Forward Swindon, the town’s regeneration agency, has appointed Alan Shepherd as its new chairman.
Mr Shepherd, lives north of Swindon, has extensive private sector experience working Kraft Foods, Sainsbury’s and LloydsTSB. He is currently director of products, services and strategy at the UK Hydrographic Office in Taunton. 
He replaces Robin Bailey, who has decided to resign from the Forward Swindon board due to other commitments.
Mr Shepherd knows Swindon well and has a particular interest in the regeneration of the town and improvements in the retail sector.
He said: “I am looking forward to leading this enthusiastic team and I’m confident that the chief executive Ian Piper and his staff at Forward Swindon are on the right path to achieving their aim to regenerate the town and boost the local economy. My role is to offer support to them.”
Beard Construction managing director Mark Beard has also stepped down from the Forward Swindon board after being a member since October 2011.
It is expected that Forward Swindon’s shareholder, Swindon Borough Council, will be seeking to recruit two new board members to replace Mr Bailey and Mr Beard shortly.
All Board members act for without pay.
The current board members are Tina Cumpstey, centre manager at McArthur Glen Swindon Designer Outlet; James Lockhart, partner at Swindon property agents Whitmarsh Lockhart; Swindon Borough Council chief executive Gavin Jones; and Jeanette Harris, HR director at Swindon-based insurance group Zurich UK Life.
