Young POS

 

Young POS is a network for public sector planners with less than 10 years post-qualification experience. The network provides opportunities for early career planners to support each other by sharing experiences, learning and knowledge.

Young POS is committed to having regional networks across Englandcomplemented by national meetings.  If you are interested in learning more or would like to get involved in your region, we would love to hear from you.

Keep up to date with our upcoming events and updates by following us on LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/showcase/young-pos 

Contacts

National Chairs

Imogen Hopkin, National Chair, Young POS

Shaun Knights, National Vice Chair, Young POS

Jade Bagley, National Junior Vice Chair, Young POS

 

Regional Networks

North West Young POS - Co Chairs:  Shaun Knights and Kate Pickles

West Midlands Young POS Chair: Jade Bagley 

 

POS Emerging Planner Award

 

About the Emerging Planner Award

Developed by Young POS and supported by the Society's Rising Star bursaries, the Emerging Planner Award (EPA) is an initiative by young planners for young planners.

The award celebrates the everyday achievements of early-career public sector planners whose work often lacks the visibility and recognition it deserves.  It seeks to shine a light on valuable contributions those planners make to practice, communities and place-making across England.

We're delighted to announce the winner and commended planners for the inaugural Award, revealed at the Society's Annual Conference dinner on 9 July in Nottingham.

POS Emerging Planner of the Year 2026

  • Annie Utting, Be First Ltd (for LB Barking & Dagenham)
  • Annie is a key member of the Development Management Team at Be First.  She has led on a complex cross-bundary scheme at YMCA Romford, as well as having instigated a service-wide appeals review process which has had a tangible impact on decision quality and appeal dismissal KPIs.

Commended Planners 2026

  • Aidan Kimbley, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
  • Aidan has streamlined the enforcement enquiry process at Dudley Council by replacing the legacy PDF form with an integrated online system
  • Katie Janman, Dover District Council
  • Katie, whilst studying for her MSc, has transformed Section 106 monitoring at Dover Council through the digitisation of the Infrastructure Funding Statement.

Shortlisted Planners 2026

  • Aaran Sangha, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
  • Charlotte Greenhow, South Ribble Borough Council
  • Daniel Arthur, Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council
  • Lucy Calrow, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
  • Robert Tomlinson, LB Hounslow
  • Vaughan Bryan, Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service
  • Will Lawrence, Nottinghamshire County Council

Nominations for the 2027 Award will open in March 2027.

 

50 Shades of Planning - Episode 176

Young POS joined 50 Shades of Planning to record Episode 176 of the podcast, "Emerging Planners".

Listen here: https://pod.co/50-shades-of-planning/emerging-planners 

 

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