New assistant director for city development and regeneration

Brighton & Hove City Council has recruited Max Woodford as its new assistant director for city development and regeneration.  Max’s role will be to position Brighton & Hove to compete on a national and international economic level and to lead the council’s 2030 vision for the city and the Greater Brighton City Region Economic Strategy.

He will be responsible for delivering the city’s £2billion and the City Region’s £1.6billion investment programmes and will lead on key projects such as the Brighton Waterfront and Preston Barracks development as well as establishing a joint venture to develop 1000 living wage homes. 

Max is returning to the city council after three years away, having previously worked here since 1999 in both the Planning and the Major Projects teams. His new role sits within the council’s Economy, Environment & Culture directorate and reports to executive director, Nick Hibberd.

Max is a qualified town planner and has been a key player in facilitating the work of the Greater Brighton Economic Board. He is currently head of regeneration and investment at Lewes and Eastbourne Councils where he has led on the redevelopment of the North Street Quarter in Lewes and established the Newhaven Enterprise Zone. He also oversees economic growth for both councils and has been managing the planning policy function for Lewes District.  His new role with the council will start in August 2017.

Commenting on the appointment, the council’s executive director for Economy, Environment & Culture, Nick Hibberd, said: “Brighton & Hove is an economic growth centre with a global reputation and I’m delighted that someone of Max’s calibre is joining the team. Max has a wealth of hands on experience as well as great local knowledge and connections so his expertise will be a great asset in helping us progress and shape our future plans.”

Max Woodford said: ”I'm very happy to be re-joining Brighton & Hove City Council where I’ll be working with a highly talented, forward thinking team.  This role offers a real opportunity for me to make a positive contribution to the future prospects of a city that I know from first-hand experience to be a vibrant and inspiring place.”