Young Planner of the Year

Honouring a young planning professional who has made a significant impact in shaping the future of the built environment through innovative and effective planning practices. These finalists are redefining what it means to plan for people, places, and purpose — combining technical rigour with empathy, collaboration, and vision.

Jozie Bannister – Devonshire Homes

Overview

As Planning Manager at Devonshire Homes, Jozie Bannister manages the full planning process for one of the South West’s most respected independent housebuilders. Her remit covers everything from strategic land promotion and risk management to leading submissions, coordinating planning applications, and overseeing her team. With experience both as a consultant and now developer-side, Jozie brings a rare balance of technical knowledge, strategic thinking, and people skills to her work.

Why They Stood Out

Jozie has rapidly built a reputation as one of the most talented young planners in the UK. Her success in securing complex permissions — including 320 homes in Penzance, where she navigated access challenges and local opposition to reach a collaborative solution — demonstrates her diplomacy and tenacity.

In Ilfracombe, she led the delivery of a community building funded by the Housing Infrastructure Fund, managing legal contracts with the Council and Homes England to ensure funding, planning approval, and delivery within strict timescales.

Equally impressive is her leadership beyond projects. As Chair of the RTPI Devon, Cornwall & Somerset Young Planners, Jozie mentors others, organises training events, and champions planning as a fulfilling and impactful career. Her approachable leadership style and ability to communicate complex issues with empathy have earned her widespread respect across the profession.

Highlights

• Planning Manager overseeing all permissions and strategic land for Devonshire Homes.
• Secured permission for 320 homes in Penzance, balancing political and community concerns.
• Delivered community building in Ilfracombe through HIF funding.
• Chair of RTPI Devon, Cornwall & Somerset Young Planners Steering Group.
• Regular speaker at universities and careers fairs promoting planning careers.
• Mentor supporting young professionals through RTPI chartership.
• Winner: RTPI South West Young Planner of the Year 2024, Planner Magazine Woman of Influence 2024, and Property Week iWiP Rising Star 2024.

Munashe Mhemba – Marrons

Overview

Since joining Marrons in 2024, Munashe Mhemba has made a remarkable impact as a

Graduate Planner, managing over 20 live planning applications across Birmingham, Leicester, Derby, London, and Bristol. From regeneration projects to enforcement appeals, she balances technical expertise with empathy and innovation, delivering exceptional results while studying towards her Level 7 Chartered Town Planner Degree Apprenticeship.

Why They Stood Out

Munashe’s portfolio demonstrates both range and quality. She has led successful outcomes on diverse projects — including a 37-unit apartment scheme, 120-home regeneration in Corby, and retrospective approval for a quadbiking centre — each requiring detailed negotiation and cross-disciplinary coordination.

Beyond delivery, her leadership within the team has been transformative. She introduced the Consultants Table and Project Matter Table, two digital tools that have streamlined project management and improved team collaboration.

Munashe’s influence extends beyond Marrons. As an Anthropy Emerging Leader, she has spoken at the Eden Project on future planning and social value, and her work on the Pathways Paradox game with Socialudo has sparked national conversations on housing and inequality. Her personal story — growing up in Zimbabwe and witnessing the effects of poor infrastructure — fuels her passion for inclusive, sustainable development, making her one of the most inspiring young voices in UK planning today.

Highlights

• Manages 20+ live planning applications across multiple regions.
• Delivered successful approvals for major urban regeneration and community projects.
• Developed internal efficiency tools improving project tracking and consultant coordination.
• Speaker and Emerging Leader at Anthropy 2024 (Eden Project).
• Active member of RTPI Young Planners, Women in Planning, and BPF Futures.
• Mentor and LinkedIn advocate for young and underrepresented planning professionals.
• Volunteer with Royal Voluntary Service, supporting stronger local communities.

Morgan Hewkin – Marrons

Overview

Morgan Hewkin, a Graduate Planner at Marrons, has quickly become a standout emerging talent in the Midlands’ planning sector. Combining academic excellence with practical expertise, she balances a demanding professional workload with her master’s studies in Urban and Regional Planning — applying theory to practice with precision and purpose.

Why They Stood Out

Morgan’s analytical ability and attention to detail have already delivered significant wins. Her work on a Certificate of Lawfulness for an agricultural worker’s dwelling required extensive evidence gathering and policy interpretation — a complex case she completed flawlessly within eight weeks.

She has also contributed to high-rise development pre-application negotiations in Manchester, facilitating productive dialogue between developers and planners, and led the remediation discharge of conditions on a residential scheme to resolve environmental health concerns.

Beyond her technical excellence, Morgan is deeply committed to inspiring others. She wrote an RTPI blog about her journey into planning, returned to her university as a guest speaker, and spoke at the Women in Built Environment networking event to promote gender equity in the profession. Her story of resilience — overcoming pandemic-era academic challenges to thrive as a professional — has made her a relatable and inspiring role model for future planners.

Highlights

• Graduate Planner managing diverse projects across multiple regions.
• Secured complex Certificate of Lawfulness approval for rural residential use.
• Supported high-rise urban schemes through pre-app leadership and collaboration.
• Delivered soil remediation strategy ensuring residential safety and compliance.
• Guest speaker and RTPI contributor advocating for career access and inclusion.
• Active mentor and role model for women in the built environment.
• Pursuing Master’s in Urban & Regional Planning alongside professional work.

Wrap-Up

Each of these rising stars embodies what the Young Planner of the Year award stands for: professionalism, innovation, and humanity.

From securing complex permissions and reshaping planning processes to mentoring others and driving equality across the profession, Jozie, Munashe, and Morgan are shaping the places — and the planning culture — of tomorrow.

Their impact proves that the future of the built environment is in exceptional hands.