Sunderland gets its main man

A NEW executive has been appointed with overseeing ambitious regeneration plans in Sunderland.

Peter McIntrye will take up the post of executive director of economy and place at Sunderland City Council, a role which is expected to promote economic growth.

Mr McIntrye previously served as the chief executive of Arch, the development arm of Northumberland County Council, set up in 2012.

In that role, he oversaw the building of hundreds of homes and commercial spaces and a portfolio of projects worth £300m.

But the company was criticised in February 2017 for leaving rural parts of the vast county “neglected”.

He’ll be paid between £130,000 and £140,000 a year.

Sunderland City Council has already committed to a wide-ranging revenue programme, including the redevelopment of the Vaux site, the New Wear Crossing and the International Advanced Manufacturing Park.

Mr McIntrye said: “I’m really excited about coming to Sunderland, although it will be a huge wrench to leave Northumberland and all the fantastic people I’ve worked with in my time here.

“Having seen the developments currently under way in Sunderland and, having read about plans for the International Advanced Manufacturing Park and a whole raft of other development sites, this is a great time to join Sunderland.

“I’m really looking forward to helping them achieve their aims.”