A FIRM leading a £100m city transformation has made a senior appointment to drive forward its plans.

Siglion, a joint venture company between Sunderland City Council and Carillion, with Igloo Regeneration providing development, asset and fund management advice, has welcomed commercial property specialist Paul Stewart.

Mr Stewart joins as asset manager from NHS Property Services, where he oversaw the health services’ North-East primary care estate.

Siglion’s work in Sunderland will include the development of the former Vaux Brewery to deliver a business district on the site, which has stood derelict since 1999.

The project will also revitalise areas in Seaburn and Chapel Garth.

Mr Stewart said: “It’s great to be involved in something that is hugely important in shaping the future of Sunderland.

“The work I’ll be heading up will be reviewing assets and working with tenants to ensure operating a business from one of our premises is as simple and efficient as possible.”

Earlier this year, Siglion announced it would move to new offices to carry out its plans.

Based at the Echo24 building, the site is close to the ex-brewery base.