Richard Dowson

Placemaking Consultant

Richard works with us on our Placemaking Programme. This means he leads on things such as our Flexible Housing Competition, which we ran in partnership with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). He ensures that while we are using arts and culture to retain and attract younger people to the area, we also consider housing and infrastructure – if we achieve our aim we’ll need more of both these things! He works with local decision makers including LEPs (Local Enterprise Partnerships) to influence policies and strategies. When he is not working with us he delivers consultancy work across the UK, supporting a variety of organisations across the private and voluntary sectors, with business development, regeneration, placemaking and economic development activities.  He is also a Member of the Institute of Economic Development and Rural Services Network.

A Prince 2 Qualified Practitioner, prior to setting up his consultancy business he was Head of Economic Growth at Middlesbrough Council, responsible for, and leading a team delivering physical, housing, and cultural regeneration in Middlesbrough. In addition to this he is a School Governor (Chair) and a trustee of a children’s mental health charity.