A big thank you

Hello All

A little bit of personal news

Today I will change my linked in profile position to RETIRED.

Yes I am officially retiring from Business Doncaster and Doncaster Council.

After a career in the private sector I joined Doncaster Council in July 2003 on a 3 year contract as a Supply Chain Officer supporting businesses to Buy Local. I leave 21 years later as Head of Business Doncaster after a career doing my best to grow and promote Doncaster and support businesses and residents.

Over the years I have been involved in a lot of amazing projects and successes but the following, in no particular order, is what I consider to be my favourite achievements.

-?????? Leading on bringing Amazon to Doncaster in 2010 who have subsequently grown and created over 2000 jobs in the borough.

-?????? Leading on the development of Doncaster Tourism and the ‘Visit Doncaster’ brand which includes an award winning Tourist Information Centre and has seen the growth of major Doncaster attractions such as the Yorkshire Wildlife Park (after being told Doncaster is not a tourism destination)

-?????? Being involved in the opening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport in 2005 and supporting the airport through to its closure in 2022 and being part of the team working to get it re-opened in 2025.

-?????? Being part of the brilliant bid team of Carl Hall, Dean Wiffen, Lorna Reeve, Marie Hepburn that successfully brought the 2021 Rugby League World Cup to Doncaster in 2022

-?????? Being part of the bid team alongside Owen Dungworth which brought city status to Doncaster in 2022.

-?????? Leading on Doncaster being named the best small city in Europe for Foreign Direct Investment in 2022 / 23.

-?????? Seeing the growth and success of the Doncaster Business Showcase, now in its 15th year and now the largest Business Exhibition in Yorkshire.

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I have worked with a lot of extremely good people over my time with the council and previously in the private sector with Koyo Bearings, IMI Cornelius and Amco Plastics. There are far too many to mention but you know who you are. Thank you for your help and support.

I must how however mention and give special thanks to the following:

·???????? My superb Business Doncaster staff and colleagues, past and present who I have been privileged to manage and who make such a difference to the lives of Doncaster businesses and residents every day.

·???????? My excellent Business Doncaster management team of Lorna Reeve, Claire Cardwell, Alex Dochery , Sandra Edwards and Sue Harrison who have had to put up with me but always provided amazing help and support,

·???????? My long-standing colleague, friend and confidante Ian Guy who have been with me throughout.

·???????? Scott Cardwell and Andy Gutherson who saw my potential and helped me develop as a manager and leader.

·???????? Ros Jones, Glyn Jones, Jo Miller, Damian Allen and Lee Tillman for all your support

·???????? All the businesses, developers, property agents and intermediaries I have encountered and worked with over the years.

?It has been fantastic to see how Doncaster has recovered, developed and grown throughout my time with Doncaster Council and I am proud to see developments such as the Airport, Lakeside, the IPort and the Unity Project which were only in the early planning stages when I joined now been developed out and making a real difference to the life of Doncaster residents and visitors. I have highlighted Amazon and the Wildlife Park but there are lots of others and too many new investments and developments to mention that I have been involved in.

Stats wise since I took over the investment team in 2008 there has been ￡2.21 billion of new investment. I firmly believe Doncaster really is the best place to do business and with the Airport and other new opportunities coming forward I look forward to seeing it go from strength to strength.

Lastly and most importantly I must thank my family whose love and support throughout have allowed me to do what I do, my brilliant boys Sam Gaunt and Owen Dungworth and my wonderful wife Sarah Marshall Dungworth who has had to put up with me both at work and at home. I look forward to our future life and adventures together in the sun.

Once again many thanks everyone.

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