GM Future Leaders

Harry Charman is an Senior Associate in the Development Advisory team at Montagu Evans, where he has worked for the past 8 years. Harry became a Chartered Surveyor in 2019 and has since been focused on providing development consultancy and land agency advice to public and private sector clients. At the end of 2024, Harry relocated from London to Montagu Evans' Manchester office and has been growing his regional development experience with projects in Greater Manchester and beyond. Harry's work includes development appraisals, commercial input into feasibility studies and planning, as well as agency and disposal advice.

Deborah is a Policy Officer at Manchester City Council with 16+ years experience in the local authority. She works across a diverse portfolio, overseeing the delivery of government funded Tech Hubs, leading public consultations, and supporting the development and implementation of strategic regeneration frameworks. Her background spans project management, feasibility studies, governance and risk management. She has a strong track record of collaborating with senior stakeholders and influencing decision making across programmes. Deborah also brings valuable experience in emergency response and community recovery, building on earlier leadership roles and executive support positions within the Council.

Kate works to improve lives through movement, physical activity and sport. With 20 years’ experience across VCFSE and wellbeing roles, she plays a strong connective role, embedding movement and physical activity into mainstream health provision as a core way to tackle inequalities and improve outcomes. She works across VCFSE, health, wellbeing and system change, providing strategic oversight, building partnerships and supporting organisations to work better together. Kate has a collaborative, values-led and relational approach, motivated by reducing unequal access to health and strengthening the role of communities in shaping solutions.

Charlotte leads on project and regional marketing across Muse’s Northern portfolio, elevating brand awareness and bringing places to life. She collaborates with project teams, creative partners and stakeholders to craft on brand narratives that strengthen placemaking and build meaningful connections in new neighbourhoods. Charlotte oversees business development activity and regional events, ensuring every touchpoint reflects Muse’s values and strategic goals.

Rachael is a structural engineer engineer with 10+ years experience working in various sectors in the built environment. She has delivered new-build and refurbishment schemes such as schools, university frameworks, residential projects and commercial schemes. Rachael is currently leading civil and structural engineers in the delivery of new housing projects and masterplanning, and listed building refurbishments in the hotel and commercial sectors. She is passionate about restoring heritage buildings and providing spaces that have a positive impact on the built environment and people’s lives.

Previously: Station Manager

Tony has served with GMFRS for 24 years in a variety of roles including training and more recently in professional standards. His aspirations are to move into more senior roles where he can shape culture, support his teams, and drive positive organisational change. he is applying for the GM Leaders Programme to strengthen his leadership capability, broaden his strategic perspective, and learn alongside colleagues who share a passion for improvement. This opportunity will help him lead confidently through complexity and influence the service’s future direction.

Sara is a Senior Designer at Arup who leads design work that improves everyday places across the city. She collaborates with architects, councils, and communities to inform the use of light in ways that are inclusive and support perceptions of safety. Her aim is to help create environments that offer a positive experience for everyone.

Previously: Programme Manager, Greater Manchester Business Compliance Support

Nick is regional lead for GM’s Business Compliance Support, which unites the ten GM local authorities’ public protection services to deliver high-quality compliance guidance to businesses nationwide. Business Compliance Support strengthens regulatory confidence within businesses and tackles the challenge of workforce sustainability in public protection. Nick is committed to developing the next generation of regulators through training and long-term capability building. A skilled facilitator, Nick excels at turning concepts into practical strategies that drive meaningful change. He is an engaging public speaker, known for making intricate topics accessible to diverse audiences through innovative approaches and clear communication.

Elayne is a Work & Skills Specialist, focused on improving skills, expanding access to opportunity, and addressing employment inequalities. She has led award‑winning initiatives such as the Manchester WorkWell Programme, delivering impactful support for residents with health barriers to work. With extensive experience in economic development, project delivery and contract management, Elayne brings a strategic, evidence‑driven approach to shaping employment and skills provision. She works collaboratively with public, private and voluntary sector partners to create equitable pathways into work. Passionate about inclusive growth, Elayne is committed to ensuring all communities benefit from Manchester’s economic opportunities.

Previously: Partnership & Business Development Analyst, Homes England 

With experience working across housing, regeneration and transport, Ellen is a Partnership & Business Development Analyst at Homes England, where she drives the delivery of schemes that unlock complex sites and support place-based growth. Her work focuses on shaping the strategic direction whilst navigating complex political environments, building strong partnerships, developing viable pathways for challenging projects that enable new homes and regeneration across Greater Manchester. Previously at LCRCA, she contributed to major transport infrastructure projects and supported the Chief Executive Officer. She has a particular interest in economics, placemaking and regeneration and is committed to creating places where communities can thrive.

Holly is a senior manager specialising in assurance and governance processes, with over 12 years’ experience in the housing sector. She’s currently responsible for overseeing assurance procedures in relation to affordable housing grant funding, working with local authorities, registered providers and private sector partners. Holly believes in delivering first-class customer service, taking an innovative and proactive approach to assurance issues as well as working in a collaborative and flexible way, mobilising a team of five and ensuring best practice in our operational procedures.

Previously: Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Specialist - Wythenshawe Community Housing Group. 

Lili is an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Specialist with 8+ years of experience in driving transformative EDI initiatives and cultivating inclusive workplace cultures. She has demonstrable success in leading organisation wide EDI strategies, building high impact partnerships, and advising senior leaders across complex, multi-site environments. Lili plays an active leadership role in the housing sector as Chair of the Greater Manchester Housing Providers EDI Group, championing collaboration, and shared learning. Lili is deeply committed to creating safe and inclusive environments, ensuring that all customers and colleagues feel respected, represented, and able to thrive in their homes and communities.

Shammy is part of the Fuel Poverty, Retrofit and Homes team and manages people and projects. Shammy has always been customer facing and thrives in Community Engagement. Shammy is experienced in Retrofit and Energy Efficiency and is passionate about humanity and the environment. Shammy has worked collaboratively supporting vulnerable families across Greater Manchester from those in fuel poverty to end of life care. Shammy is empathetic, champions social justice and cares about empowering communities to facilitate sustainable change to improve lives and contribute to decarbonisation.