Gateley Plc has increased its offering in the region by establishing a new planning team that will be based in its Nottingham office.

Robert Waite joins the firm from Freeths LLP, where he spent eight years as partner. Since qualifying more than 20 years ago with Mills & Reeve, Robert has also worked for Wilbraham & Co the leading Yorkshire-based national planning law practice prior to its merger.

Robert, who has been recognised as a ‘leader in the field’ by Chambers UK and has experience in both contentious and non-contentious issues, is charged with developing the firm’s planning team in the East Midlands. A process that has already begun with the appointment of Matthew Scudamore, who joins as a senior associate, from Shakespeare Martineau. More appointments are expected to follow shortly.

Commenting on his appointment, Robert said: “I was aware of the strengths of Gateley’s national planning team and I am pleased to be joining the firm during such an exciting period, given the recent developments with the company becoming the first law firm to float. As a focal point for our East Midlands-based clients, I am looking forward to leading the expansion of our planning law offer in the region.”

Along with Robert, the firm has recently appointed Catriona Attride as partner and Head of Private Client. Catriona joins the firm from Shakespeare Martineau, having spent over six years leading its Private Client service in the South Midlands and will be responsible for furthering Gateley’s Private Client offering in the East Midlands, across its Leicester and Nottingham offices.

News of the key appointments comes during a particularly busy period for Gateley Plc in the East Midlands, with its Nottingham office advising on a number of key regional deals including acting for Nottingham-based, The CDA Group Ltd, on its £25m acquisition by Polish manufacturing giant, Amica Group.

In addition, Gateley Plc has also recently acted for YFM Equity partners on their investment in KeTech, a Nottingham based provider of rail communication systems and security products.