The BAME Planners Network, in collaboration with the Royal Town Planning Institute, proudly presented the inaugural Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Recognition List 2023 and the esteemed Rhema Dapaah Award at the End of Year Social on 7th December 2023.
This special event celebrated the remarkable achievements of 9 EDI Champions, 8 Rising Stars, and 4 recipients of the Excellence in Mentoring and Role Models award. In addition, 1 organisation won the highly esteemed Rhema Dapaah Award and another had a special Mention. Nominations were open for planners who work in the UK and Ireland and assessed by a panel of judges.
EDI Champions:
Charlotte Morphet MRTPI
Helen Fadipe MRTPI
Hong Chen MRTPI
Jeanie Russell MRTPI
Jim Jaulim MRTPI
Nancy Scott
Nathan Spencer
Samer Bagaeen FRICS MRTPI FRGS FRSA
Sarah Hayford
Rising Stars:
Amon Yiu
Anjuli Schiele MRTPI
Edith Leung
Gabrielle Appiah
Kathryn McAllister MRTPI
Morgan Cheung
Pan Chong MRTPI
Sabelle Adjagboni
Excellence in Mentoring and Role Models:
Abraham Laker FRTPI FRSA
Sara Dilmamode MRTPI
Ransford Stewart MBE MRTPI
Yvonne Sampoh MRTPI
The Rhema Dapaah Award:
This award is presented to an organisation that has demonstrated progress towards achieving diverse and inclusive work practices and workforce or has contributed immensely to EDI in Planning.
Winner: Planning Inspectorate
Special Mention: ICENI
Explore the full list of winners and their citations here
In her opening address, Helen Fadipe, the Founder and Chair of the Network, underscored the importance of supporting equality, diversity, and inclusion, emphasising that the benefits extend beyond minority groups to encompass the entire society. She brought attention to the challenges faced by numerous BAME planners with international experience seeking entry into the planning field in the UK, primarily due to a lack of local experience. Helen highlighted the Network's ongoing commitment to addressing this issue through a dedicated program aimed at assisting young planners in securing their initial roles in the UK. Furthermore, she announced the development of a new Pathway to Planning programme specifically designed to support experienced planners from overseas in securing positions within the UK's planning sector.
Lindsey Richards, RTPI Vice-President, echoed Helen’s sentiments and emphasised the importance of not only establishing a robust pipeline for aspiring planners but also retaining existing professionals. She also announced that the RTPI has successfully secured funding from the Academy of Social Sciences to explore the disparity between racial diversity on university courses and the profession.
Members also collectively marked the occasion to celebrate Helen Fadipe, for her recent and well-deserved election as the next Vice-President of Royal Town Planning Institute.
Upon receiving congratulations, Helen expressed her sincere gratitude to all who supported her, extending acknowledgment to those instrumental in founding and sustaining the BAME Planners Network. Drawing from her African heritage, she referred to the adage, "it takes a village to raise a child” and emphasised that the Network serves as her supportive community throughout her journey.
Ransford Stewart, the co-chair of the Network, encouraged members to remember the faces of the Rising Star awardees and to continue supporting these aspiring planners along their career paths. He emphasised, "We are the village, and they are the children. It's incumbent upon all of us to assist, support them and nurture them.”
The Network expressed gratitude to DP9, KDH Associates, and the RTPI for sponsoring the End of Year Social, and heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended. In 2024, we would continue to collaborate with our partners to advance EDI in planning and would like to invite like-minded organisations to reach out for future partnerships. For more information on joining or supporting the BAME Planners Network, please visit our website:
The event photos can be downloaded directly here.
