Bretherton to head Grid company

This from 24dash.com:

The board of the regeneration company established to breathe new life into 100 acres of a West Midlands city centre has announced that Jonathan Bretherton has been appointed as Chief Executive of the Edgar Street Grid Company.

The Hereford site comprises a large section of the city, from the inner ring road to the railway station, includes the site of the livestock market, and has been identified as a priority project for Advantage West Midlands (AWM) in its Corporate Plan.

A masterplan for the site was developed jointly between Herefordshire Council and AWM which requires the relocation of the livestock mart to an out-of-town location.

Mr Bretherton is a Chartered Surveyor with a background in delivering major high profile property schemes throughout Britain, most recently as Deputy Chief Executive of Sunderland arc. Originally from north-east Lancashire, he graduated with an honours degree in Rural Estate Management from the University of Reading.

A four year spell with the Ministry of Agriculture in Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire was followed by a brief period with Durham County Council and then five years working for minerals and logistics company, Young Group plc.

Herefordshire Council recently attended a planning inquiry which will set the framework for redevelopment of the area and the result of the planning inspector's report is eagerly awaited, but company chairman, Clive Richards stressed that this is a fifteen to twenty year project.

"I'm delighted that someone of the undoubted calibre of Jonathan has put himself forward for this important post.

"Since his appointment we have met frequently both on a business footing and socially. I know that we can work well together."

Advantage West Midlands has played a key role in funding the company and acquisition of land adjoining the railway sidings and Herefordshire Council is providing much needed local expertise and political support as well as money to help fund the new company.

"I'm delighted that Jonathan has come to head up this project," said Herefordshire Council Leader, Councillor Roger Phillips.

"The regeneration of this large part of Hereford is going to be so important to the future prosperity of our city and County."

Mark Pearce, Director for Herefordshire, Advantage West Midlands commented: "Securing the appointment of Jonathan is a major coup for the Edgar Street project; he has an outstanding track record in delivering similar projects and I am confident that he will tackle this new venture with the same zest and enthusiasm he has shown for his past successes.

"With Jonathan and Clive on board I believe that the project can really move forward and Advantage West Midlands looks forward to working with both of them on turning a long-awaited vision for Herefordshire into a reality."

Mr Bretherton spent five years with specialist property developer HJ Banks, and amongst a variety of projects, he went on to lead the transformation of a massive area of the south east urban fringe of Glasgow, redeveloping the steelworks where the Forth Rail Bridge was forged.

He then spent three years establishing a property management company which now operates throughout the country.

In Sunderland, he was picked to build the team and develop the strategy to transform an area almost equivalent to the whole of Hereford, but after nearly four years he felt the time had come for a new challenge.

"I'm enormously proud of the Glasgow redevelopment and what my team has achieved in Sunderland and I leave them confident in the knowledge that the blueprint for delivery of a transformed city centre is in place.

"But I wanted to get back to a more hands-on role and the chance to do this and return to my rural roots was just too good to miss.

Included within the area defined as the Edgar Street grid is the home stadium of Hereford United Football Club, which Mr Bretherton was quick to point out.

"When I told my friends in Newcastle that I was going to Hereford, all they wanted to talk about was the giant killing exploits of the Bulls - I gather there's a bit of history there!"

---