Pinsent Masons has bolstered its planning practice, with the hire of Shoosmiths' national practice head Ian Gilbey.

Gilbey is set to join Pinsents' six-partner planning team early next year and will jointly lead the group alongside existing head Richard Ford. At Shoosmiths, Gilbey has been replaced as head of the group by planning partner Kirsten Hewson, who takes over with immediate effect.

Splitting his time between Pinsents' Birmingham and London offices, Gilbey will focus on planning and strategy, specialising in both private and public sector development-led schemes. Ford's focus, meanwhile, is primarily major infrastructure projects.

Gilbey advises a broad range of commercial and public sector clients on planning-related and regeneration matters, both contentious and non-contentious. He has acted for clients including ING Real Estate, property development and investment group Ballymore and urban development and investment company First Base.

Pinsents' planning team acts for major corporates with large property portfolios, developers, local authorities, government bodies and regional development agencies.

Recent work includes advising on all planning issues related to the demolition and redevelopment of the new Wembley Stadium and on issues relating to the 2012 Olympic Park. The firm also advised English Partnerships on one of the UK's largest new settlements, Northstowe New Town, a 10,000-house new town project in Cambridgeshire.

Earlier this year Reed Smith took on four construction partners from Pinsents in a boost to its energy practice.