Alex Franklin is a chartered member of the RTPI who leads Hedley Planning Services' Newcastle office. He graduated from Newcastle University with a Masters in Town Planning and has a broad range of experience, particularly in the residential, commercial and renewable sectors.
What was your first job, and how much did it pay? My first job was as a £12-per-hour cleaner at my local school. It showed me the importance of reliability and enthusiasm (hard when you’re scrubbing graffiti off tables or mopping out toilets!) as well as how to get along with people from many walks of life.
What is the best advice or support you’ve been given in business? Be organised and don’t sit behind a desk. You have to get out and meet clients, stakeholders, the general public and decision-makers - critical in our work as planners, which is a very people-oriented business. Also, be proactive and push things along as quickly as possible.
What are the main changes you’ve seen in your business/sector, and what are the challenges you’re facing Planning faces significant challenges at all levels; it’s becoming far more complicated and political with myriad national and regional issues straining to having an impact. The number of external and interested parties that can be involved in the planning process has made the determination process protracted and complex, which is always challenging. As with all sectors, rising costs are an ever-increasing pressure which filter down to the planning and determination stage.
What would your dream job be? I did fancy being an airline pilot once but for some reason now long forgotten never pursued it. I love coffee, so owning my own small coffee shop, where I can display my barista skills, would be fun. I’m sure I have a rose-tinted view about the job, and how hard it would be, but it remains a cherished dream.
What advice would you give to someone starting a career in your sector? Always be interested in your job and open to new ideas, fresh thinking; always be willing to learn. Don’t be afraid to fail as long you learn from your mistakes.
What makes the North East a good place to do business? In terms of planning, it’s a very tight knit community in the North East and is an exciting time with great changes and developments on the horizon.
How important is it for business to play a role in society? We are planners and it’s never lost on me how important that is in generating growth, wealth and opportunity. Planning supports large ecosystems and is seminal in delivering buildings and housing that will be here for decades to come and creating vibrant places where people want to live and raise their families.
Outside of work, what are you really good at? I love cooking for people, I like all cuisines but do make a mean Pad Thai - an ‘Alex Franklin’ signature dish, perhaps. I’d also like to think I’m a decent host when entertaining. I’m also a great at planning holidays (occupational hazard) - just ask our friends and family. I love playing sport, growing up anytime I could run around I was; football, athletics, volleyball, cricket – you name it and I wanted to play it.
Who would play you in a film about your life? It would have to be Bob Mortimer, another proud northerner. Not really an actor but he’s been successful across different genres of TV, but doesn’t appear to take himself too seriously while being able to have a joke at his own expense.
Which three people would you invite to a dinner party, and why? Former England cricketer and BBC Top Gear presenter Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff for his cricketing stories, in particular the 2005 Ashes glory; comedian and actor Lee Mack and former footballer Dean Windass. I’m a big Hull City fan and he’s a club legend - would also be there to add to the banter.
