RTPI Young Planners

Harry is a Chartered Town Planner who works for Avison Young in their London office. Prior to this, Harry spent two years working in the Planning Department of a District Council in East Anglia. He now works for Avison Young specialising in leisure and sport planning, whilst undertaking a part-time research degree at University College London exploring the delivery of physical activity through the planning system in England

Sophie is a Senior Planning Officer at the London Borough of Hounslow where she has worked since December 2020. Before then, she was travelling and spent 18 months living in Vancouver, Canada.

Sophie particularly interested in planning and public health and how planners have a role to play in promoting healthy living and lifestyles. Outside of work she enjoy cooking and travelling. I am very much looking forward to being a voice for all local authority planners on the committee in 2024.

Emily is a Transport Planner at Jacobs and a Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI). She graduated with a Masters in Planning (MPlan) from Newcastle University in 2021 and now lives in London with her dog Todd and her cat Milo. She enjoys working on active travel projects and developing Transport Strategies and Local Transport Plans. This year, Emily hopes to bring a Transport Planning focus to the committee, encouraging engagement between Planners, Transport Planners and Urban Designers to help bridge the knowledge gap between the various career options.

Sophie is a Town Planner at Mott MacDonald, an engineering and development consultancy. Sophie's planning experience includes working on projects across various sectors including education, transport, residential and water.

Her interest in the industry is urban regeneration. She lives in southwest London and her hobbies include fitness, travel and exploring London with friends.

Chloe has accumulated 6 1/2 years of experience working for a Local Planning Authority. Her tenure within an LPA has provided her with firsthand insights into how planning initiatives within a London borough can bring about tangible changes. Over the years, she has actively engaged with the local community and witnessed the positive outcomes stemming from this collaborative process.

Chloe is eager to join the committee for 2024 with the aim of supporting other London Young Planners at the outset of their careers. Additionally, she looks forward to facilitating CPD events for existing Young Planners, thereby contributing to the collective knowledge base within the profession.

Lucy is a Chartered Town Planner with extensive experience in both private and public sector planning roles. Lucy joined the Avison Young London Office as a Planner in June 2023, and is involved in a variety of residential, commercial and infrastructure schemes in London and the South East. Prior to joining Avison Young, Lucy worked as a Graduate Planner at Barton Willmore, and prior to that she worked as a Planning Officer within the Development Management East Team at the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Adam started as a Graduate Planner at Avison Young in 2022 and is currently working towards becoming a Chartered Town Planner. Adam has worked with a range of private and public sector clients across residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments. Having experienced a variety of projects and schemes, he is keen to help other young planners in furthering their understanding of planning and the wider real estate industry.

Leon is an undergraduate student currently in their second year of Urban & Environmental Planning. He has a strong desire to contribute to the healthy growth of urban environments and improve people's experiences within them. Leon also holds a keen interest in transit-oriented development, which they have gained experience in through their work placement with TfL's Spatial Planning team. This placement provided him with valuable experience in general urban planning, with a focus on transportation.

Leon looks forward to contributing to the committee and assisting fellow young student planners in creating more opportunities for professional development.

Annabelle started as a graduate planner at Avison Young in 2023 and is currently working towards becoming a Chartered Town Planner. Annabelle has worked with a range of private and public sector clients across residential, commercial, industrial and mixed-use developments in London and the south-east. Annabelle is keen to support other young planners in the early stages of their careers and strengthen the collective knowledge base and interdisciplinary networks of planners within London. Annabelle is particularly interested in sustainable development, including retrofit schemes and the role of technology in the creation of smart cities.

Matt joined Quod as a graduate in 2023 and is currently working towards becoming a Chartered Town Planner. Before then, he studied urban planning at Newcastle University alongside gaining practical experience at Carter Jonas and the Environment Agency. Matt takes a particular interest in infrastructure planning, most of all renewable energy infrastructure where he has gained skills and knowledge through his time working on several DCOs and a variety of TCPA applications. He is keen to further develop his skills and knowledge in this specialism as the UK accelerates towards Net Zero. Outside of work Matt enjoys exploring the outdoors, travelling and going to see live music. He is excited to join the Young Planners Committee, where he hopes to support fellow young planners as they advance their careers. Drawing on his experience with infrastructure projects, he aims to share insights and provide a greater understanding for this fast evolving and impactful area of planning.

Kate is passionate about shaping urban environments through policy and practice to further sustainable urban development. As a Graduate Planner at Arup, Kate works on urban policies, spatial strategies, development management and infrastructure projects. Kate also has a background working as an architectural designer on major built projects.

Kate holds a Master of Urban Planning from the University of Melbourne where her core interests were urban policy, housing, transport and global urban development. While studying her Bachelor of Architecture and Environments (University of Sydney), Kate undertook an exchange in Singapore where she learned from its urban densification and mobility strategies.

Fran began her career in planning in 2018 and has since gained 6 1/2 years of experience working in Local Authority Planning. She is currently a Senior Planner at Tower Hamlets Council, having previously worked at Barnet Council. Throughout her career in the public sector, Fran has gained valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by urban areas, developing a deep understanding of the complexities involved in urban development.

In 2021, Fran became a Chartered Town Planner after completing the RTPI Apprenticeship program as part of its first cohort. She is passionate about advocating for the interests of young planners within the RTPI and is committed to supporting the growth and development of the next generation of planning professionals.