Steve Dunlop appointed Regeneration Director at British Waterways

23 April 2010

British Waterways, the guardian of 2,200 miles of that nation’s canals and rivers, has appointed Steve Dunlop to the role of regeneration director responsible for overseeing the breadth of canal-led regeneration projects across the UK.

With more people using the waterways than at any time in their history, Britain’s canals and rivers are enjoying a vibrant renaissance. Catalysts for regeneration, 200 miles of new or restored canal have opened in the past decade.

In his role Steve will oversee British Waterways’ c.50-person regeneration directorate which works alongside the UK’s major regeneration agencies and partners to encourage long term strategic waterway alliances. Recent projects have seen a brand new stretch of canal constructed in front of the world famous Three Graces in Liverpool to help regenerate the city’s South Docks and a project to ensure the potential of the former industrial rivers that run throughout London’s 2012 Olympic Park are realised.

Steve, 48, has worked at British Waterways as Scotland director since February 2006 and will continue in this role alongside his new position. He was previously director of regeneration at Newcastle City Council where he had wide ranging responsibility for planning and transport, property services, strategic housing services, arts and culture, economic development and sustainable development.

He started his career in leisure management before moving to a number of high profile senior positions in local government, latterly as director of community services at Falkirk Council. Steve is regarded as a ‘regeneration specialist’ and is a Director of BURA and a range of Joint Venture property companies looking after British Waterways’ interests. He has a wide variety of interests including cycling and photography.

Steve Dunlop says of his appointment: “I am looking forward to getting to grips with the many exciting regeneration projects that are happening across the country. Regeneration is at the heart of British Waterways’ ethos as we move to establish a ‘national trust’ for the waterways where communities have a greater say in how they use and get the maximum benefit from their local waterway.”

Robin Evans, Chief Executive of British Waterways, says: “I am delighted that Steve has chosen to take on this role. His background as Scotland director, overseeing major projects and working with a wide range of partners, makes him the natural choice for the position.”

Steve replaces Mark Bensted who steps down after 30 years of service to British Waterways, having played an important part in a recent restructure of its operations which included establishing a dedicated regeneration directorate.

ENDS

For further media information or a photo of Steve Dunlop, please call Fran Read on 020 7985 7276 / 07796 610 427

Notes to editors:
British Waterways cares for 2,200 miles of historic canals and navigable rivers, working to ensure that the 200-year old network continues to benefit the nation now and into the future. We work with a broad range of public, private and voluntary sector partners to unlock the potential of the inland waterways and generate income for reinvestment in the network for the benefit of the millions who visit the waterways every year. British Waterways is accountable to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in England and Wales and to the Scottish Government in Scotland.
www.britishwaterways.co.uk