NOTTINGHAM Regeneration Limited (NRL) has appointed John Nicholls as interim chief executive.

John, formerly chief executive of Leicester Regeneration Company (LRC), will take over from Marc Cole who is leaving NRL to join North East Lincolnshire.

NRL chairman Mich Stevenson made the announcement this week. The appointment has the support of NRL partners Nottingham City Council and the East Midlands Development Agency (emda).

John will start his new role on 1 April and will be responsible for overseeing the company’s regeneration programme for the Eastside, Southside and Waterside areas of Nottingham city centre.

Mich said: “We are absolutely delighted that John will be joining the NRL team. With his huge experience, NRL believes that his appointment is a real coup for Nottingham.”

John, who lives in Nottinghamshire, said: “Having been involved in Nottingham in various roles in the past, I am delighted to have the chance to apply some of the lessons I have learned in Leicester.”

John, who was with LRC for seven years, was previously regional director for English Partnerships, and a regeneration director at emda.

“With my roles at English Partnerships and emda, I was really involved with many Nottingham projects and am familiar with the city. I see my new role with NRL as very much keeping the momentum going in a difficult economic climate and looking forward to how the company may take its place in a wider delivery vehicle in due course.

“NRL is a body I have long admired. When I was with English Partnerships and emda, I was on the NRL board. NRL is one of pace setters in one of the first bodies of its type to be formed. It is a privilege to be involved.”