The man who has made his mark on the world – literally – has become the “design champion” for Ashford.

For £25,000 Sir Terry Farrell, best known for creating the MI6 building in London, will be charged with “positioning” Ashford as the fastest growing town between London and Europe. He has been hired by Ashford’s Future, a company tasked with investing £2.5 billion into the town.

The author of KCC’s aspirational document 21st Century Kent said: “My job is to articulate what’s going on in Ashford, elevate people’s understanding and promote good design.

“I’m also here to look at areas where design can be improved.
“I am keen to work with Ashford to produce a vision of regeneration that will help it secure a prosperous future as one of this country’s finest and most successful towns.”

Speaking exclusively to the Kentish Express he even hinted that he may design a building for the town.

He said: “If I’m asked I might do that. It might or might not happen.”
The architect, who is on a six-month contract, met with Ashford’s Future bosses and other stakeholders to discuss the role at a meeting in London last week.

He continued: “The aim of the meeting was to discuss this new role beginning and we discussed how we want to up the game for developers and to see them raise their game in terms of design.

“Ashford has to compete with lots of other towns and it’s got to position itself in all of that.

“But it’s got a lot going for it; it’s the first station on the high speed one line and will become a portal to the north of England.”

He added: “Although Ashford is very charming and has its history, it is not an overly precious town. It’s not like Canterbury, it’s got the ability to change and grow."

Details of how Ashford will up its designs and be marketed are to be revealed to townsfolk at a meeting at the international hotel on June 2.