Meet The Team
Established in 2011, our team of planning professionals benefit from many years of practical experience within both the public and private sectors.
Chris Barker
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Chris set up ECE Planning in 2011 following nearly 5 years at DMH Stallard. After leaving University Chris first worked for Berkeley Homes Hampshire and, then moved onto work for several Local Authorities including Mid Sussex, Wealden and Lewes District Councils.
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At ECE Planning, his work has covered many sectors including private and affordable housing. Chris has an excellent track record at Appeal with recent successes for Roffey Homes and Martin Grant Homes.
Huw James
DIRECTOR
Huw has been a Chartered Town Planner and full member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI) since 2003. Huw leads a full range of strategic and mixed use planning projects relating to education, residential, leisure, community, heritage, and commercial developments.
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Huw is experienced in dealing with major planning applications and appeals, the promotion of strategic sites through the development plan process, site appraisals, Environmental Impact Assessments, environmental studies and public consultation and strategy.
Adam Staniforth
FINANCE DIRECTOR
Adam is a qualified chartered certified accountant, having studied Accountancy with Business Law at Portsmouth University.
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Adam joined the Practice in 2015 as Financial Manager following 7 years working in the manufacturing industry, becoming Finance Director in 2018. Adam is responsible for the finances and HR functions of the ECE Group.
Sam Sykes
DIRECTOR
Sam was promoted to Director of ECE Planning in July 2023. He works on a range of major planning applications, appeals, and the promotion of land through the development plan system.
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Sam has extensive experience in the public sector having worked for Adur & Worthing and Brighton & Hove Councils, in particular on the Shoreham Harbour Masterplan.
Adam King
DIRECTOR
Adam is a qualified town planner and has an excellent track record of delivering planning approvals on ’challenging sites’ through collaboration with clients and local authorities.
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Combining his Architectural expertise with his planning knowledge, Adam is very experienced in preparing feasibility appraisals and detailed designs for rural, suburban and urban sites at all scales, with his clients including Vinci, Martin Grant Homes, J W Stratton and Hastoe Housing Association.
Rebecca Hoad
ASSOCIATE PLANNER
Rebecca is an Associate Planner at ECE Planning having joined the team in 2015 from previous employment at Fowlers Estate Agents.
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Rebecca gained her Masters Degree in Planning in 2019 and has experience with minor and major applications. Rebecca was elected as a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute in August 2021 and promoted to Associate Planner in July 2023.
Megan Smith
SENIOR PLANNER
Megan is a Senior Planner with ECE Planning, having joined the team as a Planner in July 2022 and being promoted to Senior Planner in July 2023.
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Megan has five years’ experience in a variety of planning roles, including Planning Enforcement Officer with the London Borough of Newham, and planning officer roles with Local Authorities, Chelmsford City Council and Dorset. Megan has also worked in New Zealand as a Compliance officer, working on major projects with Christchurch City Council.
Saskia Lower
PLANNER
Saskia is a Planner at ECE Planning having joined the team in 2021 as a Graduate Planner following the completion of her Planning & Property Development degree at Oxford Brookes University.
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Saskia has adapted quickly to become a valued member of the ECE Planning Team. She is keen to get stuck in to all aspects of the planning process and will assist the team with daily monitoring of all applications and further administration of planning applications and appeal submissions.
