The Bristol Temple Quarter Limited Liability Partnership (BTQ LLP), the team behind one of the UK’s biggest urban regeneration projects, has begun the search for an Independent Chair of its Board.
The Chair of the Board will have the opportunity to help shape the transformation of 135 hectares of city-centre land around Bristol Temple Meads station, overseeing the newly formed LLP to ensure it is successfully fulfilling the partners’ ambitions for Temple Quarter.
The BTQ LLP aims to find an individual who can provide strategic leadership at Temple Quarter and act as an ambassador for the programme.
The ideal candidate will have a close appreciation of Bristol and the West of England and a commitment to diversity and public service, as well as having the business acumen and commercial knowledge to oversee the long-term success of the programme.
The BTQ LLP was set up in March 2024 by three public sectors partners to drive forward the comprehensive regeneration of the area.
The partners – Homes England, Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority – aim to transform the area to deliver around 10,000 new homes and 22,000 new jobs, alongside new infrastructure, public and greenspaces, helping to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth worth over £1.6 billion per year to the city-region.
Network Rail, the fourth long-term partner at Temple Quarter, is anticipated to join the LLP in the coming months.
The search for the new Chair comes at an exciting moment for the BTQ programme. The Phase 1 masterplan is well underway, and the launch of the search for a private sector development partner will take place in the New Year. The partner will work with the LLP to develop new homes, commercial space and public realm around Temple Meads station on land owned by the LLP partners and Network Rail.
Once in place, the new Chair will work with the LLP to recruit four additional non-executive directors to the LLP Board, to sit alongside members from the three public sectors partners. This will create a board with public and private sector expertise and experience across a range of disciplines from placemaking to finance, ensuring the effective governance of the West of England’s most significant regeneration programme.
The new Independent Chair will be selected for a term of three years.
Berwick Partners are leading the search on behalf of the LLP. The closing date for applications is 20 November 2024. For more information, including a candidate brief and specification, visit the Berwick Partners website.
Dan Norris, Mayor of the West of England, said:
“Temple Quarter is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the region, driving growth in key sectors like quantum and Artificial Intelligence, and bringing the homes, jobs, skills and connectivity we need to unlock our potential. The Chair of the Board will be a key figure in driving the programme and ensuring residents of the West of England benefit from the transformational change we’re bringing.”
Cllr Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said:
“We’re looking for someone with the experience and expertise to drive Bristol Temple Quarter forward. Our ambition is to create a place that reflects Bristol and the region and delivers the homes and jobs we need. Alongside commercial credentials, we’re looking for someone who shares these aspirations for place-based regeneration that puts sustainable, inclusive growth at its heart.”
Peter Denton, CEO, Homes England, said:
“Bristol Temple Quarter is arguably the biggest regeneration opportunity in the UK and Homes England is firmly behind it. We’re looking for a national figure who can be an ambassador for our vision for change – bringing real experience of delivery and political know-how to this critical role at a critical moment for the project.”
