Capabilities and Credentials

Rick Finc

Rick Finc, Director

Rick Finc BSc (Hons) MSc MRTPI MIED, a Chartered Town Planner and Urban Economist with 30 years experience in all aspects of development planning working closely with the public and private sector partners on a wide variety of assignments. Previously a senior Director with Halcrow, EDAW and GL Hearn he has extensive knowledge of the Scottish market and network of key organisations and individuals within the development industry. He has extensive experience of managing multi-disciplinary teams on large scale projects in a range of different urban - rural contexts throughout Scotland including regeneration, town centre, business, leisure and tourist sectors.

Rick is an established Project Director and Manager and is responsible for the management of the RFA Edinburgh Office working as the head of a small team of professionals in alliance with other specialist practices. The practice has been operating since March 2010 and provides clients with commercially based planning and economic development and property related advice.

Rick’s key skills range across project management, development feasibility, masterplanning, urban regeneration and renewal; economic, financial and project appraisal; public consultation engagement; town centre appraisal and integration with transportation projects. A key specialism is in the tourism- leisure sector. He has also acted as an expert witness representing clients at public inquiries in relation to mixed use and leisure proposals.

Rick is also a Director of Crea8te a Local economic Regeneration and Property Company based in Craigmillar. He is the current Convenor of the Scottish Planning Consultants Forum..

Stuart Szylak, Associate Director

Stuart Szylak BSc (Hons) MRTPI joined RFA in 2014 as an Associate Director. Drawing from his 16 years of experience in the environmental and planning fields he will service clients through roles including:

  • EIA project management and advice;
  • Development constraints and options appraisals;
  • Planning advice and application preparation and submission;
  • Stakeholder (including the public) and regulator consultation;
  • Wider permitting and licencing advice; and
  • Post consent advice and planning condition discharge.

    • Stuart's experience spans a wide range of sectors and in recent years has primarily focused on the project management and environmental assessment of large scale and complex development projects including; pipelines, railways, on and offshore windfarms, mines and water treatment works.