Boyer at 40: A Conversation with Andrew Williams – Reflections on Leadership and Looking Ahead

As Boyer marks 40 years in business, we sat down with Managing Director Andrew Williams to reflect on the company’s journey, what has shaped his approach to leadership, and where he sees Boyer—and the planning profession—heading next.

Q: Boyer turns 40 this year. What does that milestone mean to you?

Andrew Williams:
It’s a huge achievement, and one we’re incredibly proud of. In many ways, 40 years is a long time—but when you consider how much has changed in planning, development and society more widely, it feels like a lifetime. The fact that Boyer has not only survived but grown and evolved through that period is testament to the people who’ve shaped the business—past and present. Our clients, too, have played a key role in our longevity by trusting us with some of their most significant projects.

Q: You’ve been with Boyer for much of that journey. How has the business changed under your leadership?

I’ve been with Boyer for over 20 years and Managing Director for the past decade. During that time, we’ve grown in size, capability and ambition. We’ve established new offices, expanded our services, and embraced a much more multi-disciplinary approach to planning and design. But we’ve also stayed true to our values—collaboration, quality, and integrity.

One of the things I’m proudest of is how we’ve developed a strong, people-first culture. We’ve invested in our teams, supported career progression, and created an environment where people genuinely enjoy working and feel empowered to contribute. That’s been central to our success.

Q: What makes Boyer stand out in today’s market?

We combine deep planning expertise with a strong commercial understanding and a creative mindset. That balance allows us to deliver solutions that are technically robust, economically viable and well-designed. Our ability to work collaboratively—with clients, communities and consultants—also sets us apart. Many of our projects involve navigating complex challenges, and our teams are skilled at building consensus and finding a path forward.

Q: What are the biggest challenges the industry faces now—and how is Boyer responding?

Planning is under pressure, both politically and practically. There’s a national imperative to deliver more homes and infrastructure, but decision-making can be slow, under-resourced and contentious. We’re also navigating increasing complexity around sustainability, viability, and public engagement.

At Boyer, we see these as challenges we can help overcome. We’re using our knowledge and experience to help clients unlock sites, shape policy, and deliver projects that meet local and national priorities. We’re also investing in new tools—digital mapping, data analysis, stakeholder engagement platforms—to improve how we work and the value we offer.

Q: What’s your vision for the next 10 years at Boyer?

We’ll continue to grow—but we want to do it in a way that’s smart and sustainable. That means deepening our expertise in key areas like sustainable development, later living, and strategic land. It also means continuing to invest in our people and supporting the next generation of planners, designers and environmental specialists.

Our role as planners is more important than ever. We have a responsibility to help shape places that are inclusive, sustainable and future-ready. My vision is for Boyer to remain at the forefront of that mission—always adapting, always leading, always delivering.

Looking Ahead

Andrew’s leadership has helped guide Boyer through a period of significant transformation, growth and opportunity. As we mark this 40-year milestone, his focus on people, quality and progress will continue to define who we are—and how we make a difference.