Hilton’s career spans 30 years in various government departments in
the North East. He held numerous policy and programme roles within the
Department of Employment and then Employment Service, beginning with the
inner cities agenda in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
He was jointly responsible for developing and implementing the key elements
of government’s flagship New Deal programme in the region in 1997.
This included the development of innovative strands of the programme such
as New Deal for Musicians, Self Employment and the first demand-led
automotive training routeway with Nissan.
As Regional Contract Manager for Employment Service/Jobcentre Plus, Hilton
led on private sector contracting for employment programmes through the
late 1990s.
Hilton was a key player in the Department for Work and Pensions' Action
Team for Jobs initiative and led the South Tyneside Action Team whilst
developing the strategic partnership agenda for Jobcentre Plus. He joined
Government Office for the North East in September 2004 to further develop
the neighbourhood renewal agenda across Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.
Then as Head of Neighbourhood Renewal for Tees Valley and County Durham
between 2005 and 2007 played a lead role in developing the Regional
Employability Framework with partner agencies.
Hilton is currently responsible for the development and ongoing delivery of
local area agreements, Tees Valley Multi Area Agreement and the place
shaping agenda across Tees Valley whilst also leading on Local Government
Improvement. He holds a MA in Public Services Management from University of
York.
