Hirst to leave Salford for private developer

Karen Hirst, development director at Salford City Council, is due to leave the local authority at the end of May, to join Eric Wright Group as board director within property development arm, Maple Grove.

Hirst has been involved in many of the city’s high-profile regeneration schemes, including MediaCityUK, Salford Central and Port Salford, and has 26 years’ experience in the sector.

She joined Salford City Council in 2011 from the Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company, and has also held directorships at the Welsh Development Agency, and a private developer.

Hirst will join Maple Grove in a newly-created position on 20 June, and her role will be to build on the success of Maple Grove in Lancashire by extending the development portfolio beyond the county, and advising on its existing public-private sector partnerships. She will be based in Bamber Bridge but will also work within Eric Wright’s Manchester office.

She said: “Eric Wright has a solid reputation and is unique in its offering as a property developer, contractor, civil engineering firm and facilities management company.

“Having worked on many public and private sector schemes over the years, I will be utilising my skills and experience to create opportunities to deliver regeneration projects across all sectors.

“With a strong commitment to placemaking, Maple Grove has a track record of delivering successful schemes across the North West, including most notably Blackburn Cathedral Quarter and our aim is to develop and deliver similar projects in other geographical areas.”