Regeneration expert Chris Bateman, tech firm chief executive Marcus Chidgey and management consultant Suzanne Hamilton have joined following an open recruitment process.

Chris Bateman has extensive experience in strategic planning roles in local government and is currently a regeneration coordinator at North Lanarkshire Council, with a particular focus on developing high-impact physical regeneration projects in and around town centres. This includes developing projects including the redevelopment of Airdrie, Coatbridge and Cumbernauld town centres and some of the area’s key physical assets including Strathclyde Country Park and Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life.

He has a particular interest in urban towns and believes there is a direct relationship between the quality, attractiveness and accessibility of towns and the success of local economies and the nation’s health and wellbeing.

Marcus Chidgey is the CEO at Loqiva, a technology company which provides software to Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and local councils throughout Scotland and further afield.

He is passionate about place, in particular how technology can be used to improve the lives of local people. He has pioneered the concept of ‘digital town hubs’ where residents, businesses and third-sector organisations share a dedicated technology platform that aims to create stronger, more connected communities.

Prior to Loqiva, Marcus, who lives with his family in the Western Isles, was the CEO of an award-winning media and technology company which worked with well-known brands, broadcasters and government.

Suzanne Hamilton is a director and owner of Lanarkshire-based management consultancy Frontline. She has led Frontline’s evaluation team for more than 20 years, working with economic development agencies throughout Scotland.  She has been on the board of the Economic Development Association Scotland (EDAS) for 11 years.

Suzanne leads programme performance reviews, appraisals and evaluations across a range of sectors including tourism and food and drink and has also worked with BIDs.

As a lifelong Paisley Buddie, she actively encourages people to shop, stay and use local services.  

As well as raising the profile of towns - influencing and shaping policies that impact upon them - STP is the parent organisation of Scotland’s Improvement Districts, as well as spearheading the Scotland Loves Local initiative.

STP chair Professor Leigh Sparks said: “We are delighted to welcome Chris, Marcus and Suzanne to the board.

“Each of them will bring new perspective to our work as we champion our towns and places, the collaboration that’s required to create a new future for them and highlight the inspirational innovation that is already delivering real change.”