22 April 2009
Energy expert to lead West Cumbria's transformation
An energy expert with vast experience in Government and the
private sector has been appointed to oversee the multi-million
pound regeneration programme which will transform West Cumbria into
Britain’s Energy Coast™.
Brian Wilson, director of several energy companies and a former
Government Energy Minister, has been appointed Chair of West
Cumbria Vision – the new single decision-making body for
regeneration activity across the boroughs of Copeland and
Allerdale.
A former MP and award-winning journalist, Brian has a
well-established track record in West Cumbria dating back to his
time as Energy Minister – one of six senior posts he held under
former Prime Minister Tony Blair, with others including Scottish
Education Minister, UK Trade Minister and the PM’s Special
Representative on Overseas Trade. Since leaving Parliament in 2005
he has become a director of Amec Nuclear, Scottish Resources Group,
Greenrock Energy and Chairs his own consultancy company. As a
non-executive director of Amec Nuclear he was closely involved in
formulating Nuclear Management Partner Ltd’s socio-economic
commitment to West Cumbria as part of their successful bid to
manage Sellafield.
He will be officially introduced at an event to celebrate the
launch of West Cumbria Vision, which takes place at Sellafield
Visitor Centre on Monday (April 27). The event will also give
further details of an agreement between the Nuclear Decommissioning
Authority, Nuclear Management Partners and Sellafield Ltd to join
as funding partners to support West Cumbria Vision in delivering
the Britain’s Energy Coast™ Masterplan – a package of regeneration
projects which will establish West Cumbria as a major national hub
for low carbon and renewable energy generation.
Brian will Chair a Board responsible for ensuring projects in
the Cumbria Sub Regional Action Plan – which have been identified
as having greatest potential to create sustainable jobs, attract
private sector investment and boost tourism – become a reality in
West Cumbria. The Plan, which has a focus of three years, includes
eight Energy Coast projects ranging from the redevelopment of West
Cumberland Hospital, the creation of West Lakes Academy and
building the case for nuclear new build at Sellafield to the
residential and retail development at Port Derwent, an extensive
Housing Market Renewal programme and the Roman Maryport initiative
designed to improve the town’s tourism offer.
The Cumbria Sub Regional Action Plan contains 20 priority
projects* which could create 11,000 new jobs and was endorsed as a
“market leader” for the UK by Lord Mandelson, Secretary of State
for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform at the recent
Cumbria Economic Summit 2009.
Brian Wilson said: “As a Government Minister I became very
familiar with West Cumbria’s ambitions to be a global centre for
the energy industry and did my best to support them. I look forward
to carrying this message to audiences far and wide and to work with
everyone in West Cumbria in order to deliver the bold vision that
has been established. I hope my own background in energy policy and
experience of how Government operates will complement the local
knowledge and commitment which West Cumbria Vision is founded on.
There is a very substantial budget to work with and every penny of
it must be used to deliver lasting benefits for an area to which
Britain as a whole owes a great deal.”
Ian Haythornthwaite, Interim Chair of West Lakes Renaissance and
Executive Director – Resources for the NWDA, said: “Attracting such
an experienced and high profile Chair as Brian from an extremely
high quality shortlist of applicants is a real coup for West
Cumbria and indeed the whole County.”
Councillor Tim Knowles, Interim Chair of West Cumbria Vision and
Cumbria County Council's cabinet member responsible for the
Environment and Economy, said: "I am delighted Brian has been
appointed Chair of the West Cumbria Vision Board. Five months ago I
was given the task of chairing the Board to oversee the development
of West Cumbria Vision, and I’m proud to have been able to play a
part in doing so and pleased that I’ll be handing over the reins to
Brian. He is joining the Board at an important time for West
Cumbria and brings with him a wide range of experience and
expertise to the role. I am confident he will effectively lead the
Board in the years ahead and play an important role in making our
Britain’s Energy Coast™ ambitions a reality."
Roger Liddle, Chairman of Cumbria Vision, said: ““The
appointment of Brian shows people of great substance are prepared
to put their weight behind our ambitious plans for West Cumbria –
Britain’s Energy Coast™. The pressing need to address the
challenges of climate change and energy security has gifted West
Cumbria the chance to become a thriving and robust energy-based
economy of huge national and international importance. To achieve
this we need strong leadership and in depth knowledge of the energy
industry and West Cumbria’s ambitions – something Brian has in
abundance thanks to his time spent within Government and the
private sector. Utilising his experience to further strengthen the
partnerships already established in West Cumbria will increase the
drive to deliver real and tangible results which businesses and
communities can not only see but feel.”
Ends
NOTES TO EDITORS
West Cumbria Vision has been created to consolidate and build on
the work carried out by West Lakes Renaissance and the West Cumbria
Leaders Group. It will operate under the guidance of urban
regeneration company West Lakes Renaissance and under the strategic
umbrella of economic development agency Cumbria Vision. West Lakes
Renaissance is being maintained at Board level only to monitor the
collective performance of West Cumbria Vision and Barrow Vision –
the new delivery Board for Cumbria’s second largest urban
centre.
The creation of West Cumbria Vision and Barrow Vision form part
of a wide-ranging restructure of Cumbria’s capacity to deliver
regeneration based around four new delivery boards**. A board for
Carlisle, Carlisle Renaissance, is already up-and-running; while
the Eden and South Lakeland Delivery Board will be responsible for
leading regeneration across a largely rural area encompassing most
of The Lake District National Park. All boards will be private
sector-led, with representatives from local, regional and national
public sector organisations. In the case of the West Cumbria Vision
private sector Board members are currently being recruited.
The Britain’s Energy Coast™ Masterplan includes 29 regeneration
projects ranging from nuclear new build and new training and
research facilities, such as Energus and the National Nuclear
Laboratory, to improvements to health services and significant
investment in transport links, leisure, culture and sporting
facilities. For more information visit www.britainsenergycoast.com.
** The creation of four new Delivery Boards has been led by Cumbria
Vision and Cumbria County Council, working alongside the Northwest
Regional Development Agency. Below is the status of key posts
within each Board.
West Cumbria Vision
Chair: Brian Wilson
Interim Programme Director: Mike Baker. Appointment of
permanent post imminent
Board: Public sector Directors recruited. Appointment of private
sector members imminent
Barrow Vision
Chair: Appointment imminent Programme Director: Bob
Pointing
Board: Public sector Directors recruited. Two private sector
members recruited, further appointments imminent
Eden & South Lakeland Delivery Board
Interim Chair: Mandy Dixon
Programme Director: Recruitment process underway
Board: Public sector Directors recruited. Appointment of private
sector member imminent
Carlisle Renaissance
Chair: Bryan Gray Programme Director: Ian McNichol
Board: In place
*The Cumbria Sub Regional Action plan is available to download at
www.cumbriavision.co.uk. The
plan is based around priority and supporting themes;
Strategic Priorities
1: The Opportunities of Energy and the Low Carbon Economy
2: Raising the attractiveness of ‘Destination Cumbria’ as a place
to live,
invest, work and visit
Main Support Facilitators
a: A once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Cumbria’s
Education,
Skills and Research and achieve a step change in aspirations
b: Better focused support for Business, Enterprise and Employment
c: Development of key Infrastructure as a platform for business
growth
d: Innovative stewardship of Cumbria’s land and landscape to build
a thriving Rural Economy and improve access to
services
Major projects contained within the Plan are (projects
concerning West Cumbria marked in bold);
1) Carlisle Renaissance
2) Building the case of nuclear new build at Sellafield
3) Academy Schools – Barrow, Carlisle, West Cumbria and Energus, in
Lillyhall
4) Waterfront Business Park, part of the Waterfront
Barrow-in-Furness
5) Marina Village, part of the Waterfront Barrow-in-Furness
6) Windermere Necklace Programme
7) Penrith New Squares
8) Carlisle Airport
9) New hospital and health campus in West Cumbria
10) Port Derwent development
11) K Village, Kendal
12) Britain’s Energy Coast™ - Commercialisation programme
13) Housing Market Renewal – Barrow and West Cumbria
14) Carlisle Northern Development Route
15) Destination Cumbria – International tourism marketing
campaign
16) M6 Employment Sites – Junction 44
17) Roman Maryport and Camp Farm
18) Reducing Worklessness in Cumbria
19) Kendal Canal Head
20) Lowther Castle and Gardens
1: Cumbria Vision is the organisation charged with leading the
economic regeneration of Cumbria and is responsible for identifying
clear priorities for investment; bringing together skills and
higher paid jobs; promoting private sector investment and growth.
www.cumbriavision.co.uk.
2: Cumbria Vision is supported by the Northwest Regional
Development Agency (NWDA), which leads the economic development and
regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for:
Supporting business growth and encouraging investment; Matching
skills provision to employer needs; Creating the conditions for
economic growth; Connecting the region through effective transport
and communication infrastructure; Promoting the region’s
outstanding quality of life. www.nwda.co.uk.
3: Cumbria County Council is a founding partner of and the
accountable body for Cumbria Vision. www.cumbria.gov.uk.