Early Years Practitioners

Molly Brealey is a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) specialist at Environment Bank, where she has worked since BNG became mandatory in England. She works closely with developers, planning consultants, and local authorities to deliver off-site BNG solutions for projects such as NSIPs.

Molly has developed experience in the statutory Biodiversity Metric, advising on habitat unit requirements, and supporting clients through the practical delivery of offsite BNG alongside the planning process. She is passionate about helping to bridge the gap between development and nature recovery by providing commercially practical biodiversity solutions.

Through her role at Environment Bank and her engagement with the planning and infrastructure sector, Molly has developed a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with integrating BNG into development. As a member of the NIPA Steering Committee, she is keen to bring a biodiversity perspective to discussions on infrastructure planning while supporting collaboration and knowledge sharing across the industry.

Fiona Brown is a Consents and Environment Specialist at Associated British Ports (ABP), where she leads the consenting and environmental delivery of major port development projects across the UK. Her experience spans Development Consent Orders, marine licensing, town planning, environmental assessment, and biodiversity strategy for nationally significant projects that support the energy transition, enhance trade connectivity, and drive sustainable port growth. Fiona is passionate about delivering major infrastructure projects that balance development needs with positive environmental outcomes.

Chris is an Associate in the planning and environment team at Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP. He advises on planning and consenting matters for major infrastructure projects across the UK, particularly in the energy sector. His experience includes acting for promoters on a range of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, Developments of National Significance, and projects requiring consent under the Electricity Act 1989.

Emily is a Town Planner at Arup who began her career 3 years ago as a Level 7 Town Planning Apprentice. Before NIPA, Emily was previously an active member of the RTPI Young Planners Committee in the West Midlands, where she contributed to the organisation of a range of events and CPD sessions for early-career planners. Her role also extended to outreach and education, taking part in schools training and helping to deliver a planning workshop to primary school children.

 At Arup, Emily primarily works on consenting NSIPs within the infrastructure planning team, although is also experienced working on development management and policy projects. She is currently supporting the pre-application and examination stages of multiple NSIPs across the energy and highways sectors. Emily works within, and coordinates across, multiple disciplines, including DCO coordination, town planning, EIA and stakeholder engagement. Working across these disciplines has given Emily a rounded understanding of how the various DCO workstreams come together, allowing her to consider projects from planning, environmental and stakeholder viewpoints.

Lucia is principal planner at Arup.  She began her career in communications, specialising in creating communications and engagement campaigns for complex and contentious infrastructure projects. Now a chartered planner, she works at the centre of Arup’s infrastructure team, focusing on consenting NSIPs and SIPs across England and Wales and specialising in energy and transport, from site selection to operation. She also supports Arup’s advisory team, working on behalf of clients to advocate for policy and legislative changes aiming to add value to infrastructure consenting and delivery.

Ruth is a Senior Associate in the planning team at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP and has experience advising on the consenting and delivery of major infrastructure projects, predominantly in the energy, water and transport sector. She works with clients on all aspects of contentious and non-contentious planning, including environmental impact assessments, habitats regulations, compulsory purchase and judicial reviews. Ruth also brings her experience from client secondments to Southern Water and the Government Legal Department (MHCLG).