Mark Barrow appointed as new Director of Place at Shropshire Council

Shropshire Council has appointed Mark Barrow as its new Director of Place.

Mark, who was born in Shrewsbury and lives in Whitchurch, will take up his new post this month (September 2018).

In his role he will be responsible for a wide range of council services, including economic growth, highways and transport, planning, waste and recycling, libraries and museums.

Mark Barrow

Mark joins Shropshire Council from leading private sector consultancy, Arcadis where for the past four years he has led their public sector work across the Midlands and northern England. As their Director for Local Government Solutions he has been leading a number of key commissions for councils, combined authorities and health organisations.

Mark’s previous positions include the Strategic Director for Development & Culture at Birmingham City Council and Chief Executive of Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council.

He also led the establishment and management of the Greater Birmingham Local Enterprise Partnership, helping to lay the foundations for the West Midlands Combined Authority.  He was previously a Non-Executive Director of Birmingham Children’s Hospital and has been driving a number of integrated health and care projects across the UK.

A Chartered Building Surveyor by profession, Mark started his career with the former Shropshire County Council, before developing his career at various city, county and borough councils across the UK.

Mark Barrow said:

“As a proud Salopian I am passionate about making Shropshire as successful and attractive as it can be. Like all councils we face tough financial challenges, but we also have a huge amount of opportunity to help grow and develop the county to everyone’s benefit. I am looking forward to working with councillors, colleagues and key partners to deliver the essential services and economic growth that we all want to see.”

Clive Wright, Chief Executive of Shropshire Council, said:

“I’m delighted to welcome Mark to Shropshire Council and look forward to working with him. Mark has a wealth of experience in both delivering high quality services to residents as well as driving economic growth and development and investment in infrastructure. His commercial background and track record of delivering big projects will also be important in helping realise Shropshire’s ambitions.”

Mark is a Visiting Professor: Urban Policy & Development at Birmingham City University and is an Associate of the Local Government Information Unit for whom he regularly authors ‘briefing’ papers across the public sector.

Married with two daughters, he has also authored numerous articles in the local government press and has spoken at a number of national events on various infrastructure, development and economic matters.

Mark succeeds George Candler, who left the council in April this year to become Chief Executive of Northampton Borough Council.