New Director to help deliver Rochdale renaissance

Phil Joyce, Director of Physical Regeneration

Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) has appointed Phil Joyce as Director of Physical Regeneration.

Mr Joyce joins RDA from Leeds City Council where he was Head of Regeneration Projects and Programmes. He is looking forward to fresh challenges including the delivery of the multi-million pound Housing Market Renewal programme and helping to bring-to-life ambitious plans to transform the borough’s inner urban areas.

Mr Joyce has recently headed up major regeneration projects in Leeds including the Aire Valley Leeds Regeneration which involves the economic development of a major gateway into the city as well as the East and South East Leeds project, one of the largest social regeneration initiatives in the country. 

A corporate member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, Mr Joyce has also worked as Planning and Regeneration Manager at Leeds Teaching Hospitals (NHS) Trust, on secondment from Leeds City Council.  Earlier in his career he managed development teams at Bristol City Council and Hart District Council.

The private/public partnership structure of RDA was one of the attractions for him. Unique within Greater Manchester, this constitution allows the RDA to be flexible, fast and innovative.

He said: “I’m excited about the prospect of helping to deliver the scale of regeneration that is taking place in Rochdale. I’m also looking forward to helping carry forward the impressive track-record of the RDA, working closely with the Council and other partners”. 

John Hudson, Chief Executive of RDA, said: “The appointment will strengthen our team as we move forward in this era of unprecedented investment in the borough.  Construction is underway on the £350 million Kingsway Business Park and the metrolink tram line from Manchester to the town is now confirmed.  Work will start on site before summer on two large housing developments through the Housing Market Renewal programme, helping to create a better choice of quality housing and more sustainable communities.”

Mr Joyce, who is married with two children and enjoys walking, theatre and cricket, takes up his post on 23 April.