THE former head of the doomed Northwest Development Agency has been appointed to lead the regeneration of Chester.

Steven Broomhead, now a professor at Liverpool Hope University, said he wants to help give the historic city “a renewed impetus and focus”.

Prof Broomhead has been appointed chairman of Chester Renaissance, the organisation founded by the former Chester Council to guide the city’s regeneration.

Last night, he said Chester “needs a higher profile for retail, cultural and business” sectors.

He also said he would bring his experience leading the NWDA for eight years and working with the private sector, as well as specialist knowledge in public finance and tourism, to the role.

Prof Broomhead, who is currently chairman of entrepreneurial education at Hope University, will head a new strategic board consisting of public and private sector representatives.

He is charged with guiding the progress of the recently-announced One City Plan for Chester and taking forward the recommendations of an Urban Land Institute (ULI) study.