Marrons reveals host of promotions and senior appointment

Multi-disciplinary development consultancy Marrons has made nine promotions across a variety of teams and locations, including six in the Midlands, alongside a senior appointment.

Promoted to associate level are planners Megan Simpson in Leicester, and Jake Horton and Sam Muir in Nottingham.

Simpson provides planning advice across a range of residential and commercial projects, supporting clients through all stages of the planning process.

Horton specialises in planning policy and strategic development, bringing local government experience to advising on strategic land promotion, housing strategy, and the preparation of local and neighbourhood plans, while Muir brings a range of planning experience across the public and private sectors, with a focus on residential planning and a particular interest in planning appeals.

Also in Nottingham, Brixie Payne has been promoted to senior heritage planner. Payne provides research-led advice and impact assessments to support development proposals involving a range of built heritage assets, such as listed buildings and conservation areas.

In Stratford-upon-Avon, Jack Barnes has been promoted to senior planner. He specialises in strategic land promotion and urban brownfield regeneration, helping clients unlock development potential and progress complex sites through the planning system.

Rhys Vaughan Prosser has advanced to senior graphic designer and illustrator. Based in Birmingham, he is a graphic designer and illustrator within the urban design and masterplanning team, supporting the visual communication of planning and design proposals.

Brian Mullin, partner and head of Marrons, said: "These promotions are a clear reflection of the strength of talent across Marrons and the momentum we are seeing. Those stepping into new roles have already played a key part in supporting clients, delivering complex work, and strengthening our capability as we continue to grow across new and existing markets.

"As demand for our services increases, recognising and progressing high-performing people remains central to how we scale. Their progression speaks to the depth of expertise we have across the team and the contribution they will continue to make in shaping our next phase of growth."

Meanwhile, Carl Brace has been appointed as associate director, bringing more than 20 years' experience in local planning authorities.

He joins from Wychavon District Council, where he was development manager and part of the planning team in 2025.  

His career spans senior roles across the region, including Birmingham City Council and Herefordshire Council.

Over the course of his career, Brace has operated at the forefront of complex and high-profile schemes, acting as lead officer on the redevelopment of Villa Park, supporting Birmingham's role in the UK's UEFA EURO 2028 bid and leading on the regeneration of the grade II-listed Chateau Impney site in Worcestershire.  

He said: "Planning is often framed in terms of policy and process, while in practice it is about judgement, collaboration and problem solving. My focus has always been on finding a route forward - unlocking development in a way that delivers policy-compliant, commercially viable, and genuinely beneficial outcomes.

"Marrons' approach is closely aligned with that thinking. There is a clear emphasis on collaboration, engaging constructively with stakeholders, and solutions-focused thinking. I'm looking forward to bringing my experience to support clients in navigating complexity and delivering successful schemes."