Clive Dutton became director of planning and regeneration at Birmingham City Council in February 2005.
The post was created for him, with a remit to knock heads together and deliver a much sharper focus on redevelopment.
Before Dutton arrived the council's regeneration unit had merely been a small part of the much larger planning department, which was regarded as being far more important. A separate economic development team acted more or less on its own, with variable successes.
As a result, regeneration in Birmingham lacked focus and strategic direction. There were claims that redevelopment in Eastside and the city centre had stalled, while schemes for much-needed Grade A office accommodation to cash in on job opportunites offered by the fast-growing professional services sector were almost non-existent.
The redevelopment of Paradise Circus, announced in 2001, had not progressed at all.
Mr Dutton brought with him a wealth of experience, having been director of regeneration at JJ Gallagher and a former head of regeneration and community services at Sandwell Council.
Since joining the council he has been closely involved with helping partner organisations progress the £550 million New Street Station scheme to stage where it could be submitted to the Department for Transport. He helped get the long-awaited Snow Hill redevelopment under way and has brought the Arena Central scheme to the point where planning permission is expected to be granted for Birmingham's first 50-storey building
His greatest legacy to the city is likely to be the first all-encompassing development plan covering the entire area within the outer ring road. The plan, scoped by cities expert and Government adviser Professor Michael Parkinson, was published to general acclaim earlier in the year.
Dutton works closely with council leader Mike Whitby, where his input is regarded as having special importance.
