This is a unique opportunity to: 

• Be part of shaping the profession: Contribute directly to the standards and values that guide our industry. 

• Gain insight into innovative practice: Explore creative and impactful planning approaches from across the South West. 

• Connect with fellow professionals: Collaborate with a  group of planners who bring a wide range of experiences. 

• Develop your confidence and skills: Strengthen your evaluation, critical thinking, and decision‑making abilities. 

• Support the next generation: Help champion emerging talent and celebrate the breadth of work happening across the profession. 

• Grow your professional profile: All judges are profiled on our comms channels giving the opportunity to build your reputation as an industry expert.   

We welcome members of the RTPI at all career stages who bring curiosity, fairness, and a passion for recognising great planning. You might be early in your career or highly experienced, working in the public or private sector, or bringing specialist insight in the areas coverd in our awards categories.

Let's hear from a few of our judges...

"It is very easy to become focussed on our day-jobs and to lose awareness of what is happening professionally beyond our own organisations or beyond the part of the region we work in; this is especially true for me working, as I do, in the far north of our region in Cheltenham. I become a judge because I wanted to explore and understand other aspects of Planning across the South-West and in particular understand and learn from the successes of fellow Planners in the region.  The highlight for me has been undertaking site visits to see for myself, on the ground, what is being delivered, as well as meeting and interviewing some of our inspiring young planners."
Chris Gomm


"I got involved in judging the RTPI SW awards because as a profession we do not celebrate the great work that we do. We complete one project and move straight on to the next. I believe it is very important to stop and take a moment to appreciate the great work that is being delivered across the South West. To celebrate and give projects the recognition that they deserve. I really enjoy getting to see a range of projects and meeting the planners when we do the site visits and seeing first hand the difference projects are making to communities."
Rebecca Miller

"Being on the judging panel has given me a unique opportunity to better understand and help celebrate the huge range of planning excellence being delivered across our region."
Tim Burton

"I became involved as a judge for the RTPI South West Awards because they provide an opportunity to recognise planning at its very best—work that is thoughtful, collaborative and genuinely improves places and communities. What I enjoy most is visiting the completed developments on site and meeting the people who made them happen, I also particularly enjoy the opportunity to engage with the young planners and see their enthusiasm, ideas and commitment to the profession."
Rachel Tadman

If you are interested in being part of this supportive and inspiring group of volunteer members and would like to have an informal chat about the opportunities, read the role description and overview of the judging process please contact southwest@rtpi.org.uk

If you are interested in applying to join the panel please complete an registration form.