Centre for Cities announces its new Chair, Nigel Hugill
Date: 10/06/2010The Centre for Cities is today announcing the appointment of Nigel Hugill as Chair of its Board of Trustees. Nigel will succeed Tom Bloxham, the Centre's founding Chair, on the 1st July.
The Centre has had significant impact on urban policy in its first five years, including driving debate on the economy of cities and their regions and mapping the impact of recession and recovery in cities around the country. The Centre has established a reputation as a leading think tank on urban areas and has become a respected source of advice and expertise across the political spectrum and among business, media and UK cities.
Nigel Hugill, Executive Chair of Urban & Civic and former Chair of Lend Lease Europe, brings a wealth of experience to the Centre for Cities. Nigel has held numerous senior positions within the property and regeneration industry over a career spanning 30 years.
Nigel is recent Special Policy Advisor to Sir Bob Kerslake at the Homes and Communities Agency, was Executive Chair of Lend Lease Europe from 2005 to 2008 and Managing Director of Chelsfield plc for the previous thirteen years. He has helped to promote and deliver key regeneration schemes across the UK, including London's White City, Paddington Basin and Bankside and Merry Hill in the West Midlands. Nigel also initiated the original Stratford City development and helped secure Lend Lease as preferred partner for Stratford's Olympic Village.
In expressing enthusiasm at his appointment, Nigel Hugill said: "The standing of the Centre, established over a confident first five years, is grounded on a conviction as to the importance of strong cities, combined with the intellectual mission to define the economic drivers to their successful change and development. I am correspondingly delighted to have been asked to take on the responsibility as Chair.
"More than ever, cities are going to have to look to make the most of their urban assets if they are to survive and compete. The Centre for Cities promises both urban evangelism and empirical rigour in looking to build upon the practical contribution of the organisation, going forward."
Dermot Finch, Chief Executive of the Centre for Cities, said: "Nigel brings a wealth of regeneration and property development experience to the Centre for Cities. This is an exciting time for the Centre as we produce practical solutions for the new Government and UK cities to help tackle the enormous policy challenges that lie ahead. Nigel's personal experience of developing cities will be an invaluable asset for the Centre's next phase.
"We would like to thank Tom Bloxham for the crucial role that he has played over the past five years. Tom oversaw the establishment of the Centre for Cities as a strong independent advocate for the economic development of UK cities. We and our Board wish him all the best for the future."
Tom Bloxham, Chair of Urban Splash, said: "I'm sad to be stepping down as Chair of the Centre for Cities' Board but thrilled that someone of Nigel's quality and experience will be succeeding me. It has been a joy to work with Dermot and the team for the last five years as the Centre established itself as the pre-eminent think tank for cities and what makes their economies work.
"The value of the Centre for Cities is not just its excellent reports such as Cities Outlook but the way in which its research and policy is actively used by city leaders, business and national government. After five years Dermot has decided to move on and I thought it an appropriate time to step down so the new Chair can lead on the recruitment of his successor. I'm sure they will continue to excel in driving cities up the political agenda - over the next five years and beyond."
Notes to editors
Nigel Hugill biography:
Urban&Civic, November 2009 - , Executive Chairman
Homes and Communities Agency January - December 2009, Special Policy Advisor to Sir Bob Kerslake
Lend Lease April 2005 - December 2008, Executive Chairman Lend Lease Europe
Chelsfield plc 1989 - 2005, Managing Director 1992 - 2005
Morgan Grenfell & Co. Limited 1983 - 89: Latterly as Corporate Finance Director
Mobil Oil Company 1980 - 83: Industrial Relations and Strategic and Marketing Planning
- Board member and Chair of the Audit Committee of British Waterways
- Governor of the London School of Economics and Chair of the Estate Management Committee
- Member of the Independent Transport Commission
- Treasurer and Trustee of the Architecture Foundation
- Member of the Strategy Committee of the British Property Federation.
Chief Executive opportunity
The Centre is currently recruiting for a new Chief Executive, to replace Dermot Finch who has been appointed Head of Public Affairs at Fishburn Hedges.
We're looking for a dynamic, research-savvy individual who can build on the profile and reputation the Centre has achieved to date. See full details on the jobs page of our website.
Liz Amos Associates will be handling this recruitment (www.lizamosassociates.com). Contact Tamsin Chandler of Liz Amos Associates on +44 (0)20 7664 8601 / tamsin.chandler@lizamosassociates.com to learn more. Closing date for applications is 28 June 2010.
Centre for Cities Board members:
Stephen Ashworth Partner, Denton Wilde Sapte
Joanna Averley Deputy Chief Executive, CABE
Susan Hitch Manager of Lord Sainsbury of Turville's Pro Bono Projects
Dr Tristram Hunt Lecturer in history, Queen Mary, University of London
Sunand Prasad Founding Partner, Penoyre & Prasad
For more information, please contact: Rosamund Taylor, External Affairs Manager 020 7803 4316
The Centre for Cities is an independent research and policy institute. Committed to helping Britain's cities improve their economic performance, the Centre produces practical research and policy advice for Whitehall, cities and business.
