16 May 2008
Carlisle Renaissance Programme Director appointed
The future of regeneration in Carlisle has taken an important
step forward with the appointment of the new Programme
Director.
Ian McNichol has been confirmed in the post and he will work
with the new Carlisle Renaissance Board to deliver major projects
which will stimulate economic growth in Carlisle and the
city-region. He will lead a multi-agency team whose remit will be
drawn from the recently adopted Economic Strategy and includes the
delivery of city centre development schemes such as the new
University of Cumbria campus on Caldew Riverside.
Ian has worked with the City Council since mid 2005 under a
secondment agreement with English Partnerships and has played a
central role in putting in place the foundations necessary to
support the creation of Carlisle Renaissance. The Programme
Director post is funded by the Northwest Regional Development
Agency (NWDA) alongside the City Council and County Council which
have each agreed to underwrite the operating costs of the delivery
team.
Maggie Mooney, Carlisle City Council’s Town Clerk and Chief
Executive, who chaired the interview panel, said:
“Ian is a highly experienced and capable practitioner who is
committed to our vision for Carlisle Renaissance. He has worked
with us from its beginning and it is fitting that he should now
play a leading role in realising our ambitions for Carlisle.”
Bryan Gray, the recently appointed Chairman of the Carlisle
Renaissance Board, said:
“Ian has a great deal of experience of working in Carlisle and I
know that he shares the ambition and motivation of the whole Board.
I am looking forward to working with him on the challenges which
lie ahead.”
In response to his appointment Ian McNichol said:
“Carlisle is entering a new era. It has tremendous potential for
economic growth and with this the opportunity to achieve real and
lasting benefits for residents and the businesses community. The
challenge now is to fulfil this potential, harnessing the skills
and resources of the public and the private sector working together
to bring about Carlisle Renaissance. For me the hard work continues
and I am looking forward to working with the new Board as we make
the transition from strategy to delivery and help to bring about
these
benefits.”
Notes to Editors:
• The establishment of a Carlisle Renaissance Board and
multi-agency delivery team was agreed by the City Council and
County Council in March 2007. Appointments to the Board were
announced last Friday (9 May).
• The interview panel for the Programme Director included
representatives from the City Council, County Council, Cumbria
Vision, and the NWDA. Following this announcement Ian will take up
the new position on Tuesday, 1 July 2008.
• Ian’s career history includes both public and private sector
roles. Since 2001 he has been an Associate Director of David Taylor
Partnerships, a leading development management company engaged in
regeneration projects throughout the UK. Prior to that he worked as
an economic development consultant with international accountants
and business advisers BDO Stoy Hayward and in regeneration roles
for local authorities in London and the South East. He lives in
Carlisle and is married with two young children.
Further information contact Sarah Irving, Communications at
Carlisle City Council, on 01228 817150.