Mersey Gateway team strengthened
The Mersey Gateway Crossings Board has strengthened its professional team to support the construction phase of the iconic £1.86bn Mersey Gateway Bridge project.
Paul Fenwick has joined the team as Construction Director and Helen Dearden as Finance Director bringing extensive experience in their respective fields, together with other appointments which will significantly add to the current expertise in the team.
While stepping down as Interim Chief Executive of the Board on 31 October, the project will retain the expertise of Steve Nicholson who led the Project team through the planning and procurement phases to the appointment of Project Company and start of construction. Steve will take up a new role as Special Advisor to the Project on a part time basis.
Steve Nicholson said,
“It has been a privilege to lead such a talented and professional team in delivering a world class project to construction.
Halton Borough Council, under the determined leadership of Rob Polhill and before him Tony McDermott, has demonstrated what can be achieved by an unwavering commitment to making a new crossing happen.
In handing over to David Parr the project remains in safe hands and in the future I look forward to supporting the new Board in any way I can”.
It is proposed that David Parr, who has had oversight of the project over the last 10 years, will be appointed Interim Chief Executive of the Mersey Gateway Crossing Board, chaired by Cllr Rob Polhill, providing strategic guidance to the project.
David will combine this role together with continuing to be Chief Executive of Halton Borough Council.
The appointment is subject to approval by the Council’s Executive Board meeting on 16 October 2014.
The new arrangement will take the project through its construction phase. David will then oversee the appointment of a full time Chief Executive who will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the new Mersey Gateway from late 2016.
Cllr Polhill said,
“The new arrangements will strengthen the team and ensure we have the right skills to deliver the construction phase of Mersey Gateway effectively and in a timely manner.
We have retained the expertise of Steve Nicholson and David Parr in slightly different roles, which are more appropriate to the current needs of the Project.
We have also supplemented the team with two very high calibre individuals in Paul and Helen, who bring with them new skills and a fresh perspective, which will ensure that our construction partners, Merseylink, deliver the Project on time and within contract.”
David Parr said,
“The Mersey Gateway Project is complex and we need the right people, with the right skills, to deliver the project. Steve Nicholson has done a fantastic job with his team to bring the Project to where it is and I am delighted we have been able to retain Steve’s experience within the project.
From a personal perspective, Mersey Gateway has been a part of my professional life for over 10 years and I am delighted the Board has given me the opportunity to see this through to the opening on the bridge. I remain massively committed to delivering this iconic project for the people of Halton and the North West.”
The economic, transport and social benefits that the project will bring to the region include:
- 470 permanent full-time equivalent jobs on site during construction
- 4,640 permanent direct and indirect jobs
- £61.9 million a year in Gross Value Added from the new jobs by 2030.