Planning Consultancy Bolsters London And Bristol Expertise With Duo Hire

Planning, development and design consultancy Marrons has bolstered its breadth and depth of expertise in London and Bristol with two senior appointments.

With more than 50 years’ planning experience between them, partner Ian Blacker and associate Julie McLaughlin have joined Marrons from Tetra Tech Planning.

Ian has an enviable record in delivering complex, high-profile and sensitive development projects in London and the South of England, and has previously led national planning teams within market-leading multidisciplinary practices. Previously, Ian led Tetra Tech’s Bristol and London planning team. In addition to providing project-specific planning advice, in his new role, Ian will support the development of Marrons’ planning teams in Bristol and London.

Ian said: “Planning is about identifying how to bring different – and often seemingly competing – interests together to deliver a shared benefit. It can sometimes be easily and simplistically portrayed as conflict driven, but I’ve been doing this job a long time and never have and still don’t believe that is, or has to be, the case.”

“It is clear Marrons shares that outlook, optimism and commitment to delivering better outcomes for all those involved. It has expertise in planning and related disciplines – such as master planning, architecture, heritage, economic viability – that help shape what our communities, the places we all live in, work in, socialise in, will be.

“But even that is not enough. It has to be underpinned by a commitment to quality and understanding, in the way we interact with each other, colleagues, clients, stakeholders, people who may have a different perspective and experience. That’s the ambition Marrons has, and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”

An expert in coordinating multidisciplinary teams, Julie has a particular focus on and track record in London development, and has helped clients deliver a number of challenging housing and heritage projects.

She has specific expertise in theatre and entertainment venues and enabling development to support and secure viable futures for historic buildings. Julie has recently helped the Royal National Lifeboat Institution deliver a new lifeboat station at Waterloo Bridge, the UK’s busiest and only floating one, and LW Theatres secure the RIBA award-winning refurbishment of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Marrons’ roots are in planning, but the consultancy has since added urban design, socio-economics, heritage and architecture to its list of services. As part of its growth strategy into the South West, Marrons expanded into Bristol in December 2022.

Brian Mullin, partner and head of Marrons, said: “We are delighted Ian and Julie have joined us, fulfilling another part of our commitment to meeting the needs of our clients nationally and, more specifically, in London and Bristol.

“Planning and development in London is different, and having their level of expertise of the capital as part of our national planning team demonstrates our approach and support for our clients. Their commitment to understanding client needs and quality outcomes perfectly matches our own.

“Julie’s detailed knowledge of London development issues and track record of delivery will provide a significant boost to our London clients, while enhancing our heritage planning advice across the county. Ian’s experience, both as a London planning expert and as a business leader, will substantially strengthen our planning team and the expertise available to clients.”