Helen Fadipe MBE. FRTPI, FRSA, MNITP, RTP, President of the Royal Town Planning Institute in 2025.

When I spoke at my inauguration about the three pillars of my Presidency, Collaboration, Investment and Inclusivity, I was clear that they are deeply connected.Collaboration brings people together, inclusivity ensures everyone has a place, and investment gives those commitments life and longevity.

I was reminded of this recently when I had the honour of receiving an ISOCARP award in Riyadh on behalf of the Institute. The Royal Town Planning Institute was recognised with the ISOCARP Sam van Embden Honorary Award for Organisational Excellence, a prestigious international award celebrating outstanding work in advancing planning practice and delivering meaningful outcomes. Originally established for ISOCARP’s 50th anniversary and reinstated to mark its 60th, the award reflects the global respect for planning and for the work planners do every day.

Standing there, representing our Institute on an international stage, reinforced something I feel deeply: planning is valued globally, and where we invest properly in planning in people, skills and leadership, the benefits are far reaching. That moment brought my second Presidential pillar, Investment, sharply into focus.

It is therefore encouraging to see the recent Autumn Budget announcement, which included a £48 million commitment to increase capacity in the planning system, supporting the recruitment of more planners and strengthening routes into the profession. This is an important acknowledgement of the pressures planners face and of the vital role planning plays in delivering homes, infrastructure and sustainable places.

While this funding will not resolve every challenge overnight, it is a welcome step forward. It signals recognition that planning capacity matters and that investment in planners is investment in delivery. I hope this marks the beginning of sustained, long-term commitment to strengthening the profession.

Investing in people and pathways

Alongside government action, I am proud of the ways in which we, as a profession, continue to invest in ourselves.

The Chief Planners of Tomorrow programme is a powerful example. Year on year, Chief Planners across the UK give their time, insight and encouragement to aspiring planners, offering a one-day experience of leadership at the highest level. I want to sincerely thank those Chief Planners who continue to support this initiative, your generosity is shaping the next generation of planning leaders.

If you are a Chief Planner and not yet involved, I warmly encourage you to consider taking part. And to planners from every background and at every stage of your career: please do apply. That single day can be genuinely transformative

Investment must also support those already within the profession. The online mentoring programme remains a valuable offer to members, creating space for reflection, learning and professional growth. Mentoring relationships strengthen confidence, support progression and reinforce a sense of belonging, an important part of the inclusive profession I spoke about at my inauguration.

Promoting planning and inspiring future planners is another vital strand of investment. On World Town Planning Day, I was proud to launch the campaign It Takes Planners & You. Building on the collaborative spirit of my Presidency, the campaign provides a platform to showcase the work planners do every day and to promote planning as a meaningful, impactful career to those who may never have considered it before. It is about changing perceptions, celebrating success and opening doors.

This work connects closely with the Ambassadorial Toolkit, which supports planners to engage with primary and secondary schools. Early engagement matters. It broadens understanding of what planning is, challenges outdated perceptions and helps attract future planners from a wider range of backgrounds, bringing inclusivity into practice, not just principle.

Challenges we must continue to address

At the same time, we must be honest about the challenges that remain. The removal of the Level 7 apprenticeship has reduced an important route into the profession. I strongly encourage universities and employers to think creatively about how existing schemes and pathways can be used to attract new entrants and support those who want to train while working. Multiple routes into planning are essential if we are serious about widening access and building long-term capacity.

While the Autumn Budget announcement is welcome, more still needs to be done. Skills gaps and workforce pressures have taken years to develop and will require sustained investment to address. I remain encouraged by the advocacy taking place and will continue to lend my voice in support of further investment in the sector.

A shared responsibility

Investment, collaboration and inclusivity are not abstract ideas; they are daily acts of leadership. Through the choices we make, investing in one another, mentoring others and opening doors, we strengthen our profession from the inside out. In doing so, we create a planning culture where people are supported to grow, talent is nurtured, and future planners are equipped to shape better places and communities, today and for generations to come.