Thank you to those who engaged with and completed our first diversity survey, the results of which we are publishing today and can be viewed here.

We received 126 responses out of c. 500 members. This year we would like to see a higher response rate so that we have a more complete understanding of our Membership.

The NIPA Council Growing and Engaging a diverse membership Working Group has been discussing how to take actions based on the results and in order to increase diversity and the activity and voices within NIPA. To make such actions effective we need the fullest survey data possible.

Key aims of NIPA include: (i) participating in debate on the practice and the future of national infrastructure planning and act as a consultee on proposed changes to national infrastructure planning and authorisation regimes, and other relevant consultations; and (ii) developing, sharing and championing best practice, and improve knowledge, skills, understanding and engagement by providing opportunities for learning and debate about national infrastructure planning. Clearly those aims are furthered by NIPA having as diverse a membership as possible.

So please do complete the survey that will shortly accompany renewals.

James Maurici KC and Ben Copithorne

Co-convenors of the Growing and Engaging a diverse membership Working Group