Investment Plans – West Midlands Local Authorities 2013

Map | Venue website

Come and listen to FOUR West Midlands Local Authorities presenting their development plans; this is your best chance of the year to see and hear them together, and to understand their individual and collective plans.

PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD AT VILLA PARK

This event is Available for Sponsorship

Event Format

• 1400 – 1500; Sponsors Lunch (Invite ONLY)
• 1530 – 1600; Pre-Event Educational Presentation (PEEPshow)
• 1600 – 1645; Networking with Wine, Beer and Soft Drinks
• 1645 – 1815; Speaker Presentations
• 1815 – 1900; Networking with Hot Food, Wine, Beer and Soft Drinks
• 1900 – Late; After Event Drinks

Speakers

Andrew Round; Assistant Director of Planning and Development, Birmingham City Council

Andrew is the Assistant Director for Planning & Development at Birmingham City Council, responsible for Planning & Regeneration in the City Centre & North Birmingham. Qualified as both a Town Planner & Chartered Surveyor, he was part of the team that developed the Big City Plan & leads on the development of Birmingham City Centre Enterprise Zone, which includes within its major projects the redevelopment of Paradise Circus. Andrew has worked in both the Public & Private sectors and prior to joining the City Council in 2008 he was a Director at GVA Grimleys Birmingham Office.

David Cockcroft; Assistant Director of City Centre and Development Services, Coventry City Council

David has had over 25 years’ experience of regeneration in both private and public sector organisations. With senior positions within Black Country Development Corporation, English Partnerships, Advantage West Midlands, St Modwen Properties PLC and as Regional Director for AMEC Developments Ltd and National Projects Director for Lovell Partnerships Ltd.

In his current role for Coventry City Council David is responsible for a diverse portfolio including development, regeneration, employment, business growth and grants and arts heritage tourism and events.

David is also on a number of external boards including the BCSC urban regeneration panel, the local BID committee for Coventry city centre and the Coventry District Energy Company.

Nick Bubalo; Area Director Regeneration and Economy, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Nick is a professional town planner and has worked for Sandwell MBC since 1985. He currently holds the position of Area Director for Regeneration & Economy, appointed in January 2011.

He has responsibility for Transportation Policy and works across the Metropolitan Authority with the ITA on transport initiatives and priorities. He also has responsibility for the Council’s non-operational land and premises portfolio and utilises these either directly in the regeneration process or disposes to the open market to stimulate regeneration and generate capital receipts for the Council.

Simon Neilson; Executive Director Regeneration, Walsall Council

Simon is Executive Director, Regeneration at Walsall Council having joined in July 2013.  His role encompasses leadership of Regeneration, Property, Planning, Strategic Transport, Economic Development and Skills.  Simon also works closely with colleagues across the Black Country to support economic outcomes through its Local Enterprise Partnership.

Simon was previously Assistant Director: Place at Essex County Council, with lead responsibility for the South East Local Enterprise Partnership and the Whole Essex Community Budget pilot (Economic Opportunity).  Prior to this role, between 2009 and 2011 Simon was Head of Regeneration at ECC, following two years as Senior Regeneration Manager for Thames Gateway South Essex and a secondment to the East of England Development Agency.  During his career he has been responsible for the delivery of major regeneration projects across Basildon, South Essex and coastal areas of Essex.  Before joining ECC as a Fast Track Manager, Simon was a Business Development Manager in the retail Foreign Exchange sector.

Simon has held positions as Honorary Treasurer of CEDOS (The national Chief Economic Development Officers Society), a Board member of the national Association of Directors of Planning, Environment and Transport (ADEPT) Growth and Regeneration Board, and is an active Local Government Peer Assessor in the fields of Economic Development, Regeneration and Planning.