Atkins has appointed Colin James as technical director to lead its growing masterplanning practice in the UK.

James joins Atkins from WYG where he established the firm’s national urban design and masterplanning business unit. He brings to Atkins more than 25 years’ experience of delivering projects, from small scale regeneration to significant international urban schemes.

His previous work includes the Baldock Masterplan for Hertfordshire County Council. He also led the Brookfield Garden Village Masterplan for Broxbourne Council, as well as the Canalside Masterplan that transformed an employment area into a high-density mixed-use waterside neighbourhood delivering over 1,500 new homes.

Declan O’Carroll, national director for Atkins’ architecture and masterplanning practice, said: “Colin’s appointment is an important part of continuing to build our masterplanning practice in the UK. Our aim is to play a meaningful part in helping to address the challenges faced by UK cities by providing solutions that create lasting social, environmental and economic value.”

Atkins’ masterplanning work in the UK includes the Leeds integrated station masterplan, that provides the blueprint for the station’s ambitious transformation and integration of national, regional and local transport services with HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail.