Professor appointed to key role at Royal Town Planning Institute
Release Date 20 December 2011
Professor Gavin Parker, Chair of Planning Studies and Director of Planning programmes within the School of Real Estate and Planning, Henley Business School at the University of Reading, has been seconded to become the new Director of Professional Standards at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
Professor Parker will join the RTPI in April 2012 on a two-year secondment to lead on professional education and further develop links between accredited Planning Schools and the Institute.
Roger Gibbard, Head of School of Real Estate and Planning in the Henley Business School, University of Reading said: "We are delighted that Gavin will be taking up this hugely important role at RTPI. Gavin has been instrumental in developing planning at Reading and has enjoyed an excellent relationship with the RTPI. I am also glad that Gavin will be taking the good practice developed at Reading into his work at the RTPI. The relationship between the top accredited Planning Schools and the RTPI and its membership is of utmost importance in ensuring the highest working standards in the sector."
Professor Parker said: "I am delighted to be joining the Royal Town Planning Institute. One of my key priorities will be developing the RTPI's approach towards professional education and accreditation. In my new role I also want to help to champion spatial planning, strengthen the knowledge and skills of planners, and to ensure that we set and maintain high ethical and professional standards. Joining the Institute, whilst retaining some time at Reading, will also enable a nurturing of the important links between universities and the Institute, and in enhancing standards and service to members and to wider society through the work of researchers and planners across the sectors."
Trudi Elliott, RTPI Chief Executive said: "We are extremely pleased to welcome Professor Parker as our new Director of Professional Standards. He will play a critical role in leading the RTPI's strategy for membership, education, lifelong learning and research. Gavin is recognised as a leader in his academic field, nationally and internationally, and brings very strong management experience to the position."
Professor Parker is the author of Key Concepts in Planning (Sage 2012) and a large body of research work, with papers in numerous international peer review journals. He has recently been actively researching community and neighbourhood planning. He briefed the House of Lords during the passage of the Localism Bill.
Gavin was Chair of the Community Council for Berkshire from 2006-11, sits on the council of partners for the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is a director of the True Food Coop in Reading, and was an external examiner at Oxford Brookes University 2003-07.
He is a chartered planner and fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. He will be working at the RTPI four days a week and will continue to oversee the studies of his existing PhD students and maintain his research commitments.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
School of Real Estate and Planning
The largest School in the UK for teaching and research in Real Estate and Planning, the School was established in 1968, and enjoys a worldwide reputation for excellence. The School is consistently ranked in the top three positions in all major league tables and the US-based Urban Land Institute ranks REP as the leading Real Estate centre in Europe.
The School takes a principal role in the development of the Henley Business School at the University of Reading and is the only Real Estate and Planning school in the country to have a separate identity within a more general business school. The School has an outstanding employment record, with 95% of students entering graduate level jobs within 6 months of graduating.
More information at http://www.henley.reading.ac.uk/REP/Aboutus/rep-about.aspx
RTPI: The Royal Town Planning Institute
The RTPI is the largest professional institute for planners in Europe, with over 23,000 members. As well as promoting spatial planning, RTPI develops and shapes policy affecting the built and natural environment, works to raise professional standards and supports members through continuous education, training and development.
For further general information, visit the RTPI website at: www.rtpi.org.uk
RTPI is a charity registered in England 262865 and Scotland SC 03784