24 August 2007

Team appointed to drive up quality of place making in the Northwest

RENEW Northwest, the Regional Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Communities, is pleased to announce the appointment of Annie Atkins as Programme Manager for the new Places Matter! programme.

Places Matter! is a major new programme from RENEW Northwest to drive up the quality of place making in the region.

The programme, in partnership with RIBA North West, the Northwest Regional Development Agency and supported by CABE, facilitates improved decision making and commissioning skills, as well as increased awareness of, and expectations for, high quality design amongst public and private sector clients and developers.

Annie, with support from her team, will be responsible for delivering a number of complementary projects under the Places Matter! banner, including, a regional design review service, offering expert advice and comprehensive assessments of schemes to public and private sector clients and developers, as well as the dissemination of the findings of a major research project into the economic value of good design, which clearly demonstrates the economic added value gained from implementing high quality design.

Other activity includes: a schools education programme, a support and training network for public sector champions and decision makers, and a public realm good practice guide.

Annie joins Places Matter! from the Arts Council England, South East, where she was responsible for running a number of regeneration initiatives, particularly focussed on Local Authority led regeneration and the Government identified Growth Areas.  Previously Annie was at the Commission for Architecture & the Built Environment (CABE), where she helped to establish the Regional Programme, and led on the Shifting Sands initiative looking at the role of design in relation to regeneration in seaside areas. 

Other roles include time with the Architecture Centre Network, the Millennium Commission and the Museums and Galleries Commission.

Annie is joined by Charlotte Myhrum as Northwest Design Review Panel Manager and Sylvia Hebden as Places Matter! Assistant, completing a team that already includes Jon Bishop and Catherine Clements, who are responsible for delivering the education component of the programme.

Commenting on the arrival of the new members of the Places Matter! team, Beatrice Fraenkel, Chair of RENEW Northwest said:

"With £24 billion of public money alone being annually invested in regeneration and economic renewal across the Northwest, it is crucial that the design and quality of the built environment is of the highest standard and sustainable for future generations to come. I am confident that the collective experience of Annie and her team, dedicated to working with partners to drive up the quality of place making in the Northwest, will prove an invaluable resource for the region."

Beatrice continued:

“This programme is one of the most innovative in the country and will assist the Northwest of England in being a leader in linking high quality design of places to economic sustainability and jobs.”

On her new role, Annie Atkins, Places Matter! Programme Manager said:

“Places Matter! seeks to identify and champion the people, projects and places that are really making a positive difference to buildings, places and spaces in the Northwest.  The programme aims to inspire, equip and support people from all walks of life, from schoolchildren, to decision makers, to those working with the built environment, to contribute towards the creation and management of distinctive and valued environments.”

ENDS

For further information please contact Clare Smith, Communications Manager, RENEW Northwest on 0151 703 0135 or 07810 528 458 or Clare.Smith.RENEW@nwda.co.uk

Pictures are available upon request.

Notes to Editors:

About Places Matter!

Places Matter! is a major new programme from RENEW Northwest, the Regional Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Communities, to drive up the quality of place making in the region.

The programme, which facilitates improved decision making and commissioning skills, as well as increased awareness of, and expectations for, high quality design amongst clients and developers, consists of a number of complementary strands including, a regional Design Review Panel service, research into the economic value of urban design, a schools education programme, a support and training network for public sector champions and decision makers, and a public realm good practice guide.

Much of the Places Matter! programme will be delivered with and through partner organisations including CABE, RIBA Northwest and the Northwest Regional Development Agency.

Further information is available at www.RENEW.co.uk/placesmatter

About RENEW Northwest

RENEW Northwest is the Regional Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Communities.
 
Sustainable communities are about more than bricks and mortar. They need good governance, strong partnerships, excellent public services and high quality design - and delivering this requires a multitude of professional and leadership skills.  

Established by the Northwest Regional Development Agency at the request of government, RENEW Northwest exists to develop these skills amongst the region's regeneration leaders and professionals, encouraging and supporting individuals and teams to learn and develop
their skills, highlighting good practice, innovation and networking to drive up standards. 
 
For further information please visit www.RENEW.co.uk

About Annie Atkins

Annie Atkins joined Places Matter! as Programme Manager in Summer 2007. Previously Annie was with Arts Council England, South East, where she was responsible for a number of regeneration initiatives focussed on Local Authority led regeneration and the Government identified Growth Areas.  Previously Annie worked at the Commission for Architecture & the Built Environment (CABE), where she helped to establish the Regional Programme (2001-04), and led on the Shifting Sands initiative, which looked at the role of design in relation to regeneration in seaside areas. 

Annie has been studying for an MA in Urban & Regional Planning through the University of Westminster with a particular interest in S106 agreements within public spaces.

About Charlotte Myhrum

Charlotte joined Places Matter! as Northwest Design Review Panel Manager in July 2007. Charlotte is responsible for managing the regional Design Review service, which offers constructive peer advice on improving the design and sustainability of early stage development schemes.

Prior to joining Places Matter! Charlotte spent seven years with The Bluecoat, a unique and innovative arts centre based in Liverpool, ultimately rising to the position of Deputy Director.

Born in Chicago, USA, Charlotte originally trained and practiced as an Architect.

About Sylvia Hebden

Sylvia joined Places Matter! as Places Matter! Assistant in June 2007. Sylvia is responsible for supporting the delivery of key aspects of the programme, including Design Review and the Places Matter! Education programme.

Prior to joining the Places Matter! Team, Sylvia spent two years at a national mental health organisation, providing administration support to 4 supported housing schemes, assisting individuals recovering from severe and enduring mental health problems across the Liverpool area.

Sylvia was born in Liverpool in 1983 and attended Leeds University where she gained a BA Honours in Creative Writing.