Birmingham planning director among four promotions at fast-growing Marrons

Development consultancy Marrons has promoted four members of its planning and heritage teams, including a new planning director in its Birmingham office, after growing its revenue by 35 per cent to £13.1m in 2025/26.

The firm said its growth had been driven by senior hires from other firms, an expanding geographical footprint and rising demand from clients.

In Birmingham, Alasdair Avila-Thorne has been promoted to planning director.

He is a chartered town planner specialising in residential and commercial development.

He advises on planning applications, strategic site promotion, local plan representations and five-year housing land supply assessments.

Ben Ward, based in Nottingham, has been promoted to partner.

He is a chartered town planner with around ten years’ experience across local government, consultancy and the development industry. He has a strong track record in managing major planning applications and promoting sites through the local plan process.

Louis Jones, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, has been promoted to senior planner. He works on planning applications, appeals and site promotions for developers, landowners and homeowners, and also mentors the firm’s graduates.

Aimee Hudson-Brown, also based in Nottingham, has been promoted to heritage planner. She provides heritage and archaeological advice on strategic land projects.

Her work includes preparing heritage impact assessments and archaeological desk-based assessments, using GIS mapping analysis to identify opportunities and constraints within the historic environment.

Brian Mullin, partner and head of Marrons, said: “These promotions reflect the strength of our planning and heritage teams and the expertise we are continuing to build as the business grows.

“Ben and Alasdair bring considerable experience in navigating complex planning issues and helping clients progress development opportunities, while Louis is building his expertise across applications, appeals and strategic site promotion.

“Aimee’s promotion also recognises the important role heritage expertise plays in delivering sustainable development.

“We’re seeing growing demand from clients looking for clear, commercially grounded planning advice, and investing in our people is central to meeting that demand as we expand our reach across the country.”