Our Board

Aaron Doidge
Aaron is a consultant specialising in strategic development, urban strategy and regeneration, and engagement. Based in Glasgow, he works with clients across the public and private sectors throughout the UK and Ireland. He is the current Urban Regeneration sector lead for the North and Scotland at Stantec, and is the UK Sports and Events lead.

He is a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He has previously served on the executive committee of RTPI Scotland and has been one of our Board Directors since November 2024 – with a focus on Planning Aid Scotland’s commercial and business development activities.

When he’s not working to create thriving communities and places, Aaron is a keen Scottish Rugby supporter. You’ll often find him at Murrayfield on matchdays.

Dan Sharp
Dan is a public affairs and corporate communications professional, with expertise in UK and Scottish policy, politics, funding and media. He has a track record of navigating complex policy landscapes, engaging stakeholders and building partnerships to advance corporate objectives, bolster brands and secure investment for a range of organisations in Scotland, across the UK and internationally. He currently leads public relations and inward investment within Stirling Council’s Economic Development, Planning and Climate Change Service.

After graduating from the University of Edinburgh with a bachelor’s degree in law and a master’s in politics, Dan worked as a researcher in the Scottish and UK Parliaments. Much of his career since has focused on international development, global health, life sciences and biotech: leading advocacy campaigns at an NGO and a US-based R&D non-profit; and managing government and media relations for Europe’s largest sustainable development think tank and a global vaccine company at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also advised multinational companies on external engagement on behalf of one of the world’s big five PR agencies.

Having lived in London and Amsterdam, he returned to Scotland in 2020.

Gillian Dick
Gillian is Manager of Spatial Planning – Research & Development at Glasgow City Council and a Chartered Town Planner with over 30 years’ experience. She specialises in nature-based solutions, biodiversity, climate resilience and place-based planning. Gillian has led major urban greening and open space initiatives in Glasgow and is involved in a range of national and international partnerships focused on sustainable, healthy and resilient communities. She is passionate about using planning to deliver positive environmental and social outcomes.

Jackie Halawi
Jackie recently retired from Education Scotland as Head of Early Learning and Childcare, Communities and Families. Prior to that post, Jackie was Senior Regional Advisor covering Forth Valley and West Lothian. She spent 13 years at Education Scotland in a number of senior posts. Jackie covered Community Learning and Development and led multi-disciplinary teams.  Her roles included advising Ministers on key areas of policy, leading and managing national teams, liaising and collaborating with Directors of Education and CEOs of 3rd sector organisations.

Prior to her time with Education Scotland, Jackie was a senior manager with Perth and Kinross Council. Over 20 years, she held several roles including Community Worker, Quality Assurance Co-ordinator, and Service Manager for Community Services. Jackie led joint working between planning and community learning staff to develop stakeholder engagement strategies around place.

Jackie was also an Associate Assessor in Community Learning and Development with His Majesty’s Inspectorate.

She is passionate about communities having a voice in shaping their environment, and about young people being involved in developing opportunities for learning and work for a sustainable future.

Jane Weir
Jane is Planning Performance and Improvement Team Leader at South Lanarkshire Council and a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute with over 12 years’ local authority experience. She has extensive expertise in development management, planning performance, service improvement, digital transformation, stakeholder engagement and organisational change. Jane has led a range of national and local initiatives to improve planning services, working collaboratively with local authorities, government, industry representatives and community stakeholders. She has played a key role in high-profile planning developments, including major housing, infrastructure and heritage projects, while also contributing to national reviews of planning conditions and the National Planning Improvement Framework. She is passionate about promoting inclusive engagement in the planning system and supporting opportunities for people and communities to shape the places where they live, work and visit.

Jennifer Wells

Jill Paterson (Chair)

Pamela Clifford

Robbie Young (Treasurer)
Robbie is a Chartered Accountant and Group Financial Controller at Robertson Construction Group, with extensive experience in financial management, reporting, forecasting, governance and strategic decision making. He brings a strong commercial and financial perspective to Planning Aid Scotland, alongside wider experience as a trustee and non-executive board member across the charity and public sectors. As Treasurer and Trustee, Robbie supports the Board in maintaining robust financial stewardship, effective governance and long-term sustainability, helping ensure the organisation can continue to deliver its positive impact across Scotland.

Ruth Wolstenholme
Ruth has 40 years’ experience in sustainability and climate resilience, taking a collaborative approach to working across sectors and interests. Having worked in environmental consultancy and as Research Manager at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, she was at the helm of sustainability charity Sniffer, now Verture, since its inception until stepping down in 2024. She is thoroughly enjoying part-time project working with a particular interest in how communities at the coast are adapting.

Ruth is an advocate of local knowledge, social justice, the voice of nature and the role of creative practice for places and communities that flourish in a future climate.

She is a mentor with Powering Futures and is actively involved in local placemaking in North Berwick where she lives.

Tamsie Thomson