Marrons strengthens West Midlands planning capability with senior appointment 

Planning, design and development consultancy Marrons has appointed Carl Brace as associate director, marking a significant investment in its strategic planning capability across the West Midlands.

With more than 20 years’ experience in local planning authorities (LPAs), Carl brings a depth of insight into the realities of planning decision-making at a time when the system is under increasing pressure to balance growth, policy reform and delivery.

His appointment reflects Marrons’ continued focus on providing clients with technically robust advice – grounded in a clear understanding of how decisions are shaped and schemes are brought forward.

Carl joins from Wychavon District Council, where he was development manager and part of the RTPI award-winning planning team in 2025.

His career spans senior roles across the region, including Birmingham City Council and Herefordshire Council – giving him first-hand experience of the policy, political and commercial dynamics influencing development across the West Midlands.

Over the course of his career, Carl has operated at the forefront of complex and high-profile schemes, acting as lead officer on the redevelopment of Villa Park, supporting Birmingham’s role in the UK’s UEFA EURO 2028 bid and leading on the regeneration of the Grade II-listed Chateau Impney site in Worcestershire.

His work has consistently required the navigation of competing priorities – from heritage and green belt policy to housing land supply and economic growth, resulting in clear, defensible and deliverable planning outcomes.

At Marrons, Carl will play a key role in advising clients on how to navigate an increasingly nuanced planning landscape, particularly across the West Midlands where development activity remains strong.

Carl said: “Planning is often framed in terms of policy and process, while in practice it is about judgement, collaboration and problem solving. My focus has always been on finding a route forward – unlocking development in a way that delivers policy-compliant, commercially viable, and genuinely beneficial outcomes.

“Marrons’ approach is closely aligned with that thinking. There is a clear emphasis on collaboration, engaging constructively with stakeholders, and solutions-focused thinking. I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to support clients in navigating complexity and delivering successful schemes.”

David Fovargue, planning partner at Marrons, added: “Carl brings a perspective that is increasingly important in today’s planning environment. His experience within LPAs across the West Midlands gives him an understanding of the pressures and the judgement calls that shape outcomes.

“Just as importantly, he brings a calm, solutions-focused mindset. His appointment strengthens our ability to provide clear, strategically grounded advice across the region, and reflects the direction we are continuing to take as a consultancy.”