Cratus Group has appointed Fiona Howie as director of communities and placemaking.
Howie joins Cratus from the Town and Country Planning Association where she served as chief executive. Prior to that, she held senior roles at the Campaign for National Parks and CPRE.
In her new role, Howie will lead Cratus’s communities and placemaking team where she will focus on complex and long-term projects, including new communities, urban extensions, estate regeneration, town centre regeneration and major engagement programmes.
Nick Kilby, founder and executive chairman of Cratus, said: “Cratus was founded on the belief that residents should be at the heart of decisions that affect their places. Fiona’s appointment strengthens that founding principle. She understands the importance of listening to communities, building trust and helping places succeed over the long term. As we grow our communities and placemaking offer, Fiona will help us stay focused on what matters most: doing the right thing for residents while helping clients deliver change well.”
Howie added: “I’m delighted to be joining Cratus as director of communities and placemaking at a pivotal time nationally, when the country is focused on housing, infrastructure, regeneration and growth. This role gives me the opportunity to focus on the things I care about most: helping to create places where communities can thrive by involving people to improve schemes.
“I was drawn to Cratus because of its ethos around doing the right thing for residents, and because there is a real opportunity to grow the communities and placemaking offer. I’m looking forward to helping clients to build trust through listening to existing and future communities, and deliver places that work for the people who live there.”
Julian Seymour, chief executive of Cratus, said: “Communities and Placemaking has been at the heart of our business for a decade, reflecting our core belief that local people are fundamental to creating successful places. Our clients are working on complex schemes that often span many years and involve long running relationships with communities, councils and stakeholders amidst changing local priorities.
“They need advice and support that helps them build partnerships, manage relationships and maintain confidence over time. Fiona’s appointment gives us additional senior leadership, sector credibility and strategic insight as we develop this offer. She will play an important role in helping us grow the team, support clients and strengthen our position in the market.”
