The Royal Town Planning Institute would like to congratulate Andrew Coleman, Frances Fernandes, Kirsty Macari and Michaela Sullivan on being elected Fellows of the Institute.
Chartered Fellow is the highest professional membership grade offered by the RTPI and is only awarded to chartered members who have made a major personal contribution to the planning profession for the benefit of the public. Under the provisions of the Royal Charter, they are now entitled to use the designatory letters FRTPI.
Andrew Coleman is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Brighton and Principal at Coleman Planning and Environmental. He has demonstrated a strong commitment to the RTPI over many years and accumulated a wide range of work experience in public and public sectors and in academia, as well as working in Trinidad and Tobago.
He said: “I am very honoured to be elected as a Fellow of the RTPI and I would like to thank my nominators and the RTPI for this recognition. Ever since joining the RTPI, I have retained a profound belief that planning can deliver a better present and future for people and the environment. Pursuing this objective is becoming even more urgent given the climate and biodiversity crises facing the world.
“In my current professional, RTPI and environmental activist roles I am dedicated to equipping current and future planners with the tools to meet these challenges and my election as a Fellow demonstrates the importance that the RTPI places on addressing these issues.”
Frances Fernandes is Managing Director at Infrastructure Matters. Before that, she was an Inspector Manager at the Planning Inspectorate, specialising in big infrastructure. She said: “Having focused my professional life on making positive improvements to people, places and the world of national infrastructure, I am honoured to receive this award.
“The RTPI makes a difference; whether that is advising on changes to policy and legislation or being involved in the recruitment of the up-and-coming generation of planners. These are the planners who will carry the low-carbon torch into our collective future!”
It is important to note that two of the first women in Scotland have been elected Fellows this month.
Kirsty Macari is Co-Head of Undergraduate at the University of Dundee and Convenor for RTPI Scotland. The sub-committee were particularly impressed with her work with Architecture and Design Scotland, promoting good architecture and sustainable design for the betterment of everyone’s lives.
“As one of only a few female Fellows of the RTPI, and in particular in Scotland, it is an honour to have been recognised for my contribution to the profession. I am proud of the journey I have been on - from being that individual in school who didn't know planning existed, to helping shape the learning journey of our planners of tomorrow and having my own varied planning journey in between. In some respects, I feel it is only just beginning.
"I hope to use this recognition as a Fellow to encourage others to think about the contribution they can and do make to the profession, in the day job, and to the institute. I want our profession to showcase the eclectic mix of planners that make it what it is, just like the places that we plan in and for.”
Michaela Sullivan is an independent planning consultant and over the last 30 years has developed national policy, worked in housebuilding, solved significant regeneration challenges and worked as a senior officer in local government.
She said: “I am delighted to have been awarded Fellowship of the Institute. I have always been proud to be a planner and to use my skills to promote the development of better places to live. We are not the only women who have had a significant impact on planning in Scotland and I would like to encourage others to consider their achievements and join us.”
Find out how to apply for a Fellowship here.
