Valerie Brennan listed as one of The Planner Magazine’s 'Women of Influence' for 2023

Congratulations to RPS’ own Valerie Brennan who has been selected as one of The Planner Magazine’s ‘Women of Influence’ for 2023.

Every year for International Women's Day, the magazine publishes a list to celebrate the influential women across the Planning industry, nominated by readers of ‘The Planner’ and assessed by a panel of judges that includes distinguished Planners from across the UK.

Valerie, who has worked at RPS for the last 5 years both as a Senior Associate of Planning and now as a Business Unit Director, also serves as Chair of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) in Ireland.

Speaking to The Planner, one of Valerie’s nominators was keen to highlight not only some of the key projects she has delivered, but also the mentorship and inspiration that she provides to the wider planning team:

“Valerie has led by example on numerous high-profile infrastructure projects essential to current national and international sustainability priorities, including the Celtic Interconnector; offshore wind; EirGrid uprates; waste to energy facilities; and provision of planning advisory documents, ensuring knowledge is widely shared and that community liaison is focal in these large scale projects. Valerie also makes sure land owner/third party liaison is prioritised, ensuring positive community outcomes and furthering the aims of good planning.”

“She is a brilliant mentor of graduate planners and employer of a diverse team, ensuring the different talents and skills of each person is developed. RPS Republic of Ireland’s Planning Directors are a team of three women, led by Valerie, in itself a considerable achievement and this team provides high profile planning capacity to the RPS Group - an international organisation of great repute.”

On behalf of everyone at RPS, we would like to congratulate Valerie on this wonderful achievement and thank her for the leadership, inspiration and guidance that she provides to her colleagues. The recognition is truly well deserved.