NEIL DARWIN
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in strategic leadership and vision, economic development, and housing and transport strategy. Demonstrates high proficiency in financial management, stakeholder engagement, and infrastructure project delivery. Skilled in policy development, performance management, and fostering innovation for future-ready solutions. Committed to effective communication and team building to drive organisational success. Effective team manager able to motivate and connect across all levels
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Managing Director
Deyton Bell Ltd
08.2017 - 02.2025
- Undertook interim Senior Executive roles within Councils to deliver economic, planning, housing and transport priorities including West Northamptonshire Council (2017-2019), Surrey County Council (2020-22 and 2024), and Westmorland and Furness Council (2022-current)
- Developed Regeneration and Economic Growth Strategies for Sheffield, Westmorland and Furness, Kirklees, Harlow, Plymouth, Somerset West and Taunton, Torbay, and Watford Councils
- Advised on approaches to the English Devolution White Paper to Surrey, Westmorland and Furness and Ipswich Councils
- Led development of Marina Village Housing scheme in Barrow-in-Furness a development of 800 homes and secured £24.8m of Homes England funding
- Led negotiations with Legal & General and Schroders unlocked investment in Northampton’s Grosvenor Centre and investment in regenerating the Market Square to compliment Town Deal funds
- Led development of International and Inward Investment strategies for D2N2 and Greater Lincolnshire LEPs working alongside a wide range of stakeholders.
- Led development of Surrey County Council’s £250m infrastructure strategy prioritised sustainable transport and digital connectivity and advised on integrating transport functions with the Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership
Chief Executive
Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership
05.2014 - 06.2017
- Chief Executive and Lead Advisor to the Board
- Transformed a fragmented organization into one of the UK’s top-performing LEPs
- Secured £60m in Growth Deal funding
- Established six Enterprise Zones that generated over 3,000 jobs
- Led lobbying programs to secure funds for major infrastructure projects, including the A14 upgrade and Ely Southern bypass
- Built strong propositions with stakeholders and positioned effectively with Government
- Developed a program of town centre initiatives to address declining High Streets in King's Lynn, St Neots, and Haverhill
- Led the development of strategy to secure Enterprise Zone status for Cambridge Compass covering 5 sites
- Reprofiled £12m to accelerate site readiness, attracting AstraZeneca’s relocation (2,000 jobs secured)
- Developed a 10-year economic blueprint securing cross-party support across 14 local authorities
- This included targeted interventions in skills, infrastructure, and innovation, resulting in a 12% increase in regional GDP over five years
- Successfully campaigned for the £1.4bn A14 upgrade by presenting evidence-based business cases to the Department for Transport, demonstrating how reduced congestion would unlock £1.2bn in economic benefits over 20 years
- Played a pivotal role in establishing Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s devolved Combined Authority, negotiating powers over transport, housing, and adult education
Chief Executive
Opportunity Peterborough
05.2010 - 05.2014
- Led the City Centre master planning securing £125 for 6 key projects including development of the £20m Cathedral Square project
- Led the delivery of £3m improvement to the Cowgate area of the city including new public realm, such as planters, signage, and new parking areas
- Developed new inward investment propositions which led to the attraction of 6,000 new jobs (2010-2014) in a range of sectors, including financial services, professional services, Civil Service, and Manufacturing
- Led successful bid and lobbying to secure the Green Business Bank, which led to £4m government investment for environmental developments and £3m through the Future Cities Programme to support development of Smart Cities activities
- Developed the international award-winning ‘Skills Service,’ connecting over 4,500 young people with employers over a 2-year period
Director
Regional Cities East
01.2007 - 05.2010
- Organizational lead; advised the Regional Cities East Board and Member Cities on urban regeneration issues and providing support and capacity for regeneration schemes in the 6 member cities
- Led regional partnerships to deliver key economic growth outcomes with a range of partners such as Universities, Regional Development Agency, and Government
- Developed positive relationships with Government departments, key agencies, including the Arts Council, English Heritage, Environment Agency, and Think Tanks, such as Centre for Cities
- Worked with each member city to develop Integrated Development Programmes to ensure evidenced-based prioritization of infrastructure schemes
- Led work on Net Zero Strategies with each city, identifying environmental improvements that could reduce carbon footprints through statutory, commercial, or innovative solutions
Head of Economic Development
Peterborough City Council
07.2003 - 12.2006
- Led the development of Economic Growth and Skills Strategies, including the development of the University of Peterborough in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University
- Led delivery on the City Centre Master Plan and negotiations with Landowners and Investors
- This resulted in major land assembly on previously non-viable sites
- Phase 1 delivery included 500 new homes on Fletton Quays and 250,000 sq ft extension to the Queensgate Shopping Centre securing the establishment of a new Primark store and Restaurants community to boost the evening economy
- Developed Funding applications to Government and European Commission successfully securing over £45m through Growth Funds and Urban II and Interreg European Programmes
- Led a multi-disciplinary team across economic, property, and community development functions, providing effective management to ensure that delivery remained focused on target and budget
Head of Economic Development
LB Waltham Forest
01.2000 - 12.2002
Senior Economic Development Officer
LB Enfield
01.1998 - 12.2000
Programme Officer
North Nottinghamshire Business Link
01.1996 - 12.1998
Policy Advisor
Department of Trade and Industry
01.1994 - 12.1996
Education
BA Hons - Economics and Politics
University of Nottingham
Nottingham 09.1990 - 06.1994
MA - Planning and Urban Studies
UCL London
10.1995 - 06.1997
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King Edward VII, King's Lynn
01.1985 - 01.1990
Skills
- Strategic Leadership & Vision
- Economic Development & Regeneration
- Housing Strategy & Delivery
- Planning & Transport
- Financial Management & Resource Allocation
- Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Building
- Infrastructure Project Delivery
- Negotiation & Influencing
- Policy Development & Implementation
- Performance Management & Reporting
- Innovation & Future-Ready Delivery
- Devolution & Local Government Reform
- Team building and training
- Leadership excellence
- Strategic thinking
- Effective communication
Custom
Available upon request.
Affiliations
- Watching live Music
- Attending sports events - Football, Cricket, NFL and Athletics
Timeline
Managing Director
Deyton Bell Ltd
08.2017 - 02.2025
Chief Executive
Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership
05.2014 - 06.2017
Chief Executive
Opportunity Peterborough
05.2010 - 05.2014
Director
Regional Cities East
01.2007 - 05.2010
Head of Economic Development
Peterborough City Council
07.2003 - 12.2006
Head of Economic Development
LB Waltham Forest
01.2000 - 12.2002
Senior Economic Development Officer
LB Enfield
01.1998 - 12.2000
Programme Officer
North Nottinghamshire Business Link
01.1996 - 12.1998
MA - Planning and Urban Studies
UCL London
10.1995 - 06.1997
Policy Advisor
Department of Trade and Industry
01.1994 - 12.1996
BA Hons - Economics and Politics
University of Nottingham
09.1990 - 06.1994
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King Edward VII, King's Lynn
01.1985 - 01.1990
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