointed as preferred partner.

Cheadle Eco Business Park, Cheadle – Tom led a team of 25-plus consultants and colleagues on the development of a state of the art seven-acre industrial development, taking the project through to full planning permission for a scheme projected to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, Net Zero Carbon in construction and Biodiversity Net Gain (BDG) of over 700 per cent. The development will see 125,000 sq ft of employment space constructed, providing over 200 jobs.

Former St Thomas’ Hospital, Stockport Town Centre West – Tom was development manager for a mixed use, refurbishment and new build project involving managing the design of an 80 bed facility and 68 affordable homes alongside colleagues at Stockport Homes.

Before his time at Stockport Tom spent eight years with CBRE advising a range of public and private sector clients. His background in both sectors gives Tom a strong insight into the requirements for clients, with expertise spanning development appraisals, strategic acquisition, strategic land advisory, local authority procurement and funding applications.

He has extensive experience in sourcing funding through sources including the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and Brownfield Housing Fund.

Tom’s qualifications include a BSc in Property Management and Investment from Salford University and is a RICS Chartered Surveyor.

To his advisory work Ed brings over a decade of experience in feasibility, planning, viability, and pre-construction, having led a specialist regeneration development firm, where he earned recognition as Property Newcomer of the Year at the Property Awards in 2018.

Ed has extensive experience managing the full development lifecycle, from pre-acquisition feasibility and site identification to planning management and stakeholder engagement. His expertise includes tackling complex redevelopment challenges, he is skilled in analysis, negotiation, and both written and oral representation, providing valuable insights and advice on these issues.

His background combines developer insight, policy acumen, and academic rigour, making him a valuable asset for both public and private sector clients. He is proficient in financial modelling, economic impact assessments, strategic land advisory, and development appraisals, with a focus on financial viability and land optimisation.

Ed holds an LL.M (Distinction) – Master of Laws from the University of York and a BSc (First Class Hons) in Economics and Government from the London School of Economics. We look forward to the significant contributions Ed will make to our projects and clients.

Atam Verdi, executive director of AspinallVerdi, said: “The strategic appointments of Tom and Ed bring further invaluable experience to our growing team of property regeneration professionals across our nationwide network of offices. Their insight and talent will benefit their colleagues and public and private sector clients throughout the north of England and further afield.”

Founded in 2009 by Atam Verdi and managing director Ben Aspinall, the independent provider of property regeneration consultancy to clients in the public and private sectors now has a workforce of 27 at its headquarters in Leeds and offices in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Liverpool, Birmingham and London.