Catriona is an independent consultant providing support on a wide range of spatial planning issues but specialises in strategic planning, working with a large number of local authorities across England, helping them develop their approaches to strategic planning and establishing new governance arrangements.

She has authored three major publications on the subject of strategic planning and has contributed to several other national studies. Most recently, Catriona was part of a small team researching strategic planning practice, published by the Royal Town Planning Institute in September, and was a Commissioner on the Radix Big Tent report on housing, published in October.

She is currently Chairing a national Strategic Planning Group established by consultancy Prior & Partners, which is helping to develop thinking around a new generation of strategic plans.

Catriona is the Planning Officers Society’s Strategic Planning Specialist and Vice Chair of the Town and Country Planning Association.

In 2022 she was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Town Planning Institute and awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Oxford Brookes University for her contribution to planning. She is a regular columnist for Planning Magazine and a Judge for both the Planning Magazine Awards and the RTPI South East Awards.

Lisa Watson-Cook is a Partner and Head of the Charities & Non-Profit team at Lester Aldridge.

Lisa’s background is as in-house counsel for a ‘top ten’ charity. In addition to providing a broad range of legal, regulatory and constitutional advice to the national umbrella body, she was responsible for the charity’s constituent parts, namely 150 separately registered branches, affiliated trusts, grant-making charities and non-charitable subsidiaries. This role has given her unique insight, versatility and knowledge of the charity sector.

Lisa’s particular experience lies with federated or branch structures, membership bodies, animal charities, trading subsidiaries, governance reform and supporting charities with a range of compliance issues, including fundraising and data protection.

Millie Earl is a local government politician with 15 years’ experience in political, social and environmental campaigning. She was elected to BCP Council in 2019 and, in 2024, became Leader of the Council having served as Deputy Leader for a year prior.

Under Millie’s Leadership, and despite the challenging environment for local authorities, the council has been recognised for its sustainable financial position, strengthened governance, major improvement in its Children’s Services and its innovation and investment in apprenticeships and skills.

Having been born and lived most of her life in the ward she represents, Millie found herself interested in politics through seeing and experiencing social problems and inequality in her own community, particularly in access to education, housing, and public services.

Before being appointed into a leadership role in the council, she built a successful career in marketing and campaign management in the private sector and with charities. Alongside her work, Millie founded a number of local projects to address key problems in her own community.

In her role as Leader of BCP Council, Millie takes a strategic approach to making the Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole area a great place to live, work and invest, and her key goal is unlocking the full potential of the three towns through place-based regeneration, cross-sector collaboration and sustainable growth.

Millie leads the ‘Three Towns Alliance’ which, over the last 18 months in administration, has: stabilised the council’s finances and restored good governance as evidenced by the removal of a ‘Best Value Notice’ from government; transformed Children’s Services from ‘inadequate’ to ‘good’ (one of only a handful to make this leap in progress); effectively eradicated the use of B&Bs for families experiencing homelessness; submitted a new and ambitious Local Plan to examination and; won awards for innovation in apprenticeships, community partnerships, leisure services, cultural events and tourism.

Gavin was elected a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute in 2002 and joined Savills in 2003. He holds a first-class BSc (Hons) in Geography and an MSc in City & Regional Planning.

Gavin specialises in complex urban regeneration, waterfront, and infrastructure projects for public and private sector clients. Gavin is results driven, providing a dynamic, client focused commercial approach to delivering viable consents that add value to the built environment.

Working nationally, with a strong track record in promoting opportunities, Gavin evolved a particular interest in marine/port planning and regeneration, project co-ordination and management, whilst retaining a keen interest in his home region – the Solent. He sits on the Hampshire Chamber Planning and Transport Committee, is a member of Business South and is a representative for Savills on the Solent LEP.

Gavin also looks after the recruitment, training and development of Savills RTPI graduates and leads the Southampton planning team.

George Walters has spent his entire career in the energy industry. Joining Utilita as Head of New Business in 2019, George’s strategic acumen led to his promotion to the Executive Leadership Team in June 2022, where he now serves as Chief Home Services Officer.

Prior to his tenure at Utilita, George spent more than a decade in senior roles, including eight years with EDF. At Utilita, his leadership extends across the smart metering and renewables divisions, underscoring his commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions.

Passionate about the future of energy, George plays a pivotal role in scaling Utilita’s solar offerings for both domestic and commercial markets. His portfolio includes overseeing the installation of behind-the-meter (BTM) systems such as smart meters, solar panels, battery energy storage, electric vehicle charging equipment (EVCE), and heat pumps.

George also steers key industry initiatives, including GBIS and ECO4, while championing Utilita’s ambitious goal of achieving operational net zero by 2030. His forward-thinking approach and hands-on involvement in product development ensure customers receive tailored solutions for their energy needs.

Cheryl joined FSE as an Investment Manager in 2014 and was responsible for delivering the Thames Valley Berkshire Funding Escalator, which supports growth businesses across Berkshire.

In 2020 Cheryl became Head of FSE’s funds in the South East and East of England, overseeing regional funds, which include both business growth loans and equity investments. Before joining FSE, Cheryl worked at NatWest and Barclays dealing with all areas of business and commercial banking.

Lee’s rich experience provides clients with an unrivalled insight into the fast changing media landscape. Key deliverables from Lee include brokering deals with journalists, developing PR strategies; scripting and directing videos through to media training, crisis management and event management.

He is also in demand for management consultancy and motivational speaking. Lee is recognised by the European Union as an international media expert for his work on an anti-corruption behavioural campaign in Latvia. Understanding the value of collaboration, he has worked with and alongside some of the best creative agencies in the world.

Sarah is a chartered surveyor working within the Savills social value team, advising clients on integrating social value into their real estate strategies.

Sarah joined the social value team in 2025, having been at Savills since 2018. Through her experience working in real estate strategy, she understands how social value is intrinsic to asset strategies and long-term value creation.

Sarah is passionate about social impact. She co-chairs Savills social mobility group, leading initiatives to ensure Savills attracts and retains talent from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Outside of Savills, Sarah serves on the board of CREW UK, a networking organisation dedicated to advancing women in real estate, and on the board of Pathways to Property, a widening participation programme run by the Reading Real Estate Foundation. She is also a member of the British Property Federation Commercial Property Committee and was awarded ‘Rising Star’ 2024 by Property Week.

Abby is an experienced Sustainability Consultant who has been working in the construction industry for over sixteen years. During her time at Ridge she has successfully set up and managed a rapidly expanding team of Sustainability specialists, linking into the wider Ridge Sustainability and ESG discipline. As a Partner in the business Abby has established strong client relationships with an excellent record of repeat business.

A skilled and passionate communicator, Abby specialises in engaging with design teams and clients to ensure that the principles of sustainable development are identified, understood and integrated into projects from the outset and then successfully reviewed throughout design and construction stages to meet with the schemes’ Sustainability objectives and move the industry towards Zero Carbon.