Birmingham City Council confirms new regen chief
BIRMINGHAM City Council has confirmed the appointment of one of its most important and eagerly-awaited senior executives – its new head of regeneration and planning.
Mark Barrow, currently chief executive of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, is the man tasked with filling the boots of Clive Dutton, who left his post almost a year ago.
Birmingham City Council leader Cllr Mike Whitby said Mr Barrow was the ideal choice for the role of strategic director of development.
Cllr Whitby, said: “Recruiting the correct person to this role was of critical importance in helping us develop our economy, quality of life, global status and role as a regional leader, both now, and far into the future.
“We are therefore delighted to have identified a candidate which fits the role and the team so well.
“Mark has a clear track record in delivering challenging objectives in the public sector, whilst maintaining a strategic oversight of the challenges before him.
“What impressed me, and the selection panel, particularly was his passion and undoubted ability.
“By combining the established strengths of our vision, international influence and civic leadership, with his pedigree for successful implementation, I am confident we have a team which will drive forward this city’s decade of delivery.”
Mr Barrow, 44, will be responsible for providing strategic management to enable delivery of the city’s regeneration, development, planning, transportation strategy and climate change functions.
He will also ensure plans are implemented effectively and liaise with central Government and the private sector to secure new models for partnership working and funding.
During his time with the north Staffordshire council, he turned several ‘one star’ services and turned them into three and four star operations, said the city council in a statement.
He said: “I am really looking forward to playing my part in helping Birmingham establish itself as a city which is economically strong, culturally rich and physically attractive.
“The city’s leadership has developed an exciting vision for the future, and I believe my skills and experience will perfectly compliment those already in place to ensure this ambition can be translated into reality.”
Mr Barrow has previously sat on the Regional Economic Taskforce and represents councils within the Regional Economic Inclusion Panel.
An active member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, Mr Barrow spent six years in the early 1990s working for Birmingham City Council as a senior surveyor, and more recently has led numerous reviews across the country looking at public/private partnership funding models.
His start date is yet to be confirmed.
