Transforming Telford

Sarah Raper has been appointed as Chief Executive of Telford First, the new stand-alone company that is being set up to drive forward the economic growth of the borough.

With a massive agenda to transform and develop the town, Telford First will help maximise the impact of the Local Area Agreement – a unique initiative being piloted by the Borough of Telford & Wrekin to use Government funding in a flexible way, designed to meet the needs of the community.

Telford First will focus on several major initiatives to transform the Borough including the redevelopment of Telford Town Centre to create high quality shopping, civic and leisure facilities, the regeneration of Woodside and South Telford and the development of key sites such as Lakeside to attract and retain new business investment and create quality jobs for local people. Telford First will also be responsible for tourism, economic development and inward investment for the whole Borough.

Sarah (41) joins the organisation at its inception, to build a team of development, economic development and regeneration specialists, that will spearhead the transformation of the town. She brings over 15 years experience in urban renewal, commercial and residential development, marketing, economic development and inward investment. Her previous roles include commercial director at Catalyst Corby Urban Regeneration Company and at Speke Garston Development Company. She has also worked for George Wimpey Plc and English Partnerships.

Sarah Raper said: “We need to ensure that Telford becomes a 21st century town that welcomes new residents, visitors and businesses.. We will promote the town as a prime location for investment and ensure that Telford plays a key role in the development of the West Midlands city region.

“The development of Telford town centre is critical and Telford First will lead on this key initiative, bringing together private and public sectors to work side by side with common goals and a single vision.

“Telford is a town with an exciting future and there are great opportunities for its development and to attract new investors to the area, bringing better paid, more highly-skilled jobs. Most exciting of all is that this vision will be delivered through a partnership of the most influential and results-driven organisations and individuals in the town.”

The board of Telford First will be a partnership of key stakeholders within the town, chaired independently and including representatives from the council, private sector, the Chamber of Commerce, Advantage West Midlands, English Partnerships, Government Office of the West Midlands and the Telford Economic Development Partnership.

Chief Executive of the Borough of Telford & Wrekin Michael Frater said: “Telford First is an example of partnership working at its very best. The company will bring together the public and private sectors to deliver an ambitious agenda of town growth and renewal and will spearhead the transformation of the town.”

Chair of Telford Economic Development Partnership Ray Prior said “Telford First is a unique opportunity for the business community to work together with the public sector in shaping the Economic Development of Telford and Wrekin and to bring about real change to ensure a prosperous future for all who work and live in the area”.