Marrons Grows Socio-Economics Service With New Hire in London

Planning, design and development consultancy Marrons has expanded its socio-economics division with the appointment of research specialist and planner Isabelle Woodville-Hill.

Isabelle has joined the team as a socio-economics planner after almost two years as a graduate consultant at civil engineering company Smart Transport Hub, where she also completed a secondment to Camden Council as a consultant transport planner.

Prior to this, Isabelle achieved a MSc in spatial planning at Oxford Brookes University, where she focused on the role of local planning authorities in supporting the management, adaptation and growth of town centres. She also has a BA (Hons) in geography from Swansea University.

In her new role, Isabelle will be conducting in-depth research, producing reports, and gathering socio-economic data and demographic evidence to support planning proposals and strategies nationwide. She will also be working towards gaining MRTPI chartered planner status.

Isabelle, who will primarily be based at Marrons’ London hub but will be working with clients nationally, said: “I am thrilled to have joined the socio-economics team at such an exciting time as the consultancy continues to build its reputation and expand its portfolio of services. Many overlook the significance of delving into socio-economic research and data, yet it plays a crucial role in facilitating successful planning applications.”

Marrons’ socio-economics division supports developers in evidencing the need for, and impact of, schemes on the local population, social infrastructure and the economy in planning proposals.

The service includes market intelligence – such as consumer profiling and labour market studies – to build a picture of an area and see how the development will fit with consumer needs; population modelling to understand how an area will change to assess future housing and employment needs; and impact assessments looking at a development’s impression on the community it will sit within.

Partner Simon Macklen, who heads up Marrons’ socio-economics division, said: “Having launched the socio-economics service more than two years ago, we are growing our team in response to demand from clients for a combination of town planning and economic analysis to provide robust evidence that contributes to successful planning outcomes.

“Isabelle’s appointment will strengthen the team and bring new ideas to the table. We are thrilled to have her onboard and look forward to her developing her career with us.”