In conversation with Usamah Iqbal, Pegasus Group
For South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM), PREACH Inclusion is proud to spotlight voices from South Asian trailblazers in the built environment sector. This year's theme, 'Roots to Routes', invites us to explore the journeys – both literal and metaphorical – that shape our identities and aspirations. It’s about tracing where we come from and how those origins influence the paths we forge.
In this SAHM edition of our In Conversation With series, we speak to Usamah Iqbal, Senior Planner at Pegasus Group – one of PREACH Inclusion’s corporate partners. Usamah’s story is one of rootedness and reinvention, from his family’s migration story and community ties in Edinburgh, through to his role as a young planner in shaping Scotland’s built environment and advocating for representation in planning.
Through his lived experience and commitment to inclusion, Usamah reflects not just on where he comes from, but where he’s headed, and how he's helping to make space for others to do the same.
Grab a chai and dive in!
Growing Up in Leith, Edinburgh
Usamah’s story is shaped by roots that cross borders.
“My dad was born in the Punjab region of Pakistan and moved to the UK, where he married my mum, a Muslim woman from Coventry,” he shares. “We eventually settled in Leith, Edinburgh when I was young, and that’s where I grew up.”
His childhood in Leith was defined by close-knit connections. “I had the same friendship groups from nursery right through to university, and that continuity gave me a strong sense of community… We were a mixed bunch in school – Scottish, Pakistani, Eastern European – and that diversity shaped how I see the world.”
Usamah initially studied Architectural Technology at Edinburgh Napier University. “I loved watching the National Geographic channel, fascinated by skyscrapers, urban megaprojects and how cities came together. That course seemed like the perfect fit. But by third year, something felt off. I realised I wasn’t a technical person. I was more interested in people than the technical side. I finished the degree, but I felt lost.”
Usamah as a child with his father.
“In South Asian families, you’re expected to earn and settle down quickly. But I had to go against the grain. I needed to follow what felt right.” It was at a careers fair where he met Caroline Brown – now Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Scotland Director – who provided some great advice and insight on the course. “She was incredibly supportive and she’s still in my network now. It was one of those full-circle moments.”
Usamah with Caroline Brown, RTPI Scotland Director.
After graduating, he took time out to reflect, working in retail and at his father’s shop. “Those years taught me a lot about patience and communication.”
A planning module from his architecture degree stuck with him. “I loved the idea of sustainable development through planning, balancing social needs with spatial design.” That memory became a turning point. “Two years later, I decided to go back to university to study Urban Planning and Property Development at Heriot-Watt.”
The decision wasn’t easy. “In South Asian families, you’re expected to earn and settle down quickly. But I had to go against the grain. I needed to follow what felt right.” It was at a careers fair where he met Caroline Brown – now Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Scotland Director – who provided some great advice and insight on the course. “She was incredibly supportive and she’s still in my network now. It was one of those full-circle moments.”
From Graduate to Senior Planner at Pegasus
Usamah joined Pegasus as their first graduate planner in Scotland, at a time when the market was tough. “I wasn’t just the first graduate planner; I was one of the first employees in their Scotland office. That trust meant a lot. It was a tough market, and Pegasus gave me my first proper breakthrough.”
Three and a half years on, he’s now a Senior Planner and Chartered Town Planner. “I specialise in everything from feasibility studies and planning consents, right through to appeals,” he explains. “I’ve worked across renewable energy, residential, commercial and agricultural sectors. Each project brings new challenges – and I’m still learning every day.”
Having started in architecture, Usamah brings a unique lens to planning: “It’s helped me understand constraints and opportunities more intuitively – I can visualise space with people in mind.”
The Importance of Diversity in Planning
Usamah’s heritage informs the way he works: “Planning is all about people, so diversity and inclusion aren’t optional, they’re integral. Especially when you’re having conversations with communities.”
Working in renewable energy across Scotland, he’s often one of very few ethnic minority professionals at public events. “I’m aware of how I’m perceived, but I use it as a strength, it helps me build rapport and trust.”
He reflects on a mosque development led by colleagues in Birmingham, designed not only to complement the local surroundings but to become a source of pride for the entire community. “Our team incorporated Arabic calligraphy and geometric patterns into the design. It wasn’t just for the Muslim community – it was a landmark for the whole area. That’s the kind of inclusive, community-driven project I’d love to be part of.”
Public consultation is one of Usamah’s favourite aspects of the job. “Retail taught me to handle tough questions, and that’s gold when you’re speaking to people about their neighbourhoods.”
Visual of the mosque development in Birmingham that some of Usamah’s colleagues worked on.
Inclusion at Pegasus
When he joined Pegasus, Usamah quickly got involved in their internal diversity and inclusion network, known as Inclusive Culture Action Group (ICAG). “I joined with the aim to broaden the conversation around ethnicity and religion. And I was welcomed with open arms.”
Now ICAG champions inclusion across multiple identities, including gender, LGBTQ+, neurodiversity and ethnicity. “We review policies, refine job advert wording, signpost events and host discussions. It’s a place for lived experience.”
He’s also represented Pegasus at PREACH Inclusion® webinars, including a Race Equality Week event hosted by the company in February 2025. “Speaking up as an ethnic minority planner is powerful, and I’m proud to share my story.”
Usamah taking part in the Pegasus and PREACH Inclusion Race Equality Webinar in February 2025. Also in the photo are: Priya Aggarwal-Shah (PREACH Inclusion), Douglas McCormick (Pegasus CEO), and Ellie Huggins (former Pegasus colleague).
“We need more town planners in this country, and we need them to reflect our communities. I want young South Asians and other ethnic minorities to see people like themselves and know they belong.”
Advocating Sector-Wide Change
In early 2025, Usamah was selected for Scottish Renewables’ New Voices campaign. “It was an incredible opportunity… they gave us training and confidence to be visible leaders and to speak up in our industry. It helped me grow personally and professionally.”
More recently, he joined the BAME Planners Network Steering Group. “We need more town planners in this country, and we need them to reflect our communities. I want young South Asians and other ethnic minorities to see people like themselves and know they belong.”
Usamah part of Scottish Renewables’ New Voices campaign.
South Asian Heritage Month: ‘Roots to Routes’
Usamah’s reflections on this year’s South Asian Heritage Month theme, Roots to Routes, are deeply personal.
“My great grandparents worked as contractors and road builders in Pakistan, while my grandparents moved into brick manufacturing... They were pretty well-off for their time, but that prosperity was short-lived after the India-Pakistan Partition… My grandad first migrated to the UK and worked in coalmines and telecommunications. When other family members migrated to the UK, their qualifications weren’t recognised, and they faced racism. So, they built their own businesses in grocery shops and takeaways.”
He carries that legacy proudly: “Every generation worked with roads, buildings, and infrastructure – it’s no wonder I ended up in the built environment. It’s in my blood.”
That work ethic was born from adversity. “We’ve come far – we speak more about mental health; we reflect more openly. But the racism my family endured left a mark. I’m proud of where I stand today.”
“My great grandparents worked as contractors and road builders in Pakistan, while my grandparents moved into brick manufacturing... They were pretty well-off for their time, but that prosperity was short-lived after the India-Pakistan Partition… My grandad first migrated to the UK and worked in coalmines and telecommunications. When other family members migrated to the UK, their qualifications weren’t recognised, and they faced racism. So, they built their own businesses in grocery shops and takeaways.”
Identity through the years
Usamah’s relationship with his cultural identity has evolved. “I’m a Scottish-born, Pakistani Muslim, and now, I embrace that fully. But it wasn’t always easy. Growing up in the shadow of global events like the ‘War on Terror’ and economic upheaval, I saw my culture scapegoated. I felt pressure to assimilate.”
Today, he channels those experiences into advocacy: “I want to be a voice for others. I faced those struggles myself, so this work is personal.”
Quickfire: South Asian Joys
We rounded off our conversation with a quickfire round on Usamah’s favourite aspects of South Asian culture and heritage.
Best Cricket Team: “Pakistan!”
Landmark on the List: “Taj Mahal. It’s iconic.”
Favourite Dish: “Biryani. The ultimate comfort food.”
One Word to Describe His Culture: “Hospitable – it’s in our DNA. We love sharing food, culture, and stories.”
Thank you, Usamah for sharing your story with us.