Shilpa Rasaiah

Planning Consultant, Regen Solutions

Shilpa Rasaiah's route into planning was unconventional. After achieving a first degree in economics with accountancy, she found that none of the career paths on offer reflected her interest in the social aspects of the discipline that most fascinated her.

Looking for an alternative, she took a postgraduate diploma in town planning at Birmingham Polytechnic while working in the planning team at Leicester City Council. She became involved in the area's coalfields and market towns renewal when she went to work for Leicestershire County Council in 1990 and then oversaw the delivery of an £8 million economic, environmental and community programme in rural Leicestershire and adjoining counties. 

Three years ago Rasaiah set up one of 14 government-backed pathfinder teams to promote community cohesion in Charnwood district. "Planning is a good way of doing welfare economics," she explains. "It's the regeneration side of planning that I am interested in."

Now running her own consultancy, Regen Solutions, Rasaiah recognises that her planning background stands her in good stead. Regeneration

goals, she says, can often be achieved most effectively through the planning system. "I know how planning works and how to influence long-term plans."