A search is under way for a new chair to lead Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.
Former Sheffield MP and Sports Minister Richard Caborn is to step down from the position, in which he has helped to shape and steer the former brownfield industrial site which is now home to Sheffield Hallam University's 'Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre', a University Technical College, sports training facilities, and is the chosen destination for the world's first ever Centre for Child Health Technology, expected to be opened in 2025. Mr Caborn has overseen the park's growth from its inception in 2015 as a vehicle for promoting legacy from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Bosses at the site say the role will be advertised throughout September before recruitment in October and a likely appointment to start early next year. The Park, which is seen as a catalyst for economic regeneration in the area, is also home to basketball team the Sheffield Sharks' new arena.
Read more: Californian investor agrees deal to buy Sheffield's ASK4
Mr Caborn said: “It’s been an honour to have supported the creation and growth of Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park over the past decade. We wanted to create a tangible legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games here in South Yorkshire that focussed on Sport, Community, Environment and Economy.
"Today we have schools, higher education, state-of-the-art sporting facilities and a host of leading public and private organisations working together to develop a unique innovation ecosystem. The Park has undergone a huge amount of regeneration and investment and is fast becoming one of the largest life sciences parks in the north of England.
"For me it is a real pleasure coming to the Park to see school children and young adults learning in an environment that is totally different from anything we’ve seen before. Not only that, but the Park is a place for them to build careers, be that in sport, research, education, or the many other institutions that are based here. I’m very proud of the role I’ve had in supporting the Park and I look forward to passing responsibility to the next chair to take it to the next level."
Dr Chris Low, Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park chief executive, said: “What Richard has achieved for South Yorkshire over the past decade has been nothing short of remarkable. Under Richard’s leadership we have attracted more than £100m of investment into world class research, education, and sports facilities that the whole of South Yorkshire and beyond is benefitting from. The site is fast becoming the leading life sciences park in the north of England and every week new organisations are in touch about how they can become a part of its future.
"Richard has an enormous passion for the Park, for what we are trying to achieve and for the communities right across South Yorkshire. It has been a pleasure working alongside him and on behalf of all our stakeholders I would like to thank him for the work he has done to make this possible. We’re now looking for someone who shares Richard’s passion and ambition to take the Park forward and help to improve the lives of people across South Yorkshire."