Tributes have been paid to a highly-regarded and well-liked member of the Leicester local government scene and business community.
Mark Oakley was the head of inward investment at Leicester City Council for the past three years, championing opportunities within the city to potential investors in the 海角视频 and abroad.
He was taken ill and died suddenly on May 23.
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Mark was a highly experienced senior manager, who specialised in economic development and housing growth strategy, working with councils around the country, and helping secure tens of millions of pounds in public and private sector investment.
Locally he had helped Leicester City Council with many of its recent redevelopment plans, promoting schemes such as the £250 million-plus waterside regeneration and the £100 million Leicester Space Park. He also helped Aimrok Holdings with the redevelopment of the city's former Fenwick store into a new aparthotel, called The Gresham, which is opening soon..
He was also a member of the board at Team Leicester, the public/private sector group set up to help promote the billions of investment opportunities in Leicestershire and the wider Midlands at the annual, global MIPIM property conference in France.
Mike Dalzell, Leicester City Council’s director of tourism, culture and investment, had recruited Mark at the council in 2018.
He said: “Mark Oakley had been the council’s director for place marketing and inward investment for three years and during that time made a superb contribution to the promotion of the city and the wider county, working with a whole host of business leaders, elected members and government agencies to generate new economic activity and jobs.
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“He was a hugely popular figure, invariably enthusiastic and positive and he will be sorely missed by us all.
“We have been overwhelmed with warm messages from the many people Mark worked with.”
In a statement, the Team Leicester board said: “On behalf of everyone at Team Leicester, we are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Mark Oakley, last Sunday (May 23).
“Mark was an invaluable member of the Team Leicester board, who provided a positive, focused and effective link between the public and private sector, building many of the recent connections and opportunities we see in Leicester today.
“He was a genuine, kind and motivated individual with true depth and purpose.
“We feel privileged to have known him, to work with him and to call him a friend.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.
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“We will miss him greatly.”
In another tribute, the directors at Aimrok Holdings and the team at The Gresham, Leicester said they were devastated to hear about Mark's death.
The said: "Mark has been one of The Gresham’s biggest advocates, fervently championing it since inception.
"His involvement has been instrumental in bringing the development to fruition and in recognition of his constant support, we are planning place a tribute to Mark within The Gresham.
"We would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Mark’s family at this very sad time."
Before joining the city council Mark was managing director of a company providing consultancy services in areas such as economic development, inward investment and local government transformation.
He had also worked at Bedford Borough Council, Fenland District Council, Peterborough City Council and borough councils in Camden, Lambeth and Enfield.