Alex graduated in 2014 and became a chartered town planner 2019. He is currently an Associate Town Planner at WSP in their London infrastructure Planning team. He has experience working on infrastructure delivery of healthcare facilities, major rail projects including HS2 and East West Rail, water, highways, education and energy projects across the country. Prior to working in consultancy he spent 7 years at several London boroughs working on development management for a range of different residential, commercial, industrial and specialist residential housing as well as some experience in planning enforcement. 

Alex's main interest in planning are promoting the role of infrastructure as an enabling tool in new developments with an eye on the incoming Planning and Infrastructure Act as well as championing the work of the profession to those unfamiliar with the work town planners undertake. Alex was the 2025 Senior Vice Chair for the region and first became involved in the London region RAC in 2024.

Alex's theme for the London region in 2026 is promoting the positive role planning plays for all of us in society as well as dispelling negative perceptions and fake news about the  planning profession.

Amy is a Senior Planner and the immediate past Chair of the RTPI Young Planners London for 2024. She has been actively involved with the RTPI Young Planners since 2018, starting during her university years. Amy has served on the London Young Planners committee since 2021, with a particular focus on infrastructure consenting and planning policy, both within London and beyond. Early in her career, she also gained valuable experience working within a Local Authority. Amy brings a wealth of knowledge and diverse experience to the judging panel, informed by her broad planning background and ongoing commitment to the profession.

Miftahur Rahman is a student at South Bank University whose journey in architecture and urban design is marked by a passion for creating sustainable spaces. With a focus on Urban Design and Planning, his education complements his professional endeavors. His core competencies lie in blending architectural innovation with strategic start-up leadership, aiming to contribute significantly to urban environments. His goal is to integrate academic insights with real-world applications, shaping cities that embody both form and function.

Thomas started as a Graduate Planner at the London Borough of Lewisham in 2021. He has since been promoted to Senior Planning Officer working within development management.

Thomas has a keen interest in the importance of good quality design in placemaking and in the creation of healthy communities. Having studied dementia friendly cities for his Masters’ degree dissertation he values the importance of creating places for everyone to ensure they are welcoming for all.

Over the next year, as both Co-Chair and a public sector planner, he is keen to strengthen ties with other associated bodies to ensure public sector planners are better represented. He would like to work collaboratively with the private sector to share ideas and best practices for the region's members.

He is also looking forward to working alongside Karen to raise the profile of the profession and ensure the events and CPD programme covers the key themes and topics requested by our members over the next 12-months

Karen has wide-ranging experience in planning spanning over 25 years in a local government setting. She has worked across both policy and development management, her particular passion and strength lies in planning appeals an area where she has specialised for over a decade. She is currently an  Appeals Team Leader at the London Borough of Bromley and has extensive experience across a range of complex and major planning appeals, appearing regularly as an expert witness at planning Inquiries, informal hearings.  

Karen is also very passionate about diversity in planning and supporting the next generation of emerging talent to make great strides in the profession. She is a committed mentor, a member of the BAME Planner Network an initiative which promotes diversity and inclusion in the profession.  An active member of the RTPI Karen is also a member of the General Assembly, the Regional Activities Committee and Regional Management Board. 

Jonathan is Head of Spatial Planning at the Royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea. He covers three teams concerned with the Local Plan and policy making, Design and Heritage and a team concentrating on Good Growth in all its forms and bringing forward sites for delivery. He has worked in the public sector for over 30 years.

His background has been in Development Management occupying senior positions such as the Acting Head of Development Management and team leader. Jonathan is leading on bringing the Kensal Canalside and the Earl’s Court Opportunity Areas forward for development together with other corporate rejuvenation initiatives.

Dr Roudaina Alkhani is the Founding Director of Platforms, a London-based consultancy specialising in urban and regional planning, urban design, strategic planning, regeneration, and coastal city development. Platforms focus on promoting sustainable, resilient and inclusive cities, and enhancing place quality through innovative, integrated and collaborative approaches.

Roudaina has over 25 years of outstanding professional experience bridging academic research with professional practice, supported by a PhD in Planning and Urban Design from the Danish Royal Academy, and a DEA (MRes) in Urban Policy and Spatial Planning from the Paris City Planning Institute. 

Her extensive experience from the UK, North-Western Europe, France, and the Middle East includes working with local authorities, including Copenhagen, and providing consultancy services to public organisations, higher education institutions, and international organisations comprising collaborations with GIZ, UN-Habitat P4CA, Swedish Cities Association, and the Worldwide Network of Port Cities. From 2017-2023, Roudaina was a Senior Lecturer at the University of Westminster, co-leading the BA Designing Cities and directing key MA modules, including Sustainable Cities and Neighbourhoods and The Dynamic Cities, which she delivered in collaboration with local authorities along the Thames River and the industry.

Roudaina is a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI), a Registered Member of the Danish Association of Architects (Architect MAA), and a Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy (FHEA). She is an Expert of the Worldwide Network of Port Cities and is an affiliate of UN-Habitat’s Planners for Climate Action (P4CA).