Liverpool regen director seconded to Torus

Sophie Bevan has left the city council to take up a role as the housing provider’s project director of joint ventures and renewal.

Bevan, who joined Liverpool City Council from the combined authority as development and major projects director in 2023, has been seconded to Torus Developments with a view to supporting the organisation’s growth ambitions across North Liverpool.

Torus is expected to play a significant part in the regeneration of the 430-acre area to be governed by the North Docks Mayoral Development Corporation and the North Liverpool New Town, which reaches over the border into Sefton.

Torus already has a sizeable presence in North Liverpool with more than 10,000 existing homes and last year opened Hartley Locks – a 195-home scheme overlooking Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

In her new role, Bevan will work with private sector investors and partners, and public sector organisations including her former employer, Homes England, and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to unlock and deliver housing.

The secondment “reflects the shared ambitions of Liverpool City Council and Torus to unlock regeneration opportunities and bring forward new models of investment that support housebuilding, retrofitting existing properties, and long-term place-making” a press statement sent by Torus said.

Andrew Lewis, chief executive of Liverpool City Council, said: “Sophie Bevan’s secondment to Torus, to work within the registered provider sector, is a further example of our commitment to deliver social and affordable homes across the city, and specifically in North Liverpool alongside our proposed Liverpool North Docks Mayoral Development Corporation.

“Sophie brings extensive regeneration and development experience, and I am confident her new role will strengthen the partnership to support renewal, new homes and social value for our communities.”

Bevan said: “It is a fantastic opportunity at a pivotal moment for Liverpool as we look to accelerate place-based housing-led regeneration in North Liverpool,” Bevan said.

“Partnerships will be key not only to delivering housing at pace but also paving the way for growth and delivering better results for communities. We want to work with other housing associations, local organisations and businesses to make them part of this too because together we are stronger and will make a bigger, lasting impact.”

Managing director of Torus Developments, Chris Bowen, added: “Sophie brings extensive regeneration, development, governance and partnership experience as well as deep knowledge of Liverpool’s strategic priorities and stakeholder landscape.

“Her secondment will support us in building on our presence in North Liverpool by making investment more attractive, strengthening relationships with other registered housing providers, private and public-sector partners to deliver long-term social and economic value.

“This is a positive opportunity to deepen collaboration across North Liverpool at a time when housing-led regeneration, renewal and inclusive growth are central to the city’s ambitions.”