Coup for Amion as Russell returns

Respected regeneration boss Tom Russell has returned to the North West to join consultancy firm Amion after his stint as director of the Olympic Legacy in London.

Russell was formerly chief executive of New East Manchester, the urban regeneration company, from 2002 to 2007, when he joined the Olympic effort at the London Development Agency. Russell joins Amion Consulting, based in Liverpool, as an associate.

Russell commented: "I have moved to a stage in my career when I want to use the knowledge I have gained as a practitioner in regeneration in a consultancy role on strategic projects.

"Amion has moved to a leading position in the sector such that they work in the region and elsewhere in the country on the sort of strategic projects that I like to be involved with and can contribute to. I am already engaged on a major project in the South East with Amion and am looking forward to others."

Amion said Russell will take a special interest in place-making and legacy projects. Amion's partners, Tim Johnston and Graham Russell, said in a joint statement: "We have worked with Tom in the past when in Manchester and we were always impressed with his approach and regeneration knowledge. He is well known player in the regeneration industry and will add a new strategic dimension to our work."

Amion was founded in 2000 and specialises in advising public sector organisations such as Regional Development Agencies and Urban Regeneration Companies.