Edgars, the Oxfordshire-based planning consultancy with offices in Witney and Oxford, has promoted five planners as part of the 14-strong business’ continued growth strategy focused on delivering inspiring futures and places for its clients while nurturing and training its talent.
Paul Slater and Miriam Owen have been promoted to associate director. Alex Edge has been promoted to principal planner, Amy Powell to senior planner and Sam Biles to planner.
Paul Slater was elected a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute in 2010 and joined Edgars in 2014. Paul has worked on a range of projects and specialises in local plan work – the strategic promotion of housing sites, scrutinising councils’ housing land supply, zero-carbon policies, and managing major development projects.
Miriam Owen joined Edgars in 2021 and is an experienced project manager with a track record of delivering complex projects and managing multidisciplinary teams. Miriam has a particular interest in developing strategies for unique, one-off projects.
Alex Edge started his career at Leicester City Council and joined Edgars in 2016 as a graduate planner. With an an incredible eye for detail, Alex specialises in development management, large urban design projects and heritage proposals.
Amy Powell began her career at a top Oxfordshire letting office that she later managed, before she joined Edgars in the Autumn of 2019. She has recently completed the RTPI Level 7 apprenticeship. She has a keen interest in zero-carbon developments.
Sam Biles joined the business as a school leaver as a level 4 planning apprentice in 2018 and has been promoted to planner as he nears the completion of his apprenticeship degree.
Alongside his studies, Sam has assisted on a range of projects, been a key member in preparing planning applications and managed smaller projects of his own, as well as being highly valued by Edgars’ clients.
Jayne Norris, Director of Edgars, said: “We are so proud of Paul, Miriam, Alex, Amy, and Sam. Their commitment to the company and their clients goes above and beyond. It is a testament to their continued hard work and cares for their work, resulting in these promotions. We extend our warmest congratulations as they continue their exciting careers with Edgars.”
Paul Slater, Associate Director, Edgars, said: “I am proud to have been part of Edgars growth over the last eight years. We have a great team and the highest calibre of clients with challenging and inspiring projects. I look forward to helping take the business to the next level in the coming years.”
Miriam Owen, Associate Director, Edgars, said: “I can identify with so many of Edgars’ business values, and so this is a great opportunity to continue to support the company and its staff during an exciting time of growth.
“Our track record among clients who consistently come back to us as their first choice demonstrates that we must be doing things right. I look forward to continuing to promote and champion the business in the years ahead.”
Sam Biles, Planner, Edgars, said: “I joined as an apprentice and have relished the challenge and appreciate all the support that the Edgars team has given me to complete my studies while working for the company. I’m proud to have been promoted to a planner and look forward to being involved in many more exciting projects.”
Edgars was recently named Property Advisor of the Year and Jayne Norris was voted Property Leader of the Year at Oxfordshire Property Festival 2019; they were shortlisted in the National RTPI Small Planning Consultancy of the Year 2019. They later went on to win Planning Consultancy of the year in 2020 at the Oxfordshire Property Festival and were commended by the RTPI in 2020 as Planning Consultancy of the year.
