Tamworth council appoints interim executive director to drive regeneration agenda
Tamworth Borough Council has appointed Bill Cotton as interim executive director of communities, a strategic leadership role central to delivering the authority’s ambitious regeneration and economic development plans.
Bill (pictured) brings over three decades of experience in placemaking, planning and economic development.
His appointment follows the retirement of Rob Barnes after an astonishing 26 years’ service with Tamworth and comes as the borough nears completion of its ambitious £21million Future High Streets Fund programme.
Bill has held senior roles in Oxfordshire and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, where he led multi-disciplinary directorates covering planning, development, economic growth, culture, climate action, and transport.
Tamworth is progressing towards the second phase of town centre development, including the delivery of a second town centre regeneration project, known locally as the Gungate scheme.
Bill said: “I’m very pleased to be joining Tamworth Borough Council at such a pivotal time
“The council has an ambitious town centre regeneration programme, and I look forward to helping deliver a place that residents are proud of.”
Tamworth’s economic development strategy outlines a bold vision for the town, setting out key priorities to:
- Boost the visitor economy
- Promote an ‘Enterprising Tamworth’
- Improve the business accommodation offer
- Address economic inactivity
- Develop Gungate, which is a large-scale project involving land acquisition and repurposing of spaces
- Establish a Tamworth Development Agency to coordinate and accelerate growth
The strategy identifies the need for significant investment, stronger stakeholder collaboration, and a clearer economic identity to unlock Tamworth’s full potential.
Stephen Gabriel, chief executive of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “I am delighted to welcome Bill to Tamworth at such a crucial stage in our journey. With our Gungate scheme set for expressions of interest from developers later this year, it has been critical to fill this pivotal role quickly.
“Bill’s track record of delivering complex regeneration schemes and aligning strategic vision with local aspirations makes him ideally placed to lead this next chapter for Tamworth.
“I am very much looking forward to seeing what Bill brings to Tamworth.”
