Palmer to head Walker Sime’s regeneration division
The former head of regeneration delivery at Wirral Council has joined the construction consultancy to lead its new team in aiding local authorities in delivering major projects.
Regeneration is a passion for Catherine Palmer, who, in addition to her three years fronting Wirral Council’s regeneration projects, also managed Bolton Council’s town centre regeneration programme in 2020. Her career also includes time at Deloitte Real Estate and Vita Property Group.
In her role as director of regeneration delivery at Walker Sime, Palmer will be charged with assisting Northern local authorities in turning their placemaking strategies into reality.
Palmer said she had been “drawn” to Walker Sime because of the company’s “strong reputation, an alignment of culture and values, and its strong growth trajectory”.
She has already outlined her first course of action as director of regeneration delivery.
Palmer said: “My immediate priority will be to speak to all those local authorities that have recently secured Levelling Up Round 3 funding. Bids for those were submitted in June 2022 and they will need support engaging with government and key stakeholders to review and refine the scope of works to ensure the schemes are as impactful and deliverable as possible.”
Duncan Firth, managing director at Walker Sime, welcomed Palmer to the team.
“Cathy has a wealth of experience within the public sector, more specifically being involved in the master planning for local authority regeneration schemes,” he said.
“Walker Sime’s ambition and strategy is set around growth and diversification,” he continued.
“Cathy has joined us to grow this new service line and to build upon the great relationships we also have with many of the local authorities.”
Walker Sime has offices in Trafford, Leeds, and Liverpool. The consultancy specialises in quantity surveying, project management, construction design management, bills of quantities, and infrastructure services. Recent projects in the North West include the refurbishment of Bolton Library, EUREKA! Mersey Children’s Museum, and the redevelopment of the Great Northern Warehouse in Manchester.
