Steering group

Emma is a Chartered Senior Planner at Lichfields, having joined in 2019 following the completion of her studies at St Andrews University and the University of Glasgow where she obtained a Master’s degree in City Planning and Real Estate Development. Emma’s primary focus is in the residential sector, but her experience covers a wide variety of projects including leisure, regeneration, and commercial. Emma is currently the Chair of the RTPI North East Young Planner’s Committee and a member of the RTPI NE Regional Activities and Policies Committee

Patrick Johnston has been a member of the Young Planners Committee since February 2019, where he also helped with the Young Planner’s conference.  Patrick previously worked for Newcastle City Council before moving to Persimmon PLC in August 2019. Through the pandemic years Patrick completed his APC and has been able to share some of this knowledge in NE APC webinars. He has also been involved in student events. In 2022 Patrick became Vice Chair, before becoming the NE YP Chair in January 2023.  His time as chair Patrick focused on student engagement in the Young Planners steering group to help secure the long-term sustainability and succession of the committee post-pandemic. 

Joe joined DPP as an Assistant Planner in August 2022, and has enjoyed working across a range of sectors including residential, health and education. He recently joined the committee in January 2023. Having completed his integrated planning masters at the University of Sheffield in June 2021, Joe stayed in the city and worked for a small planning consultancy, before moving home back up north last year. Joe is currently working towards MRTPI accreditation and is looking forward to being an active member of the steering group in the region.

Mollie has recently graduated from Newcastle University with a Master of Planning (Honours) degree, specialising in urban conservation in her final year. Mollie is a Planner at ELG Planning and is currently working towards MRTPI accreditation.

Mollie has been a member of the RTPI NE Young Planners since June 2023 and currently serves as Vice Chair.

Daniel is currently a Master of Planning student at Newcastle University, undertaking his Certificate in Planning Practice year out placement in the spatial planning and environment team at Gateshead Council. His experience so far has helped him develop a solid understanding of the planning system and provided him with insight into the development of local planning policy and how it is utilised to shape the built environment. Daniel has been a student member of the RTPI since 2020 when he first started his degree and hope to continue his membership and involvement at a postgraduate level.

Lucy is a Planner at Lichfields UK, having joined in 2023. She graduated from Newcastle University with a MSc in Urban Planning (Conservation Pathway) in 2023 and from Durham University with a Geography (BA) degree in 2022. Lucy has a range of experience with a particular focus, and interest in, the built historic environment and retail and town centre schemes. Lucy is a member of the RTPI North East Young Planners Committee. She is currently working towards achieving MRTPI accreditation.

Liam has been a Planning Officer at North Yorkshire Council since July 2024, prior to this he was a Planning Officer within Gateshead Council, having been promoted from Student Planner in October 2023. He holds a masters degree in urban planning with green infrastructure. In his current role within the development management team, Liam works on a number of applications ranging from Householder and Listed Building Applications through to more complex majors including Residential Developments and Agricultural Developments involving Habitat Regulation Assessments and Environmental Impact Screening Assessments.

Liam joined the committee in 2023 and is currently working towards MRTPI Accreditation and is aiming to submit his APC in 2025.

Thea is a Graduate Planner at Savills, having joined in 2024 following the completion of her studies at Newcastle University, where she obtained a Master’s degree in Urban Planning. Prior to this, Thea completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Leeds, graduating with a BA in Spanish. At Savills, Thea has been involved in a variety of projects and assists with the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments. Thea is also actively working towards her APC to achieve MRTPI accreditation.