Long-standing member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Gareth R.J. Capner MA, FRTPI (ret) has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
This recognition is for his outstanding services to good quality housing, a field in which he has dedicated more than five decades of distinguished public, private, and voluntary sector leadership.
Mr. Capner was the first graduate in town planning from the University of Sheffield in 1968, having joined the inaugural course in 1965. He began his professional career in local government, including key roles at Berkshire and Kent County Councils, and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, before moving to the private sector in 1979.
He became the first town planning associate at Barton Willmore, later founding the Barton Willmore Planning Partnership. As Senior Partner from 1996 until his retirement in 2008, Mr. Capner grew the practice to become the UK’s largest independent planning consultancy, employing over 350 staff across 13 offices with a turnover of £33 million.
The firm was responsible for high-profile planning projects including the redevelopment of Longbridge, major urban extensions in Hull, Northampton and Stevenage, and international work in Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia.
From 2010 to 2024, Gareth served as Chair of the Government and RTPI-sponsored Housing Design Awards, a role now held by Joanna Averley, MHCLG Chief Planner. He remains actively involved in planning matters as a volunteer in his local community, including contributions to the Whitchurch Neighbourhood Plan.
On receiving the OBE, Mr. Capner commented: "I have been involved in housing and planning in the public sector, for a long time in the private sector and now in a volunteer capacity for my local community and other organisations. It has been a very rewarding experience and it has been a great privilege to receive this honour from His Majesty".
Dr Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI, said: “My warmest congratulations to Gareth and Tracy on their richly deserved honour, and thank you for your lasting contributions to the profession and the quality of planning and development in the UK.”
The RTPI also congratulates RTPI members Tracy Darke MBE, Director of Planning and Building Control at Westminster City Council, who has been recognised with an MBE for services to Town Planning.
