Preston City Council makes senior policy hire

Preston City Council has appointed Nicole Billington as head of policy and external relations.

Nicole was previously project and communications manager at Blackpool Council and holds experience in regeneration and development, commercial property, and inward investment marketing in both the public and private sectors.

At Preston, she will lead the policy and external relations team and provide strategic communications and policy advice to the leader, cabinet and corporate management team.

Nicole will also project manage key council priorities including the delivery of the climate agenda and overseeing the delivery of the council’s community wealth building agenda, including externally funded projects.

Coun Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council, said: "We are pleased to welcome Nicole to the team who brings with her a wealth of experience that will be of great benefit in communicating our ambitious agenda for a growing and inclusive city where everyone matters."

Adrian Philips, chief executive of Preston City Council, said: “As a Preston resident, Nicole is passionate about our city and the exciting development projects in the pipeline, and we look forward to working with her to deliver a first class service for the residents and businesses of Preston.”

Nicole commented: “Being a UCLan alumni and a Preston resident for over 20 years, I’m delighted to join the team at Preston City Council and can’t wait to start communicating all the great initiatives and projects including Preston’s community wealth building programme and the city’s climate action plan, both of which are really important for Preston businesses and residents.”