New chair for key regeneration board

Article date: July 12 2024

Neil Butler has taken up the role leading the board made up of public and private partners overseeing £25million in investment in projects across the town centre. He has recently retired but prior to that he ended a nearly 40 year career in the glass industry as Global Innovation Lead at Glass Futures, the world-leading innovation centre in St Helens town centre. He brings with him a wealth of experience in industry as well as a keen interest in the arts sector in the borough having tread the board at places like The Citadel and St Helens Theatre Royal.

Welcoming his appointment Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth and Regeneration, said: "We're delighted to welcome Neil as the new chair of the St Helens Town Board, he brings a tremendous wealth of experience in one of our critical industries and will no doubt lead this critical board with the support of all partners well. To date the board has already delivered on some of its projects and is making really positive progress with those remaining so that we can realise the full potential of this £25million investment in St Helens town centre. The investment will provide the building blocks for growth that will be a catalyst for further positive regeneration for the borough as a whole."

The St Helens Town Board has already seen investment in The World of Glass completed, with a complete renovation of the museum with new exhibits that have proved incredibly popular with visitors since it was reimagined.  

Work continues on other projects that include St Helens town centre regeneration and living, Glass Futures Phase 2, digital infrastructure improvements, transport connectivity improvements, a Health Innovation Hub, Youth Hub and Cannington Shaw No 7 Bottle Shop.

Neil Butler said: "I am delighted to be joining the board in order to give back to the community that has not only given me a fulfilling career in glass but also an enjoyable and happy family life. There are so many exciting projects that we hope will produce inward investment and a long lasting legacy for the people of St Helens."