Rebecca Phillips

Rebecca Phillips has over 12 years’ experience as a Planning Inspector at the most senior level.  Prior to becoming the interim Chief Planning Inspector, she was the Professional Lead for Planning Appeals, responsible for managing and providing professional support and advice as well as training and development for Inspector teams undertaking S78 planning appeals. 

She has extensive experience of undertaking a variety of large-scale complex S78 and enforcement SoS recovered appeals as well as Local Plan and Community Infrastructure Levy examinations. She also led on developing the new Planning Inspectorate Operating Model, enabling the use of virtual proceedings during and following on from the pandemic. 

She is qualified in Town & Country Planning and Marketing and has a background in economic development, regeneration, development finance, strategic marketing management and policy development. 

She is the RTPI representative and Chair of the RTPI-Joint Distance Learning Consortium Board to oversee the delivery of planning education in accordance with RTPI standards, maintaining RTPI accreditation status and accrediting new courses.  

She was previously Chair of the RTPI/Plymouth University Board and external examiner at Cardiff University Planning School. 

She was identified as an RTPI ‘Woman of Influence’ in 2021.