Executive Committee

Nick Salt is a Senior Planner with Turley and has been based in their Belfast office since joining in January 2022.  In that time, he has worked on several major projects in throughout the UK and Ireland, including significant urban regeneration schemes, major logistics proposals and residential schemes.

Nick graduated from Queens University Belfast in 2017 with a Planning and Development MSc, having made the switch from a short career in politics.  He has previously worked in development management for the Isle of Man Government, and more recently with local planning authorities throughout England during a spell with Capita.

Nick was awarded NI Young Planner of the Year in 2024

Diane has been engaged in planning practice for over 25 years having started her career in the Department of the Environment Planning Service holding various posts in development management and development plan. Diane also worked for the Department for Regional Development Regional Planning in the implementation of the Regional Development Strategy. In 2012, Diane attained a PhD from Queen's University, Belfast on the topic of collaborative planning and equality in Northern Ireland. Having worked at the Planning Appeals Commission for over 19 years, Diane conducted numerous planning appeals, was involved in a public inquiry into a major road scheme and carried out two independent examinations of local development plans. Diane has recently taken up a new position as Senior Planner within the Office of the Planning Regulator working in their plan evaluations team.

Robbie is Head of Planning at Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council.  He has over 17 years experience working in planning across Scotland, England and Ireland.  He was previously an Associate Director at AECOM in their Belfast office and Head of Development Management and Planning Enforcement at the London Borough of Haringey; the 2024 London RTPI Planning Authority of the year. 

Robbie graduated from the University of Dundee in 2007 with a degree in Town and Regional Planning.  He spent 3 years working in Development Management in East Dunbartonshire on the outskirts of Glasgow followed by Runnymede in Surrey before joining Haringey in 2013.     

Robbie has extensive experience working on complex major planning applications for high profile regeneration projects and service improvement in Development Management and Planning Enforcement. 

Emma is a Senior Planner within Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. She has 10 years professional planning experience, having worked across both the public sector and private sector across the UK and Ireland. Emma has significant experience in dealing with complex major planning applications and working within large multidisciplinary project teams on high profile developments. Emma has sat on the RTPI General Assembly and is currently Chair of the RTPI NI Executive Committee. In her year as Chair, she hopes to promote the planning profession as a career choice to students, resulting in greater diversity entering the profession in the future. 

Chris is currently the Acting Service Unit Manager (Principal Planner) for the Planning Enforcement team at Ards and North Down Borough Council in Northern Ireland, where he has worked for seven years.

After Chris gained a BSc (Hons) degree in Town and Regional Planning from the University of Dundee he worked for the Department of Environment for Northern Ireland’s Planning Service from August 2002 to March 2015 in both Development Management and Planning Enforcement roles across several Area Planning offices.

Chris is the NI Representative for the NAPE Executive Committee, which he has been since February 2017.

Julie recently joined the Planning Inspectorate as an Examining Inspector considering applications for Development Consent Orders for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects across England and Wales. For the previous 19 years she was a member of the Planning Appeals Commission and undertook a range of planning appeals, referred work, including the North-South Electricity Interconnector, and was most recently involved in independent examination of the Belfast City Council and Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council LDPs.  

Julie’s 35 year work experience also includes posts with various public sector bodies in N Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and England in development management, enforcement, development plan, economic development and promotion of countryside access.

She is a graduate of Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester University and the Open University.

Mark is an associate planner with Gravis Planning and has previously worked in development management for Planning Service (DOE), Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and Ards & North Down Borough Council with over 20 years experience.

Having studied at Queens University Belfast, Mark obtained a BSc Honours degree in Environmental Planning and a Postgraduate diploma in Town and Country Planning

Catherine is a senior planner in the Northern Ireland Civil Service. During her 30-year public sector career, she has spent the last 15 years working on securing the transformation of planning and local government in Northern Ireland. She worked on the making of the Planning Act 2011, and led the introduction of community planning to Northern Ireland, developing cross-sector relationships and overseeing a significant capacity building programme.

To embed the new planning system, Catherine worked with the Welsh Government to assist with establishing regional oversight of the new local development plan system, and project managed the Planning Engagement Partnership collaboratively working with public, private and third sector organisations across Northern Ireland, to produce a report ‘Planning Your Place: Getting Involved’ containing recommendations on how to improve community engagement in the planning process. Catherine is now working on good relations and planning issues in The Executive Office.

Catherine is the Nations Trustee on the RTPI Board of Trustees and is a Member of the RTPI Northern Ireland Executive Committee. She is committed to harnessing the value of planning, to produce positive societal outcomes at local, regional and national levels. She is also enthusiastic in her pursuit of self development along with professional development. She works with colleagues to provide a Women’s Mentoring Programme for women across the Northern Ireland Civil Service, and is also an active member of the ‘More to Life’ Foundation which is a global community of people committed to transforming their lives and communities through their own personal development.

Lindsey is a Chartered Member of the RTPI with professional experience in both the UK and Ireland.  Lindsey has worked primarily in development management and more recently in Transport Planning.

Lindsey has a strong interest in the integration of land use and transport planning, recognising its importance in creating sustainable, connected, and inclusive communities. 

Maria O’Loan is Head of Planning and Environment at Tughans LLP and a Legal Associate of the Royal Town Planning Institute. With over 20 years’ experience in planning and environmental law, Maria is a trusted adviser to both public and private sector clients across a wide range of complex planning, infrastructure, and environmental matters.

Maria’s expertise and leadership in the field have earned her national recognition. She was named one of The Planner's Women of Influence for 2025 and is featured on the ENDS Report Power List as one of the UK’s most influential environmental professionals.

Gemma is a PhD candidate in the School of Architecture and Built Environment at Ulster University. Her research examines how spatial planning can integrate public health considerations to create healthier places in Ireland.

She holds an MSc in City Planning and Design from Queens University Belfast, where she focused on community engagement and developing a regeneration plan for an RSPB reserve area.

Before transitioning to planning, Gemma worked in community and international development with several charities in Ireland and overseas. She brings a strong commitment to community engagement and program impact assessment to her work.

Rob is studying part-time for an MSc in City Planning and Design at Queen's University Belfast and working as a Civil Servant in Health Policy. He has worked for multiple government departments and was previously on the Civil Service Fast-Stream Graduate Programme.

Before this Rob graduated from The University of Sheffield in 2018 with a degree in Geography and Planning and while there was a Royal Geographical Society Student Ambassador.

Jack is a Senior Planner at Bell Rolston, based in the Newtownabbey office. He has worked as a professional planner since May 2022, beginning his career in the telecommunications sector before moving into general planning consultancy, where he works on a wide range of development projects across Northern Ireland.

Jack graduated from Ulster University in 2015 with an MSci in Planning and Property Development. He began his professional career in the hospitality industry in Canada before returning to Northern Ireland to pursue a career in planning. Jack is also a member of the RTPI NI Young Planners Committee.

Frances is a senior planning professional with over 10 years’ experience across local government in London and marine planning in Northern Ireland.  Frances holds an M.Sc in Environmental Planning from Queen’s University Belfast and a postgraduate diploma in GIS and remote sensing from Ulster University.  Frances has led work in planning enforcement, policy development, and marine spatial planning.

Victoria is a Graduate Planner at JUNO Planning and Environmental Ltd. Before transitioning into planning, she spent five years immersed in the world of government and lobbying in California.

This diverse background has endowed her with an understanding of governance and public engagement, skills she now leverages to be more impactful with planning initiatives in Northern Ireland.

Victoria holds an MSc in Planning and Development from Queen's University, where she concentrated her research on renewable energy. At JUNO, she thrives on tackling major developments and renewable energy projects, always with a keen focus on community engagement.

Passionate about fostering positive change and environmental stewardship, Victoria is committed to making a meaningful impact through her work.