He was a Commissioner of Historic England until 2021 and is an Academician of the Academy of Urbanism and a research fellow at the University of Buckingham on urban design.

Professor Carlos Moreno has called him “the UK’s leading figure in urban living and the beauty of cities.” His books include No Free Parking, Heart in the Right Street, Beyond Location and Of Streets and Squares.

He was a judge of the 2016 and 2018 Sunday Times British Home Awards. Nicholas has written extensively on development, planning and the links between design, wellbeing, value, sustainability and public support.