THE company behind the controversial Firepool development in Taunton has appointed a new chief executive.

St Modwen Properties has announced that Mark Allan has been hired for the role, and will take up his new position from December 1.

Mr Allan, 43, joins the company from the Unite Group PLC and will officially start on November 1, before officially taking up the role at the start of December.

The appointment concludes a detailed search process following the announcement made on February 2 that Bill Oliver, St. Modwen’s incumbent chief executive, will retire on November 30.

Mr Allan said: “St. Modwen has a well-earned reputation as the UK’s leading regeneration specialist and I am excited by the prospect of working with the Board, senior management team and staff to build on the company’s strong foundations and to lead the business in the continued execution of its strategy.”

There has been no update on the submitted application for homes, and retail space at the development, with a decision expected soon.

Mr Allan was chief executive at The Unite Group PLC since September 2006, after joining in 1999,and he held a number of finance and commercial roles in the business, including Chief Financial Officer from 2003 to 2006.

Mr Allan is a qualified Chartered Accountant and a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

He also serves as a Trustee Director on the non-executive board of Anchor Trust.

Commenting on the appointment, Bill Shannon, chairman of St. Modwen, said: “Mark has an impressive track record and is highly regarded in the listed property sector.

“I am certain that under his leadership the company will continue to build on its unrivalled regeneration expertise and proven ability to realise value from its extensive land bank.

“The timing of this appointment allows for a smooth handover process and we look forward to welcoming Mark to the board.”