U+I commits to community engagement with non exec appointment

Urban regeneration specialist U+I has appointed founder of architecture firm dRMM, Stirling Prize winner and design chair for HS2 Professor Sadie Morgan as an independent non-executive director. Morgan will be tasked with ensuring U+I delivers community engagement in its PPP project. As part of the role she will oversee the establishment of a workforce advisory panel, in accordance with new governance regulations, to support employee engagement and membership of an internal design panel, which U+I said was all intended to reinforce its commitments to talent, creativity and community. This new role will be responsible at a board level for holding U+I to account for the commitments it has made on community engagement in PPP projects, which include: Establishing an independent Community Challenge Panel which will oversee how U+I’s PPP schemes are delivered, ensuring the company meets the socio-economic standards it has set itself in delivering for the community, from completion and then over a five-year period. Setting up a Community Engagement Fund: on all its major PPP schemes, U+I will set aside a specific budget through a planning performance agreement so that community organisations and representatives are better equipped to engage more effectively in the planning process. Putting in place a Community Profit Share Arrangement: the company will share any profit it makes over an agreed projected return with the relevant public partner and local community. U+I chief executive Matthew Weiner said: “Sadie brings not only a hugely impressive track record of achievement in the world of design, but more importantly a deep-rooted commitment to the principles of community and inclusion. She shares our vision and commitment to social purpose and I am confident she will hold us to account with both rigour and enthusiasm.” Morgan added: “I was brought up in a co-operative community in Kent that had been set up by my grandfather, and so I grew up with a real sense of inclusion, purpose, community and responsibility. This appointment allows me to help U+I turn those beliefs and commitments into action involving what will, I am sure, be major schemes of huge importance to the communities involved.” To send feedback, e-mail samantha.mcclary@egi.co.uk or tweet @samanthamcclary or @estatesgazette