Arup hires two in planning

Paul Grover, former regional director of WYG, has joined Arup as associate director in the planning team, based in the firm's Liverpool office.

While at WYG Grover advised Peel on its successful planning application for the large Liverpool Waters project. He is a chartered town planner and member of the Institute of Economic Development, a member of Professional Liverpool, a member of Liverpool Chamber International Chamber Business Forum and he currently holds UKTI North West Export Champion status.

Meanwhile, Joe Stockton joined Arup in June as a graduate planner in the Manchester office, having previously spent two years at Peel, assisting with the submission of planning applications and undertaking financial viability appraisals. Whilst studying for an MA Town & Regional Planning at the University of Sheffield, Stockton was awarded the Turley Associate Prize for best overall performance and the RTPI Book Prize for the best dissertation.

Richard Bickers, associate director at Arup, who heads the planning business for the region, said: "With recent wins for Arup's consulting business including the Cuadrilla shale gas project, the addition of Paul and Joe ensures that our integrated planning team of 40 can continue to support our existing clients whilst planning for future growth of our business in the region."