The Bristol Temple Quarter LLP has appointed four new independent non-executive directors to help guide one of the most ambitions regeneration programmes in Europe.
After a competitive process where over 100 people applied, the successful individuals will join the BTQ LLP Board in November, sitting alongside the chair, Lyn Garner, and members from the three public sectors partners.
The LLP board now has public and private sector expertise and experience to support the LLP team across a range of disciplines, including inclusive growth, regeneration and development, and community engagement.
The successful candidates bring extensive experience and will support the delivery of thousands of new homes and jobs at Bristol Temple Quarter. They are:
- Richard Meier
A masterplanning specialist, Richard lives near Bath and is co-founder and CEO of purpose-led developer Stories. He is a Non-Executive Director at Cambridge University and is a former Partner at property and regeneration specialists, Argent.
- Claudette Forbes
Born and brought up in St Paul’s in Bristol and a former executive director at the London Development Agency, Claudette will lead on the LLP’s socio-economic brief.
- André Gibbs
André has several family links to Bristol, including a branch of his father’s engineering consultancy. Employed by Related Argent, he brings specialist development and infrastructure financing experience, as well as extensive experience of similar large-scale regeneration schemes, including King’s Cross and Brent Cross Town in London.
- David Biggs
Former Managing Director at Network Rail Property with non-executive experience at a Registered Social Landlord, David is a Chartered Accountant and will lead the LLP Board in Audit and Risk matters.
The appointments come at an important time for the Bristol Temple Quarter programme. The procurement process for a private sector partner is set to conclude at the end of the year, while the emerging masterplan for St Philip’s Marsh continues to develop. The new Southern Gateway transport hub is scheduled for a planning determination in early November. In September, the West of England Mayor, Helen Godwin, positioned BTQ at the heart of her vision for growth in the West of England Growth Strategy.
Lyn Garner, Chair of the BTQ LLP Board, said:
“I’m thrilled to have appointed such a strong group of non-executive directors at a pivotal time for Bristol Temple Quarter. They will use their experience and expertise to support the LLP team through the next stages of its development across a range of matters from finance to development to community engagement, helping us to deliver quality placemaking, new homes and new opportunities for people in the region.”
Richard Meier said:
“Every day I enjoy working with purpose-led, long-term landowners, so joining the Bristol Temple Quarter Board really resonates. It is a project I have followed closely, both in a professional capacity as a development specialist who has worked in Bristol, and as a resident of the West of England. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and helping the team make the most of this amazing, and essential, opportunity to transform the centre of Bristol.”
Claudette Forbes said:
“I’ve been involved in development and urban change for three decades and know the difference that regeneration can have in tackling inequality. I’m thrilled to be working in my hometown, using my experience to help build on the inclusive growth work the team have done to date and deliver new opportunities for people across the city.”
André Gibbs said:
“Having been involved in the transformations of King’s Cross and Brent Cross in London for over twenty years, I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to bear on this once-in-a-generation opportunity to comprehensively change this part of Bristol for the better, creating new opportunities for placemaking, homes and employment.”
David Biggs said:
“Bristol Temple Meads station is central to Bristol Temple Quarter. It’s exciting to be able to bring together my experience of the railways and property to contribute to improving the built environment in Bristol in a way that will dramatically improve Brunel’s historic Grade I listed station and its surroundings, helping to make it a new dynamic quarter of Bristol.”
The independent non-executive directors have been appointed on an initial three-year term. They will join the main LLP Board, as well as sitting on two sub-committees: a Land, Development, Investment & Inclusive Growth Committee; and an Audit & Risk Committee.
-Ends-
For photos of the new board members, visit here.
