Planning and environmental consultancy Axis has expanded into the North East with a Newcastle office.
The North West firm, which employs 50 people across offices in Chester and Manchester, says the move has created new opportunities for collaboration and growth. Initially 10 people are based at the Hoults Yard office which hopes to take advantage of an evolving North East development landscape.
The firm, now an Employee Ownership Trust, was established in 2000 and has built a track record in achieving consents across different sectors, particularly infrastructure projects. Its portfolio of work includes carbon capture and storage demonstration facilities, hydrogen schemes and battery storage facilities, among others. On Teesside, the Axis team has recently secured planning permission for a CO2 storage facility.
Former Cundall planning director Ian Cansfield has been appointed to lead the Newcastle office as technical director. Mr Cansfield has worked in the North East throughout his career and has experience across the º£½ÇÊÓƵ in masterplanning, regeneration, data centres, leisure and residential development.
Mr Cansfield said " Bringing Axis to the North East in our 25th year is a fantastic opportunity to enhance our reach and offer our expertise to new clients. We look forward to working with developers, and businesses across the region to help bring forward successful projects with sustainable, intelligent planning at their core."
Axis says recruitment is already underway to build a team in the Newcastle office to serve regional demand.
Coun Dan Greenhough, cabinet member for economy, jobs and skills at Newcastle City Council, said: "Axis' decision to open a new office in Newcastle is a clear vote of confidence in our city and the wider North East region. As we continue to drive forward our plan for delivering inclusive and sustainable urban development, having experienced planning and environmental consultancy expertise on our doorstep will be invaluable.
"We welcome Axis to Newcastle and look forward to seeing their contribution to shaping key infrastructure and regeneration projects in the years to come."
As part its 25th anniversary celebrations, Axis has launched an initiative with rewilding and conservation organisation Make it Wild, through which it will create a woodland. The project will start with 75 trees (three for every year of Axis), with ongoing annual tree planting as a long-term investment in natural spaces.
Director Jon Mason: “Our journey has been one of steady growth, adaptation, and a deep commitment to our clients. As we move forward, we remain dedicated to shaping a built environment that enhances communities and supports development ambitions. The opening of our Newcastle office and our work with Make it Wild reflect our commitment to the future – supporting our clients and embracing new opportunities for the years ahead."
