Graeme joined Government Office for the North East in June 2007 on a two-year secondment from Sunderland City Council where he was Head of Corporate Policy.
Graeme’s role is in supporting local government improvement, primarily through helping to co-ordinate the Government Office's approach to 'Policy and Place' and through the development of Local Area Agreements (LAAs).
Graeme has 30 years experience in local government mainly in regeneration, delivery of special programmes and corporate policy. He started out as a Trainee Planner at North Tyneside moving to Sunderland in 1980 where he held various regeneration posts. This included helping to establish Sunderland’s City Challenge, where he held the post of Programme Manager (Planning, Environment and Housing).
Moving into Corporate Policy in 1994 he led the Council’s approach in respect of developing its Strategic Planning Processes, Sustainable Community Strategy and LAA. He was also responsible for managing the Sunderland Strategic Partnership.
Graeme is a qualified Town Planner and, apart from his college years, has lived all his life in Whitley Bay. He is married with two children and interests include football and hill walking.
