We are delighted to announce that Stuart Leaver and Emily Hammick have been elected to Chartered Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

Chartered status is the profession’s recognised mark of expertise, demonstrating the experience, professional judgement and technical capability required to advise on complex planning matters with confidence.

The RTPI’s Experienced Practitioner Assessment of Professional Competence (EP APC) provides a rigorous route to Chartered Membership, assessing not only technical knowledge but also professional judgement, ethical practice and the ability to deliver sound outcomes across a broad range of planning challenges. Stuart and Emily both passed the assessment at their first attempt, underlining the strength of their professional expertise and the quality of their submissions.

Both submissions were recognised for their exceptional quality. Emily’s demonstrated a broad, evidence-led approach across a diverse range of planning work, underpinned by an expert grasp of the legal, environmental and policy context in which planning decisions are made. Stuart’s was described as an accomplished submission, showcasing clear strategic thinking in addressing complex planning issues, supported by thorough analysis and well-reasoned decision-making.

Owen Fry, Head of Planning Consultancy at Powells and a Chartered Town Planner, commented:

“This is a strong reflection of the quality of work Stuart and Emily deliver every day. Achieving Chartered status through the Experienced Practitioner route is no small feat, and their success is testament to the depth of expertise, professionalism and commitment within our planning team.”

Congratulations to Stuart and Emily on this well-deserved achievement.