Michael Hardware

Director of Planning and Property

Michael has 40 years’ experience of planning public affairs working on a wide range of projects across the UK including residential, retail, commercial and energy, as well as public open spaces and even a national memorial.

He started his career working client-side for the development arm of William Sindall PLC, now Morgan Sindall. He has subsequently worked for most of the leading developers and housebuilders.

Michael has been county and district councillor for nine years. He has held various cabinet posts including  planning and planning policy, economic development, regeneration & strategic growth, arts heritage & culture, and health & adult social care. He chaired a post-COVID county council property review task force and served on a garden town and the UK Innovation Corridor boards for five years. He is currently cabinet member for local government reorganisation and devolution at Harlow Council.

Michael heads Chelgate’s corporate practice, which includes Chelgate Local. During his 30 years at Chelgate, he has worked on a multitude of projects and clients including British Gas, the Royal Parks, London Development Agency, Center Parcs, Greater London Authority, West Northamptonshire Development Corporation, North London Waste Authority, Mitsubishi and Carillion. He led the Wilcon Homes (Wilson Connolly), then the UK’s fifth largest housebuilder, for five years, two of which he was seconded as the group’s head of external affairs.

He is also the immediate past president of the Chartered Institute of Journalists, chairs the board of a multi-academy trust in Essex, and is a member of the TCPA and the RTPI Politicans in Planning group.

Email: Michael Hardware
Tel: 020 7939 7989
Twitter: Michaelhardware
LinkedIn: Mike Hardware