Asset company seeks ‘dynamic individual’ for Blacon

A new social enterprise which will run assets worth more than £30m in an area of Chester is recruiting for an independent chairman to deliver improvements in services and opportunities.

If approved, the Parade scheme in Blacon will be run by the newly established Blacon Asset Management Company which will oversee homes being built alongside retail.

The new chairman will be assisted by a vice-chairman, who will be a community representative.

The initiative is being developed by Chester & District Housing Trust, Cheshire West & Chester Council and the Blacon Alliance.

Chester & District Housing Trust said the key function of the asset management company is to ensure commercial success which will generate surplus revenue to deliver localised services through the management of services, the public realm, housing and retail stock in Blacon.

It is intended that the asset management company will have responsibility for the management of an asset base that ultimately could exceed £30m, including the new Blacon Parade development.

English Partnerships previously funded a masterplan for The Parade, an area of shops, houses and community facilities in Blacon considered run down by the council.

Following a downturn in the housing market, there was shortfall of funding to continue its redevelopment and EP was replaced by the Homes & Communities Agency which had other commitments.

John Denny, chief executive of Chester & District Housing Trust, said: "We are looking for a dynamic individual who can help to lead and drive this unique social enterprise, someone preferably with a commercial background who can develop the asset company for the benefit of Blacon. This is an exciting opportunity for the right individual, who will be there at the start, with the opportunity to forge a unique company and be an ambassador for a vital social enterprise.

"Residents and community groups will have representatives on the board who will be charge of running The Parade and other assets in Blacon, being in control of budget. It is the responsibility of the asset company to make a profit which will then be reinvested into the area which will maintain the sustainability of the project."

Closing date for applications is 12pm on Monday 14 February. The position of chairman is a part-time position for one to two days a week.

• Application forms can be downloaded from the Chester & District Housing Trust website and should be emailed to jobadvert@cdht.org. For more information contact Chester & District Housing Trust human resources on 01244 305407