Chair needed for £20 million Pride in Place programme in Kidderminster
News release issued:
A community-driven leader is needed to drive forward the Pride in Place programme, which will bring £20 million of government investment into Kidderminster over the next decade.
The programme will benefit residents in the Birchen Coppice Middle Super Output Area, which also includes parts of Rifle Range, Foley Park and Silverwoods.
The independent Chair will lead the Neighbourhood Board to co-produce the Pride in Place Plan, bringing together residents, local businesses, community leaders and other organisations. Together, they will decide how funding is spent to improve the physical and social infrastructure of the community.
Wyre Forest District Council is seeking someone who can bring communities together to share ideas in an open and collaborative way. The Chair cannot be an elected representative, and this is a voluntary position.
The ideal candidate will be a champion for the area with a deep connection to the local community. They can be new to this kind of work - what matters most is a commitment to delivering change and improving lives.
Councillor Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Planning and the Green Agenda, said:
"This is a once in a generation opportunity for you to make a lasting difference and create a real legacy within Birchen Coppice. This funding has the potential to transform lives in communities that will benefit most from investment and support.
"The right person will bring communities together, ensure every pound delivers maximum impact, and champion the voices of local residents. If you have the vision and dedication to make a real difference, we want to hear from you”.
Councillor Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, said:
“It is excellent news that we’ve been awarded £20 million from the Pride in Place Fund to regenerate this area”.
“We want a really dynamic Chair who understands the needs of this community and where the opportunity lies, but most importantly that person needs to provide excellent leadership. If you’re that person, we want to hear from you”.
To apply, please send your CV (maximum two pages) and a cover note setting out your motivation for applying and your links to the area, and how your experience and skills are relevant to the role (maximum three pages) to: jessica.thompson@wyreforestdc.gov.uk. The application deadline is Saturday 7 March 2026 (midnight). Interviews are to take place on Tuesday 31 March 2026. For the full role specification and application details, please visit our Pride in Place Programme page.
Learn more about the programme by watching our video on YouTube below, which covers the programme details and the Chair's requirements.
Councillor Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, speaking:
I'm delighted to say that Wyre Forest District Council has received £20 million called Pride in Place funding from central Government to be spent over a 10-year period. This is a great opportunity to bring communities and residents across the Silverwoods estate, Birchen Coppice, Rifle Range, Oldington and Foley Park together. We're looking for an independent Chair who will lead this project to work with the member of parliament, the local authority - Wyre Forest District Council and Worcestershire County Council, local councillors and importantly you, the residents at the heart of the community to shape your lives and the lives of our children for a generation.
Mark Garnier OBE, Member of Parliament for Wyre Forest, speaking:
We want a really dynamic chair who can come along and who understands the needs of this community, who understands where the opportunity lies, but most importantly, that person needs to provide excellent leadership for the team that is going to be delivering this £20 million investment over the coming 10 years.
Councillor Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, speaking:
We're really looking for an individual who has the skills and experience within governance, strategic leadership, and of course, navigating complex issues and partnerships.
Cat Lewis, Principal of Kidderminster College, speaking:
This project provides an incredible opportunity for a really committed and exceptional individual to step up. This individual will be passionate about the area and will be able to readily pull together supportive coalitions of business people, civic leaders, community representatives, and local residents to make amazing things happen.
Councillor Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, speaking:
It isn't just about buildings, this really is about tackling health inequalities, social deprivation, social isolation, antisocial behaviour, education outputs, all of those things can be addressed with this funding and that will be the job of the Chair and the board moving forward.
Councillor Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, speaking:
This is a once in a generation opportunity for you to make a lasting difference and create a real legacy within Birchen and Coppice.
Mark Garnier OBE, Member of Parliament for Wyre Forest, speaking:
So, if you're that person, we want to hear from you.