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The city’s economic development company, Opportunity Peterborough, has appointed Dr Angus Kennedy OBE as its new Chair of the Board. Angus will take up the role at the end of March 2017, following John Bridge’s retirement from the position.

Angus, who has been an Opportunity Peterborough Board member since the company’s inception in 2005 and has also held the position of Finance and Audit Committee Chair, is widely recognised to be one of the UK’s most influential regeneration professionals. He is best known for his work as Chief Executive of Castle Vale Housing Action Trust in Birmingham, the award-winning 12 year £320m regeneration programme that transformed one of the most deprived parts of Birmingham. Angus has nearly 40 years’ experience in the private and public sector, and has established and run his own highly successful business, Community Regeneration Partnership.

Angus, who is also Chair of Cross Keys Homes in Peterborough, is a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and was awarded an OBE in 2004 for Services to Social Housing in Birmingham. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Birmingham University in 2005 for his work in the regeneration of Castle Vale and his wider contribution to the City of Birmingham and the West Midlands. 

Commenting on his appointment, Dr Angus Kennedy OBE said: “I’m delighted to be appointed as Opportunity Peterborough’s new Chair and, working closely with Steve Bowyer as Chief Executive, look forward to leading the company on the next stage of its journey.

“I’ve been privileged to work with Opportunity Peterborough since it was established more than 10 years ago and I’m proud of the achievements the company has delivered for the city during that time – both the physical regeneration projects like transforming Cathedral Square, to more recent economic development work supporting local companies and attracting new businesses to move to the city.”

Welcoming the Opportunity Peterborough Board’s appointment of Angus Kennedy as the new chair of the company, the Leader of the City Council, Cllr John Holdich, commented: “I am a member of the Opportunity Peterborough Board and have worked with Angus for many years. The directors of the company were unanimous in their decision to appoint Angus and he will bring a wealth of experience to the role. Not only is he well-respected as a business man and regeneration expert, but he’s also a ‘Peterborough man’!”

Opportunity Peterborough was founded in 2005, originally as an urban regeneration company. In 2010 the company changed its remit to deliver the city’s economic growth agenda and has been a major catalyst for Peterborough’s economic success ever since.

To find out more about Opportunity Peterborough and how it supports local businesses, visit: www.opportunitypeterborough.co.uk