Herbert Smith Freehills has named Matthew White as new head of its London planning team.

White, who has been a real estate partner for eight years, takes over from Patrick Robinson who has led the team since 1998 and will continue to be a member of it.

White is also the firm's graduate recruitment partner, replacing corporate partner Chris Parsons in 2010.

White has worked on large-scale commercial planning matters, with a focus on energy and infrastructure projects.

Recently he led the HSF planning team advising EDF Energy on the grant of a development consent order for the Hinkley Point C new nuclear power project. He also advised Stanhope on the redevelopment of the BBC Television Centre in West London.

HSF is also currently in the process of appointing new global leadership, with current joint chief executives David Willis and Gavin Bell set to retire from the firm.

The appointment process is expected to be completed before the end of the year, though it remains unclear whether the firm will continue with the joint CEO model or revert to a single leader.

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