Solihull Council’s new urban growth company has appointed transport big-hitter Nick Brown as its first chair.
The former chief operating officer and then managing director of London Underground and London Rail for Transport for London has 35 years of experience in the transport, infrastructure and professional services sectors delivering a number of complex projects, including being responsible for leading the Underground’s largest line upgrade and investment programme.
He is also responsible for integrating National Rail services with London’s transport network and taking forward major rail projects in London, including London Overground, London Trams and DLR.
Solihull’s urban growth company has been established to lead and co-ordinate the delivery of the infrastructure to support development of the HS2 interchange station site and the wider transport connectivity in the UK Central Hub, overseeing an expected £1bn of investment in the UK Central programme.
The company will provide the co-ordination between partners, investors and other stakeholders to ensure development schemes bring the economic growth, connectivity, jobs and homes in line with Solihull Council’s ambitions for UK Central – which is a key element of the Midlands Engine initiative.
UK Central is a vision for the economic prosperity of the region supported by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, the West Midlands Combined Authority and Central Government. UK Central aims to ensure the continued economic prosperity of the West Midlands by delivering a mixed-use development around the proposed station.
Andy Street, chair of GBSLEP, said: “UK Central is a key component of our ambitious plan within our local enterprise partnership and has implications for the region as a whole. Nick is an outstanding candidate and I am confident he will be able to drive this programme forward.”
Brown said he believed the potential of UK Central is “enormous”. He added: “In UK Central I hope to have the opportunity to bring both UK and international experience together to help drive a development that will maximise the potential of the HS2 interchange station to bring jobs and homes to Solihull.
“I look forward to helping realise the ambition and vision of the council, and its partners, to bring a garden-city approach to the interchange area.”
Further appointments are expected shortly.
• To send feedback, email lisa.pilkington@estatesgazette.com or tweet @EGLisaP or @estatesgazette
