Ask founder appointed New East Manchester chairman

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Simon Bate, Ask Developments

7:39 am, February 8, 2010
Ask founder appointed New East Manchester chairman

By Simon Binns

Simon Bate, a founder director of Ask Developments, is to succeed Robert Hough as chairman of urban regeneration company New East Manchester.

Bate, who set up Manchester-based property developer Ask with Ken Knott and Andy Dodd in 2000, was a partner at accountancy practice Levy Gee until 1996, where he ran an urban regeneration department advising the public and private sectors.

In 1997, he founded Westport Developments, a private company whose backers included Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall, which owned Malmaison hotels in Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds and which merged with Ask in 2003.

Bate was also involved in the opening of pioneering canalside bar Barca and the development of Deansgate Locks. He led the acquisition of Dunlop GRG in 2000, which provided the property platform for Ask's Central Spine and Exchange, Greengate projects.

Ask's projects in east Manchester include Central Park and Bate has also been involved in setting up The Sharp Project in Newton Heath.

NEM's big challenge this year is to deliver a proposed leisure scheme next to the City of Manchester Stadium.

Bate said: “This is a particularly interesting time to take on this role with major announcements imminent and a host of ambitious regeneration plans underway. Being located in Ancoats, Ask are personally enjoying the regeneration benefits that NEM are delivering to the area. To be have greater involvement in one of the biggest regeneration projects in the country, and to be given the opportunity to make a significance contribution to shaping this part of the city is extremely exciting, and a real privilege.”

Robert Hough, who headed New East Manchester for seven years before becoming chairman of the Northwest Regional Development Agency, said the time spent there had been “some of the most rewarding of my career to date”.

He added: “It's been a privilege to work in east Manchester and I have met some truly remarkable people whose passion and pride for their area is inspirational. Urban renewal is never easy but by working closely with the communities we have helped make a real difference to people's lives which is incredibly satisfying. East Manchester will always remain close to my heart, and fortunately my new role with the NWDA will allow me to retain an interest in developments in this important part of the city."

Eddie Smith, NEM's chief executive, said Bate brought “a wealth of property development expertise, and a thorough understanding of the challenges a regeneration area has to overcome”.

Smith added: “Not only has Simon based his business in our area but we have been fortunate to work with him for a number of years on the development of Central Park which is a flagship project and an important economic generator for the area.

“Over the past seven years Robert Hough has made an enormous contribution to the regeneration of east Manchester. He has shared our vision for the area, guided our thinking and generously offered his commercial experience which has proved invaluable. His commitment, enthusiasm and dedication has helped tremendously in driving our ambitious regeneration plans forward to ensure we leave a lasting legacy for east Manchester residents, who themselves have contributed so much. His new role as chairman of the NWDA will allow Robert to have a close insight into the new and exciting developments that will support the growth of the east Manchester economy."

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