Pictured: Julie Tanner

OPUN, the Architecture and Design Centre for the East Midlands, is delighted to announce that interim Chief Executive Julie Tanner has been appointed to the position permanently. 

Julie has been an integral part of the OPUN team for the past ten months, temporarily taking the helm of the organisation during a period of transition.

With changes to the public sector and budgets being squeezed, OPUN has experienced a reduction in its funding over the past year. New leadership, and a fresh approach, will help to secure its future.

As Julie explained: "It's a really interesting time for OPUN. Government cuts mean that less funding is available to support our services.

"But there's still a real need for what we do. We make sure that well designed places - which are fit for purpose and meet the needs of our communities - are brought through the planning system.

"The Government has recognised this in their current consultation on reforming the planning process. We welcome their commitment to promote high quality design across all development activity."

OPUN exists to improve the quality of building design across the East Midlands and create better, more prosperous places. The team works closely with decision makers, design professionals, the commercial and community sectors.

OPUN's main service, the design review panel, sees experts offer impartial advice prior to the planning application process. This makes sure that developments are designed to a quality standard so they meet the aspirations of people who will ultimately use them.

Julie said: "New or refurbished buildings and places leave lasting legacies for future generations. So time spent on ensuring good quality design is crucial.

"With our help, anyone involved in bringing forward a development can be reassured that we will provide an independent service to help them create a sustainable scheme that ensures value for money and speeds up delivery."

OPUN also supports built environment and regeneration professionals, officers and elected members of local authorities, via a design best practice training networking and conference programme.

Speaking about her plans for OPUN, Julie said: "One of my first moves as Chief Executive has been to apply for charitable status. I believe that as a not-for-profit company, this will put OPUN in a better position to access more funding opportunities. We are also establishing a new and innovative web-based design review service to make our offer more accessible."

A chartered town planner by trade, Julie has over 20 years experience of the urban design and built environment industry. Her previous roles include working at the East Midlands Development Agency, where she led on numerous transport, infrastructure, public realm and capital investment projects.

Julie has also created local planning policies and development frameworks during her time at local authorities in Nottinghamshire, Glasgow and Harborough.

She added: "I've got a great team behind me at OPUN, and am supported by a small but dedicated Board of Directors. I believe that our existing and new clients will continue to benefit from our expertise in helping to bring forward creative regeneration schemes with high environmental and social sustainability."