As part of its commitment to addressing Scotland’s housing emergency and in celebration of its 100th anniversary, Mac Mic Group is proud to be among the founding supporters of a new ‘Future Planners’ bursary scheme launched by sector body Homes for Scotland (HFS).

With an estimated need for around 700 new planners over the next 10–15 years, the planning profession faces increasing strain. To help meet this challenge, HFS has secured five bursaries totalling £25,000, aimed at attracting talent from a wide range of backgrounds into the planning system. The initiative is a collaboration between HFS and its members, including Mac Mic Group, Brodies, Miller Homes, Persimmon Homes, and Taylor Wimpey.

Administered by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), the new bursaries will supplement the 30 currently available through Scottish Government funding. They will support students pursuing RTPI-accredited Planning Masters degrees at the University of Glasgow, the University of Dundee, and Heriot-Watt University, beginning in the 2025/26 academic year.

Ross Mickel, Group Director at Mac Mic Group, commented:

“As we celebrate our centenary, this initiative underscores our dedication not only to tackling long-term planning challenges but also to nurturing the next generation of talent. Beyond financial support, the bursary recipient will gain invaluable hands-on experience by shadowing our planning team, offering a unique perspective on the entire development process—from securing planning consent to on-site delivery.”