A property expert has joined the board of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) to boost delivery of multi-million-pound regeneration schemes in the area.
Mark Lee spent nearly a decade as chief executive of Calthorpe Estates in Birmingham, leading a team in real estate investment, development and regeneration, and working closely with residents and public and educational bodies as stakeholders.
Lee, who trained as a Chartered Accountant with PwC and then worked in corporate finance in London, moved to the Midlands in 1995, where he held several senior financial roles before joining Calthorpe Estates.
He is also chair of the Project Advisory Board for the regeneration of the Arena Quarter around Coventry’s Ricoh Arena involving representatives from the public sector and other experts.
Lee, who has lived in Warwick for the last ten years, said it was a key time to be joining the CWLEP board.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to use all my experience in business for the benefit of the CWLEP, particularly relating to the built environment at a time when town centres are transforming as they emerge into a post-Covid world,” he said.
“The CWLEP has a strong record in delivering infrastructure projects. Initiatives such as Transforming Nuneaton and the Commonwealth Convention Centre at the Ricoh Arena which have received funding from the CWLEP are vital in re-setting the economy.
“At Calthorpe Estates, our property development, management and regeneration flowed from our concentration on the people and communities who would benefit from them and this will remain my priority.
“The CWLEP is an important enabler in the area with the right connections to make things happen and there is a strong pipeline of schemes ready to boost Coventry and Warwickshire’s economy.
“I hope to make a positive difference as a board director and I’m looking forward to helping to develop the exciting projects which are already underway.”
Sarah Windrum, chair of the CWLEP, said Mark’s experience would be a valuable asset to shape the planned economic activity for Coventry and Warwickshire.
She said: “Mark has a wealth of experience in real estate which will support the existing strengths of the board of directors as we focus on the economic development of the area.
“His knowledge along with his strength in public-private sector partnerships will be important as we continue to build on the economic success of the area in recent years.
“Our Implementation Plan for our Strategic Reset Framework to reset the economy in Coventry and Warwickshire post-Covid is now underway as we deliver retail, leisure, office and residential developments to continue to make the area a highly attractive place to live, study, work, and invest.”
Caption: Mark Lee and Sarah Windrum from the CWLEP