Waheed Nazir, Birmingham City Council’s director of planning & regeneration, has been appointed acting strategic director for economy for the next 12 months with immediate effect.
The move comes as the council’s leadership team has been strengthened and reshaped as part of the response to the Kerslake review, which identified the need to build more capacity at strategic level in the organisation.
Nazir, who has been instrumental in the transformation of the city, will in his new role lead on the delivery of planning and regeneration, transportation, skills and employment. He will also become a member of the corporate leadership team, driving the Future Council improvement programme.
He has worked with the city council for more than 15 years in various economic development roles, and worked closely with Clive Dutton OBE when he headed planning and regeneration on the council’s 20-year vision, the Big City Plan.
Nazir has also overseen the Birmingham Development Plan, the statutory framework that will guide decisions on development and regeneration in Birmingham up to 2031; and the Birmingham Curzon HS2 masterplan, which sets out the council’s aspirations for the new HS2 terminus station and the wider regeneration potential of what will be one of the biggest urban regeneration schemes in the UK.
Richard Cowell will take on a more detailed planning and regeneration role and has replaced Andrew Round as development, planning and regeneration manager. Round has relocated to a local authority in East Cheshire.
Nazir said: “It is a real privilege to take up this interim post and I am delighted to have the opportunity to further contribute to shaping the strategic direction of the city and remain committed to directing transformational change across the city.
“With responsibility for planning, regeneration, housing, skills and transportation, I am excited by the prospect of bringing these key interconnected priorities together, as it is only by building sufficient homes, creating a skilled workforce and delivering an effective transport system, supported by a clear vision for the future, that we will maximise opportunities for the city and the wider region to drive forward economic growth.”
Council leader John Clancy said: “Waheed has a huge amount of experience and has been central in driving through the regeneration of Birmingham. I have already said that this not just about the city centre but about regenerating all 40 wards, improving people’s skills and access to employment, transport and good quality housing. Building more houses more quickly is my priority and I will be working closely with Waheed and his team as we continue to ensure Birmingham is leading the way in this area.”
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