WCC

Warwickshire County Council launches property and development group



Warwickshire County Council has set up a new property and development group.


The Warwickshire Property & Development Group (WPDG) has been created to deliver affordable and market-priced homes, as well as a range of commercial, mixed-use and renewable energy opportunities.

It aims to speed up existing and identify new regeneration opportunities for county-owned property and land.

It will also support the county council’s climate emergency agenda and renewable energy programme, having already identified several potential sites for solar regeneration as part of the council’s target of being carbon neutral by 2030.

WPDG is part of a broader £300m package of investment alongside the Warwickshire Recovery and Investment Fund (WRIF), which the county council has launched to revitalise the local economy.

The group aims to help the county’s economic recovery post-Covid by creating jobs and shaping the county as an attractive and desirable place to live and do business, while also providing a financial return for the council that will enable it to support its priorities through reinvestment.

Councillor Peter Butlin, deputy leader and portfolio holder for finance and property at Warwickshire County Council, said: “I’m delighted to see WPDG up and running, which will be of huge benefit to our residents and also to those looking to do business in the county, whether they are exiting businesses looking to expand or investors looking at Warwickshire as a good place to do business.

“We have an ambitious programme to work with partners and external developers who share the same vision as us, taking a holistic approach to building successful, sustainable and high quality developments.

“This is why we have set up the new company, to fuse the financial support and business acumen of Warwickshire County Council and WPDG board members and staff, so we can invest in innovative and environmentally-sustainable developments.  

“I hope that WPDG will be a partner of choice in making our county an even more attractive place to live and do business. 

“This isn’t just about delivering bricks and mortar, but all the elements that make Warwickshire a thriving place to live, work and visit.”

WPDG has named Ian Cox as non-executive chair, and Dena Burgher, Mark Hallett and Steve Smith as non-executive directors.

Ian, who has 40 years of experience in the housing and property sector, has previously run the urban regeneration company of Bellway PLC and his own development company specialising in low-energy development.

He also currently works as managing director at Fairoaks Garden Village and non-executive chair at Treveth Holdings LLP.

Dena, who is also an independent interim director at Revision Property Solutions, has over 30 years of experience working for construction companies and sector organisations.

Mark joins WPDG as a NED while continuing his work as an audit and risk member at Bristol Holding Limited and development director at Igloo Regeneration, in addition to his other NED roles at various companies, including Goran Homes.

Lastly, Steve joins the team from Warwickshire County Council, where he will continue his work as an assistant strategic director on top of his duties at WPDG.



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