Nigel developed investigation and security skills in service with H.M. Forces as an Intelligence and Security Operator before becoming a career Local Government Enforcement Planner. He spent 18 years in local government qualifying in both planning and law and experiencing a full range of enforcement subject matter, with North Wiltshire District, Bristol City, Buckinghamshire County and Brent London Borough Councils.

As well as handling all aspects of planning enforcement, from receipt of complaint to remedial action, Nigel has been advocate or witness in hundreds of prosecution, public inquiry, injunction and other proceedings. After leaving local government he developed the Company working exclusively for public authorities, specialising in planning enforcement and in particular direct remedial action. The Company has conducted hundreds of successful actions, from the removal of vast amounts of scrap and waste, including boats, cars and caravans, to the dismantling and removal of advertising hoardings or the complete demolition of buildings. Working for a number of authorities across England, the Company has always been keen to expand its experience and prides itself on securing practical cost effective solutions and, to date, has never failed to remedy any breach it has been presented. He believes enforcement means just that. The planning enforcement system works well, if only the tools are used as intended to compliment the many other skills and competencies of planning. He is not a creator or a negotiator.

He believes those disciplines are best left to development controllers, policy makers and other planning experts, whilst he concentrates on enforcement. Present him with development that should not have happened and he will find a way to undo it and maybe help prevent it from happening again.

Nigel was a member of the ODPM Working Group on the review of the Planning Enforcement System, and has experience in the Magistrates, Crown, and High Courts.