Maria Dunn BSc (Hons) MA MRTPI 

Maria is a chartered Town Planner with over 14 years’ experience in local government. Currently Head of Development Policy at Birmingham City Council, Maria was previously Planning Policy Team Leader at Worcester City Council, where she was responsible for leading all aspects of the City's planning policy work. Maria started her career at Wyre Forest District Council where she worked on a number of planning policy projects and Neighbourhood Plans. Maria was awarded the RTPI West Midlands Young Planner of the Year Award in 2013 and was shortlisted for the National Young Planner of the Year Award in 2014 and featured on The Planner’s Women of Influence list in 2019. Maria has been a Planning Aid Volunteer since 2005, she has been a member of the West Midlands Regional Activities Committee since 2013 and previous to that she was a member.  Maria was RTPI West Midlands Chair in 2018. In 2021, Maria was presented with the RTPI Outstanding Service Award recognising excellence in service to the industry, benefitting RTPI members at large.