Three key appointments signal the start of the delivery phase for our 10-year vison to transform Arbroath.
Our Arbroath’s £20 million regeneration programme has moved into the next phase with the appointment of three officers who will drive forward the town’s transformation.
Fiona Marshall has been appointed Regeneration Officer Lead, with Lucy Nicholl taking up the role of Deputy and Lauren Simpson joining as Regeneration Support Officer.
The three appointments mark a significant step forward for Our Arbroath, the community-led Town Board which submitted its ten-year funding plan to the UK Government late last year.
Fiona Marshall brings more than 30 years of senior leadership experience across the private sector, including roles as CEO, Managing Director and Chair, and currently runs her own consultancy, Klarean Limited, from her Angus home.
Lucy Nicholl runs Nicholl HR, a consultancy supporting businesses across Scotland, and has previously worked as Operations Manager for a social enterprise tackling food poverty, clothing poverty and social isolation.
Lauren Simpson has more than a decade of experience in the third sector, specialising in community partnership work, sport for change programmes and wellbeing initiatives.
The Town Board will continue to work in close partnership with Angus Council who will provide oversight and support on the delivery of the “Pride in Place Plan”.
Three initial projects have been identified for the Regeneration Team to drive forward.
The Old and Abbey Church, already a lifeline for local charities and community groups including a food bank, will be examined to establish how it can be developed into a fully functioning charities hub, maximising its reach and impact for as many organisations as possible.
In partnership with Arbroath Football Club Community, the town’s community centre will be looked at to see how it could serve as a venue for sport, events and income-generating activity including indoor car boot sales and hall lettings.
Town centre regeneration is also a priority focus with street lighting improvements and the creation of a town mural trail among the first initiatives to be discussed with town businesses and other organisations.
Fiona Marshall, Regeneration Officer Lead, said: “Arbroath has everything it needs to transform itself – a passionate community and a clear vision thanks to the input of the town into what they want to see delivered from the funding.
“As regeneration officers, our job is to make sure the £20million works as hard as it can, to deliver lasting change for the people who live and work here.”
To help complete the projects put forward in the funding submission, the team will be establishing sub-groups and is actively seeking volunteers from across the community. No specific background or experience is required. Anyone with time, enthusiasm and keen to help shape Arbroath’s future is encouraged to get involved.
Town Board Chair Peter Stirling said: “Appointing these roles is a pivotal moment. We received an incredibly strong number of applications, and as a result have been able to put a team in place with the skillset to really drive forward impactful work. Fiona, Lucy and Lauren bring real ability and genuine commitment to Arbroath.
“The three first-year projects we are focusing on will start to show people what this regeneration fund can do for our town.”
The £20 million fund will be drawn down over ten years.
Anyone interested in joining a sub-group or volunteering with the regeneration programme should contact the team at info@ourarbroath.com or through our contact page.
