Accomplished Manchester regeneration leader Karen Hirst has been named as Project Director to work with Chair Designate Lord Sebastian Coe, to drive forward plans for the Old Trafford Regeneration area.
Chartered surveyor Karen will lead delivery for the new Old Trafford Regeneration Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) alongside renowned businessman and former Olympian Lord Coe.
The establishment of the MDC has been approved by Trafford Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, following a recommendation by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. It will be legally formalised following Parliamentary approval.
Most recently, Karen was managing director of Maple Grove Developments, overseeing major commercial projects in the North West, including industrial, logistics and town centre regeneration.
She has also been a group board director of Eric Wright Group, and development director at both Salford City Council and Central Salford Regeneration Company, during her 35 years in property and development. Karen is also a non-executive director of Regenda Group.
The MDC will co-ordinate multi-million-pound efforts to transform the area, as a key part of the Greater Manchester Strategy, in which the city region has committed to establish and extend MDCs to accelerate regenerations over the next 10 years, to realise benefits for residents sooner.
Forthcoming housing development in Old Trafford has already been allocated a significant share of the newly-announced £1bn Good Growth Fund.
The MDC is set to attract public and private sector investment to accelerate transformational regeneration, creating a world-class, sports-led visitor destination, rich in culture and entertainment.
Ambitions are to make Old Trafford one of the best places in the UK to live, work, and visit, with up to15,000 new homes, including affordable homes, as well as employment opportunities.
Karen will be responsible for delivering the strategic vision for Old Trafford Regeneration, developing and implementing a business plan to make it happen. She will work alongside local authority staff to progress the transformation, and in partnership with strategic landowners and developers, such as Manchester United.
Karen said:
“I am excited to be taking on this new role and I am looking forward to working with Lord Coe, the teams at GMCA, Trafford Council, Manchester United FC and other key partners, stakeholders and local residents.
“After working in both the private and public sector, I know that ambitious regeneration projects such as Old Trafford Regeneration are challenging and will require many parties and people to make it a success."
Lord Coe said:
“I am delighted to have Karen on board. Her wealth of experience coupled with her passion and enthusiasm for this transformation are a powerful combination. Once we have Parliamentary approval in place, we can really set to work on making the ambitious vision a strong and sustainable reality.”
The MDC will sit within the Western Gateway Mayoral Development Zone, a significant initiative in Greater Manchester aimed at fostering economic growth and innovation, across Salford into north Trafford.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said:
“Trafford’s ambitious regeneration plans have a major role to play in bringing good growth to all parts of Greater Manchester – and I have every confidence that Karen will use her expertise and determination to help deliver on that mission.
“The impact of our Mayoral Development Corporations is there to see across the city region. With our devolved powers we’re building new homes, creating new skilled jobs, and doing it in a way that joins up new development with the infrastructure to support it.”
Cllr Tom Ross, Leader of Trafford Council, said:
“This masterplan is huge for Trafford and we are pleased to welcome Karen who will oversee the transformation of Old Trafford to become an iconic and internationally-important place to live, work and visit.”