Nigerian-born Helen Fadipe Elected Vice President Of UK And Ireland’s Royal Town Planning Institute

The Institute was founded in 1914 and granted a royal charter in 1959. Chartered Institute responsible for maintaining professional standards and accrediting world class planning courses nationally and internationally.

Nigerian-born Helen Fadipe has been elected as the next Vice President of the Royal Town Planning Institute, the professional body representing planners in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

According to information on the Institute’s website, results of elections for the role of RTPI Vice-President, the Board of Trustees and the General Assembly showed that Helen Fadipe would be the Institute’s next Vice President.

Information on the site identified Fadipe as the Managing Director of FPP Associates Ltd, a multi-disciplinary planning consultancy firm providing strategic planning and Interim management and founder of BAME Planners Network, which promotes diversity and inclusion in the planning profession.

Fadipe has over 30 years of experience working across public and private sectors, both in the UK and internationally, it said.

Meeta Kaur remains Chair of the Board of Trustees as she enters her second term. Meeta is a founding partner of Town Legal, the specialist planning law firm, and is both a UK-qualified lawyer and Chartered town planner, as well as three years as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees.

17 members were elected to the General Assembly to act as a forum for debate about the development of planning policy and practice, the corporate policy of the chartered institute and other issues relevant to the objectives of the chartered institute.

Helen Fadipe, Vice President of the RTPI for 2024 was quoted as saying, “I am honoured to be elected as Vice President for 2024. This is a pivotal moment for the profession. Planners play a central role in creating better places, combating the effects of climate change and reshaping society.

“Government and public expectation of the profession remains high, despite dwindling resources and low morale. Delivering on the expectation requires swift collective action. I am committed to advocating for increased investment in recruitment and retention of Planners.

“I look forward to working with the Presidential team and collaborating with others in the built environment to ensure that the value of planning and planners is recognised.”

Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI said: “I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who participated in the elections by running for office and casting their vote. Your involvement has greatly contributed to shaping our profession as we move forward. I am excited to welcome Helen and our newly elected Trustees and General Assembly members.

“An engaged membership is essential for us to remain connected and relevant, and I strongly encourage all members to get involved in the future. Together, we can work towards building a better future for the communities we represent.”

Meanwhile, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated Fadipe on her election as the next Vice President of the Institute.

Obaseki in a statement described her as the best fit for the job, expressing confidence that she will leverage her wealth of experience and network to drive positive change in the profession and the global built environment sector.

Obaseki said, “It is with great pride that I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on your election as the next Vice President of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), the professional body representing town planners in the United Kingdom and globally.

“A worthy and illustrious Edo daughter, we are proud of your accomplishments and celebrate your genius as you continue to give a good account of yourself as a hardworking and strategic planner committed to creating an inclusive, healthy, prosperous, and sustainable society.”