On Friday, our CEO Nikki joined a brilliant group of speakers at the Women in Planning Thames Valley International Women’s Day panel, hosted by Bidwells in Oxford.

The event brought together professionals from across planning and development, the event focused on sharing real experiences of building more inclusive and representative workplaces – and the actions needed to get there.
Nikki joined a strong panel of female industry leaders, including voices from across planning, consultancy and development, each bringing their own perspectives and experiences to the discussion.

A key theme throughout was the importance of leaning in – having the confidence to step forward, take up space in the room, and make your voice heard. Alongside this, the panel highlighted how better places are created when teams are diverse and bring different perspectives to the table.

True to the spirit of Women in Planning, the session was interactive. Delegates got stuck in with Q&As and open discussion, sharing experiences from across the planning system. We left feeling inspired, challenged and optimistic – a reminder that when we create space for more voices, we unlock better outcomes for our industry, our communities and the places we help shape.

A big thank you to Bidwells for hosting and to Women in Planning Thames Valley for organising, and to all the delegates who joined and contributed so thoughtfully.