Max Steinberg has been appointed Chief Executive designate of the new Pennine Lancashire Development Company (PLDC), which will work to breathe new life into the area’s economy and housing market.

Mr Steinberg is currently Chief Executive of housing and regeneration agency Elevate, which will be absorbed in to the company when it is launched early in the Summer.

The PLDC is a partnership between seven local authorities – Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, RibbleValley, Rossendale and Lancashire County Council. It will bring together much of the existing economic development and regeneration activity across Pennine Lancashire.

The company will deliver elements of the Integrated Economic Strategy (IES) and the Pennine Lancashire Multi Area Agreement (MAA), which aligns housing renewal closely with addressing economic weaknesses and was recently signed atDowning Street.

Bringing the existing activities together into one structure will give Pennine Lancashire a stronger lobbying voice within Lancashire, theNorth Westand with Central Government.

Other benefits of the PLDC will include greater access to pooled expertise, increased private sector investment, faster decision making and delivery of projects, as well as greater flexibility with revenue resources.

It will also enable Pennine Lancashire partners to access the necessary capacity to deliver the transformational projects set out in the Pennine Lancashire Economic Strategy.

Mr Steinberg said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to lead a company which can make a real difference to people’s lives in Pennine Lancashire.

“The new PLDC will deliver parts of the Multi Area Agreement including housing market renewal and a number of important economic development initiatives. This will provide a valuable opportunity for organisations and individuals to work together and use their combined skills and experience to make Pennine Lancashire a better place to live and invest.”

Councillor Mike Lee, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Chair of the Pennine Lancashire Leaders and Chief Executives (PLLACE), said: “These are exciting times for Pennine Lancashire with the historic signing of the MAA, the development of the Pennine Lancashire Development Company and a strong and consistent brand across the sub-region. Local authorities and agencies are developing new ways of working together and implementing innovative projects to tackle serious issues of deprivation, low skills and poor attainment.

"We recognise that no one council can succeed by itself so by pledging a solid commitment to improve the transport infrastructure, skills base, employment opportunities and housing for citizens across Pennine Lancashire we can ensure that everyone benefits."

Ribble Valley Council Leader Michael Ranson, who is Chair of the PLDC shadow Governing Body, said: “We are delighted that Max will be heading up the new company. He is a leading practitioner with an excellent reputation and track record in urban regeneration and housing. Under Max’s stewardship, Elevate has consistently achieved its government targets for five years, and is delivering real change on the ground across five boroughs. Pennine Lancashire can only benefit from his expertise and experience.”

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Background

Max Steinberg is Chief Executive of Elevate East Lancashire, which he joined in August 2003. He is responsible for leading the housing market renewal pathfinder inEast Lancashire, which is charged with finding innovative solutions to the problems of low demand, negative equity, and market collapse.

Max's previous job was Director of Investment & Regeneration for the Housing Corporation's Northern Field, where he was responsible for an annual Social Housing Grant budget of around £200 million, allocated to housing associations for the provision of housing for rent and low cost home ownership.

In 1981 Max was part of the Secretary of State for the Environment's team after the civil disturbances in Merseyside.

Max is currently Chair of the European Institute for Urban Affairs,LiverpoolJohnMooresUniversity, and helped found the Career Opportunities for Ethnic Minorities project.

For further information, contact communications officer Lucie McFall on (01254) 585777 or emaillucie.mcfall@blackburn.gov.uk