Two council officers have beaten off competition from all over the world to be appointed to new positions heading up regeneration and cultural strategy in the city.

Carl Pearson, currently head of Coventry Centre for Investment has been appointed the Assistant Director - Regeneration and Tim Bryan, one of the two former Leisure Services Department heads is to be Assistant Director - Cultural Development. 

The advertisement for these senior jobs attracted “substantial interest” from Britain and abroad. 

The final decisions were made by a panel made up of senior members of the council last week.

Cabinet members Cllr Dave Batten and Cllr Joan Wright said:

"City Development has a key contribution to play in the future success of Coventry and we are confident that we have appointed two people who will help us deliver the kind of improvements that the people of this city want and deserve.

“We are also delighted that the city council's commitment to invest in our employees has paid off.  Carl and Tim have won through a recruitment process that was extremely competitive - with enormous interest from candidates who had been attracted by the many positive changes that are happening in Coventry.

“They are taking over right in the middle of huge and exciting changes that will create jobs, bring prosperity to the city, give local people more opportunities and spending power and put regeneration and culture right at the centre of what Coventry is about."

Carl Pearson grew up in Liverpool and is a graduate in Economics and Politics and has a Master of Arts in Industrial Relations from Warwick University.

He moved to Coventry in 1975 and he lives here with his wife and two children.

He set up Coventry Centre for Investment in 1996 and has played a key role in attracting new investment and new jobs to the city.

Carl said:

"I am absolutely delighted to have this opportunity to lead City Development's work on regeneration and I look forward to the new challenges this job will bring.

“Coventry has a very dynamic approach to regeneration and I am keen to ensure that we help the most disadvantaged so everyone is included in the city's new found success."

Tim Bryan was brought up and educated in Coventry.  He has post-graduate qualifications in Personnel Management and is a member of the Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management.

He has worked for the City Council for over 20 years within the Careers Service, personnel management and for the last 10 years as manager of the city's sports and parks facilities.

He said:

"I am really looking forward to working with colleagues throughout the council and with the many organisations who contribute to the leisure and cultural life of the city.

“Together, I believe we can help to make Coventry a great place to live, work and visit."