Liverpool City Council has appointed Sophie Bevan as its new director of development and major projects as it continues to revamp its development directorate following a challenging period for the council.
Bevan, currently senior investment manager at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, will begin the new role on 1 May. She will work closely with newly appointed corporate director for city development Nuala Gallagher.
The recruitment drive comes two years after an independent inspection report found the council had failed in numerous ways to comply with its best value duty. Government-appointed commissioners were put in place for a minimum of three years following the report.
Former chief executive Tony Reeves had been working closely with the commissioners but resigned last summer and the council is still seeking a replacement. Reeves had reported concerns about council property transactions to police, prompting an investigation and the subsequent government commissioned review of the council.
Bevan (pictured) will lead the council’s development team, overseeing design and delivery of property development and public realm improvements, to attract investment, boost economic growth and maximise positive outcomes for residents.
She will focus on delivering sustainable development across the city centre and communities, including overseeing major schemes such as Anfield Square, Kings Dock, Paddington Village, Festival Gardens and the Littlewoods site.
Bevan’s previous roles include retail and leisure director at Allied London, associate partner at Knight Frank and associate director at Europa Capital Partners.
At the combined authority she has led on place-related investments for the Strategic Investment Fund, both within Liverpool and across the wider city region, including town centre regeneration, cultural and commercial developments and the visitor economy.
The appointment is part of a reorganisation of the council’s senior team, with the authority also in the midst of recruiting for key posts, including a permanent chief executive, new corporate directors for neighbourhoods and housing, finance and resources and children and young people. New directors are also being sought for economic strategy, skills and sustainability, highways and transport, housing and commercial and companies.
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