Ollie Thorogood

Current Employer/Organisation Name

CarneySweeney

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

Since leaving Exeter University, I studied for a Masters in Town Planning at Plymouth University. I stayed living in Exeter and worked as a planning consultant in a rural practice working on agricultural diversification projects and small scale developments. I then moved to a national housebuilder where I spent nearly 5 years leading on major projects including the development of the new town of Cranbrook, and other new communities across Devon, Dorset and Somerset. In 2024, I moved back to planning consultancy as an Associate Director at the national consultancy firm, CarneySweeney, as part of their growth into the South West region. I am now much more heavily involved in shaping the direction of national and local planning policy, as well as promoting sustainable, zero-carbon developments across the country. I act as the project lead for major urban extensions, new retail developments and inner-city regeneration projects, helping clients navigate the complex and competing demands of the planning system. In 2025, I passed the Assessment of Professional Competence and I am now a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

I wanted to play a key role in the shift towards a green economy and foster decisions that helped create low carbon urban developments that reduce environmental risks and foster investment in sustainable transport and nature protection. I believe that I had a good grounding in the need to develop more sustainable practices of construction and being a planner means leading on policy changes that support low carbon communities. The planning profession also offers a wide perspective across the development industry. All technical information that is required to support a planning application goes through the lead planner to make a decision on the correct course of action to take. We are presented with expert advice from ecologists, archaeologists, transport planners, engineers, architects etc. and our job is to weigh all of this up to propose a development that positively responds to local circumstances whilst being committed to resolving the housing crisis. As part of the job, I get to learn a lot about all the different topics rather than being focused on one interest alone. One day I might be learning about the history or archaeological remains dug up on site and being actively involved in their preservation, and the next, I will be hearing new ideas from transport planners about how to support the transition to more sustainable patterns of movement. The diversity of knowledge is particularly enjoyable.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

I was Men’s Captain of the Triathlon Club, a BUCS team member for swimming and a member of GeogSoc

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

I enjoyed the wide choice of modules available to study, particularly the heritage, political and rural aspects of the course. The field trip to Berlin was a particular highlight as it was a 5 day intense experience in the field of study and gave me the opportunity to meet other people on my course.

What did you most enjoy about studying here?

I met my now wife during freshers week so I’d say that was important! But specific to Exeter, I enjoyed making use of the different study spaces on campus and the occasional lunch at the different restaurants. I also enjoyed that a lot of the case studies we were researching were local, meaning we were never too far to visit to get extra knowledge.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

Firstly, due to the reputation of the University and the geography department. When I visited for an offer-holder day, I loved the campus as it felt like a little town with everything I would need. The city is not too big with easy access to the countryside and beaches. I was brought up in West Wales on the coast so I wanted to live in a city that would still provide me with the opportunity to go trail running and sea swimming but with a bit more going on in the city itself. Exeter was the perfect option for me and I still live here 12 years later.

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

My degree helped with theoretical context to building zero-carbon communities and the experience of a field trip to the new town of Cranbrook in East Devon. I have subsequently been involved in the planning of future phases of Cranbrook during my career. Much of the skills needed for my career stem from the transferable skills I developed studying Geography, most importantly, the need to gather evidence, weigh up the evidence presented to you, and come to an informed and justified judgement to determine the correct course of action. I also feel that my course gave me the grounding to understand the importance of the built environment and how it affects different people and their connection to place but also an understanding of the environmental challenges that we need to tackle, which can be done through considerate planning.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Planning has recently been front page of the newspapers so I would recommend trying to stay aware of some of the big issues facing the industry – e.g. the housing crisis, New Towns programmes, major infrastructure projects etc.
When in the industry, it is really important to make connections through networking. I underestimated it when I first started out and was hindered by Covid but the connections I have made over the years are often valuable to resolve issues I face during planning applications. You never know when you might need an expert to help you out and having these connections makes it more enjoyable.

What are your plans for the future?

I am working towards becoming a Director at my company and leading a team of planners, encouraging graduates into a career in town planning.

I fully intend to stay in Exeter as I have made great friends through running and triathlon and we recently welcomed our first child so look forward to bringing them up in Exeter.