Frances Fernandes leads the Infrastructure Matters specialist consents advisory service, offering expert strategic advice and hands-on guidance to applicants during the Pre-Examination and Examination stages of the NSIP consenting process. With over a decade of experience as a Lead Examining Inspector at the Planning Inspectorate, Frances is an NSIP planning and DCO expert, having assessed some of the most complex and nationally significant projects since the NSIP consenting process was introduced in 2008. More recently, Frances has been advising the Government on proposed changes to the NSIP regime. A talented entrepreneur, Frances also co-founded a successful last-mile logistics company. She is a Fellow of the RTPI and a Design Council Expert.