Agency that brought in £1bn will be wound up

Mar 25 2009 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

Mr Docherty said: “The job at TVR has always been to attract investors and get the ball rolling, and, with that secured and the end of TVR moving closer, I feel the time has come to move on. I have loved my time here in the Tees Valley and have enjoyed working with a great team.

“Every time I see the fantastic college at Middlehaven, the beautiful Infinity Bridge or think about the many jobs we have created, I know it’s all been worthwhile and I hope the residents of the Tees Valley agree.

“The people here welcomed me and were enthusiastic and forward-thinking. They were prepared to embrace change with open minds, which is a rare quality in individuals, let alone entire sub-regions.”

The Government’s Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration, which reported last November, is reforming the way regeneration is carried out.

The reforms will give local authorities a statutory duty on economic development and regeneration and require them to work together on major regeneration projects.

TVR brought some of the UK’s leading private sector developers to the Tees Valley, including BioRegional Quintain, Urban Splash and Muse. Minister for the North East Nick Brown said: “The sense of common purpose right across the Tees Valley has won praise from ministers and has brought jobs to the area.

“The project was always time limited and is due to be wound up next year but, under Joe Docherty’s stewardship, it can look back on a good job well done.”