John Holmes, the current Director of Regeneration at One NorthEast, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Hull Citybuild. John also becomes Chief Executive (designate) of Hull Forward, the planned new City Development Company (CDC).
David Taylor, Chairman of Citybuild, commented: "We are thoroughly delighted to appoint John to this role, particularly at this stage of the regeneration of the City. Given John's vast experience in the regeneration field, I have absolute confidence that his extensive knowledge and background will be pivotal as we build on the previous successes of Citybuild whilst driving forward our work, taking it to the next level and further transforming the city's economic future."
John Holmes (52) has played an instrumental role at top performing Regional Development Agency, One NorthEast, since 2004 when he joined as Director of Regeneration and Tourism. Amongst his many achievements, John was responsible for driving forward ambitious regeneration projects in Middlesborough through the Middlehaven project, South Shields Riverside, the demolition of the eyesore Westgate House building in Newcastle city centre and Gateshead town centre regeneration. He is currently a board member for two urban regeneration companies, Tees Valley Regeneration and Sunderland ARC.
John Holmes commented: "I'm hugely excited to be joining Hull Citybuild at this crucial time in the city's physical and economic transformation. From what I see, Hull really is on the cusp of something great and I look forward to leading the delivery of a number of major developments which can only build on the city's current position."
Kim Ryley, Chief Executive of Hull City Council, said: "We look forward to welcoming John to Hull. As we put in place our plans for the evolution of Citybuild into Hull Forward, the future looks ever brighter for the regeneration of the city, despite the potential setbacks of the recent floods. John's leadership will be vital to the new company's success, increasing the speed and impact of new developments to improve our local economy."
Councillor Andy Sloan, Portfolio Holder for the Economy at Hull City Council, added: "John has the right blend of private, public and regeneration experience we need to help us deliver our economic objective - rejuvenating Hull's position as the capital of East Yorkshire - through Hull Forward. He has key challenges ahead: to deliver more quickly a regeneration agenda that is broader and more culturally based and implementing an economic strategy to build on the globally competitive high value sectors of Hull's economy - renewables, healthcare and logistics. I'm confident he is up to the challenge."
John, a chartered surveyor, was born in County Durham and has over 20 years experience in the public and private sector in major physical, economic and social regeneration, housing and economic development.
Prior to his role at One NorthEast, John was responsible for driving forward one of the largest mixed use development schemes in the country in his position as Project Director at Newcastle Great Park. The development comprises a 2,500 home new community, three major business park areas creating 16,000 jobs, new shops, leisure facilities, healthcare and a hotel.
In the late 1990s, John was Managing Director at Paramount Homes Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of one of the UK's largest housing companies.
Other positions John has held include Regional Director (North) at the National House - Building Council; Project Director/Executive Director at Tyne & Wear Development Corporation; Urban Regeneration Consultant at KPMG and Urban Renewal Consultant at the Department of the Environment.
During his time as Project Director with the Tyne and Wear Development Corporation, he oversaw the establishment of the Royal Quays development in North Shields and the establishment of the International Centre for Life facility in Newcastle.
John is married with two grown-up children. He is a keen cyclist and devotes much of his spare time promoting the work of the charity 'Cry in the Dark' to build a hospice for children in Romania and has also visited the country on a couple of occasions.
John Holmes will officially take up his post in mid September 2007.
John Holmes is available for interview
Ends
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Notes to editors:
On 21 June 2007, Hull City Council approved the creation of a new City Development Company (CDC) in Hull.
Detailed plans for starting up the new company are well advanced and are being shared with local businesses
and other key stakeholders, such as Yorkshire Forward.
The proposed new City Development Company, Hull Forward, will build on the existing success of Citybuild
and Hull City Council and will look to fast track the delivery of economic development; regeneration schemes
and projects across the city.
The key features of the City Development Company (CDC) will be:
- To act as the 'custodian' of a citywide Economic Masterplan;
- To operate at a citywide level;
- To develop, co-ordinate and deliver economic and physical regeneration, under the Masterplan
arrangements;
- To continue, with the support of the business community, to promote Hull to achieve sustainable
economic growth;
- As a company, limited by guarantee, to represent all stakeholder interests;
- To be publicly accountable and to have a private sector chair - the deputy chair will be the Hull City
Council Portfolio Holder for the Economy;
- To build on Citybuild's current successes;
- To provide a coordinated and focused leadership model for economic regeneration.
Hull City Council will continue to take the lead in setting the economic strategy for the city and manage Hull's
overall investment programme.
Citybuild's work will continue and will evolve into Hull Forward over coming months. It is anticipated, subject to
the necessary approvals and the agreement of funding, that the new company Hull Forward will be fully
operational from April 2008.