With over 15 years’ experience in leading urban, rural and renewable projects, and an extensive track record of delivering planning decisions throughout Scotland, Christine joins Turley’s team from Stantec where she was a planning associate director. In her role as director, Christine will focus on residential and commercial development opportunities. 

Further bolstering the team, Iona joins from Green Cat Renewables where she was an environmental consultant. Iona is experienced in a range of development types with a recent focus on renewable energy. Her appointment adds further depth to Turley’s planning resource in Scotland and its national Net Zero Infrastructure offer. 

The hires follow Turley’s appointment of a new head of planning Scotland in November 2024. Gordon Thomson joined the team from Lichfields UK where he was planning director. Bringing over 20 years’ experience in the built environment and planning sector, Gordon is focused on growing Turley’s wide-ranging Scottish planning offer, in particular the expanding net zero infrastructure and residential markets covering both urban and greenfield developments.  

Based in Edinburgh, he leads a six-strong team of planners, working alongside the firm’s other services in Scotland including Heritage, Townscape & Landscape, Economics, Design, EIA, Expert Witness, Strategic Communications and Sustainability & ESG. 

Having been active in Scotland for over 35 years from its bases in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Turley has deep-rooted relationships and in-depth knowledge of the diverse markets in which it operates. These appointments add further specialist knowledge and experience to the team, which has had a strong start to 2025 working on several new instructions across the energy, digital communications, transport infrastructure, housing, tourism and leisure markets.  

Speaking about the appointments, head of planning Scotland, Gordon Thomson, said: “This is an exciting time to be working in planning in Scotland. We have a raft of new policies and procedures arising from ongoing planning reform that will shape all development as we move toward net zero.  

“It’s a pleasure to have recently joined the team at Turley and to be welcoming Christine and Iona. I’m very much looking forward to working with colleagues and clients to respond to current challenges while helping to deliver high quality developments that create thriving communities and shape sustainable futures.”