Steering group

Sepideh is a chartered member of the RTPI and IHBC. With a multidisciplinary background in architecture, conservation and community-based development in Iran, she moved to the UK and graduated from the Bartlett School of Architecture at University College London (UCL) in 2011 (MSc in Building and Urban Design in Development). She has had a number of roles within Aberdeen City Council in the areas of Development Management and also Masterplanning, Design and Conservation. She successfully defended her thesis on “the Future of English City Centres- The Case of Newcastle upon Tyne”  in March 2023 at Northumbria University. Her latest publication is a contribution to two chapters of the book "The Future of the City Centre- Global Perspectives" which was published in late 2022. She is a member of the IHBC Scottish Committee and acts as the Education and Training Standards Rep. Sepideh joined the Scottish Young Planners' Network in 2019 and is the current Chair for 2023.

James graduated from the University of Aberdeen in 2013 (MA (Hons) in Geography and Spatial Planning) and is a Chartered Member of the RTPI. James has worked as a planner for Aberdeenshire Council since 2015 and has a strong background in development management, initially working within a general area team, and is now a member of the Council's Strategic Development Delivery Team. His day to day work focuses on guiding major (primarily residential, energy, mineral) and national projects (primarily energy and infrastructure) through pre-application, assessment and post-consent stages. James has been heavily involved in the formation of the Aberdeenshire Design Review Panel, which seeks to champion good design and ensure placemaking is at the heart of each development. James is particularly interested in the role of planners in articulating the value and long term benefits of good design, and the development of tools to aid planners feel more confident in this.

Jane is a Planning Consultant with Geddes Consulting, with six years public sector experience across national, regional, and local government. She has worked in both development planning and development management.

Jane graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a BSc in Environmental Management in 2014, and from University of Glasgow with a MSc in Planning and Regeneration in 2015. She gained Chartered membership status in 2019.

Jane was the Student Representative of the SYPN Steering Group in 2014/15, rejoined as an Ordinary Member in 2017, and was Chair in 2022. She was Convenor of West of Scotland Chapter in 2019, and has recently stepped down after being on the committee for seven years. Jane was the Scottish Young Planner of the Year for 2021.

Paul joined the SYPN as the Scottish Government representative at the beginning of 2018 and provides the link between the SYPN to Scottish Ministers and the Planning and Architecture Division. Paul is a Chartered Planner at the Scottish Government and graduated from Dundee University with an MSc in Spatial Planning with a specialism in Environmental Assessment. Paul has had a number of roles within the Scottish Government, but is now a permanent member of the Planning Decisions team and deals with a variety of planning matters such as notified applications, called-in cases and environmental assessments. Paul has particular interests in the digital transformation of the planning system, as well as getting more young people interested and involved in planning.

Hannah joined the Steering Group in 2021 and currently works as a Planner with Savills. She graduated from Heriot Watt University in 2018 with a BSc (Hons) in Urban Planning and Property Development. After graduating, Hannah started at Savills on their graduate scheme and then went on to gain her RTPI Chartered Membership in September 2020. She is based in Savills Edinburgh and Perth offices and assists clients in bringing forward housing, infrastructure and tourism developments across the whole of Scotland, with a particular focus on rural areas. Hannah also has experience in influencing future planning policy by contributing to rural planning research projects with the Scottish Government and other bodies. Hannah also has experience working within the public sector whist completing two summer placements at Perth & Kinross Council, within the Strategy and Policy team whilst at university.

Amy joined the Steering Group in 2023. She has an MSc in City Planning from the University of Glasgow, graduating in 2020. After graduation she undertook a 9-month research post at Heriot-Watt University, exploring the role of the planning system in tackling racial inequalities in housing. In 2022 Amy won an RTPI Research Award for this work. Following this, Amy spent 18 months working at the Improvement Service, supporting the work of Heads of Planning Scotland and also working on spatial data improvements for planning authorities. In conjunction with the RTPI, Amy worked on the Future Planners project which explored options for getting more planners into Scotland’s public sector. As of April 2023, Amy now works at East Ayrshire Council in the Development Plans team, and is looking forward to putting her knowledge of the development planning system into practice!

As a senior consultant based in Glasgow, Aaron specialises in strategic planning, urban strategy, regeneration, and stakeholder engagement. With extensive experience working with clients across both the public and private sector throughout the United Kingdom, he turns place-based solutions into reality. How? By developing innovative plans and strategies, preparing business cases, and providing advisory support.

Aaron is passionate about creating places for people and engaging with communities to drive successful outcomes—particularly as part of the masterplanning and visioning process. He builds strong, lasting client relationships by establishing a clear understanding of expectations and maintaining open communications. A chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and a fellow of the Royal Society for Arts (RSA), he has also previously served on the executive committee of RTPI Scotland.

When he’s not working with stakeholders to create thriving communities and places, Aaron is a keen Scottish Rugby supporter. You’ll often find him at Murrayfield on matchdays.

Holly is an enthusiastic third year undergraduate student at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, currently studying BSc (Hons) Urban Planning and Property Development. Holly hopes to bring a youthful/student perspective to the SYPN steering group. She looks forward to starting her professional career and bringing a continued focus on sustainability and inclusivity to Scottish planning. This year Holly is excited to gain valuable work experience in urban planning during the summer and to begin volunteering at Planning Aid Scotland. During her time in education she has also gained experience in retail and hospitality. In her free time Holly enjoys going to the gym, spending time with friends, and shopping.

Ian joined the SYPN Steering Group in January 2022 and is currently a Planning Consultant at Ryden, based in Aberdeen with projects ongoing across the UK in a diverse range of sectors. He also continues to volunteer for Planning Aid Scotland (PAS). He was previously a Planning Officer at Aberdeenshire Council. In December 2020, he graduated from the University of Glasgow with distinction in MSc City Planning and Real Estate Development, a joint RTPI-accredited and RICS-accredited degree, and won several academic awards. Prior to that, Ian graduated in June 2016 from the University of Aberdeen in MA(Hons) Geography. He is a Chartered Member of the RTPI.

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ian-scott-ryden-planning

Max joined the Steering Group in early 2022. He has an MSc in Geographical Information Science from the University of Edinburgh. He also holds a BSc in Urban Planning and Property Development from Heriot-Watt University. He has been a volunteer with Planning Aid Scotland (PAS) since May 2018 for various projects such as Heart of Newhaven and the A9 Dualling Consultation. He is currently a licentiate member with the RTPI. When not at his desk, he is an avid runner and holds a second-degree black belt in Uechi-Ryu Karate. Max is an assistant transportation consultant at SYSTRA.

Lenka joined the steering group in 2019. She is a Planner at Colliers where she has a number of responsibilities, supporting Colliers’ corporate clients as well as small scale developments across the UK. Lenka has previously worked for Planning Aid Scotland (PAS) where she led the youth and community engagement of the National Planning Framework 4 and supported a local community developing a multigenerational centre. Outside of work Lenka is a keen gardener, wild swimmer and enjoys all sorts of sports.