New CEO to take Millennium Point into new era
Millennium Point trustees today announced the appointment of Philip Singleton as the new Chief Executive to lead the organisation with effect from 1 March 2012. As Millennium Point enters a new era with the regeneration of Eastside gathering pace, Philip will be tasked with ensuring that the flagship development maintains its position as the bustling heart of the area. Philip is a property specialist and brings with him a wealth of knowledge, having over 20 years experience in the public and private sectors and having worked with planners for the past seven years.
Alongside this appointment, the Millennium Point Trust has also appointed Helen Magnani (current Property Director) as Deputy Chief Executive. Helen also takes up her new role 1 March 2012, and will be working with Philip to ensure that Millennium Point maintains and improves its great facilities to all its tenants, visitors, delegates and guests.
Speaking of his excitement with the new appointments, Sir Bernard Zissman, Chairman of Millennium Point Trust said, “Millennium Point is about to enter a new era. Now in its eleventh year, the complex has been an amazing success and one of the most successful of the national landmark Millennium projects. The appointment of Philip Singleton brings to the Trust experience and vision, which has been demonstrated in the regeneration of Birmingham and particularly the Eastside area. Millennium Point will continue to play a part as a foundation project of Eastside, hosting the new Science Garden now under development as part of the wider City Park. The Trust looks forward to a period of growth led by our new team of Philip Singleton and Helen Magnani. The importance of this role – not just the economic situation – generated ninety six applications from across the region, country and beyond.”
Philip joins Millennium Point, having been Director of Major Sites for the London Borough of Newham where he was responsible for the post Olympic masterplans for Stratford and the Royal Docks. He was previously Assistant Director for City Centre Development for Birmingham City Council, responsible as Project Director for the Big City Plan and the Eastside Master Plan, and a senior member of Birmingham’s regeneration team.
Philip Singleton said of his appointment, “I’m naturally very excited to be appointed to the Chief Executive role at Millennium Point. The fact that Eastside is an area I’ve been involved with for nine years now gives me a strong sense of ambition for the place. I will be working with the board and team to maximise the opportunities Millennium Point presents. It is inevitable that a building of such scale will influence what goes on around it. Beyond that, I will be making sure it plays a role nationally and internationally.
“Millennium Point hosts Birmingham City University, Thinktank and other important business as well as operating the fabulous digital Giant Screen cinema. These are all key partners to be working with.
“The High Speed 2 terminal is going to be the most enormous player in Eastside and we will be talking continuously with the promoters about opportunities and ideas. That’s going to happen in 14 years time – so there is an array of things to be doing in the meantime.
Helen Magnani added, “I look forward to working with Philip to lead Millennium Point into the next era of the development”
Millennium Point remains a focal point in the regeneration of the Eastside of Birmingham, with a number of other significant developments having emerged and emerging in the area. Birmingham Ormiston Academy opened its doors for the first time last year and both Birmingham City University’s Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD) campus and Birmingham’s City Park will open in 2013.
