By Julian Whittle Political editor

Last updated 07:52, Friday, 09 May 2008

The Cumberland News can today reveal the identities of the people responsible for revitalising Carlisle.

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The 12-strong board will take control of the Renaissance from the city and county councils.

Chairing the board is Bryan Gray, chairman of the Northwest Development Agency.

He is the former head of heating appliances manufacturer Baxi Technologies and is credited with turning around the fortunes of Preston North End Football Club as its chairman from 1994 to 2001.

Five more private-sector representatives include Robin Burgess, chief executive of CN Group, the parent company of The Cumberland News, and Chris Carr, vice-chancellor of the University of Cumbria.

The others are Brian Scowcroft, chairman and owner of Kingmoor Park Properties, former Pirelli boss John Nixon – now managing director of Carlisle United – and Victoria Farley, general manager of Hoopers department store.

Mr Gray will be paid £12,000 a year but the other non-executive board members are giving their time free of charge.

City council leader Mike Mitchelson said: “I am absolutely delighted that Bryan Gray has agreed to be chairman.

“He was instrumental in establishing the University of Cumbria. He was the one driving the amalgamation of higher-education campuses.

“He will give Carlisle Renaissance a profile.”

Mr Mitchelson added: “Carlisle Renaissance is moving to the next stage. A lot of work has been done and the building blocks are in place. The Renaissance board will give a clear focus.”

Renaissance was launched by the then deputy prime minister John Prescott as a response to the 2005 floods.

It centres on major redevelopments of Rickergate and Viaduct Estate, which will become the headquarters of the University of Cumbria.

Opposition Labour councillors and Save Our Streets campaigners have expressed concerns that handing over Renaissance to a board dominated by the private sector would lead to a loss of accountability.

Mr Mitchelson denied that was the case. He said: “The board will draw up an action plan that will have to be approved by the city and county councils.

“Therefore the board will be working to a plan approved by elected councillors.”

The Renaissance board is completed by six public-sector representatives.

These include county councillors Tony Markley and Cyril Weber, respectively the cabinet member for economic development and chairman of the Carlisle local committee.

The city council’s representatives will be confirmed after its annual meeting a week on Monday but they are likely to be Mr Mitchelson and Marilyn Bowman, the executive member for economic development.

Roger Liddle, chairman of Cumbria Vision, and Ian Haythornthwaite, executive director of resources at the Northwest Regional Development Agency, complete the high-powered line-up.

The private-sector representatives have been appointed for three years and were chosen from 26 applications by a panel made up of Mr Mitchelson, Mr Liddle and Mr Markley.

Mr Gray has a holiday home in the Eden Valley and it is understood that he now plans to live there full time. He said: “This is a tremendous challenge and I am excited about the prospect of leading such a high-calibre and committed board through an exciting period of change for Carlisle.

“There are already signs of the renaissance of Carlisle – the university, two new academy schools, the Northern Development Route and of course the flood defences.”

Mr Gray has led the Northwest Regional Developments Agency for six years. He steps down later this year.

He is a former chairman of the Confederation of British Industry (North West) and was awarded the MBE for services to regeneration.

Mr Gray even has his own website www.bryangray.co.uk. It displays the Gray family coat of arms and motto, “Be thou my vision”.

Carlisle MP Eric Martlew hopes that Mr Gray will live up to the motto. The Labour MP has criticised the slow pace of Renaissance but welcomed Mr Gray’s arrival.

He said: “I think Bryan Gray will be a good choice because of his experience, his contacts and he is known as a visionary. If anything needs vision it is Carlisle Renaissance.”

Meanwhile Mr Burgess, whose family has been involved in Cumbrian Newspapers since 1867, has explained his reasons for joining the Renaissance board.

“I am very committed to seeing Cumbria and Carlisle improve its economic position and to lead the north west in performance levels,” he said. “I hope my experience in business, my involvement in Cumbria Vision and in many aspects of local life will be beneficial in helping move forward the economic development of Carlisle.”

The identity of a £75,000-a-year programme director, to lead the Renaissance team and answer to the board, will be revealed next week.