Developer makes senior appointment

Merchant Place, the developer behind the new £70m Hitachi plant in Newton Aycliffe, has appointed a new director.

Andrew Steadman has been named as the firm’s new development director and will be based at its Newcastle office, reporting to the board on a range of projects including the Hitachi Rail Europe project to be developed at Amazon Park, Newton Aycliffe.

Steadman joined Merchant Place in 2009 and has since worked on a number of Merchant Place projects.

Fellow director Geoff Hunton said: “The Board recognises Andrew’s talents and his promotion is well deserved. I will continue to take an active role in the Hitachi development in a chairman’s capacity with Andrew leading the team that is now in place.”

Steadman has worked throughout his career in the North East including on projects such as the refurbishment of Newcastle Playhouse, the redevelopment of the Haymarket Metro Station and the St. Peter’s Basin housing and marina development, North Tyneside.