Ambitious plans for a transformation of Renfrewshire’s fortunes over the next decade have taken a step forward with the appointment of a new regeneration chief.
Alasdair Morrison will soon take up post as Renfrewshire Council’s new Head of Regeneration and brings more than two decades of experience working on major projects across the UK in both the public and private sectors.
The next few years will see a number of far-reaching ventures – such as the plans to use Paisley’s outstanding heritage assets to drive tourism and attract business, including a bid for UK City of Culture 2021 – and this new post has been created to help the council deliver these massive projects.
Alasdair will also lead on the council’s town centre and economic development activity, including the successful Invest in Renfrewshire programme to boost local business and tackle unemployment.
And he will also be in charge of the regeneration work needed to support the major infrastructure projects taking place as part of the £1.13bn Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal.
Alasdair is originally from Stornoway but has lived in Paisley for the past 12 years – and it was his passion for everything his adopted home town has to offer which led him to apply for the job.
He said: “Living in Paisley, I have become very familiar with everything the area has in its favour.
“Renfrewshire has some fantastic assets such as the airport, Paisley’s heritage, Hillington and more, and that just sold it to me.
“Paisley’s bid for UK City of Culture will be a really exciting thing to be part of, and will have benefits for the entire area.
“And to have this all taking place at the same time as the Glasgow City Deal is a phenomenal opportunity for the area in terms of the potential it offers.”
Alasdair spent the past ten years as an associate with Glasgow-based property consultancy GVA James Barr, and three years with Roger Tym and Partners before that.
He also has extensive public-sector experience, having worked as head of regeneration for City of York Council and as a planner for Kirklees and Western Isles Councils.
He said: “Having been a head of service in a council before, I am familiar with the workings of a large local authority.
“I have worked on major projects the length and breadth of the country and advised on big developments such as Buchanan Galleries and City of Glasgow College.
“That includes a number of regeneration projects in the north-east of England in places such as Sunderland and Hartlepool which were not dissimilar to Paisley in terms of the industrial legacy.
“What I hope to bring to the job is the experience and contacts of the private sector as well as my knowledge of how that sector considers and makes investment decisions.”