Property consultancy Rapleys has added a duo to its planning team based in Manchester.
Bernard Greep joins as equity partner and Michael Gilbert joins as partner, both from Stantec, in a move to bolster Rapleys’ existing capabilities across commercial and building consultancy services covering the wider North West region.
Greep has 27 years’ experience and acts for national and local housebuilders, developers, land promoters, landowners/investors and public sector organisations. He previously led Stantec’s Manchester office and was a co-owner of Peter Brett Associates.
Gilbert brings 18 years’ experience, with a particular focus on promoting sites through the development plan process and securing planning permission for a wide range of residential, supported living, retail and mixed-use schemes across the UK.
The move forms a part of Rapleys’ strategic growth initiative, which saw six other new partners hired and an office in Cardiff opened since the start of 2025.
Robert Clarke, senior partner and head of the planning division at Rapleys, said: “Rapleys has gone from strength to strength since our repositioning in 2022. Each acquisition and recruit has been carefully selected to fit the culture of our business which is people-led and best-in-class in the areas and services we choose to focus on.
“Welcoming [Greep and Gilbert] into the team will help us in our continuing aspiration to build our strength within the Greater Manchester area as well as supporting the growth of the Planning division across other areas of the country.”
(l-r): Michael Gilbert, Bernard Greep and head of operations Kate Scholes. @ Rapleys
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