Rochdale Development Agency hires MD

Rachel Laver has taken up the role of managing director, which was vacated by Levi Rickell last year.

Laver joins Rochdale Development Agency – set up by Rochdale Council in 1993 to attract investment into the borough – from Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, where she was chief executive.

Her other previous roles include two and a half years at Marches Local Enterprise Partnership and four and a half years at Cheshire and Warrington LEP.

In her new role, Laver will be responsible for driving forward Rochdale’s regeneration pipeline, including Atom Valley, a 17m sq ft employment development targeting firms in the advanced manufacturing space.

Paul Ormerod, chair of Rochdale Development Agency, said: “We are delighted to welcome Rachel Laver as the new managing director of the RDA. Her experience in regeneration, economic development and strategic programme delivery will be central to our mission as we write the next chapter of Rochdale’s growth.

“Rachel’s commitment to partnership working reflects our long-standing tradition of co-operation, while her track record in innovation and low carbon development aligns with the new wave of reindustrialisation across Greater Manchester. We look forward to working with her to move the borough forward with ambition, creativity and purpose.”

Rachel Laver, incoming managing director, said: “Joining RDA at such an exciting moment is a real honour. Rochdale is a borough shaped by its pioneers, co-operation and resilience, these values will guide how we drive its future growth.

“As [Greater Manchester] Town of Culture, Rochdale has demonstrated the power of creativity to bring communities together and amplify its identity on a wider stage. Coupled with a strong business base and major strategic opportunities such as SMMC, the borough is poised for a new era of high value jobs, investment and sustainable growth.”