Warren Marshall, 64, Urban Design and Conservation expert at Manchester City Council, retires after nearly four decades.

The well-respected qualified architect has been a leading member of the team helping to create 29 designated conservation areas.

He also liaised on the listing of approximately 900 buildings and contributed to the design some of the city's well known buildings and areas in his 37 year career with Manchester City Council.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council said, "Warren has been instrumental in protecting our heritage and through his passion, hard work and commitment to conservation, contemporary architecture and urban design, has made a real difference to the city and its regeneration. Manchester City Council is fortunate to have talented individuals like Warren who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make our city a better place to live, work and visit."

Warren Marshall, Urban Design and Conservation Manager said, "I am fiercely proud of Manchester as a city. We are very fortunate in having a plethora of very talented locally based architects, who are not only good designers but understand the context of their designs within the city.

"I have always tried to work alongside those who are committed to the city to ensure the right type and quality of development is delivered. This is about encouraging creativity rather than imposing a city style. I hope that I have always got on well with people and have tried to get things done by working in partnership and using persuasion, rather than bureaucracy."

During his career Warren has been involved in the process, alongside key Members and other officers in designating many of the 35 conservation areas in Manchester, including Castlefield, which became the World's first Urban Heritage Park in 1982.

Since he joined the council in 1971 when there were just 80 listed buildings in the city, Warren has played a key role in their protection and restoration, working with many of the heritage groups; today Manchester has approximately 1,000 listed buildings.

He was responsible for steering the design of street furniture including cast iron bollards featuring the city's bee emblem, as well as the parapet wall opposite Manchester Cathedral and the re-designs of several areas of the city centre including St Ann's Square, King Street, Pall Mall and Market Street.

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