GOVERNMENT OFFICE FOR THE EAST MIDLANDS
GOEM/EM 265/02
REGION''S TOP CIVIL SERVANT RETIRES
GOEM Regional Director Dennis Morrison, the East Midlands'' most senior civil servant, retires on 30 September, when he hands over to his successor Jane Todd.
Dennis, who controls a budget of more than £460 million and is responsible for delivery of £8 million neighbourhood renewal funds, £16 million for crime reduction and £67 million in European funds, retires after four years in the post, prior to which he was Regional Director for the Government Office for Merseyside.
Dennis is a chartered town planner with extensive experience in central and local Government in Wales, the North West and the East Midlands. He has developed considerable expertise in urban and rural regeneration during his career - which includes a spell in Merseyside in the early 1980s where he was closely involved in re-building inner city communities shattered by the Toxteth riots.
Dennis lists regeneration projects in Merseyside and the East Midlands among the high points of his career, including prestigious development schemes such as Liverpool''s Albert Dock, the Anglican Cathedral precinct and Tate Gallery, and the East Midlands City Challenge projects of Derby, Leicester and Nottingham.
"Regeneration isn''t just about physical construction, its about working with communities to rebuild confidence and help people develop a vision for the future," said Dennis.
"It reaches far beyond nuts and bolts and engineering to how the project will work long-term with people living in it. It''s helping to solve difficulties and ensuring sustainability."
During his time as GOEM Regional Director, Dennis has been instrumental in developing regional networks involving a wide range of business, voluntary sector and public sector organisations.
"Working with a diverse range of organisations is crucial in building networks and getting people to think about the prosperity of their region which augurs well for the future development of the East Midlands as a region in Europe," said Dennis.
In addition to his GOEM directorship, Dennis also sits on the advisory board of the Highways Agency and is a Special Professor in Regional Governance and Planning at the University of Nottingham.
In retirement, Dennis looks forward to continuing his work at the University and to devoting more time to his passion for antique clocks and barometers.
Dennis'' successor Jane Todd joins GOEM from Nottingham City Council where she has been the Director of Development and Environmental Services since 1999. Jane has held a wide range of posts in Local Government in the East Midlands during her career.
Jane Todd said: "I''m joining the office at a very exciting time and I''m keen to see the regional agenda progressing.
"I look forward to building on our already effective partnerships to maximise the potential of policies and programmes we deliver in the region, and in raising the profile of the East Midlands as a major player both locally and in Europe."
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