New Board Members Announced To Drive Regeneration Across Tees Valley

Experienced figures from the public and private sectors have been welcomed to the boards of organisations driving forward regeneration across Tees Valley.

The new boards for South Tees Development Corporation (STDC), Hartlepool Development Corporation and Middlesbrough Development Corporation were approved by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority Cabinet at an AGM on Thursday (June 27).

Board members are appointed for a fixed term of two years but can be reappointed following each term.

They were selected using a skills matrix assessing experience and expertise in fields including governance, accounting, regeneration, senior leadership and skills.

STDC is tasked with overseeing Teesworks, the biggest economic regeneration project in the UK today and the heart of the Teesside Freeport. To date, the board has helped secure major projects, including SeAH Wind’s offshore wind monopile production facility and bp’s multibillion-pound Net Zero Teesside development.

Following its success, Development Corporations were established in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough to regenerate the town centres, create thousands of jobs and cutting red tape to boost inward investment. The boards are central to delivering the ambitious visions for the towns.

The board members – who are unremunerated – represent a mixture of influential and successful public and private sector representatives from diverse backgrounds ensuring a breadth and depth of knowledge to see the boards succeed.

The appointments include new Hartlepool Borough Council leader Councillor Brenda Harrison, who will now sit on the board of Hartlepool Development Corporation.

Cllr Harrison was also welcomed to the TVCA Cabinet at the meeting and takes on the role of Deputy Mayor, which is held by Cabinet members on an annual rotation.

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke will continue on the board of Middlesbrough Development Corporation, while Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council leader Alec Brown remains on the board of STDC.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen remains chair of all three Development Corporations.

Proposals to increase the size of Middlesbrough and Hartlepool Development Corporation boards from a maximum of eight to 10 in addition to the Mayor and a member from each council, are also to be considered by each respective Development Corporation board next week.

The proposed increase will provide a wider range of skills and experience to support each board’s activities and provide uniformity across all three Development Corporations.

Mayor Houchen said: “I’d like to welcome all new members to our Development Corporation boards who will play a vital role in supercharging Teesworks and our towns. I’ve no doubt that their expertise and dedication will continue the success of these schemes, making them bigger and better.

“Our outgoing members have helped make huge strides in our ambitions, continuing the work of STDC and establishing the HDC and MDC from scratch – no easy feat. I’d like to thank them for their time and efforts over the years, with their contribution helping to improve the lives of local people.”

Appointments to TVCA’s Audit and Governance, Transport, Overview and Scrutiny committees and portfolio responsibilities of TVCA Cabinet members were also approved at the meeting.

For full details on TVCA leadership including Cabinet and board members go here