Experienced property professional Sophie Bevan is appointed director of development and major projects at Liverpool City Council. Tony McDonough reports

A senior investment manager at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is to join Liverpool City Council as director of development and major projects.

Sophie Bevan’s appointment follows that of Nuala Gallagher, who was announced as the city’s new corporate director of city development earlier in February. The two will work closely together.

When she joins on May 1, Sophie will lead the council’s development team, overseeing design and delivery of property development and public realm improvements to attract investment.

She will focus on delivering sustainable development across the city centre and communities. Her role will include overseeing major schemes such as Anfield Square, Kings Dock, Paddington Village, Festival Gardens and the Littlewoods site.

Born and bred in Liverpool and Wirral, Sophie gained a Masters in land economy from the University of Cambridge. She then started her career as a graduate surveyor for Mason Owen.

A member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, she is an accredited reviewer for the Infrastructure and Projects Authority and is currently enrolled at the Major Projects Leadership Academy.

Her previous roles include retail and leisure director for Allied London, associate partner for Knight Frank and associate director for Europa Capital Partners.

Whilst at the Combined Authority, Sophie has led on place-related investments for the Strategic Investment Fund.

Her appointment is part of a reorganisation of the council’s senior team, with the authority also in the midst of recruiting for many key posts.

These include a permanent chief executive, new corporate directors for neighbourhoods and housing, finance and resources and children and young people. New directors are also sought for economic strategy, skills and sustainability, highways and transport, housing and commercial and companies.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson said: “Sophie has the vision, passion and dedication to excel in this role.

“She is an outstanding professional who brings with her more than 25 years of investment and development experience in both the public and private sectors.”

Sophie added: “I am delighted to be joining the council and to have an opportunity to make a difference in the city that I was born in, the city that I love. There’s never been a more exciting time to be a part of Liverpool’s story.”