Kevin Brown BSc PG Dip – Managing Director
Kevin Brown leads the consultancy in strategic planning and options appraisals. Kevin has a sound knowledge of research based appraisal work in tourism, leisure and community development projects. He has considerable experience in feasibility studies, business planning and exit strategies, agency and acquisitions. He also provides support for site appraisals, planning and Audience Development Plans.

Prior to joining Planning Solutions Consulting, Kevin worked for Fleury Manico, Chartered Surveyors, a specialist leisure company where he was Head of Research. Kevin led all the research based activities which formed an important aspect of valuation advice.

He secured the firm’s inclusion on the Register of Expert Advisers for the Lottery Sports Fund and managed the in house research archives and data systems. Previously Kevin worked for four years at South East England Tourist Board managing the grant scheme (Section 4) for tourism development projects in the Region.

Michael Stickland FTS, Chairman
Mike is a director of Planning Solutions Consulting and chairman of Planning Solutions Limited (PSL). He founded PSL some 15 years ago and continues to head up the operational elements of the company’s business – including Conkers (www.visitconkers.com), the National Brewery Centre and a Harry Ramsden’s franchise in Brighton.

He continues to play a major role in a wide range of consultancy projects providing operational and financial advice for specialist developments, notably in relation to the day visitor attraction and holiday lodge sectors.

Mike has had a leading role in the development of Conkers in the Heart of National Forest. He has in-depth knowledge and operational experience of the tourism, leisure, catering and property markets for over 40 years. He also has a comprehensive background in operations
mainly for Rank, Mecca and Ladbroke Hotels, having been a site manager of a quality holiday village, Regional Director and Operations Director of 15 holiday resort venues.

He latterly became a Board Director of Rank Holidays and Hotels Developments Ltd where he led the development of the Oasis Village holiday product in Cumbria which was subsequently acquired by Center Parcs.

Richard Linington MA – Head of Research and Visitor Engagement
Richard Linington is the director of research and has some 11 years of commercial experience in the tourism, regeneration and design sectors. Richard has experience of working on complex projects where he has carried out research to identify and assess the most appropriate development solutions.

He carries out feasibility studies, prepares option appraisals, development strategies and business plans for a range of clients from the Forestry Commission through to Tourism South East, Wildlife Trusts and Regional Development Agencies.

Richard also manages the marketing strategy for Conkers, a £16 million visitor attraction in the National Forest. He has also been responsible for raising Planning Solutions Consulting’s profile in the market place and attracting new clients. Richard has a strong background in both primary and secondary research. Prior to joining Planning Solutions, he worked as a User Researcher and Usability Analyst at Razorfish, one of the UK’s leading digital consultancies and BMP DDB Needham, the multi-national advertising agency. He has also worked in a tourist information centre. He also writes a successful blog on Research Methods and carries out Design Research.

Richard has a master’s degree in the sociology and anthropology of travel and tourism.