DPP Planning takes on record number of graduates across the UK in 2025
Clockwise from top left: Lauren Raeburn-Ward, Charlotte Hewison, Jamie Pratten, Eleanor Loughlin, Charlie Dixon, Cara Douglas-Jones, Sam Wainwright, Moira Maguire
AND graduate recruitment programme for 2026 opens
DPP, one of the UK’s leading independent planning consultancies, has employed eight people on its graduate scheme in 2025 – the highest number in the company’s history.
The firm has expanded its intake across its Newcastle, Leeds and Cardiff offices, strengthening its team of Assistant Planners and reflecting a period of sustained growth for the business.
In Newcastle, four new graduates have joined the office – Charlie Dixon, who previously completed work experience with DPP in 2024 and Lauren Raeburn-Ward, a Geography undergraduate at Newcastle University, both joined DPP at the start of the year. Moira Maguire and Eleanor Loughlin, both of whom are also currently studying at Newcastle University, also joined the office.
The Leeds office has welcomed three new graduate Assistant Planners. In Spring 2025, Sam Wainwright, a graduate of Leeds Beckett University, joined the team, along with Jamie Pratten, who graduated from the University of Sheffield last summer. In June, Charlotte Hewison, another University of Sheffield graduate who has completed her Master’s in Urban Studies and Planning (MPlan), became the latest member of the Leeds office.
In Cardiff, Cara Douglas-Jones, has recently joined after completing a Master’s in Urban Studies and Planning (MPlan) at The University of Otago, New Zealand, followed by a Transport Planner role at Mott MacDonald.
Gareth Hooper, CEO of DPP Planning, said of this year’s graduate hires:
“The calibre of graduates we have taken on this year is outstanding. Each brings different interests, skills and experience to the company, which is great to see.
“Last year we took on seven graduate Assistant Planners, which was a lot for us, but we’ve had such a successful year of continued growth that we needed more new team members to help us with our pipeline, and I’m thrilled with the team we have on board. I can’t wait to see how their careers progress with us here at DPP.”
Gareth added: “Investing in the best planners of the future is what we do here at DPP, and we grow our business from the bottom up, ensuring that our 40 staff members know that we are invested in their careers, in their development and in their futures.”
DPP Planning has opened its next round of graduate recruitment for 2026. To find out more, visit https://dppukltd.com/grad_brochure/
