THE Chief Executive of Bury Metropolitan Borough Council, Mr Dennis Taylor, has joined the board of Bolton Bury training and Enterprise Council.

Mr Taylor has a wealth of business experience acquired during 30 years in local government.

Mr Taylor was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1948 and began his municipal career in Sunderland.

He worked in Gateshead, Middlesbrough and Manchester before joining Bury Metro in 1989 as managing director of Bury Contract Services.

He succeeded the late David Burton as the council's Chief Executive in spring this year.

A specialist in environmental health, transport and waste management, he has been an advisor to the Association of District Councils, the Association of Metropolitan Authorities and the Department of the Environment.

He was honorary editor of the technical journal "Wastes Management" for 11 years, has co-authored several technical publications and he has lectured extensively on environmental issues in Europe and the Middle East.

Mr Taylor is a past President of the Institute of Wastes Management, a former director of the Tidy Britain Group and he has twice received the Queen Mother's Award for work on environmental issues.

He lives with his family in Brandlesholme, Bury, and has been a magistrate, Methodist lay preacher and school governor.

He is vice-president of Woodbank Junior Football Club and Bury Ladies' Rounders League - and still finds time to support Sunderland AFC and Durham County Cricket Club.

"I am delighted to be joining the TEC Board at such an exciting time," he said.

"The Government's Welfare to Work proposals in particular throw out both a challenge and an opportunity for TECs and similar organisations to play a lead role in regenerating employment and work-based training," he added.

Mr Richard Bindless, the TEC's Chief Executive, said Mr Taylor had made an impressive start to his work for Bury Metro and he was glad his expertise was now available to BBTEC.

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