LEP’s Elouise Mitchell… RTPI South East’s Young Planner of the Year 2024!
L E P is proud, delighted, and excited to announce that our very own Elouise Mitchell has been awarded the RTPI South East Young Planner of the Year award for 2024!
On Friday 12th July, the L E P planning team attended the RTPI South East Awards in Reading, with shortlisted nominations across two categories, RTPI South East Young Planner of the Year, and RTPI South East Small Consultancy of the Year. I’m sure you’ll agree, for the team to have one nomination is an honour, but receiving two shortlisted-nominations is outstanding, and a true testament to the incredible talent we have here at L E P.
We’re ecstatic to confirm that against some very strong competition, our wonderful Elouise Mitchell took home the award for Young Planner of the Year!… An incredibly proud moment for us all.
L E P’s planning team arriving at the Awards ceremony
L-R: Reece Lemon, Shannon Burgess, Nathan Anthony, and the evening’s star, Elouise Mitchell
Elouise joined L E P after gaining experience in the public sector working for a local authority. Kickstarting her career in the private sector, the L E P team were very quickly impressed by her knowledge-base, speed of learning and adaptation, and creative problem-solving skills. She went on to join a national housebuilder as a planning manager, developing her experience further across the region. Returning to L E P as a Senior Planner in 2023, she brought with her an in-depth understanding of the planning system and a diverse set of experiences across both public and private sectors.
With a passion and drive for excellence, her commitment to the profession and wider industry – all before turning 30 – has been exceptional. As well as being an outstanding planning consultant, Elouise has acted as mentor to future planners and architects, and is a committee member of Women in Planning Kent, advocating for women’s voices in construction careers.
The judging panel commented:
“Elouise is a vocal advocate for what planning, and planners can achieve. She successfully blends her previous legal training with her passion for delivering outcomes that benefit both communities and her clients.
Elouise has gained a wide range of experience across different sectors with Lee Evans Partnership demonstrating a growing confidence to navigate complex planning projects for a range of clients across both the public and private sectors. The judges were particularly impressed by her ability to negotiate with different stakeholders to secure changes that result in more inclusive spaces incorporating best practices such as those promoted by organisations such as Make Space for Girls.
Outside of her formal role Elouise demonstrated a clear commitment to encouraging others to consider planning as a career from six formers through to recent graduates. Elouise is keen to share her ‘non-traditional’ career path into planning and highlight the value of different skill sets. She is also actively involved in a variety of planning networks including Women in Planning and Young Planners.
The Judges considered Elouise to be a powerful voice for the power of planning”
Accepting the award, Elouise extended her thanks to her colleagues at L E P for their nomination and ongoing support, and spoke excitedly about the future of planning and the profession, saying: “We’re in for a really exciting year: spreading pride in planning and enforcing this really positive change”.
Reflecting on the event and award, Elouise said:
“I am absolutely thrilled to have won the RTPI SE Young Planner of the Year award. To have gained recognition from the RTPI that our positive and collaborative approach to planning and placemaking is award worthy – is remarkable. I really couldn’t have done it without my amazing colleagues though. LEP is such an inspiring place to work, and each and every one of my colleagues pushes me to do better and be better, to continue to innovate and find creative solutions for my clients, to help create places for people to thrive. I’m really excited about the year ahead, with this new title, to continue my outreach to schools and universities, to support and encourage the next generation of Planners.”
Regional winners of the RTPI Young Planner of the Year awards will now be judged by the national panel, with five shortlisted finalists announced in September ahead of the RTPI National Awards in October… fingers crossed!
Elouise celebrates this award following another successful shortlist at the recent SECBE Awards, where she was nominated for the G4C Future Leader Award.
We want to extend our congratulations to Elouise for a truly remarkable year. The entire LEP team are grateful to her for her hard work and dedication, are we’re all honoured to work closely with her.
Please join us in a round of applause for the incredible Elouise Mitchell!
