New appointments to drive forward Kingsway Business Park

Keiron O'Neill has been promoted to Investment and Marketing Director

Rochdale Development Agency has made two new appointments that will develop and promote Kingsway Business Park nationally.

Keiron O’Neill has been promoted into the new role of Investment and Marketing Director, a post that will cover all of Rochdale with a special emphasis on Kingsway.

Glyn Pittendreigh will be joining RDA as Director of Development at Kingsway from the Welsh Assembly Government. Glyn has worked at the Assembly for 20 years latterly as Property Development Manager.

Keiron, 41, is looking forward to showcasing Kingsway to a national audience now that a number of modern units are nearing completion. He has vast experience working in economic development and business support, starting his career at Stockport Council before moving to Manchester Enterprises as an area manager. He joined Rochdale Development Agency in 2006 as Investment and Marketing Manager and has helped secure substantial investment for the borough as well as attracting new businesses to the area.

Keiron, who is married with two daughters, said: “It is an extremely exciting time for Rochdale, with much of the infrastructure for growth either now in place or imminent. We need to ensure we keep a sharp focus on attracting private investment, especially making businesses aware of the plentiful assets that Kingsway has to offer including its direct motorway access, high quality buildings and parkland location.”

Glyn, (53) who started his career with Leeds City Council, will take up post as Development Director in November. He joined the Welsh Development Agency in 1988, which merged with the Welsh Assembly Government in 2006. He has led a number of high profile projects, managing and developing strategic employment sites including Deeside Industrial Park, Wrexham Industrial Estate and Parc Menai Bangor.

In his last role as Property Development Manager he was involved the acquisition and development of mixed use sites such as The Point Llandudno Junction and Parc Cybi Holyhead; procuring bespoke business space via private sector partners, totalling over 2.5 million square feet.

Glyn, who is married with two sons, said: “The scale of Kingsway and the potential to make a substantial difference to the local economy by attracting new diverse businesses to the area and increasing employment opportunities is what excites me most about this role.”

Two companies Vindon Scientific, a leading supplier of medical testing chambers and Takeuchi Mfg (UK) Ltd, a construction equipment supplier with a global market, have already signed up to Kingsway. The Kingsway team is also following up a number of live enquiries for other units.

Kingsway includes a 30 hectare parkland area which will create new woodlands and walkways. Cycle and bus routes will provide a green travel option and a Metrolink light tram stop is planned for the site.

The Kingsway Partnership consists of Northwest Regional Development Agency Wilson Bowden Developments, Rochdale Development Agency and Rochdale Borough Council.