Public Practice appoints new chief executive

Architect and planner Pooja Agrawal (pictured) is to take over as chief executive of the social enterprise Public Practice.

Ms Agrawal brings with her experience from her current role at Homes England, as assistant director of service strategy, and from the Greater London Authority, where she served as a programme manager in the Regeneration Team for over four years.

She co-founded Public Practice in 2017 and was instrumental in establishing the organisation’s vision and mission.

She is also a keen advocate for spatial equality, and co-hosts diversity platform Sound Advice.

She is a Fellow at the Institute of Innovation and Public Purpose and an Associate at the Quality of Life Foundation. She has previously mentored at Stephen Lawrence Trust, taught at Central Saint Martins and was a trustee for Museum of Architecture. She was nominated for the Planner’s Woman of Influence in 2018 and 2019.

‘As one half of the team who founded Public Practice, Pooja is the ideal appointment to take the organisation forward with its ambitious plans for expansion,’ said chair, Jules Pipe.

‘The board were greatly impressed with her ideas for leading the team, her commitment to greater equality and diversity, and her passion for creating better places through strengthened public planning. We look forward to working more closely with Pooja as she takes up her new role.’

Founded to promote the quality and equality of the built environment, Public Practice is a not-for-profit social enterprise that has so far placed 149 associates within 44 local authorities across London and the South East.

‘I am very excited to be taking on the role of chief executive of Public Practice. Having co-founded Public Practice in 2017, its mission and values are close to my heart,’ she said.

‘Throughout my career I have advocated for high quality design and social equality. As an experienced public servant at both national and local level, I know that the public sector is best placed to deliver these ambitions.’

Photo Credit – Ivan Jones (Supplied)