Wirral regen lead departs – its fifth in three years
Marcus Shaw’s exit was announced on 19 August, ending a year-long tenure in a post that has struggled for consistent leadership.
Shaw officially took the helm as head of regeneration in March this year after holding an interim role from August 2024.
He had been at Wirral Council since 2023, when he arrived from the Government Property Agency with nine years’ experience at Manchester City Council.
A spokesperson for Wirral Council said: “During [Shaw’s] time with the council, he held a key role in respect of the borough’s regeneration and housing ambitions, including the Hind Street Urban Village, completion of the Millers Quay at Wirral Waters, and the adoption of the brownfield only local plan.
“He was part of the strategic leadership team recognised in the recent peer review as making progress.
“We thank Mr Shaw for his service and wish him well for his future.”
The local authority has seen multiple directors take on the role over the last few years, coupled with a period of slow movement and projects going over budget.
Wirral Council Leader Cllr Paula Basnett launched an internal investigation of the Birkenhead town centre highway and public realm works programme in June, which has gone £12m over budget and struggled with delays.
The following month, it was reported that Basnett had told councillors Shaw would be “absent from work until further notice”.
A separate and independent review was then launched to assess the council’s strategic approach to regeneration and a selection of ongoing projects to understand their delivery status.
The local authority confirmed management consultancy Aughton Lane would be leading the review.
A source close to Place North West said Shaw’s departure was not related to the independent assessment, but rather the result of an internal audit.
Shaw was contacted for comment.
The last long-term director of regeneration at Wirral Council was Alan Evans, who served for eight years before joining Homes England in 2022.
Evans was initially replaced by Sally Shah on an interim basis, before David Hughes stepped up on a permanent basis.
Hughes subsequently left for London and was replaced by Marc Cole, whose departure after three months due to ‘ill-health’ opened the door for Shaw.
This wasn’t a good appointment for the Council and it’s not surprising it’s gone so wrong so quickly. I hope the new Leader can see what needs to be done now and make the right appointments. No. 6 in 3 years; not a good look at all.
By Damo
Great bloke. Always paid on time.
By Dougie P
I suppose if job satisfaction is low most people wouldn’t hang around, if that is reason for this departure.
There are certainly some exciting projects planned in Wirral, especially Birkenhead, but these need to be implemented instead of promised.
By Anonymous
A pity, that. Seemed to have a handle on things.
By More Anonymous than the others
A handle on it? I have seen a better handle on a left handed bucket
By Dean
Says everything about the political leadership in Wirral Council. The Government should intervene.
By Anonymous
WBC’s new leader Paula Basnett looks like she’s got her screwed on and fully backs the council Brownfield only local plan. She has said she fully supports the ambitious regeneration plans for the borough so I have full confidence that the new regen lead will stick around
By Roy Webster
I am sure that role is one of the most difficult to excel at in property – there are many competing demands – its politically difficult and viability questionable. There are also some fairly loveable rouges seeking big DM fees operating in the area with clout so good luck to anyone who tries. Marcus i am sure did his best but tbh if you are going to excel as an area – you need to sing with one voice and Wirral could do better in that respect. Manchester and now Liverpool have shown how to do it with aligned political and civic leadership and public appointments are supported and nurtured – the competition for investment is intense . The issue I am sure is not Marcus Shaw.
By PB
The council needs a complete overhaul,
By Wirral resident
Too easy to blame the individual when there’s clearly deeper cultural problems within the organisation. They must be a step away from having the commissioners imposed on them.
By Anonymous
Sounds like Marcus is taking the boot for the long term deeper issues here. If he has only been in the role a year, I’m sure these projects must have begun before his time and ultimately has he just inherited these issues? Sounds like this cllr Paula Basnett is looking for a show of strength and power more than fixing any problem. Bad news for this council long term if this is what we’ve got. We do not need a Donald Trump. Shows extreme weakness really if her best weapon is to remove staff in high positions to demonstrate she is in power.
By Anonymous
I see the hangers on are making their comments more explicit – he should have been removed sooner.
By Anonymouse