Urban regeneration company Newport Unlimited has announced Andrew George is to head up the company.
Andrew joins on secondment from the Welsh Government where he is Deputy Head of Culture, Sport and Media Division. He replaces Gareth Beer who has left to take on a senior role in the south west of England.
Andrew’s role will include ensuring the ongoing regeneration programme and city centre projects are delivered on time and to budget.
Andrew, a lifelong Newport resident, has a breadth of administrative experience in local government, the private sector, the National Assembly Commission and the Welsh Government. His most recent responsibilities include sports policy and managing the Welsh Government’s funding contract with the National Botanic Garden of Wales.
Gareth, who has been Chief Executive at Newport Unlimited since October 2009, has taken on the role of Director of Development at Cornwall Development Company.
Housing Regeneration and Heritage Minister Huw Lewis said: “Gareth has made a very significant contribution to Newport Unlimited. I thank him for all his hard work and commitment and wish him well in his new post.
“I also welcome Andrew to his new role and wish him the very best of luck. I know that the next stages of the City’s regeneration programme will be very safe in Andrew’s capable hands.”
Chairman of Newport Unlimited, Bill Mayne, said: “We are extremely grateful to Gareth for steering the company through some exciting times with the 2010 Ryder Cup, but also through some more challenging economic ones too.
“I have found it very enjoyable to work with Gareth and can easily understand why he is so well respected by his colleagues and peers. He has been instrumental in Newport Unlimited refocusing its attention on the city centre and making significant inroads into laying the foundations for it to become a thriving and revitalised destination.
“I am looking forward to working with Andrew to continue to move forward the regeneration plans for the city to ensure the city continues to benefit from the investment it sorely needs, giving it a strong platform for future success.”
The Welsh Government is currently undergoing a review of regeneration across Wales which is due to be complete in early 2013. The outcome of the evaluation will inform Welsh Government’s emerging proposals for town centre regeneration policy and future delivery in Wales.
Bill continues: “As part of the regeneration investment review, Newport Unlimited is keeping the Welsh Government informed of the significant impact it has and continues to make to the city’s regeneration.
“We are also making a concerted effort to work with local businesses to communicate more about the ongoing regeneration investments we are making in the city and the difference we are making to the local economy.”
Newport Unlimited, together with its founding partners Newport City Council and the Welsh Government, has been charged with transforming Newport into a thriving and successful city. Its developments include the £100m Friars Walk retail and leisure scheme where construction will start next year and the transformation of Old Town Dock into a £25m mixed-use site.
By 2020, the vision for the city is to create 12,000 new jobs, generate £800m of private investment, complete 3,000 new homes and create one million square foot of new office floor space.