Birmingham: Appointments have been made to two key positions as part of the city council’s aim to drive forward its priorities.
Paul Kitson will become Strategic Director of Place, Prosperity and Sustainability; Richard Brooks will be the Director of Strategy, Equality & Partnerships. The design of the core leadership team and council priorities were set out and approved in the cabinet report Investing in our Future.
Paul Kitson is currently Interim Executive Director of Markets, Partners and Places at Homes England. He has a great deal of experience in the planning and delivery of large strategic sites, regeneration and affordable housing, and has worked with industry across sectors and geography.
He has had other senior housing roles in Homes England, responsible for its land programme for the south east region and has had leading roles within the Homes and Communities Agency. Paul has also held delivery roles in the Housing Association sector and in an Urban Development Corporation.
Paul said: “Birmingham City Council has a really clear vision of how new development and regeneration of places can benefit the whole of the city, helping to provide new places to work, live and play in, whilst also bringing significant new employment to the city. I feel privileged to be joining the leader and chief executive in helping them bring that vision to life, and I look forward to working with everyone who shares that ambition.”
Richard Brooks was formerly Senior Policy Adviser to the Secretary of State for Education, and then Director of Strategy at Ofsted. He has a background in policy research and strategic change across economics, welfare reform and public services. Over the past six years has led human development projects with governments in ten different countries.
Richard said: “I am delighted to be joining Birmingham at this incredibly exciting time. The city faces an extraordinary opportunity, driven by economic growth, to make real progress on critically important equality issues like employment, incomes, public health and skills. I am looking forward developing a world-class insight and strategy capability for the city, so that we can strengthen our partnerships and involve more of our citizens in the decisions and issues that matter most to them.”
Welcoming Paul and Richard to Birmingham, chief executive Deborah Cadman said: “I’m really pleased both Paul and Richard have accepted these important roles; the core leadership team will be responsible for driving forward the council’s priorities and long-term vision for the city, so their experience is vital.
“They will be joining an experienced and passionate team that wants the very best for the city and its residents.”
