Regional Management Board

Our Regional Management Board (RMB) guides our regional activities through the preparation, monitoring and delivery of the Regional Business Plan. The RMB is advised and supported by members of the Regional Activities Committee.

Learn more about our RMB members

Darren Muir

Senior Director - Pegasus Group (NW Chair)

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Darren is Senior Director at Pegasus Group in Liverpool. He comes from a multidisciplinary background having previously worked client-side in wind energy and residential development before moving into consultancy. He now advises public and private sector clients on a variety of developments across England, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man. He holds two master’s degrees – a Master of Town and Country Planning (Hons) degree from the University of Manchester, and a Master of Science in Design and Construction of Zero Carbon and Ultra-low Energy Buildings from the University of Dundee. Darren is Chair of the Planning Aid England North West Task Group and co-founder of the North West Neighbourhood Planning Network.

Holly Froggatt

Senior Planning and Enabling Manager - Homes England (NW Vice Chair)

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Holly is a Senior Planning and Enabling Manager at Homes England, with a background in both the public and private sectors. She has experience of working on a range of complex residential projects.

Holly graduated with a Masters in Planning from the University of Manchester in 2016 and became a Chartered member of the RTPI in 2018. She has been involved in the Awards Task Group for the RTPI NW Regional Activities Committee for the last three years and looks forward to the opportunity to celebrate the best plans, people and projects again this year.

Adrian Fisher

Director of Growth & Regulatory Services - Trafford Council (NW Junior vice Chair)

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Adrian Fisher is a Chartered Town Planner with over three decades experience in Local Government. For the past 20 years he has led Planning Departments at District, Unitary and Metropolitan Councils as well has running other place based functions, including housing and regeneration. His current post is Director of Growth and Regulatory Services at Trafford Council where he has responsibility for built environment and public protection services

Ben Vickers

Team Leader, Planning Policy - South Ribble BC (NW Past Chair)

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Ben has been a member of RTPI NW since 2018, occupying the role of Treasurer for several years and Chair during 2025. He also served an elected Trustee of the wider RTPI during 2023. Ben’s career has predominantly been within the public sector, preparing plans for Camden, Cheshire East and South Ribble councils. His experience also extends to tutoring the next generation of planners for the University of the Built Environment and applications / appeals casework through his own independent consultancy.

Joanne Harding

Deputy Head of Planning - Knowsley Council (NW Honorary Secretary and Rep on General Assembly))

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Joanne is the Deputy Head of Planning at Knowsley Council and is responsible for helping to bring forward the Local Plan for Knowsley. Joanne is an experienced policy planner with more than 20 years in the profession. After starting her career in the private sector at GVA Grimley, Joanne has worked within local government, contributing to planning policy for Stafford, Halton and Cheshire East and more recently representing the home building industry whilst working for Home Builders Federation. Joanne is strong supporter of the planning profession and has previously been the Honorary Sectary of the RTPI NW region and served as RTPI NW Chair and as a Trustee of the RTPI. Joanne is a member of the CPD Task Group and is keen to help to support our local members through professional development and other RTPI services and events.

Dr Chris Wilson

Regeneration Consultant - BE Group (NW Honorary Treasurer)

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Dr Chris Wilson is a planning and regeneration consultant with 20 years’ experience of working for BE Group, Warrington. Before that he completed a PhD at Manchester University which researched the role of community engagement in the Housing Market Renewal Programme of Pennine Lancashire. Chris has been on the RAC since 2002, making him one of the longest serving members. He is now the regional Treasurer and runs the Promotion of Planning Task Group, which publishes the Annual Review of the year. Chris’s personal interests include sailing, Geocaching and hill walking. He is also keen sci-fi fan.

Kate Kingston

Strategic Planning Policy Lead - SP Energy Networks (NW Rep on Nations and Regions Panel)

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Kate is the Strategic Planning Policy Lead for Scottish Power Energy Networks and has expertise in strategic infrastructure, having most recently been the Lead Consent Officer for two high voltage electricity links, EGL3 and 4, supplying 4GWs of energy for the UK in a tripartite between National Grid, SSE and SPT. She has a clear understanding of how planning supports communities, growth, and net zero.

Kate is committed to being a connector between members and the RTPI, ensuring local insights help to inform national decisions, and working collaboratively to promote an inclusive and forward-looking profession.

Kate joins the NW Regional Management Board in 2026 as Regional representative on the Nations and Regions Panel.

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