Nottingham’s Creative Quarter has appointed a new chief executive who has pledged to make it a “1st choice destination”.
Stephen Barker will take up the role on November 1, the project’s board has announced.
Barker is a former director of communications for the Midlands Engine scheme and has also worked as a director of communications and marketing for Nottingham City Council.
“I’m delighted to be taking up this exciting role at a time when Nottingham is on the up,” he said.
“The Creative Quarter has achieved a lot already and I’m really ambitious about how much more we can achieve, I’m looking forward to working with the CQ team, our stakeholders and with Nottingham’s creative community to make the Creative Quarter a 1st choice destination for students, businesses, investors and the local and visiting public, becoming an ever better place to work, live, learn and have fun.”
The Creative Quarter Company was set up in 2013 to drive the development of Nottingham’s Creative Quarter area.
It covers Nottingham’s historic Lace Market, Hockley, Sneinton Market and Pennyfoot Street areas.
Creative Quarter chair Craig Chettle said: “We are delighted to have Stephen on board. At an exciting time in the development of the Creative Quarter, and in the cultural development of the city, it is vital we move ahead with a clear vision and strong leadership.
“The board are confident that Stephen, supported by a strong team and an ever-growing network of creative businesses will help the CQ initiative achieve its ambitions.”
Barker takes over the role after Kathy McArdle left the post in April.
The quarter is the city’s creative business district set up to drive employment and economic growth and is credited with regenerating the area.
Its recent achievements include the regeneration of Sneinton Market as a creative business centre.
In 2015 the project won an international ‘Improving Business Environment’ award after bringing more than £3 million to the local economy and creating 650 jobs.
