Pinsents recruits Edge for new Manchester head of property role as firm eyes upturn in real estate market

Pinsent Masons has recruited Halliwells national head of real estate Mike Edge to fill the newly-created role of Manchester head of property.

Edge (pictured) is still negotiating his departure terms with Halliwells, where he has led the national firm's property group since 2001. He will be replaced by planning partner Andrew Piatt, who takes over leadership of the group nationally and is also based in Manchester.

At Pinsents, Edge will head the Manchester property practice in a new role that will see him working with Pinsents' national property chief Adrian Barlow as the firm moves to expand its team in both Manchester and across the northwest more broadly.

His hire takes headcount in Pinsents' Manchester property practice to a total of 15.

Barlow said the hire came as the firm prepared for an upturn in activity in the real estate market. He added: "We have wanted to build up our capability in the region, and with Mike's expertise, skills and calibre we have found the perfect person. He is very well known across the region in investment and development work and with his skills he will grow the team as a manager as well as a practitioner with a strong client base."

Earlier this year Pinsents strengthened its banking and finance practice with the January hire of Matthew Morgan from DLA Piper. Morgan took up a newly-created role leading the firm's banking team in Manchester.

Commenting on Edge's departure, a Halliwells spokesperson said: "We are disappointed to see Mike leave and wish him well for the future. Our real estate group remains exceptionally strong with over 100 property, planning and construction lawyers and support staff."

In February Legal Week reported that Halliwells was set to lose Manchester healthcare partner Christopher Briggs to Beachcroft, with the national firm also launching a planning team in Sheffield.