DPP are delighted to confirm the highest number of graduates taken on in the company’s history.
Eight appointments across Newcastle, Leeds and Cardiff offices strengthen our team of Assistant Planners and reflects a period of sustained growth.
In Newcastle, four new graduates have joined the office – Charlie Dixon, who previously completed work experience with us in 2024 and Lauren Raeburn-Ward, a Geography undergraduate at Newcastle University, both joined 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 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.
We have now opened our next round of graduate recruitment for 2026. To find out more, visit https://dppukltd.com/grad_brochure/
Image clockwise from top left: Lauren Raeburn-Ward, Charlotte Hewison, Jamie Pratten, Eleanor Loughlin, Charlie Dixon, Cara Douglas-Jones, Sam Wainwright, Moira Maguire
