Future Leaders Proposals for GM brought together rising changemakers, senior leaders, and partners from across Greater Manchester to explore one of today’s most urgent priorities: how we build a more resilient region. It was both a moment of reflection and a celebration, marking the graduation of Future Leaders cohort 2 and the continued growth of the network, now over 1,000 alumni strong across the UK.
Through bold proposals and inspiring conversations, the event, hosted by Rider Levett Bucknall, highlighted the power of collective leadership and the energy this network brings to shaping Greater Manchester’s future. The audience voted for one winner in the new “Most Feasible” category – not very sexy, but with a nod to having real impact!
WINNER ✨🏡 Vacant to Vibrant – Transforming vacant Education land in areas of food poverty or limited greenspace into community growing and learning spaces, and supporting local organisations.
Team: Esther Cordingley, GC Insight; Sam Hayes, PLACED; Peter Haymes, Stockport Council; Carl Smith, Manchester City Council.
📊 Identity Net Gain – A planning tool to make sure regeneration and development enhance local identity, sustainability, and community, supporting long-term stewardship and inclusive, resilient growth.
Team: Alima Ahmed-Zaman, Stockport Council; Heather Fitton, Identity Consult; Joe Greenhalgh, Homes England; Rebekah Watson, Community-Led Iniatives (CLI); Sam Wilson, Muse Places.
🍅 Resilient Roots – A co-operative system to scale up local food production and distribution, strengthening food security, supporting climate action, and ensuring fairer access through community-based distribution hubs.
Team: Matthew Addison, Arup; Mike Brady, Rider Levett Bucknall; Kate Davies, GMCA; Persephone Galanis, Manchester City Council.
Congratulations to all our graduates:
- Matthew Addison – Senior Venue Consultant, Arup
- Alima Ahmed-Zaman – Strategic Lead, Corporate Estate, Stockport Council
- Mike Brady – Associate – Built Asset Consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall
- Esther Cordingley – Senior Consultant, GC Insight
- Kate Davies – Principal Programme Manager, GMCA
- Heather Fitton – Associate Quantity Surveyor, Identity Consult
- Persephone Galanis – Development Surveyor, Manchester City Council
- Joe Greenhalgh – Project Manager, Homes England
- Sam Hayes – Assistant Director, PLACED
- Peter Haymes – Development & Regeneration Manager, Stockport Council
- Carl Smith – Senior Building Surveyor, Manchester City Council
- Rebekah Watson – Team Leader, Community-Led Initiatives
- Sam Wilson – Project Manager, Muse Places
Thanks to our fantastic Round 2 mentors!
- Alex Atkinson – Senior Director, Identity Consult
- Shannon Conway – Co-Founder, Picture This
- Debra Cooper -Banking Partner, Hill Dickinson
- Danny Crump – Director of Urbanism, Layer Studio
- Mike Cunliffe – Work & Skills Lead, Manchester City Council
- Jack Dale-Dowd – Chief Executive Officer, Contact Theatre
- Kim Grieveson – Principal, Avison Young
- Kathryn Jump – Partner, Shoosmiths
- Jenny Kay – Development Director, WSP
- Chithra Marsh – Director, Buttress Architects
- Bethan McCaw – Assistant Director of Place, GMCA
- Georgina Rose – Director of Development Consultancy, JLL
- James Ryan – Associate Partner, Drees & Sommer
And as always, thanks to our rock-solid Leaders programme sponsors: GMCA, Hatch, Trowers & Hamlins and Arup.
For info on Future Leaders Round 3 (nominations open now for October 2025 – March 2026), contact collette@futureofgreatermanchester.com.
PS. If you like the photos, get in touch with photographer Fiona Finchett; a great eye and a pleasure to work with!
