Liverpool City Council has appointed Mark Bousfield to lead on city development for the next 12 months.
Following a six month secondment from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, providing extra support to the council, Mark will begin his new role today (Monday, 28 June) as Interim Director.
A highly qualified and respected figure in the development sector, Mark’s new role comes in the wake of the Best Value report into the council and the arrival of government appointment commissioners to overseeing the authority’s highways and property functions.
Mark’s focus will be on major projects that support Liverpool’s recently published City Plan and the Local Plan, the latter a 15-year masterplan for economic growth. The Local Plan will be going out to public consultation this summer, after Cabinet ratified modifications on Friday.
Mark will also lead a team that is overseeing a multi-billion pound stimulus programme, such as the development of the city’s Knowledge Quarter as well as its booming film industry, to help Liverpool’s economy bounce back from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mark will also be working with the Mayor of Liverpool, council Chief Executive and the commissioners to implement changes to the department so that it operates effectively and staff feel supported and equipped with the right skills, processes and tools to do their jobs.
Mark’s interim Director role will be reviewed once the council completes a senior management restructure. The restructure is open to consultation and is scheduled to go to the Mayor and cabinet for approval in early Autumn.
Mark Bousfield – short bio:
Mark, 40, first began his career at Google shortly after it launched in the UK and then worked for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
He joined the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority in April 2018, to run their new public investment team.
Mark also previously worked for responsible property business, igloo Regeneration.
Originally from the Wirral, Mark has a masters degree in Modern Languages from the University of Oxford and a masters in International Economics and Policy from John Hopkins University (USA).
Mark Bousfield said: “I’m delighted to be able to carry on the work I’ve started, supporting the council at this critical time.
“We’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of us delivering some key projects; tackling the issues raised by the Best Value inspection and rebuilding the trust of the public, our partners, developers and investors.
“I am confident that, together with the many hard-working and talented colleagues across the council, we will continue to make good progress. From the start, the team has shown real talent, total dedication and offered me the warmest welcome. We’ll get straight down to applying our talents to our projects and work.
“Liverpool is an incredible city with so much potential, and it is an immense privilege to take on this role.”
Chief Executive Tony Reeves said: “In the short space of time Mark has been with us, he has proved what a talented and experienced leader he is.
“He is a fantastic addition to the team and I have no doubt that he will continue to make great strides in transforming our approach to development, strengthening relations with developers and investors, boosting the city’s economy, and helping to bring new jobs and opportunities, for the benefit of all who live, work and visit Liverpool.”
