The Team
The Walsall Regeneration Company team has a wealth of knowledge and expertise across both the private and public sectors which, coupled with a dynamic visionary approach, it draws upon to ‘ringmaster’ an economic and physical renaissance for a more prosperous Walsall.
Brian Lowe, Chairman, has been involved with WRC since 2001. He was managing director of a precision engineering company in the town and has long experience of industrial regeneration. He is vice chairman of governors at Walsall College and holds posts with a number of business organisations, including the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and Walsall Chamber of Commerce.
“I am passionate about delivering a better Walsall. I was born, educated, worked and live here. I am proud to be involved in its transformation and I know that WRC and all of our partners are fully committed to making it a leading town in the Black Country. We are focused on key regeneration projects, on attracting investors and developers and providing more opportunities for the community in Walsall.”
Akshay Parikh, Chief Operating Officer A banking graduate from City University London, Akshay joined WRC from Future Foundations, where he was Programme Manager. Before that he was Senior Urban Regeneration Manager for Walsall Council. He currently serves on the board of a leading Registered Social Landlord (RSL) in the region.
"In guiding the physical regeneration of Walsall we are also looking at the economic and social benefits, and always with the town’s diverse communities in mind. It’s not just about new and better buildings but also how they can impact positively on people’s lives. The new hospital, for example, has provided jobs and skills training for local people as well as, in the longer-term, delivering improved 21st century health services.”.
Nick Bird, Major Projects Director Experienced in masterplanning, assembling land, procuring private and public sector partners and producing viable commercial solutions to bring land back into use and regenerate communities. He joined WRC from ISIS Waterside Regeneration. Before that he was Regional Director at Langtree Group and Regeneration Team Leader at Advantage West Midlands.
“The difference here is the holistic thinking that’s embedded into everything we do; on the face of it our remit is the physical regeneration agenda, but really that’s servile to resolving the real issues of Walsall’s regeneration: skills and learning, health and well-being, enterprise development and place-making. It’s our partners that deliver; we facilitate, ring-master and generally join the dots. And there’s tangible progress - it’s a ‘Team Walsall’ production.”
The Walsall Regeneration Company Board brings a range of skills and experience to its policy making and comprises the following:-
Founding partners
Urban Regeneration Companies, such as Walsall Regeneration Company, are independent companies, private sector led and driven, but established by the relevant local authority and Regional Development Agency working alongside English Partnerships, with the aim of achieving the radical physical, economic and social transformation of towns and cities in declining urban areas.
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www.advantagewm.co.uk |
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www.homesandcommunities.co.uk |
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www.walsall.gov.uk |
Advantage West Midlands was established by the Government in 1999 along with seven other Regional Development Agencies, to transform England’s regions through sustainable economic development. All RDAs are non-departmental public bodies that are accountable to the Department of Trade and Industry with a remit for employment growth.
The Homes and Communities Agency is the single housing and regeneration delivery agency for England. Its role is to create opportunity for people to live in high quality, sustainable places. It provides funding for affordable housing, brings land back into productive use and improves quality of life by raising standards for the physical and social environment.
Walsall Council is a major employer in the borough, providing a range of key services to citizens. The council is working with key partners to transform Walsall as a place to work, invest, learn and socialise. By working in partnership, the authority is determined to bring a new vibrancy into the town centre and wider borough with major investments and new buildings. The council continues to deliver significant environmental schemes across the borough and is also looking at the best ways of linking people to increasing employment and training opportunities in Walsall.
