Chartered Fellow is the highest professional membership grade offered by the RTPI and is only awarded to chartered members who fulfil the criteria and have gone above and beyond to contribute to the planning profession. The RTPI Nominations Sub Committee considers applications.

Fiona Simpson

In 2021, Dr Fiona Simpson was appointed as the first female Chief Planner of the Scottish Government, and is currently the Director of Planning, Architecture and Regeneration. During her time as a planner in central government, she has led planning reform and national spatial planning and policy for Scotland.

Her submission demonstrated a strong commitment to the RTPI over the years, including speaking at events and conferences, including the RTPI’s annual research conference. The Subcommittee were particularly impressed with her support for the profession at every level and gaining funding for young planners through bursary schemes in Scotland.

She said: “I’m honoured to be recognised as a Chartered Fellow of the RTPI. I feel very lucky to be planner – every day brings new challenges and opportunities to work with brilliant people to make a difference. We can all be too busy with the day job to take a step back and reflect on our achievements, and maybe that’s why our profession doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.

"I know the RTPI is working to change this, and I want to help our many talented planners to tell the world that planning is a force for good in society, improves lives and makes great places that are an integral part of our culture and identity. I’m also determined to do all I can to inspire more people, from a wide range of backgrounds, to become planners and help to shape Scotland’s future.”

Brendan O’Sullivan

Brendan O’Sullivan spent the early part of his career as Physical Planning Officer in The Gambia for the Greater Banjul area before returning to Ireland and working as a local authority planner in Cork.

He went on to set up the planning school at University College Cork (UCC), gaining RTPI accreditation for the Masters planning course and is currently Senior Lecturer in the university’s School of the Human Environment.

The Subcommittee were particularly impressed by his work setting up the planning course at UCC and by his time in The Gambia, developing and supporting young planners’ work.

He said: “It is a wonderful honour to become a Chartered Fellow of the RTPI. Over the years, I have really come to value the institute’s role in strengthening the professional standing and authoritative voice of our discipline.

"And how, through the careful stewardship of the institute and its networks, planning is now recognised on its own terms as a critically important academic and practice discipline.

“The distinctive skills and values that planners bring to complex spatial challenges everywhere are as important now as they ever were.

“I am deeply grateful to the colleagues, students and communities with whom I have worked as a planner. Their insight and generosity continue to help shape my professional journey; this Fellowship reflects their influence as much as my own efforts.

“I look forward to supporting, in whatever way I can, the institute’s enduring commitment to spatial equity, creative place-making, and sustainable development in its fullest sense.”

Husam Al Waer

Husam is an urbanist with a background in architecture, urban planning and sustainability. He is currently Chair of Urban Design at the University of Dundee, having previously researched and taught at Reading and Liverpool universities.

He has worked with various UK and international governmental and corporate agencies on research, training and engagement projects. He is an award-winning author and has had a demonstrable impact in both academia and practice.

He developed and gained accreditation for new planning courses at the University of Dundee and supported the work of young planners. The Subcommittee were particularly impressed by Husam’s work in Syria to support the redevelopment of Aleppo, working with refugees to redesign refugee camps.

Husam said: “This recognition by the Subcommittee is deeply meaningful, as it reflects not only my enduring commitment to the institute and its mission but also my passion for advancing the planning profession through research, educating the next generation, and influencing practices and policies in the UK and internationally.

“Becoming a Fellow of the RTPI is not just an esteemed honour,it is a call to action. It carries a responsibility to help shape better places that foster resilience, well-being, and an improved quality of life for communities across the UK and worldwide.

“Fellowship is about looking forward - championing innovation, nurturing future talent, and ensuring that planning continues to make a positive difference in an ever-changing world.

“On a personal level, this honour motivates me to keep pushing boundaries, building partnerships, and contributing to a profession that transforms lives and landscapes for generations to come.”