WEL’s Stephen Izatt moves on

1 Mar 2007

WATERFRONT Edinburgh Ltd (WEL), the publicly owned developer charged with leading the development of Edinburgh's waterfront, is looking for a new chief executive following the resignation of former merchant banker Stephen Izatt. Izatt is to leave Edinburgh to lead the waterfront regeneration of Jersey's capital, St Helier.

Izatt's departure is likely to be welcomed by those architects that have express concern about WEL's commitment to design quality over his three-year leadership. Izatt has been critcised for architects who feel that he failed to follow to the original brief to create an environment that was equal, in urban design terms, to the city's New Town. A proposal promoted by Izatt to build a new island, with a thistle-like plan, connected to the mainland by a causeway, was widely attacked and was later dropped.

However, speaking to the The Scotsman Izatt said: "I'm delighted at the progress that's been made and I look forward to seeing the Granton waterfront becoming a world class destination over the coming years, a place to live, work and play," he said. "I have thoroughly enjoyed being in Edinburgh, and I'm proud of the achievements made during my period as chief executive."

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