A key figure in the delivery of the Bullring in Birmingham, as well as the giant Liverpool One development, has joined West Northamptonshire Development Corporation.

Bill Allen will be working as the Director of Implementation and Delivery at the Corporation, which was established by government in 2004 to deliver new jobs, homes and investment in Northampton, Daventry and Towcester. Bill has a successful track record in delivering some of the UK’s largest retail driven, mixed-use developments and will support the Local Authorities as they deliver the extension of Northampton’s Grosvenor retail centre, as well as the St John’s/ Angel St mixed-use scheme. He will support other key urban regeneration projects across the area, including the redevelopment of Northampton’s Waterside and Castle Railway Station.

Between 2004 and 2008, Bill was the Technical Project Director responsible for the delivery of Liverpool One. The £1.2bn scheme was the largest mixed-use urban regeneration development in Europe. It was delivered on time in 2008, supporting the city’s status as a European Capital of Culture. Prior to that post, Bill was the Senior Project Manager for the delivery of the Bullring, Birmingham’s landmark retail driven, mixed-use development.

Other posts in a successful career include a Senior Associate role at EC Harris in Birmingham and a senior management role with the Crown Estate in London, as well as spells as a project management consultant in Africa and Asia in the 1990s.

WNDC’s Chief Executive, Peter Mawson said: “Bill will be a huge asset to West Northamptonshire as we continue to deliver a number of extensive and complex town centre developments. His skills and experience will be invaluable as we support the plans of the Local Authorities for the transformation of the area.”

Bill Allen added: “West Northamptonshire is an area of great potential and one of the UK’s best opportunities for economic growth. I’m looking forward to contributing to the area and supporting the delivery of some exciting and challenging developments, including the Grosvenor Centre and Northampton Waterside.”

David Bailey, Director of Planning and Regeneration at Northampton Borough Council said: “We welcome Bill to Team Northampton and look forward to working closely with him in the near future. These are exciting times for Northampton with a real opportunity to make things happen. Bill’s expertise in delivering major retail led schemes in regional centres will add value to our joint work in Northampton and increase our prospects of success.”

Tony Ciaburro, Northamptonshire County Council’s corporate director for environment, growth and commissioning, said: “We are committed to making Northamptonshire a better place in which to live and work and look forward to working with Bill to make sure that this happens. Bill has an impressive CV and I’m delighted to have someone of such high calibre to further strengthen partnership working in the county.”

Related posts:

1. Redevelopment of Northampton rail station a step closer
2. Extra funding boost
3. WNDC joins Business Alliance Group