Planning charity appoints first marketing and communications officer

A CHARITY that helps people in Scotland take part in their local planning process has appointed its first marketing and communications officer.

Duncan Thorp has been taken on by Planning Aid for Scotland, to assist in raising the profile of the organisation.

Says Petra Biberbach, chief executive of Planning Aid for Scotland: ”We are delighted to appoint Duncan Thorp as our first marketing and communications officer. Duncan brings a wealth of experience to the post from his previous roles as a researcher, parliamentary aide, press officer and journalist.

“This is a crucial time for the new planning system as reforms are being rolled out and comes at an exciting stage of development for Planning Aid for Scotland.

“This appointment is part of our ongoing strategy to develop the organisation and our services so that individuals and communities can better engage with the planning system at the earliest opportunity.”

Thorp joins the charity from the conferences research division of Holyrood Communications. He is also a former press officer for Scottish Liberal Democrat MSPs and a reporter at the Scottish News Agency.