Civic Place

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    • Home
    • Delivery Model
      • Modern Delivery Model
      • Design
      • Planning
    • Financials & Proposition
      • Illustrations
      • Value Proposition
    • Organisation & Team
      • Our Leadership
      • Our Partners
    • Contact us
      • Get In Touch
    • News

info@CivicPlace.co.uk

Civic Place
  • Home
  • Delivery Model
    • Modern Delivery Model
    • Design
    • Planning
  • Financials & Proposition
    • Illustrations
    • Value Proposition
  • Organisation & Team
    • Our Leadership
    • Our Partners
  • Contact us
    • Get In Touch
  • News

Our Leadership

Adam Smith (Partner)

Adam Smith (Partner)

Adam Smith (Partner)

Adam is a Chartered Property Consultant (FCIOB, MAPM, MIWFM) with over 35 years’ experience leading major property strategies, capital programmes, and transformation initiatives across local government, Parliament, and the wider public sector. He has a long track record of helping councils unlock the value of underused assets, redesign pr

Adam is a Chartered Property Consultant (FCIOB, MAPM, MIWFM) with over 35 years’ experience leading major property strategies, capital programmes, and transformation initiatives across local government, Parliament, and the wider public sector. He has a long track record of helping councils unlock the value of underused assets, redesign property functions, and deliver sustainable, service-aligned estate strategies. Adam has worked extensively with Local Authorities, overseeing portfolios of around 800 assets, delivering construction programmes valued at £260m, leading TUPE transfers, implementing Corporate Landlord models, and developing long-term investment, co-location, leisure, and depot strategies. He has also driven major property team transformations, new operating models, and budget sustainability programmes that align estates with future service requirements. 

His experience in Parliament, including responsibility for the migration of 455 MPs and 3,400 staff, complex real estate negotiations, and strategic leadership on the £600m Northern Estate Programme, gives him deep insight into operating in highly political, complex environments. This experience now benefits Civic Place’s local authority partners seeking clarity, governance strength, and delivery confidence. Beyond his professional work, Adam is Chairman of High Wycombe Lawn Tennis Club and takes a keen interest in global culinary traditions, enjoying exploring food cultures from around the world.

Paul Smith (Partner)

Adam Smith (Partner)

Adam Smith (Partner)

Paul began his career as an RAF Officer, flying Tornado aircraft until 2004. During his service he developed strong leadership, operational discipline and strategic decision-making skills, and completed an MBA to prepare for a commercial career beyond the military.

After leaving the RAF, he spent two years in management consulting, support

Paul began his career as an RAF Officer, flying Tornado aircraft until 2004. During his service he developed strong leadership, operational discipline and strategic decision-making skills, and completed an MBA to prepare for a commercial career beyond the military.

After leaving the RAF, he spent two years in management consulting, supporting organisations through performance improvement, operational efficiency and strategic change. He then founded his own online training business, gaining hands-on experience in digital product development and commercial growth.

In 2010, he acquired an established business, scaled it threefold and successfully exited at a six-times valuation. This achievement strengthened his expertise in scaling operations, value creation and business restructuring.

Since 2018, he has focused on property and development. His experience spans the full lifecycle of the sector: sourcing and acquiring sites, securing planning permissions, overseeing development, and delivering exits either through sale or, more recently, by building out planning consents himself. He brings a commercial, analytical and delivery-focused mindset to every project, underpinned by real-world experience across multiple sectors.

Mike Salem

Penny Halliday

Penny Halliday

Mike advises Civic Place on its communications, external relations and strategic governance. With a background in political strategy and campaigning, Mike brings experiences of engaging with a range of stakeholders, be it Parliamentarians or the public. Originally from Syria, Mike read PPE at the LSE before working in the public policy sp

Mike advises Civic Place on its communications, external relations and strategic governance. With a background in political strategy and campaigning, Mike brings experiences of engaging with a range of stakeholders, be it Parliamentarians or the public. Originally from Syria, Mike read PPE at the LSE before working in the public policy sphere, where he contributes to the discourse by appearing in the media. Mike has worked on digital markets and technology, lifestyle regulations and food policies. 


Outside his work, Mike is a keen tennis player where he is also involved in transformation plans. Mike also plays the Bassoon and serves as Secretary of the Marlow Orchestra.



Penny Halliday

Penny Halliday

Penny Halliday

Penny is a senior regeneration and development professional with more than 20 years’ experience delivering complex, large-scale residential and mixed-use regeneration across the public and housing association sectors. She is recognised for combining strategic vision with a strong focus on delivery, commercial rigour, and long-term communi

Penny is a senior regeneration and development professional with more than 20 years’ experience delivering complex, large-scale residential and mixed-use regeneration across the public and housing association sectors. She is recognised for combining strategic vision with a strong focus on delivery, commercial rigour, and long-term community impact.

Penny previously led one of London’s most ambitious regeneration programmes, overseeing multi-billion-pound investment, thousands of new homes, major infrastructure, and significant commercial development. Her experience spans the full development lifecycle, from land acquisition and masterplanning through planning, procurement, funding, construction, and operational handover. She has extensive experience working at executive and political levels, building effective partnerships across local and central government, the private sector, and communities.

Throughout her career, Penny has secured substantial public and private investment, structured complex development and joint-venture arrangements, and led major infrastructure and housing programmes through challenging market conditions. She is known for her strong commercial acumen, clear governance, and ability to navigate risk while maintaining momentum and public accountability.

Community, sustainability, and social value are central to Penny’s approach. She has championed inclusive growth, high-quality design, and environmental responsibility, delivering meaningful social value outcomes, new jobs and apprenticeships, and high-quality public realm that supports wellbeing and long-term stewardship.

Earlier in her career, Penny worked internationally, including a senior management role in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This experience strengthened her leadership capability, operational resilience, and cross-cultural communication skills in a high-pressure, regulated environment.

Penny’s approach aligns with Civic Place’s mission to transform under-used public assets into thriving destinations that support continuity, wellbeing and community stability. She is committed to creating developments that are financially feasible, environmentally responsive, and designed with dignity at their core. 

Outside of work, Penny enjoys playing tennis, learning to paddle board, and travelling.



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