Introducing the Panel of Brilliant People
Kate Willard, OBE
Our journey starts here
Our fabulous journey of creating a ‘Panel of brilliant people who are going to make a difference’ has started!
After inviting applications from across the Towns Fund Towns, I am super excited to announce that we have panellists from communities all over the UK - from Cumbria to Kent, Devon to Yorkshire, and many places in between.
Bringing together people from your Towns, the Panel’s first encounter is to be held next week when we shall ‘meet’ each other for the first time and exchange ideas and contributions. Over the coming months, Panel members will work together to create an action plan that will be presented to Central Government in October.
We shall be tackling two key questions:
How do we make sure that good green growth works for everyone?
How is the Towns Fund programme working, and how could we make it better?
Our Panel members represent a truly diverse range of geographical areas, backgrounds and viewpoints and to give them a proper introduction, we asked them to write short biographies about themselves. These are below.
First, I would like to introduce Kayleigh Daniels. With her broad experience, interests and her role as the Town Deal Board Chair for Cleator Moor, she has agreed to join us as Deputy Chair alongside me and Joanna Rowelle who heads up the Towns Fund Delivery Partner.
I very much hope you will join us in celebrating our Panel and their achievements in your Towns. Their contributions and your support of them will help us ensure that the action plan we present to Government later in the year will be a collective interpretation of what is most important to them in meeting the aspirations of your Towns.
We are looking forward to updating you regularly on our progress.
Meet the Panel of brilliant people who are going to make a difference
Kayleigh is part of the leadership team at REACT Engineering, bringing people together to solve complex problems across the nuclear and engineering sectors. A proud Cumbrian, Kayleigh is passionate about engaging people into Science and Engineering and is a trustee of the REACT Foundation, which raises the aspirations of young people through inspirational STEAM initiatives. She is keen to support the community, Chairing the Cleator Moor Town Fund Board as well as holding governor roles at a local primary and secondary school.
Kayleigh Daniels
Alex Howell
I currently work for Doncaster Council on the Local Government Association’s National Graduate Development Programme after graduating from the University of York. I have worked on both the Doncaster Town Centre and Stainforth Town Deals and look forward to further exploring ideas around equitable and inclusive growth alongside the panel.
Hello, I’m Charlotte, currently working for East Riding of Yorkshire Council as a Regeneration Project Coordinator focused on Goole and Town Deal. My background is in history, heritage and archaeology which brings a unique perspective to regeneration, allowing social culture and heritage to form the heart of a place.
Charlotte Howe-McCartin
Connor Conneely
Connor is an Economic Development Officer for TDA focusing on regeneration and employment projects. Connor’s passion reflects the ethos of TDA which is to ‘improve the lives of the people living and working in the South West’. Outside of work Connor’s interests lie in sports and outdoor activity.
Emma is an OPE and Land Officer, with work experience and passion for housing, planning, town centres and initiatives that set out to making best use of underused and disused land. Her work experience includes One Public Estate, the LCR Town Centre Commission and LCR Land Commission.
Emma Washbourn
Farida Zaman
Farida Zaman is the Local Development Lead for Bradford at Business in the Community. She works in collaboration with businesses, local and regional councils and the VCS sector to create sustainable economic, social and environmental growth and to ensure no one is left behind.
I work as Regeneration Project Manager for Lewes District & Eastbourne Councils. Lewes has been my home for many years, but I was born on a small hold near Penzance, Cornwall. My interests include circular economy systems, early years education, psychology, aesthetics and moral philosophy, architecture, gardening and agriculture.
Guy McQueen
Isabel Nicholls
Isabel Nicholls is Policy and Liaison Manager at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council in the Tees Valley. Previously a Town Planner, she now works to develop policy and strategy across the economic growth portfolio and is part of the team developing Redcar’s Town Deal.
I’m Joseph Mount. I’m 26 years old, and I’m from Morecambe in Lancashire. I’m a Skills and Economic Intelligence Analyst for the Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). I’m interested in equitable economic development to benefit diverse communities in disadvantaged areas (particularly in the North) and promoting opportunities for young people.
Joseph Mount
Kat McDonagh
Kat McDonagh is a Learning Technologist, Gymnastics Coach & Fashion Design Graduate based in Teesside. She is a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert for 2020-2021, working extensively across all ages with a community focussed, people first approach. In conjunction with PL2030 & Grow with Google, Kat has represented Public Libraries at European Parliament for the Libraries Lead with Digital project.
After a decade of working in the events and creative industry, I currently work with Darlington Borough Council supporting the marketing and communications of their Towns Fund project. I’m passionate about creating experiences and places for all, town centre regeneration and supporting small businesses.
Katy Tate
Kerry Boyd
Kerry is a local district councillor from the sunny seaside town of Margate. She brings experience of working in the third sector; namely with young people and vulnerable adults across Kent and Medway to help them achieve their goals of employment and inspire them to make a difference in their local community. In her spare time, she is an enthusiastic runner and passionate football fan.
Hello, I am Laurence Fredricks (He/Him), a resident of Southport, Merseyside. I am currently an undergraduate Land Economist at the University of Cambridge, meaning in my free time I wander around two contextually contrasting areas, pondering their disparities and how their differences may be capitalised on to inspire solutions.
Laurence Fredricks
Natalie Banks
Natalie is a former award-winning journalist who is now shaping out a successful career in public sector communications. She has a wealth of local government experience and graduated from the prestigious LGA Future Leader’s programme in 2019. Natalie has supported the Darwen Town Deal Board over the last year - proudly representing her hometown.
Rachel Bebby is a recent geography graduate from Liverpool Hope University. She is studying urban development and cultural distinctiveness within her master’s degree in ‘Cities, Culture, and Creativity’ at Liverpool John Moores University. Rachel is employed as a Sefton Young Advisor and is passionate about communities and creating a sustainable future.
Rachel Bebby
Rachel White
Rachel is a senior planning consultant who has worked in the private sector for the last 3.5 years. She has represented clients on projects across the country. Rachel seeks to deliver high quality places and spaces through her work and understands the vital contribution that local people make to developing their locality. She hopes to bring these skills and experience to the Towns Fund programme to ensure the benefits of development reach all members of society.
Hi! I am the Climate Change officer for Bassetlaw District Council and living in Chesterfield. The Peaks are home now, but in the last decade I have lived in Hong Kong, Canada, York and Guildford. Outside of work, while not demolishing/decorating our new home, I am often out riding bikes, rock climbing, hiking or playing lacrosse.
Robert Craighead
Sam Quirk
I live on the north-west coastline and could not pass up the opportunity to make a real difference to my area. In particular, I am passionate about environmental and animal protection. I currently work as a file handler at Fletchers Solicitors, where I was introduced to this fantastic Panel.