Bidwells has named Chris Pattison as the firm's new Head of Planning, with Mike Derbyshire stepping back after more than a decade leading the team.

Pattison joined Bidwells in 2022 following the acquisition of his company, Turnberry Planning. Since then, he has played a central role in the firm’s Planning team and held senior leadership positions across Bidwells, including serving as Head of Oxford.

Derbyshire will continue to contribute to the Planning team, leveraging his extensive experience advising on complex development, infrastructure, and growth programmes. He has been instrumental in Bidwells' work across the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, one of the UK’s most significant growth corridors, guiding clients on strategic sites and infrastructure-led development.

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Together, Pattison and Derbyshire have overseen a period of substantial growth within Bidwells. The Planning team has doubled in size since 2022, expanding its capabilities and services, with Bidwells ranking among the top five fastest-growing planning consultancies in 2025.

Chris Pattison, Head of Planning at Bidwells, said: "I would like to thank Mike for his leadership and support to date, and for everything he has achieved for Bidwells and our Planning team. We will continue to work closely together and it will be business as usual as we grow Bidwells Planning through new services and new markets in 2026."

Mike Derbyshire, Deputy Head of Planning at Bidwells, said: "Effective succession planning is key to the long-term health of the business and I am delighted that Chris is now stepping into the role. He combines his previous experience as the Director of Turnberry Planning with a strong track record in senior roles at Bidwells."