We have announced that Steve Parrock will be stepping down from his role as Chief Executive of Torbay Council. Given the significant economic challenges post COVID-19 and a shared desire to focus on the economy it has been agreed that Steve will resume his full-time career with TDA from 1 September.

Cllr Steve Darling, Leader of Torbay Council said: “We see regeneration as a key driver for Torbay so having a full time Chief Executive at TDA will provide additional capacity to drive through the recovery phase of COVID-19 and continued delivery of critical projects that are now in the pipeline.”

Cllr Darren Cowell, Deputy Leader of Torbay Council said: “Improving our offer to residents and visitors alike and diversifying our economy is something that we know is close to Steve’s heart and something we wish to see achieved in Torbay. Steve now faces fresh challenges at TDA as we move towards some exciting economic regeneration projects. TDA is driving town centre regeneration through the Torquay Town Deal, Future High Streets Fund for Paignton and seeking to enhance the fishing facilities in Brixham. TDA is also providing hundreds of new homes through TDA’s new housing company TorVista Homes Ltd.”

Vince Flower, Chairman of the TDA, said: “Steve was instrumental in the creation of TDA in 2011 and we are delighted to welcome Steve back as our full-time CEO. The timing could not be better, given all the exciting developments that we are working on across Torbay. Steve is highly respected across the business and I am sure that his return will be widely welcomed by all. TDA and TorVista Homes Ltd have responsibility for delivering a number of very important and critical projects across Torbay and we are very fortunate to have a leader of Steve’s calibre back full-time during these very exciting, albeit challenging times.”

Steve Parrock, Chief Executive of TDA, said: “I would like thank my colleagues at Torbay Council for their unrelenting support over the last seven years and I am very proud of our achievements together. The management team I’ve assembled is very well equipped to tackle the challenges ahead and I am especially looking forward to joining my TDA colleagues full time to wholly focus on the economy, the creation of TorVista Homes and the delivery of TDA’s new Business Plan which is both exciting and immersive.”

More about Steve Parrock

Steve has been the Chief Executive of Torbay Council for 7 years (since 2013), during what has been the most challenging period in its history, facing multi-million pound cuts to the budget due to government austerity and more recently challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During this unprecedented period, Torbay Council has created an Integrated Care Organisation, which is seen as national exemplar and more recently the Council's Highways and Waste functions have been brought back in house via SWISCo. Inward Investment in the Bay is now at an all-time high, with major projects such as South Devon Highway, Abbey Sands and EPIC completed, and with major projects such as the Fragrance Group‘s four hotels and Claylands Business Park underway, and THAT Group’s Hilton scheme nearing completion in Torwood Street. Using skills acquired from Steve’s former employment in Banking, the Council has also created a substantial Investment Fund, generating a £5 million surplus which is funding essential services.

TDA

Set up in 2011 to deliver Torbay’s economic development, TDA is a multi-award winning company delivering services across the country. Steve has been the Chief Executive of TDA since its creation.

TDA predominantly provides business and property services in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. As a trading business with a social purpose the surpluses generated by TDA are used to support the economic and physical regeneration of Torbay.

TDA is a trading name of Torbay Economic Development Company Limited, a company registered in England and Wales No. 7604855