Toby Deacon

Toby is an emerging planning professional at Lewis & Co Planning who has quickly developed a reputation for delivering complex planning projects with clarity and strategic insight. He has worked across a wide range of developments, including regeneration schemes, planning appeals, residential proposals, and heritage-led projects throughout the South East. Toby demonstrates strong planning policy knowledge and an ability to translate complex planning issues into clear, deliverable strategies for clients. Alongside his professional work, he serves as Chair of the RTPI Young Planners South Coast Network, contributing to the profession and supporting collaboration and engagement among early-career planners.

The judges were impressed by the clear professional promise demonstrated throughout the submission, alongside strong evidence of a commitment to the wider planning community through Toby's leadership of the South Coast Young Planners Network and involvement with Generation for Change (G4C). They were particularly impressed by the breadth of his contribution to the profession beyond his day-to-day role.

The supporting references highlighted Toby's positive impact on the development of colleagues, reinforcing his position as a role model for young professionals across the region. This was complemented by evidence of a strong technical grounding and a broad range of experience across appeals, residential development, regeneration, and heritage-led projects.

The case studies demonstrated clear personal involvement, sound professional judgement, and an inventive approach to addressing planning challenges from alternative perspectives. The judges felt that Toby's combination of technical capability, professional engagement, and commitment to supporting others marks him out as a planning professional with a very promising future.

Congratulations, Toby.