HOPS Conference 2026: Agenda

09:30 – 10:00 – Arrival and registration

Doors open – tea, coffee, and pastries will be available.

10:00 – 11:40 – Session 1: Leadership in Planning

This session starts with a welcome address by Chris Cox, Chair of Heads of Planning Scotland and Assistant Director, Planning and Development for South Ayrshire Council, and Stephen Penman, Chief Executive of South Ayrshire Council.

The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Hugh Ellis, Director of Policy at the TCPA.

This will be followed by a panel discussion on leadership in planning with heads of planning from across the UK, chaired by Craig McLaren, National Planning Improvement Champion:

Karen Shaw, President of the Planning Officers’ Society England
Harriet Lavender, Treasurer of the Planning Officers’ Society Wales
Kate Bentley, Director of Planning and Building Control Belfast City Council
Chris Cox, Chair of Heads of Planning Scotland

11:50 – 13:00 – Session 2: Housing Delivery

This session will focus on different approaches to housing delivery and development agreements. Presentations will be delivered by:

Tony Cain, Policy Manager at ALACHO
Dearbhla Lawson, Director of Planning Services at The Land Development Agency
Mhairi Donaghy, Associate Director at Scottish Futures Trust
Jamie Dunne, Legal Director at Brodies LLP Solicitors

Presentations will be followed by a Q&A led by Chris Kelly, Director at EKOS.

13:00 – 14:00 – Lunch

Lunch will be served. There will also be an opportunity to visit the stalls of our sponsors.

14:00 – 16:10 – Sessions 3 and 4: Workshops

A series of workshops on pressing planning matters. The time will be split into two workshops, and delegates will be able to choose two topics from the following list when registering:

Child Poverty and Planning
- Hanna McCulloch, Child Poverty and SAVVI Programme Manager at the Improvement Service
- Felicia Szlobda, Child Poverty and UNCRC Project Officer at the Improvement Service
Net Zero and Delivery on Climate Change
- Paul Cassidy, Sustainable Design Officer at South Ayrshire Council
- Alex Rathmell, Capacity Building Manager at the Scottish Climate Intelligence Service
Linked into Community Planning and Public Sector Reform
- Kevin Anderson, Assistant Director, Corporate Policy, Strategy and Performance at South Ayrshire Council
Development Viability
- Robert McKinnon, Senior Land & Partnerships Manager, Scotland at Keepmoat
Energy Transition Planning: National Strategy to Local Implementation
- Callum Robertson, Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy Officer at South Ayrshire Council
- Drew Murphy, RESP Strategic Lead at NESO
Housing Delivery and Town Centres: Development Impact Modelling
- Chris Kelly, Director at EKOS

16:10 – 16:30 – Session 5: The Future of Planning and Closing Remarks

The final session will focus on the future of planning with both long-time practitioners and emerging professionals, with a sofa discussion chaired by Nick Wright, Principal at Nick Wright Planning and elected member of the RTPI General Assembly. The conference will end with closing remarks from the current Chair of HOPS, Chris Cox.

16:30 – Drinks Reception

The day will end with a drinks reception that all delegates are welcome to attend.