New East Manchester appoints new chairman

Bate replaces Robert Hough with immediate effect, who held the position for seven years. Bate is a director and founder shareholder of Ask Developments, a Manchester-based developer that has been involved in a number of regeneration schemes in the city, including the Deansgate Locks project.

Ask was set up in 2000 and, in May 2003, merged with Westport Developments, a private urban regeneration company that Bate established in 1997.

Prior to setting up Westport, Bate was a partner in accountancy practice Levy Gee, where he was responsible for running the urban regeneration department.

Commenting on his new role, Bate said: "This is a particularly interesting time to take on the position – there are major announcements imminent and a host of ambitious regeneration projects underway. Being located in Ancoats, Ask is personally enjoying the regeneration benefits that New East Manchester is delivering to the area, and to have greater involvement in some of the biggest regeneration projects in the country is extremely exciting."