Clyde Shanks

Managing Director

Clyde has 23 years experience in planning consultancy having begun his career in London and Reading before returning to Northern Ireland in 1999.  He quickly rose to the position of Director at Turley Associates in Belfast before taking the decision to establish Clyde Shanks in 2011.

Clyde has considerable experience in co-ordinating complex, infrastructure projects across all property sectors and in establishing strong relationships with decision makers.  He brings thoroughness and clarity of thinking to project direction and strategy and is constantly seeking to improve what we do and how we do it.  He is a keen runner, golfer and part time hockey coach at Lisnagarvey minis.

Thomas Bell

Planning Director

Thomas is a planning director with 14 years post qualification experience.  He leads on a range of development projects across Northern Ireland and has a well earned reputation for drive and determination to secure positive results.  Thomas manages a diverse workload across all sectors of development.

Thomas also participates as a guest lecturer presenting to students enrolled in the School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPACE) course at Queens University Belfast (QUB).  He also gets the trainers on for CS fundraising events!

Gavin Rolston

Planning Director

Clare McParland

Associate

Clare has been with Clyde Shanks for over seven years and has secured considerable experience across a wide range of projects in that time.  She is popular with clients and brings a thorough and thoughtful approach to her work, quickly gaining client confidence and securing repeat work.  She has recently completed a few triathlons and regularly takes part in our charity fund raising runs.

Gavin McGill

Associate

Gavin is in his sixth year with Clyde Shanks and provides great support to our senior team.  He handles a diverse and busy application workload that includes management of a high volume of agrifood work for Moypark and a wide range of planning application work.  He is captain of Lisburn Cricket Club’s second eleven and occasional hockey player for South Antrim.

Rachel Ingram

Graphic Designer

Rachel heads up our graphic design team and brings wonderful creativity and vitality to all of the documents that we produce.  This includes our diverse core planning work as well as expanding new opportunities in company branding, website design, events and festival advertisement and menus for restaurants, bars and hospitality venues.

Hayley Wilson

Senior Planner

Hayley joined us as a graduate planner in January 2019 having previously completed work experience with us.  She is responsible for monitoring a very extensive portfolio of submitted planning applications and ensuring that we have early awareness of consultee and objector issues and can respond quickly to resolve and address any issues that arise.  She provides strong support to our Senior Planners, Associates and Directors and is enjoying her early days in our busy office.

Gavyn Smyth

Associate

Gavyn previously worked in England and Wales at a number of local authorities securing excellent experience that he applies across a busy and diverse portfolio of planning application work in our office.  He works closely with local Council planning officers in trying to proactively manage these towards timely recommendations to approve.

Lauren Coulter

Planner

Lauren joined Clyde Shanks in May 2021 as a Graduate Planner after topping the class in her final year at University of Ulster.  She has settled well in to the team and provides excellent support in monitoring a diverse project portfolio and contributing to new planning application submissions.