John Hudson, Chief Executive of Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) retires

John Hudson (Chief Executive) with Phil Ewbank (Chairman) and John Searle (Development Director)

John Hudson, the Chief Executive of Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) is retiring after 22 years at the head of the borough’s economic and business development agency.

The RDA was created in 1993 to spearhead the economic and physical regeneration of Rochdale borough, working on behalf of Rochdale Council and with other public and private partners.

John has had a leading role in helping Rochdale Borough attract more than £1bn of economic investment and he been instrumental in retaining many companies and jobs within the local area. John was central to the creation of the 420-acre Kingsway Business Park – one of the largest and most successful development projects in the North of England and a major provider of jobs for borough residents.

Under his leadership the RDA was also responsible for delivering a £50m development strategy for Middleton town centre, working on behalf of the Council. The scheme involved major new retail, leisure, public transport and public realm investment, including the £12m Middleton Arena project.

In Heywood, the RDA has been key to attracting massive private investment in new employment areas and other physical regeneration projects, such as the transformation of The Old Police Station into a successful managed office space for small businesses.

Over the past decade the RDA has worked with the Council on the regeneration strategy for Rochdale town centre. The work includes the new library and civic offices at Number One Riverside, a new public transport interchange and work to reopen a section of the River Roch. RDA has helped assemble a major development site and negotiate the agreements with the Council’s partner, Genr8. Work on the new £100m retail and leisure scheme is due to begin in 2016.

Mr Hudson said: “The focus for the RDA and myself is always on the present and future rather than the past. However, after my retirement I will look back with pride and genuine affection on my working life in Rochdale borough and what has been achieved by our unique local partnership.”

RDA Chairman Phil Ewbank said: “John helped establish the RDA and made it the great organisation it is today. Over the last 22 years there has been many changes but having someone of Johns’ calibre at the helm has ensured the Agency has met the challenges along the way. Working alongside Rochdale Borough Council, he has delivered some very important projects that have generated huge economic growth in the borough and much needed employment opportunities for local people.”

Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, Councillor Richard Farnell, said: “The RDA has been an important partner for the Council and the borough over more than 20 years. John, as Chief Executive, has played a major role in a number of major projects that have helped the Council revitalise many areas, delivering both jobs and economic growth.

“We are enormously grateful for his contribution to the borough of Rochdale and to the Rochdale Development Agency.”

Steve Rumbelow, the Chief Executive of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “John’s leadership of Rochdale Development Agency has been a major factor in many of the really key regeneration projects around the borough. I would like to thank him for his contribution and commitment to the partnership between the Council and the RDA and the great many things we have achieved together.”

RDA’s Development Director, John Searle, will become Acting Chief Executive on John Hudson’s departure thereby ensuring continuity in the important services that are delivered by the Development Agency.