Steve Hesmondhalgh

• Visionary Urban Planner | Project Guru | MD: 25+ years crafting thriving communities, leading multi-million £ projects (leisure, housing, mixed-use) & driving business growth.
• Financial Acumen: Budgeting, bidding, process optimization - I speak the language of profit & deliver tangible results.
• Collaborative Leader: Building high-performing teams with engaged employees & satisfied clients. My secret weapon? Expertise in project & customer management.
• Trusted Mentor & Industry Voice: Keynote speaker, blog writer and passionate about developing the next generation of urban leaders through mentoring and professional development.
• Action-Oriented Problem Solver: Resourceful & adaptable, I thrive on turning challenges into opportunities, exceeding expectations, and leaving a lasting impact.

Managing Director & Business Owner

11 Years: AMS Planning and Architecture Ltd. Formerly Steve Hesmondhalgh & Associates 

• Relationship Architect: Forged enduring partnerships with key clients, driving mutual success and exceeding expectations.
• Visionary Leader: Steered all facets of the business, including recruiting and training high-calibre senior executives, shaping a future-proof organization.
• Cost Optimizer, Profit Maximiser: Expertly analysed and streamlined operations, negotiating strategic contracts that slashed overheads and propelled profitability to new heights.
• Mega-Project Maestro: Orchestrated multi-million £ development projects from inception to completion, delivering exceptional results on time and budget.
• Client Success Champion: Boasting a 93% success rate across diverse commercial and private projects, a testament to unwavering commitment to client satisfaction.
• Economic Engine: Spearheaded initiatives that generated over £845 million in Gross Development Value (GDV) for the UK economy in just five years, a true mark of impactful leadership.

Non-Executive Director

Current:  Greenfield Bio Solutions Limited 

Spearheading Global Expansion:

• Pioneered Carbon Neutrality: Working with founders to lead a revolutionary company building the future of sustainable construction with zero-carbon blocks, poised for worldwide deployment.
• Boardroom Planner: Drove expansion strategy across UK, Middle East, and Africa through strategic negotiations and joint ventures, shaping company structure for global impact.
• Non-Exec Leadership: Regularly consulted by diverse board members across continents, advising on high-level decisions and crafting future-proof plans for developing multinational enterprise.

Director

Current: Twentydales Limited 

Strategic Visionary:

• Uncovered £46m+ in untapped development potential: Spearheaded site identification, secured funding, and drove project execution, unlocking significant value for the company.
• Mastermind of Complex Land Deals: Negotiated and guided legal teams through intricate land agreements, ensuring strategic land acquisition and smooth project transitions.
• Shaping Cityscapes: Led high-impact land development strategies, crafting visionary plans, and effectively communicating them to stakeholders across all levels.

Managing Partner

3 Years: DKS Architects 

Leadership & Transformation:

• Spearheaded development of multi-million £ schemes: Masterminded intricate projects, driving planning & design teams to successful completion, unlocking significant financial potential.
• Orchestrated on-time, on-budget delivery: Led project directors & external consultants, ensuring seamless collaboration and exceeding expectations for complex planning, design, and build schemes.
• Empowered growth through team leadership: Cultivated and led a high-performing team of 32 planning & architectural professionals, fostering innovation and propelling a 100% practice turnover increase in 3 years.

Head of Planning and Architecture

5 Years: BHP Law, Northern Region

Leadership & Team Growth:

• Transformed a one-person team into a powerhouse of 15 skilled planners and architects, cultivating high-performing talent that consistently delivers.
• Spearheaded the 15-fold expansion of the team in just 5 years, fostering a collaborative culture that drives exceptional results.

Strategic Impact & Financial Acumen:

• Orchestrated a revenue surge from zero to £2 million within 5 years, harnessing market opportunities and implementing growth-oriented strategies.
• Provided expert counsel to legal teams on complex land development agreements, navigating intricate legalities to secure favourable outcomes for the company.

Land and Planning Manager

4 Years: Clarion Homes Limited

• Mastermind of Multi-Million Pound Deals: Sourced and secured residential land deals exceeding £66 million Gross Development Value within a 4-year timeframe, driving significant shareholder value.
• Visionary Housing Designer: Conceptualized and delivered innovative executive housing schemes (30-40 units) through strategic house type design and urban planning initiatives, enhancing project profitability and market appeal.
• Land Acquisition Architect: Negotiated and finalized all land acquisitions, liaising directly with landowners and legal teams to assemble optimal development portfolios, streamlining efficiency and maximizing return on investment.
• Orchestrator of Complex Projects: Led cross-functional teams in the seamless execution of diverse development projects, managing construction, sales, and delivery to maximize project ROI and optimize resource allocation.

Principal Planning Officer (Government)

4 Years: Stockton on Tees BC 

6 Years: North York Moors National Park

• Spearheaded successful approval of high-impact planning applications: Delivered strategic vision through skilful negotiation and stakeholder engagement, securing major developments within complex regulatory landscapes.
• Compelling advocate for sustainable development: Captivated audiences at Committee and public presentations, securing key project approvals with clear, persuasive communication.
• Mastermind of critical public inquiry: Led Council's defence in high-profile inquiry, ensuring successful project outcome through strategic planning and expert testimony.
• Guardian of National Park's planning integrity: Oversaw planning applications for a vast National Park area, upholding environmental protections, the protection of heritage assets while fostering balanced development.
• Executive-level planning expertise across diverse landscapes: A seasoned leader with extensive experience in rural, urban, and heritage environments within local government, driving comprehensive and sustainable planning solutions.

I hold a BA(Hons) degree in Town and Country Planning from Newcastle University