Following a period as a Research Associate at the University of Birmingham, Rob moved to Lambeth Planning Department, to do social research, and to work on borough and local plans.

Then followed six years as Head of Research and Planning for a large Social Services Department. Next he spent 16 years as an Executive Director of Southern Derbyshire Health Authority, responsible at various times for capital and service planning, health commissioning and primary care.

Since 2002 he has been an independent consultant in the field of planning and health, working towards reconnecting the link between planning, urban design and public health that was so strong and effective a hundred years ago. Projects have included: development of policies and approaches on spatial planning and health, for the East Midlands region, and for local authorities; Health Impact Assessment of proposed Urban Extension; development of healthy planning guides and checklists ,and working with Design Council to develop the ‘Active by Design’ programme

Rob is a Chartered Town Planner (rtd) and a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health.