Ward Hadaway—Frank Orr

Northern firm Ward Hadaway has welcomed Frank Orr back to the practice after 25 years.

A planning and regeneration specialist, Frank started as a trainee with Ward Hadaway over two decades ago, before moving to an in-house role at Newcastle City Council. Since then, he has gone to a career in both the public and private sectors across the North East, and has developed a reputation for his particular expertise in compulsory purchase. He now returns to the planning team at Ward Hadaway as a consultant.

Frank commented: ‘I am delighted to be back at Ward Hadaway where I initially trained and I am very much looking forward to working with Robin Atkin and the team and contributing to the wider firm.

‘When I first started out with Ward Hadaway as a trainee, the planning department had four of us and now it is a 14-strong team covering everything from rural development to urban regeneration. It is good to see many familiar faces who were trainees alongside me all those years ago who have stayed with the firm and taken it forward. That speaks volumes for the opportunities that Ward Hadaway offers today's trainees and young lawyers in an ever-challenging legal world.’

Planning partner Robin Atkin added: ‘Frank’s 25 years of planning and compulsory purchase experience will be invaluable to Ward Hadaway as the firm continues to build its team. We have come a long way in our 30-year history and our people act for a broad client base spanning the public private and voluntary sectors.

‘We are delighted that Frank has returned to Ward Hadaway at the same time as the firm celebrates 30 years in Newcastle with a decade in Leeds and six years in Manchester.’

Senior partner Jamie Martin also stated: ‘We see it as an enormous vote of confidence to be able to attract someone of Frank’s calibre and his knowledge and experience will be a great asset to further strengthen our considerable planning team at Ward Hadaway. We are thrilled to have him on board once again.’