Residential

Adam is an Associate in our Transport Planning team leading our small to medium sized projects as well as taking an active role in helping to deliver our larger Transport projects.

Alex has worked at DHA for more than 15 years and became Managing Director in 2016. Alongside overseeing the day-to-day running of the business, he remains passionate about planning and development. He enjoys meeting clients, exploring opportunities, and advising on how DHA can help maximise the value of their land.

Alex joined DHA from Kent County Council in 2018 having worked on a number of Nationally Strategic infrastructure Projects, Regulation 3 developments (e.g. schools) and minerals and waste planning and policy. He has a BSc (Hons) degree in Geography from the University of Southampton and an MA in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Westminster, which was sponsored by DHA.

Alice is a Planner at DHA and has worked on a variety of different projects during her time at DHA.

Alice joined DHA as a Graduate Transport Planner in September 2025.

Amy joined DHA in September 2024, following the completion of her degree in Human Geography at the University of Kent. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Urban Regeneration at University College London.

Carleigh, Associate Director, leads the DHA Design team.

Charlotte joined DHA in April 2026, bringing four years of planning consultancy experience with a particular focus on small-scale development projects.

Chester is an Associate in DHA's Design team, and joined DHA in 2018 after working at a Kent based multi-disciplinary practice for 3 years, working on projects through all RIBA stages.

Chris is a Director at DHA running one of our residential teams, he is particularly passionate about creating new communities and ensuring developments meet the needs of the local demographic.

Dan is a Senior Planner at DHA having joined DHA in January 2021 as a part-time Graduate Planner whilst completing an MSc in Spatial Planning at University College London.

David is a Director at DHA and leads a planning team working on a range of projects. He has a particular interest in residential projects, local plans and using his extensive knowledge and experience on all matters relating to the Green Belt and AONB.

Before establishing David Hicken Associates in 1986, David gained ten years of experience in Local Government, holding roles with a District Council, a Metropolitan Borough Council, Maidstone Borough Council, and ultimately serving as Chief Planning Officer at Harlow District Council in Essex.

Ellie is a Senior Transport Planner within our Gatwick team, having joined DHA in June 2026. Prior to joining DHA, she spent 4.5 years at another consultancy, where she gained extensive experience leading small to medium-sized residential, commercial, industrial and educational developments. During this time, she worked on a diverse range of transport planning projects, delivering tailored solutions for a variety of clients.

Emily joined DHA in 2014, having previously been employed at Kent County Council in planning policy and highway roles and having gained a number of years' experience in architectural employment.

Emily undertook a yearlong Placement at DHA from September 2023 to September 2024 as part of her BSc in Urban Planning. Having now completed her undergraduate at Loughborough University, she has now returned to DHA full time as of September 2025.

Gemma is a Senior Transport Planner within our Gatwick Team.

Hannah joined DHA's Gatwick team as an Associate Director in 2024 from Iceni in London.

Jack is an Associate at DHA and is now based in our London office having started out in the Kent team.

Jack originally joined DHA in 2021 after graduating from UCL with an MSc in Spatial Planning. He started his DHA career working with in the Gatwick office and is now based with our London team running projects across the South East.

John joined DHA in 2001 having gained experience with a Chartered Surveying Practice in Central London and then having spent some 12 years in Local Government. His Local Government experience involved a City Council, Borough Council and working as a Development Control Manager at a Unitary Council. He has a BA (hons) degree in Town and Country Planning and an MBA, and has been a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute since 1988.

Laura is an Associate Director in the planning team with 16 years experience in in both the private sector at a large global real estate advisor and client side for a national retailer. She became a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute in 2014.

Lauren joined DHA as a graduate planner in August 2022, bringing experience from her previous role as a land consultant at Mott MacDonald. She holds a degree in Town and Country Planning from London South Bank University.

Lizzie joined DHA in early 2025 as an Associate in the Gatwick Office, bringing with her seven years of experience in the private sector with some public sector experience during her time as a student.

Louise joined DHA in December 2025 as the firm’s London Planning Director.

Luca joined DHA in June 2026 after graduating from LSBU with a (RTPI accredited) Masters in Urban Design and Planning.

Mark is a Planning Director within the DHA's Gatwick office and regularly leads the promotion of major schemes through the planning system.

Matthew joined DHA in 2012 as a Graduate Planner, having previously worked at Kent County Council. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Degree in Geography and completed an MSc in Town Planning at the University of Brighton in 2014.

Matthew joined DHA on a year in industry in 2018 before returning as a graduate following the completion of his degree at Exeter university.

Matthew is one of DHA’s most experienced planners, with over 28 years’ experience across both the public and private sectors. He is dual-qualified in Planning and Urban Design, bringing a broad perspective to complex development projects.

Nasim joined DHA in September 2025 as a Graduate Transport Planner, based in our Gatwick office.

Noora joined DHA in May 2025 after graduating from the University of Manchester with a Masters Degree in Environmental Governance.

Olivia joined DHA in July 2025 as a Transport Planner, bringing with her three years' of transport planning experience across a diverse range of projects. She earned a First Class BSc in Geography from UCL in 2021.

Olivia joined DHA in August 2025 as a Planner, bringing a year of experience in the planning industry.

Paddy is a Chartered Surveyor and Registered Valuer with over 15 years’ experience carrying out Valuations, Development Appraisals and Viability.

Paul joined DHA in 2014 having previously worked for Kent County Council and the Department for Transport in the fields of development planning, transport policy, capital projects and public transport.

Purdey joined DHA in October 2022 as a Graduate Planner after graduating from Oxford Brookes University with a degree in Geography. A year after joining, she began her Masters in Town and Country Planning (Part-Time) at London South Bank University.

Rebecca is an Associate at DHA and works from both our Maidstone and London offices.

Rebekah joined DHA as a Graduate Planner in June 2026, following 18 months of experience working for a housebuilder. She previously graduated from the University of Winchester with an undergraduate degree in Geography.

Sam joined DHA in May 2026, bringing with him over three and a half years of planning experience gained at Maidstone Borough Council.

Sammie joined DHA in September 2024 after graduating from the University College London.

Sascha joined DHA in 2025 and has nearly 20 years of planning consultancy experience in a range of sectors including housing, tourist and leisure accommodation, student and specialist older persons accommodation.

Seth joined DHA in June 2023 as a Senior Planner. Seth graduated from Canterbury Christ Church University in 2018 with a BSc (Hons) in Geography before undertaking an MA in Planning Policy and Practice at London South Bank University. Seth became a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute in February 2023.

Zohaib is an Architectural Designer with a strong academic and professional background in architecture. He studied at the University of Kent, where he completed both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Architecture, developing a solid foundation in design, technical detailing, and project delivery.