The body tasked with improving Newcastle city centre has appointed a long-standing employee as its new chief executive.
NE1, the city’s business improvement district company, has announced that Stephen Patterson will step into the role of chief executive next month after the current CEO Adrian Waddell stepped down from the position.
Mr Patterson was one half of the two-man team who first set up NE1 in 2008 and has worked in a number of roles with the company, rising to the role of director of communications six years ago.
His appointment comes at a time of major challenges for the city centre after the pandemic accelerated challenges for the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors.
NE1 Ltd has spearheaded a number of programmes in Newcastle city centre, including the multimillion-pound makeover of Newcastle Central Station and the Heritage Lottery backed regeneration of the Bigg Market.
It has also been heavily involved in planning the transformation of the city’s retail core, including the trial closure of Blackett Street to traffic, and to the current £50m plans for its future.
Mr Patterson has played a key role in NE1's work over the past 13 years which has helped to draw in thousands of visitors – including programmes replicated in other 海角视频 cities, including Alive after Five, NE1 Restaurant Week, Screen on the Green and events like the Newcastle MotorShow.
He has also been a key part in the success of NE1’s three BID votes and working with businesses in setting its strategic direction. Most recently he has played a major role in NE1’s response to the Covid crisis, sitting on the city’s Place Recovery Board, liaising with businesses and lobbying for their interests at a regional and national level.
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He said: “It has been a challenging time for the city over the past 16 months, but the future is exciting and full of opportunity. Thanks to Adrian for all his efforts, as I know I am inheriting an enthusiastic, motivated and ambitious team and that NE1 is well placed to push forward with determination to make the city every bit as good as it can possibly be.
“We need to be resolute and relentless in securing every possible advantage for Newcastle, its businesses and its people.
“What the past 16 months has underlined is the need for the city to come together and work collaboratively. We are not simply aspiring to return to the way things were, but to push forward and improve on the city centre offer. Pound for pound, it is the best city in its class, it has so much going for it and we are not going to be shy in shouting about it!”
Adam Serfontein, chair of the board at NE1, said: “Adrian has done a fantastic job for NE1 and the city and we are very grateful to him for all his efforts. Before becoming chief executive, he held the role of operations director at NE1 and was responsible for a number of city-wide initiatives and improvements which will remain his legacy, as well as creating a strong team to continue NE1’s work.
“His successor, Stephen, has demonstrated his passion and commitment to the city and to NE1 over the past 13 years and is an ardent campaigner for Newcastle and the wider North East region.
"He was the outstanding candidate for the job and his appointment receives the ringing endorsement from the board, the whole NE1 team and from the city’s business community. Stephen has an unrivalled knowledge of Newcastle and has an ambitious vision for the company and the role it can play in helping shape the city’s future.”
Adrian Waddell, outgoing chief executive of NE1, said: “I am proud and very privileged to have held the role of chief executive of NE1 for four years and for all that we, as a team, have been able to achieve. Now is the ideal time to hand over the reins as we are midway through our five year BID term and I’m delighted that Stephen has been appointed.
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“I consider myself extremely fortunate to have held the role and to have worked with such a formidable team in such a fabulous city. Stephen is the right person to take on the challenges that lie ahead. He has an unrivalled knowledge and understanding of the city, its businesses and what is needed to maintain and grow its position as a modern, European regional capital city.”
Mr Patterson takes up the new role from July 10.