A TOWN centres boss is to move to Merseyside after more than two decades at a Teesside authority.

Stockton Council town centres director Richard McGuckin will take up a role with the Liverpool City Region in February after 25 years at the public body.

The senior official worked in a number of different council departments – including highways, transport, planning, housing, economic growth and business investment.

He was then given the brief of leading the council’s programme to improve the borough’s six “town centres” – namely Billingham, Thornaby, Yarm, Norton, and Ingleby Barwick alongside Stockton.

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Authority accounts show Mr McGuckin received a salary of almost £139,000 in 2020/21 – including pension contributions.

His tenure as head of economic growth and regeneration saw the creation of the council-owned Hampton by Hilton Hotel, the Globe Theatre revamp, and purchases of two Stockton High Street shopping centres.

The qualified civil engineer will be the “director of place” at the Liverpool combined authority and hold a senior role in Merseytravel – the region’s public sector transport arm.

He was “delighted” at the appointment.

Mr McGuckin added: “I’ll be working closely with our local authorities, transport operators, businesses and communities with a clear focus on place-shaping and the power of integrated transport and infrastructure as a key enabler for inclusive economic growth.”

It’s understood the council is recruiting a replacement and work to redevelop town centres will continue with Mr McGuckin’s deputy, Iain Robinson, at the helm.

The senior official also had an important role in setting up the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA).

The latest South Tees Development Corporation Board heard how more North-west links were being established with Teesside.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen told members the development corporation had been approached by officials from Rochdale about forming its own development corporation.

“It’s not just a local project any more,” he added.

“It’s one of national significance where people come and try to learn more.

“Hopefully they then go back to where they’re from and talk in more positive terms (about here) which indirectly leads to more investment.”

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