David Shepherd

David Shepherd is a member of the Executive Team of Kirklees Council, a large metropolitan authority in West Yorkshire. He leads the growth and regeneration directorate, which includes 3 Directors and 14 services, with over 1400 staff and delivery of all the council’s major capital investment programmes. He is a place maker with a track record of securing and delivering investment impacting positively on communities, including multiple town centre regeneration programmes, such as the £200 million Glass Works in Barnsley, £210 million Cultural Heart in Huddersfield and the £60 Million Dewsbury Town Investment Plan. David is also engaging with Huddersfield University, facilitating delivery of their £250 million new healthcare innovation campus in Huddersfield.

David’s services are upgrading and replacing extensive transportation infrastructure, including heavy rail, road, cycling and pedestrian and mass transit, and he has ensured tri-party governance arrangements meet the needs of the council, Network Rail and West Yorkshire CA.

David is responsible for all the council’s 22,000 homes following their transfer in-house in April 2021. he has led on regulatory assurance by achieving compliance across 6 disciplines, including fire safety, which has been a necessary focus of attention for Kirklees Homes & Neighbourhoods this year. His role includes delivery of housing growth across some 40 sites, from direct delivery to land promotion of sites, collectively accommodating thousands of new homes. He is also responsible for the council’s strategic housing functions, including homelessness, support, and adaptations. David is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

David is responsible for all the council’s property, including assets and facilities management and capital investment. He leads on employment and skills for the council as well as being a long-standing governor at an OFSTED “outstanding” rated FE College.

David understands partnerships and is the chair of West Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Directors of Development group. He works collaboratively with colleagues and politicians across the 5 Local Authorities and Combined Authority.