The news is the latest update in the council’s regeneration department in recent months
Wirral Council regeneration director Marcus Shaw is understood to have left the authority(Image: Wirral Council)
Wirral’s top boss to deliver multi-million pound regeneration projects across the borough has left the organisation, Wirral’s council leader Cllr Paula Basnett has told the ECHO. Cllr Basnett said arrangements were being put in place and the council was committed to transforming Wirral.
On August 19, Cllr Basnett confirmed to the ECHO Marcus Shaw, the local authority’s regeneration director, had left the local authority. A staffing update email to Wirral Council staff and elected members also supports this.
Cllr Basnett told the ECHO: “The council’s regeneration programme is bigger than any single individual and remains on track. We have made clear commitments to deliver the transformation of Wirral and that work will continue at pace.
“Leadership arrangements are being put in place to ensure continuity while the process of appointing an interim successor is undertaken.
“Our focus is clear, we will deliver whilst creating opportunities, and ensuring that regeneration brings lasting benefits for residents, communities, and businesses across the borough.”
In July, the ECHO exclusively reported councillors were told Mr Shaw “will be absent from work until further notice.” At the time, neighbourhoods director Jason Gooding, who is currently acting as chief executive of the council covering for Paul Satoor who is currently away from his role, said he “will share further information when I am able to” and would be covering alongside legal director Jill Travers and finance director Matthew Bennett.
Mr Shaw started as the council’s assistant director of asset management and investment in March 2023. He became the interim director of regeneration following the sudden departure of Marc Cole in 2024 before being appointed on a permanent basis in March.
The regeneration director was the council’s fifth to be appointed since long-term figure Alan Evans left the role in 2022. According to his LinkedIn, Mr Shaw has previously worked for Manchester City Council, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Government Property Agency.
The council’s regeneration programme has faced controversy in recent weeks after it was revealed a major project for Birkenhead town centre was massively delayed and over budget. The project which originally cost just under £12m could come to as much as £24m and works might not be finished until next year.
An urgent internal investigation was launched in June with the findings of this expected to be published sometime in the next week ahead of a key audit meeting on September 2. Cllr Paula Basnett previously told the ECHO the public would get answers to questions they may have and promised nothing would be brushed under the carpet.
At the same time, a review is currently underway into a number of schemes to look at moving them forward. Councillors have suggested they are now reconsidering a controversial plan to move Birkenhead Market into the former Argos on Princes Pavements and an additional regeneration meeting has been scheduled for next month.
Wirral’s council leader Cllr Paula Basnett, who was elected in May promising the review, said it was “intended to make sure we are delivering the best regeneration programme we can,” adding: “Wirral Council has a duty to ensure that the substantial public funds entrusted to us amounting to many millions of pounds in government grants are invested wisely and deliver real, lasting benefits for our residents.
“I intend to deliver on that duty. This independent review is a vital step in determining that this programme is not only ambitious but achievable.”
Key people will be interviewed as part of the review in both the private and public sector to better understand how the council can deliver on its plans. The findings of the external independent review is expected to be published sometime in the autumn.