Pictured above: Mike Taylor

John Nicholls, the interim chief executive at Nottingham Regeneration Limited (NRL), is to finish his time with the company at the end of March.

Taking over the running of the company will be NRL's current regeneration director Mike Taylor.

John, who has come to the end of his year-long contract, said: "I've enjoyed working with the excellent team and board at NRL. I think we've made a fair bit of progress in re-focusing the company's project priorities and I'm delighted that Mike's appointment has worked out so well that he's now taking over running the show.

"I've also enjoyed working alongside Mich Stevenson, the chairman of NRL, in brokering new arrangements for delivering economic development in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Great progress has been made in creating a new level of joint working in this important area".

Mike, who has more than 25 years' experience in the public sector and has previously headed up the planning team at Birmingham City Council where he was responsible for the planning and implantation of a number of transformation projects including the Bull Ring Shopping Centre, Brindleyplace, The Mailbox, and Snow Hill.

Mike said: "There are some interesting challenges coming up for Nottingham's regeneration. As well as the three regeneration sites in the city, our remit is also to look at the mixture of urban renewal sites.

"I am very much looking forward to the challenge of heading NRL and working together with other agencies on plans for the EDC. We are the link between public sector funding and private sector development. And although the future is unclear regarding development agencies and funding, the need for focused and urgent redevelopment has not changed, and there are a number of excellent opportunities in Nottingham for both the public and private sector to fulfil in partnership.

"Our aims is to create a physical environment in which the citizens of Greater Nottingham can take pride. NRL is focusing on a number of key regeneration areas and our strategy is to develop partnerships so that these projects can be developed."

Mich said: "I would like to thank John for his sterling work as interim chief executive of NRL. He has steered the company through testing times in terms of regeneration and development. I know that John has left NRL in a very capable pair of hands. Mike's extensive experience and specialist expertise he will bring a great deal to the organisation."

John will be continuing to carry out consultancy projects throughout the Midlands.