About Us
Future of Greater Manchester helps shape better places through knowledge, leadership and connection – across disciplines, levels and sectors.
We are the region’s independent network for housing, regeneration, infrastructure, economic and social impact, with 6,000+ practitioners and 1,000+ connected Leaders Alumni across Future of GM and sister non-profit Future of London. We support the next wave of urban leaders, including with better access to opportunity.
- Our growing network includes local, regional and central government, housing associations, development and consultancy firms, small businesses, charities and higher education. If you work on place-related issues in any way, you’re welcome!
- Our partners and sponsors are leaders in the built environment and policy arenas across the region and the UK.
- Our content is practical and includes helpful materials, engaging events and acclaimed cross-sector leadership programmes.
- Our approach is to involve people from all levels directly in events, field trips and web content. If you have something to say, we can be a platform for you – including with presentation coaching!
- Our structure – an independent not-for-profit with an engaged board, steering group and associate base – means we can respond nimbly to regional issues and to partner ideas or suggestions.
- Our core funding comes from sponsorship plus course and service fees.
Board
Future of GM’s Board is vital for governance and as a sounding board for our vision and programme. Dedicated members help us connect effectively across GM, and include programme partners, nominators, Leaders alumni and mentors as well as fresh voices who will help us grow a sustainable network. For information, contact lisa@futureofgreatermanchester.com.
Board member 2026-29, mentor, speaker, partner
Board member 2024-27
Board member 2025-28
Chair, 2026-28, alumni, mentor
Board member 2025-28, alumni, mentor, speaker
Board member 2025-28
Board member 2024-27, alumni rep, speaker
Board member 2026-29, alumni, speaker
Board member 2026-29, mentor, speaker
Board member 2024-27, mentor, speaker, partner
Board Secretary - Staff
Board member 2024-27, mentor, partner
Board member 2025-28, Treasurer, alumni
Team
Lisa TaylorExecutive DirectorAt Future of GM, Lisa focuses on strategy, connection, programme design & quality and works to build FoGM's services offer. She set up the organisation in 2020 with the support of core sponsors; launched our place leadership programmes; and works with the board on governance and growth. From 2013-2019, Lisa was CEO of Future of London, quadrupling membership, revenue and team, diversifying the board, creating Leaders Plus and the Speaker Diversity Network, and guiding a healthy leadership transition. Through Future of GM and her consultancy, Coherent Cities, Lisa is also a sought-after facilitator and coach and was twice one of The Planner’s Women of Influence.
Collette HaytonProgramme ManagerCollette was promoted to Manager just shy of her third anniversary with Future of GM, rising from Coordinator and Officer. She is our welcoming lead contact for partners and participants; manages logistics and systems; contributes content design; has delivered dozens of successful events and helped set up the GM Regen Skills Academy. Collette joined in 2023, bringing strong event management experience; before that, she managed multiple projects in the software industry, and coordinated workstreams as a Finance sector PA. Collette has a BA in Events Management from MMU, where she developed a passion for the built environment and for the diversity that makes GM thrive.
John HerringSenior Associate & OD LeadJohn helps executives, non-executives and senior leaders understand their role, their strategic thinking and delivery, how they collaborate and themselves. He is a trained psychological therapist as well as a coach, and supports people to understand their impact on others and how they lead from a relational perspective. John is also a senior leader with 25 years’ experience in the NHS, wider public services, charitable and private sectors, with experience of strategic, operational and clinical leadership and building networks and systems of organisations to deliver collectively.
Susie CuthillAssociate - Special ProjectsFollowing a year in-house with Future of GM, Susie steps back to Associate to devote more energy to her own coaching and comms business. With 20+ years of leadership in the charity and voluntary sector, Susie joined us from LGBTQ+ youth charity The Proud Trust, as Deputy CEO and Interim CEO from 2022-25, preceded by nine years leading development at The King's Trust. Susie is also a Non-Executive Director at design consultancy Studio Lutalica, and is a Future of GM mentor and Leaders Plus alumna.
Sherelle FairweatherLeaders Facilitator - AssociateSherelle has designed and continues to deliver a popular workshop on personal and professional brand for our Future Leaders place leadership programme. We brought her in because of her own strong brand/values and because of the insight and support for others that we saw when she took our Leaders Plus course. Sherelle's work with Manchester City Council and a wider portfolio including board roles and her own practice, The Curious Fairweather, keep her content and outlook fresh and relevant, and she is an engaging and diligent tutor.
Haider JavedLeaders Facilitator - AssociateHaider leads Inclusive Talent at Manchester City Council, driving organisation‑wide approaches to inclusive leadership, equitable progression, and cultural transformation. He designs and delivers research‑informed leadership programmes, workshops, and positive action initiatives. Through Haider Javed Consultancy, he delivers inclusive leadership and equity‑focused development across and beyond GM, helping organisations embed inclusive practice and strengthen culture.
Laurence Knott PCCLeaders facilitator - AssociateLaurence is accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and has spent 10+ years helping SME leaders and young professionals lead from a place of mental clarity, resilience and personal mastery. Before that, he spent 20 years in local government regeneration and planning, so understands the varied environments you work in. As a facilitator & trainer, Laurence delivers board away days, stakeholder engagement, team development, bespoke group coaching and wellbeing programmes.
Stefan PowellLeaders Facilitator - AssociateStefan is an executive coach and facilitator with 20+ years’ experience supporting senior leaders across the public, private and third sectors. He helps them navigate complexity, system pressure and high-stakes responsibility where judgement, relationships and values are critical. Stefan brings lived experience from complex organisations including senior roles at Santander and Nationwide and is known for creating trusted and challenging spaces where leaders can think clearly under pressure, aligning delivery with purpose.
Miffa SalterLeaders facilitator - AssociateMiffa is a highly experienced executive coach, professional mentor and trainer with 20+ years across the public, private and third sectors. She has been closely involved with Future of London and Future of GM since 2010 and has been key to the design & delivery of our Leaders courses. Over her career, Miffa has supported 1,000+ individuals and 300+ organisations; clients include leading names in government, housing, property and health. Miffa holds a first-class honours degree from LSE and is licensed to provide psychometrics including individual aptitude and personality profiling.
Kamil SheikhBusiness ManagerKamil joined Future of London in 2017 as Business Manager and is now Finance Director. He served on Future of GM's board as we set up, and in 2025 became Business Manager. Kamil oversees our finance and business function, including credit control and forecasting, strategic and tax planning, reporting and budgeting advice. Kamil has 15+ years in accountancy and tax, qualifying as a CA with a large accounting practice after earning his Economics Degree from UCL. Kamil has worked with multi-million-turnover companies, but his heart is in supporting charities and small/micro-businesses.
At Future of GM, Lisa focuses on strategy, connection, programme design & quality and works to build FoGM's services offer. She set up the organisation in 2020 with the support of core sponsors; launched our place leadership programmes; and works with the board on governance and growth. From 2013-2019, Lisa was CEO of Future of London, quadrupling membership, revenue and team, diversifying the board, creating Leaders Plus and the Speaker Diversity Network, and guiding a healthy leadership transition. Through Future of GM and her consultancy, Coherent Cities, Lisa is also a sought-after facilitator and coach and was twice one of The Planner’s Women of Influence.
Collette was promoted to Manager just shy of her third anniversary with Future of GM, rising from Coordinator and Officer. She is our welcoming lead contact for partners and participants; manages logistics and systems; contributes content design; has delivered dozens of successful events and helped set up the GM Regen Skills Academy. Collette joined in 2023, bringing strong event management experience; before that, she managed multiple projects in the software industry, and coordinated workstreams as a Finance sector PA. Collette has a BA in Events Management from MMU, where she developed a passion for the built environment and for the diversity that makes GM thrive.
John helps executives, non-executives and senior leaders understand their role, their strategic thinking and delivery, how they collaborate and themselves. He is a trained psychological therapist as well as a coach, and supports people to understand their impact on others and how they lead from a relational perspective. John is also a senior leader with 25 years’ experience in the NHS, wider public services, charitable and private sectors, with experience of strategic, operational and clinical leadership and building networks and systems of organisations to deliver collectively.
Following a year in-house with Future of GM, Susie steps back to Associate to devote more energy to her own coaching and comms business. With 20+ years of leadership in the charity and voluntary sector, Susie joined us from LGBTQ+ youth charity The Proud Trust, as Deputy CEO and Interim CEO from 2022-25, preceded by nine years leading development at The King's Trust. Susie is also a Non-Executive Director at design consultancy Studio Lutalica, and is a Future of GM mentor and Leaders Plus alumna.
Sherelle has designed and continues to deliver a popular workshop on personal and professional brand for our Future Leaders place leadership programme. We brought her in because of her own strong brand/values and because of the insight and support for others that we saw when she took our Leaders Plus course. Sherelle's work with Manchester City Council and a wider portfolio including board roles and her own practice, The Curious Fairweather, keep her content and outlook fresh and relevant, and she is an engaging and diligent tutor.
Haider leads Inclusive Talent at Manchester City Council, driving organisation‑wide approaches to inclusive leadership, equitable progression, and cultural transformation. He designs and delivers research‑informed leadership programmes, workshops, and positive action initiatives. Through Haider Javed Consultancy, he delivers inclusive leadership and equity‑focused development across and beyond GM, helping organisations embed inclusive practice and strengthen culture.
Laurence is accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and has spent 10+ years helping SME leaders and young professionals lead from a place of mental clarity, resilience and personal mastery. Before that, he spent 20 years in local government regeneration and planning, so understands the varied environments you work in. As a facilitator & trainer, Laurence delivers board away days, stakeholder engagement, team development, bespoke group coaching and wellbeing programmes.
Stefan is an executive coach and facilitator with 20+ years’ experience supporting senior leaders across the public, private and third sectors. He helps them navigate complexity, system pressure and high-stakes responsibility where judgement, relationships and values are critical. Stefan brings lived experience from complex organisations including senior roles at Santander and Nationwide and is known for creating trusted and challenging spaces where leaders can think clearly under pressure, aligning delivery with purpose.
Miffa is a highly experienced executive coach, professional mentor and trainer with 20+ years across the public, private and third sectors. She has been closely involved with Future of London and Future of GM since 2010 and has been key to the design & delivery of our Leaders courses. Over her career, Miffa has supported 1,000+ individuals and 300+ organisations; clients include leading names in government, housing, property and health. Miffa holds a first-class honours degree from LSE and is licensed to provide psychometrics including individual aptitude and personality profiling.
Kamil joined Future of London in 2017 as Business Manager and is now Finance Director. He served on Future of GM's board as we set up, and in 2025 became Business Manager. Kamil oversees our finance and business function, including credit control and forecasting, strategic and tax planning, reporting and budgeting advice. Kamil has 15+ years in accountancy and tax, qualifying as a CA with a large accounting practice after earning his Economics Degree from UCL. Kamil has worked with multi-million-turnover companies, but his heart is in supporting charities and small/micro-businesses.
Core Sponsors
