Pictured: (l-r) Mike Etchells, Jonathan Jenkin, Diane Johns, Jon Millhouse, and Richard Pigott

Consultancy Planning Design Practice has taken on new staff and is looking to expand its work and client base.

Richard Pigott has joined the firm, based in Vernon Gate, Derby, as senior planner. Richard, who gained an MSc in urban and regional planning, has seven years of local authority planning experience at Macclesfield and Maidenhead & Windsor Councils.

He has also worked as an enforcement officer and taken part in two enforcement appeal public inquiries. He has been a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute since 2009.

Sustainable design and construction is one of his special interest areas.

Mike Etchells has joined as architectural designer. He is currently undertaking his final year of his post graduate diploma in architecture qualification at Sheffield Hallam University following his BSc in architecture and environmental design. He has previously worked for Coda Studios in Sheffield.

Diane Johns has joined as officer administrator to cover maternity leave for Nicola Bradley.

Jon Millhouse has been promoted to company director after seven years with the firm and will remain an active planner leading the team.

The company is also looking to take on a graduate planner who wants to work in the private sector and will be advertising shortly.

Managing director Jonathan Jenkin, who formed the company 12 years ago, said: "As a well-established planning and design consultancy we are expanding to enhance the services we offer to clients old and new and welcome new staff who will help this effort."