Hannah is a Woman of Influence 2022

We, at Spawforths, are so pleased that Hannah Richardson has been recognised in The Planner's Women of Influence 2022.

Hannah was nominated by colleagues for the Award. The judges looked for three factors:

• timeliness (we wanted to feel that nominees had had an impact in the last 12 months);
• five areas of influence, with a specific emphasis on the local: policy change, culture change in planning, communities, the new and developing generations of planners, the reputation of the profession; and
• the X-factor, because some people just stand out.

Well Done Hannah!!

The article reads:

Hannah Richardson MRTPI

Associate director, Spawforths

Citation: "Hannah has led the development management team at Spawforths with enthusiasm, dedication and integrity during the last 12 months, navigating challenging times whilst continuing to provide a high level of service to clients. Working both remotely and office based mid-pandemic she has continued to drive the growth of the Spawforths team allowing us to maintain our position as the largest planning practice in Yorkshire and Humberside. At the heart of the business is the well-being and welfare of our employees. Hannah is a leading light for us in creating an extremely family-friendly, supportive and positive working environment, which has never been more important than when working through the pandemic. Hannah was promoted to become our first associate director for many years, is fully engaged in a programme to become a director and leads on many high-profile projects across the North of England. Hannah is a highly visible example of a successful women in an often male dominated environment. As a strong female role model, she empowers and supports other women across both our business and within Yorkshire and the North East, through her role on the National Advisory Board of Women In Property, as well as Student Awards Co-ordinator and Committee member for Women In Property Yorkshire and the North East. She leads by example, and is actively involved in the Student Awards scheme, supporting students and creating links to Universities to improve the students’ knowledge of the career options available to them, and assisting with work placements."

Citation: "Outside of her considerable professional achievements this year, one of her most successful initiatives in her new role at Spawforths is leading the new Young Professionals forum within our consultancy to create a new space for discussion and support between junior and senior staff.  These meetings have become a valuable place for junior staff to share frustrations and successes with senior staff, seek advice and practical support for challenges we face as we develop our professional practice, and encouragement to develop our own initiatives to benefit those around us and pursue our own professional goals. Most importantly, one of our agenda items acts as a safe space for us to discuss any conflict or discrimination we have experienced as we move further into the industry and develop our professional relationships." 

08 | 03 | 2022