READING’S economic development and place marketing organisation has appointed five new directors to help its work.
They come from the business and education sectors in the borough, and REDA says they will add to the experience and skill sets already around the table.
Each appointment is senior people from many of Reading’s thriving business sectors, such as property, retail, transport, planning, sport and leisure and marketing, as well as other key stakeholders such as Reading Borough Council and the University of Reading.
They have been joined by professionals from the worlds of technology, education, housing, insurance and property.
The new appointments are: Stan Hansen, chief revenue officer for Egnyte, a global tech business specialising in cloud based data sharing, collaboration and governance software; Professor Dominik Zaum, pro-vice chancellor for research and innovation at the University of Reading; Alex Aitchison, managing director of Lincoln Property Company (LPC), which is delivering the landmark £850m mixed-use regeneration of Station Hill; Lee Gwilliam, regional director, Thames Valley at Marsh Commercial, an insurance broker; Caroline McHardy, land and development director at Berkeley Homes, who are building 765 homes at Huntley Wharf among other developments in the area.
REDA is a private and public sector partnership company with a team of seven staff and a turnover of £2m.
The chair is Adam Jacobs and the Board are there to ‘shape a better Reading’, by providing leadership, co-ordination and oversight of delivery in three main areas: place marketing, attracting inward investment and supporting local businesses and the workforce.
REDA says it provides town centre promotional space opportunities for business looking to drive brand awareness and is the management body of Reading’s Business Improvement District.
Mr Jacobs welcomed the new board members.
“Their considerable expertise and knowledge will fill gaps in REDA’s recently revised governance structure and bring new skills and business sector representation to ensure REDA is serving the needs of as many Reading businesses as possible in the most efficient and productive manner,” he said.
And the new team are raring to go, sharing statements about their appointments.
Lee Gwillian of Marsh Commercial said: “As a member of the REDA board, I hope to contribute to the economic development of Reading using my experience from the world of risk management to help shape strategy and indeed maximise opportunity.”
Dominik Zaum, University of Reading, said: “As a member of the REDA Board, I look forward to working with colleagues to strengthen the local skills base and innovation ecosystem that will support an environmentally sustainable and thriving Reading.”
Stan Hansen of Egnyte aims to contribute his financial skills to REDA and offer constant feedback from the viewpoint of a US company relocating to the UK, with Reading as a proactive base.
“I will be providing ideas to the Board particularly focused on how overseas leaders view Reading and how the return to the office can practically be implemented, sharing experience and workable detail,” he said.
Alex Aitchison, Lincoln Property Company (LPC), said: “REDA is a leading organisation for Reading, promoting and ensuring attraction and retention of investment. REDA activities continue to create a real difference for the benefit of Reading and the wider community, and Lincoln Property Company and Station Hill look forward to being part of the REDA Board.”
Caroline McHardy, Land and Development Director at Berkeley Homes, said: “I am hoping to shape a better Reading through Berkeley Homes delivery of housing and sustainable communities for our workforce, but also as a former student of Reading University and someone who has lived locally for over 12 years.”
For more details, log on to: https://www.visit-reading.com/business/about-us/our-people
