High profile Birmingham property consultant Gary Cardin has joined CBRE in a “massive coup” for the company.

Mr Cardin, formerly partner in charge at Deloitte Real Estate in Birmingham and head of the planning and development team, joins CBRE as senior director and head of the planning team in the Midlands.

In addition to his work within the specialist planning field, Mr Cardin is a key figure in Birmingham’s business community. He is chair of the Colmore Business District and former chair of Birmingham Forward.

Martin Guest, managing director of the Birmingham office of CBRE, said: “Gary is undoubtedly the go-to planner in the Midlands. It’s a massive coup for CBRE to get him on board.”

Stuart Robinson, CBRE’s chair of UK planning, added: “This is a significant hire for the planning team at CBRE. Given Gary’s stature in the planning sector, it will significantly bolster our offering - not only in Birmingham but outside London generally. The timing couldn’t be better given the uptick in the development cycle and the potential for significant development in the West Midlands and beyond.”

Formerly head of Drivers Jonas in the Midlands, where he worked for 11 years, Mr Cardin joined Deloitte Real Estate in 2010 following the acquisition of the property advisers by the global business consultancy.

“It is very rare that a set of circumstances presents itself with an opportunity that is just too good to miss,” he said.

“I very much look forward to joining the 100 strong team at CBRE and developing a wider strategy for planning across the Midlands. It is an exciting time to be taking up a new role and I relish the opportunity it presents.”

Mr Cardin is an advisor on some of the Midlands most prominent schemes including Paradise Circus, The Mailbox and the redevelopment of the Grand Hotel in Birmingham.