Marrons Planning Director Appointed to RTPI General Assembly

Sandra Ford, planning director at planning, design and architecture consultancy Marrons, has been elected to the Royal Town Planning Institute’s (RTPI) General Assembly.

The role, which lasts two years, will see Sandra represent the profession in shaping planning reforms as well as play an active role in building a positive profile of planners and the planning sector.

As part of the governance structure of the professional body, the General Assembly is responsible for debating planning policy and practice and discussing key issues relating to planning and the institute itself. Consisting of both elected and appointed representatives, the assembly plays a key role in shaping the body’s responses to government consultations, as well as electing the institute’s Board of Trustees.

Sandra joined Marrons this year, having formerly worked as head of development services at Tewkesbury Borough Council where she was responsible for planning policy, development management, enforcement, design and conservation, community and economic regeneration.

Before this, Sandra worked at Homes England, where she led on planning, brokerage and external enabling functions for the Midlands. She also led and supported garden towns and villages in the region to secure the timely delivery of high-quality sustainable, large-scale developments through the planning system.

Sandra said: “Right now there is huge debate around planning, with the implications of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, the future of planning policy as well as how we address climate change, so it’s an incredibly exciting time to be elected to the RTPI’s General Assembly.

“I am also keen to be an ambassador for the planning profession and want to help highlight the positive work of planners and the positive role that planning makes within our society, and to try and combat some of the negativity that surrounds the profession. Other issues such as the skills gap, as well as challenges with recruitment and retention, are key issues I hope we will address in our debates to find real solutions.

“I’m looking forward to growing my network, expertise and knowledge as well as sharing my experiences both from a private practice and local authority perspective.”