TAYLOR'S VISION

David Taylor speaks in a soft Scottish brogue reminiscent of Sean Connery in his James Bond days and talks with the same understated passion - not in this case about Miss Moneypenny, but about the vision he has for English Partnerships and how it can breathe new life into the decaying areas of England.

Following four years as md of AMEC Developments and AMEC properties, where he built his reputation, Taylor was made chief executive of the new quango created to take over the combined role of English Estates and the DoE's urban grant regimes. He has quickly established a no nonsense approach and holds strong views on what he sees as the cornerstone for English Partnerships' aim to achieve the regeneration of areas of England blighted by industrial decline and the loss of heavy industry. Community, partnership, good design, long term approach and bottom up regeneration are all key phrases which pepper his speech and typify English Partnerships' philosophy.

Establishing this clear set of aims and a coordinated image was Taylor's first task on taking up his position at the quango, established last year. He wants all prospective partners to understand what he and his six regional directors are looking for when proposals are brought to them for consideration. This is no rubber stamp organisation but one looking for excellence in return for the money it invests. He expects the partners in regeneration, whether they be developers, local authorities or contractors, to show the same innovation, flexibility and creativity that are significant features of the English Partnerships approach. 'When people come to us asking for the funding for a œ12 million project we say, we can't give you that but we'll give you œ2 million for six years.' This approach of assistance in a variety of forms, whether it's technical advice, loan guarantee, equity investment or whatever is appropriate, typifies the way English Partnerships sets itself apart from its predecessor.

The regional structure of the organisation is also seen by Taylor as a key feature of the way he has established the organisation. There are six regional boards now in place, each of which does things in its own way and responds to the proposals and concerns of local communities through local authorities, local businesses and community organisations. 'Dealing with the loss of tin mining jobs in Truro is different to the problems left in the shipbuilding areas of Newcastle,' says Taylor. But once the regional office has investigated a proposal, final approval is still necessary from the national board before the go ahead is given.

Taylor worked as an architect in a small practice in Scotland at the beginning of his career before moving to London to work for the GLC. After some disagreement concerning their plans to tear the heart out of Covent Garden he left and pursued a variety of projects including the setting up of a Community Association for the residents of Covent Garden to fight the very GLC plans he had opposed. At the same time he was working freelance as a journalist, and enjoying a single life in London. But before long he had moved up north to join Lancashire Enterprises. After five years as md he then moved on to AMEC Developments. Here Taylor really made a name for himself with involvement in Manchester's Olympic bid and a redevelopment of a system -built housing estate in the notorious Hulme area of Manchester.

Taylor sells himself as much as the organisation he heads. Not for him the anonymity of the old English Estates. He has a more dynamic and flexible 'private sector' approach to the task ahead and obviously understands the value of good marketing. 'We've had seminars with contractors to explain our aims, and have had a good response,' Taylor remarked - 'I speak their language and can explain the way the public sector works. I'm not quite poacher turned gamekeeper, but I'm on the other side of the fence now.'

Equally he is keen to work with, and get on with, local authorities. The northern authorities are more clued up than the southern ones,' he said, 'They have been applying for grant aid for years while the southern authorities are new to this and need their hands holding.'

Taylor sells his philosophy successfully and has developed a high profile as a result. Despite having resigned his several directorships on taking up the new appointment, he has kept his position on the panel of judges of Granada's Flying Start programme, which goes out just before Coronation Street. So although not quite on a level with some of the other Granada stars he is a familiar face in the north west at least.

What of the future? With quango a dirty word and a Labour government a distinct possibility can he continue to take the long term view which he holds so dear? 'The Labour party have set up their fair share of quangos and I am not at all threatened by the prospect of a Labour government,' replies Taylor. And when will English Partnerships be able to allocate its entire budget of œ260 million rather than spend on inherited projects? - 'You'll have to ask the DoE that.'