Current post:
Senior planning manager, Welsh Assembly Government

Employment history:
Part-time lecturer on BSc Geography course land-use and environmental planning module, University of Glamorgan, 2004
National management trainee, planning and development unit, Ashford Borough Council, 2004
Senior planning policy officer, sustainability issues, Ashford Borough Council, 2006

Professional qualifications:
BSc Human Geography and Environmental Sustainability with First Class Honours, University of Glamorgan, 2003
MSc Sustainability, Planning and Environmental Policy with Distinction, Cardiff University, 2004
Postgraduate Diploma in Local Government Management, Warwick University, 2006
MA Urban and Regional Planning, University of Westminster, 2007
Licentiate member of RTPI

Experience and achievements:
Andrew Charles began his career as a national management trainee on the National Graduate Development Programme, a two-year graduate management development programme run by the Improvement and Development Agency designed to develop future managers and leaders in local government.  This took him to the growth area of Ashford in Kent, where his interests and previous studies led him to join the planning and development unit. The experience gained varied from leading on emerging planning policies on sustainable design and construction, renewable energy, sustainable drainage and biodiversity to developing strategic environmental assessment and appropriate assessment processes. This included representing the council at the core strategy public examination on its proposed policies on sustainable design and construction.

Andrew joined the Welsh Assembly Government in 2007. He is the policy lead on how the planning system can respond to the need to mitigate climate change and deliver sustainable buildings. This has involved taking forward an innovative national planning policy on sustainable buildings with associated technical guidance, research and training.

He is a licentiate member of the RTPI, working towards chartered status in 2010, and featured in the RTPI Cymru publication Promoting Planning as a Career. He has published articles on Local Agenda 21 and Community Participation in the Environmental Gazette and Deafness and Disability – Forgotten Components of Environmental Justice in the International Journal of Justice and Sustainability.
Outside work Andrew has worked with other volunteer members of the Young Planners Network in Wales to further establish the network in Wales, acting as its communications manager. Other interests include training for the London marathon, squash and a short course in photography. He is also fluent in sign language.

Statement:
I quickly recognised from my personal interest in environmental issues that planners as a profession can play an integral part in tackling climate change. The RTPI’s seven commitments offer a renewed opportunity, which I strongly support, to engage young people energised and enthused by these issues to show the role that the planning profession can play in planning for climate change. I am passionate about this challenge and will use opportunities through the Young Planners Network such as conferences, newsletters and campaigns to show how the planning profession offers a rigorous, evidenced and practical means of planning for climate change.

Citation:
Andrew is a key member of the team developing climate change policies delivered through the planning system in Wales. He brings initiative, enthusiasm, expertise and a willingness to tackle difficult issues. He was instrumental in developing Welsh Assembly Government policies and producing publications aimed at explaining climate change and securing more sustainable approaches to development. Outside work, Andrew is active with the Young Planners Cymru Steering Group in engaging and energising younger planners through his role as communications manager. He will succeed as an outstanding planner and manager who can act as an exemplar for others.

Rosemary Thomas, Chief Planner, Welsh Assembly Government and former chair, RTPI South Wales Branch.

Author:

Judy Woollett

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

23-Nov-09

Categories:

 

This article has been read 1124 times.