07 July 2025
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Firm launches Birmingham planning practice with strategic partner hire
Freeths has expanded its national planning and environment group with the appointment of Cairo Nickolls as partner to lead its new Birmingham-based planning practice. Cairo joins from Gowlings, bringing over 12 years of experience advising developers, landowners and public authorities.
Cairo’s expertise spans housebuilding, strategic land, industrial and logistics, and regeneration projects. He has advised on planning strategy, S106 agreements, appeals, environmental impact assessments and transactional support. He said he was ‘excited to join Freeths’ market leading practice in order to deliver high-quality results for clients’.
His recent work includes advising Bloor Homes and Bellway Homes on major residential schemes, supporting Mulberry Commercial Developments on logistics projects, and leading legal planning advice on one of the UK’s largest regeneration schemes.
Paul Brailsford, national head of planning and environment, welcomed the hire, saying: ‘Cairo’s appointment comes at a pivotal point for planning reforms across the UK and his wealth of experience will prove invaluable.’ He added that the hire reflects Freeths’ commitment to growing its top-ranked national planning team.
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