The Future Focus: Liverpool City Region Development Spotlight is your chance to gain an exclusive look at the major public sector projects set to shape the region’s development landscape.

With a focus on upcoming schemes across commercial development, the private sector and the public sector, this event will highlight key projects in the region’s pipeline and provide a platform for you to connect with the decision-makers behind them. Don’t miss out—book your ticket now or save 30% by becoming a member.

Our speakers

Damian Cooke

Director of Economy, Enterprise and Property, Halton Borough Council

Damian Cooke

Director of Economy, Enterprise and Property, Halton Borough Council

Damian Cooke is a seasoned leader in regeneration and economic development, with extensive experience across both public and private sectors. As a senior figure at Halton Borough Council, he leads the regeneration team, delivering investment and regeneration programmes in collaboration with private sector investors and developers. Damian's expertise spans business parks, commercial property, and housing development, underpinned by a strong foundation in local government leadership and strategic planning..

Steven Gregory

Area Director, Morgan Sindall

Steven Gregory

Area Director, Morgan Sindall

Steven is the Director of Morgan Sindall Construction’s North West Business Unit, with over 25 years' experience delivering projects across a wide range of sectors. Passionate about innovation and best practice, he thrives on tackling the ever-evolving challenges of the construction industry, from the realities on the ground to responsible leadership. His focus is on turning practical insight into continuous improvement that benefits clients, communities, and the wider industry.

Mike Horne

Head of Development, Liverpool City Council

Mike Horne

Head of Development, Liverpool City Council

Mike Horne is Head of Development at Liverpool City Council. He coordinates some of the city’s most exciting developments, including Knowledge Quarter, Liverpool’s urban innovation district and Kings Dock, a waterfront site front and centre of Liverpool’s iconic and world-class skyline.

Marcus Shaw

Director of Regeneration & Place, Wirral Council

Marcus Shaw

Director of Regeneration & Place, Wirral Council

With over 15 years of experience in public sector regeneration, Shaw leads a
diverse portfolio of transformative projects across the Wirral. The experience he has amassed over the course of his career covers regeneration, development, investment, housing, planning, commercial property, real estate strategy, capital projects and community asset transfer.

At Wirral Council, Shaw is responsible for overseeing a significant pipeline of regeneration projects, including the redevelopment of Birkenhead town centre and the transformation of former public sector sites into new housing and community assets. Shaw’s leadership is central to Wirral’s strategic regeneration agenda, focusing on sustainable growth, community engagement, and delivering long-term value for residents and stakeholders.

Sean Traynor

Director of Strategic Growth, St. Helens Council

Sean Traynor

Director of Strategic Growth, St. Helens Council

Over 32 years’ professional experience in the public sector with involvement in several large-scale, mixed-use regeneration projects and programmes, from inception through to post-planning consent, funding, construction, occupation and management. As Director of Strategic Growth at St Helens Borough Council, responsibilities include regeneration, planning, property and estates, and economy.

Tony Clark

Assistant Executive Director Development and Infrastructure, Knowsley Council

Tony Clark

Assistant Executive Director Development and Infrastructure, Knowsley Council

A track record of delivering major development and regeneration programmes. Manages Planning, Building Control, Highways, Transport, Major Development, Commercial Land and Asset Management services. Proud to be part of the Knowsley success story.

Claire Dixon

Deputy Chief Executive, Plus Dane

Claire Dixon

Deputy Chief Executive, Plus Dane

Claire is responsible for a number of departments including Development, Finance, Governance & Assurance, Performance, ICT, Programmes and Procurement. As Deputy Chief Executive, Claire has responsibility for Plus Dane's compliance with all aspects of regulation, including the Consumer Standards.

Claire is an experienced non-executive in the charities sector. She has worked in social housing for over 20 years, starting her career on reception at a local housing office. She has achieved Chartered status with the Chartered Institute of Housing, is a qualified company secretary and most recently completed her coaching qualification.

Martin Crews

Development Director at Capital & Centric

Martin Crews

Development Director at Capital & Centric

Martin Crews is the Development Director at Capital&Centric.

Sarah Morton

Regional Director, Kier

Sarah Morton

Regional Director, Kier

Sarah Morton is the Regional Director at Kier Group.

Richard Mawdsley

Director of Development, Peel L&P's Wirral Waters

Richard Mawdsley

Director of Development, Peel L&P's Wirral Waters

Graduated from Reading University with a BSc in Land Management and the Cass Business School with an MSc in Property Development & Finance.

Joined Peel L&P in 2002 after 12 years working for several consultancies and developers in London - involved with a diverse range of development projects across all use sectors and scales: residential, industrial, commercial, leisure and retail.

As Director of Development for Peel L&P’s Wirral Waters responsible for the delivery of one of the UK’s largest and most sustainable regeneration projects of its kind.

Wayne Flannery

Managing Director (Construction West), Wates

Wayne Flannery

Managing Director (Construction West), Wates

Wayne brings a wealth of experience and insight, having spent the past eight years in various director-level positions at ISG, where he led projects across both the private and public sectors.

Wayne’s extensive background includes significant work on public sector frameworks. As part of his responsibilities, Wayne also sits on the Construction board, contributing his strategic expertise to help drive growth and innovation in the division.

Tom Sewell

Regional Director, Stepnell

Tom Sewell

Regional Director, Stepnell

Tom Sewell, Regional Director at Stepnell and Board Director, brings over 30 years of experience in regional construction businesses. With a commercial background across all sectors, including public sector and frameworks, Tom champions Stepnell’s collaborative, sustainable approach—leveraging local expertise, delivering lasting community value, and integrating renewable and decarbonisation solutions through in-house specialists Step Energy.

Mike Lane

Director, Willmott Dixon

Mike Lane

Director, Willmott Dixon

An experienced Director, currently responsible for several construction projects across the North of England. Mike has a broad range of skills which encompasses both the pre-construction and construction phases of projects, influencing areas from the design to commercial strategy, customer negotiation, planning and programming, management of health and safety, delivery of a quality product and more.

Steve Beechey

Group Public Sector Director, Wates Group

Steve Beechey

Group Public Sector Director, Wates Group

Steve is the Group Public Sector Director of the Wates Group, which is a privately owned construction and development business with a turnover of £2.4 bn and employing 6,000 people.

Steve sits on the Executive Committee of Wates, a position he has held since 2015. He is responsible for all the Group’s relationships at a strategic level across local and central government. He is also responsible for national frameworks, public affairs and customer experience.

With over 35 years’ experience, Steve has an excellent track record. He began his career as a site engineer in 1988 with The Tarmac Group before progressing into commercial, project management and business leadership roles.

Leanne Katsande

Head of Commercial at Sciontec

Leanne Katsande

Head of Commercial at Sciontec

Leanne Katsande is the Head of Commercial at Sciontec.

Robbie Blackhurst

Chair of the Centre for Construction Best Practice (CCBP)

Robbie Blackhurst

Chair of the Centre for Construction Best Practice (CCBP)

Robbie Blackhurst is an accomplished entrepreneur, business leader, philanthropist, and author, with a strong track record in the built environment sector. As Founder and Director of Black Capital Group, which includes Compliance Chain, Procure Partnerships Framework, and Strategic Resourcing, Robbie’s journey began in 2017 when he left Principal Contracting to launch a procurement framework in the North West.

Following early success, he expanded the framework nationally and diversified into infrastructure, housing, and over 1,000 public sector projects. In the last 12 months, Robbie has doubled the group's headcount and driven £5 billion in construction projects over five years.

As Chair of the Centre for Construction Best Practice, Robbie continues to add value to the industry. His teams have delivered £720m in social value across England, transforming communities through innovative public sector project procurement.

Lynn Haime

CEO, Baltic Creative CIC

Lynn Haime

CEO, Baltic Creative CIC

As CEO of Baltic Creative CIC, Lynn brings 30 years of commercial property expertise and a passion for creative industries. Formerly at Media City, she now drives Baltic Creative’s growth plans, supports regional innovation and champions creative sectors.

She also serves on key regional and arts boards, advancing economic development and sector-wide collaboration.
In 2024, Lynn launched Bloom, a groundbreaking business festival in Liverpool designed to inform and equip creative and digital leaders across the North with the tools for financial and commercial success.
Beyond her role at Baltic Creative CIC, Lynn plays an active part in shaping regional economic development. She serves as a board member for the Business & Enterprise Board of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and dot art CIC, reinforcing her commitment to driving innovation, creativity and growth in the sector.

Agenda

08:30 - 09:00 Arrival and Networking

09:00 - 09:30 Welcome Address

09:30 - 10:15 Panel 1 | Commercial Development Spotlight

Key note speakers:

Claire Dixon, Deputy Chief Executive, Plus Dane

Richard Mawdsley, Director of Development, Peel L&P's Wirral Waters

Martin Crews, Development Director at Capital&Centric

Leanne Katsande, Head of Commercial at Sciontec

Chaired by Lynn Haime, CEO, Baltic Creative CIC

10:15 - 11:00 Panel 2 | Public Sector Spotlight

Key note speakers:

Mike Horne, Head of Development, Liverpool City Council

Marcus Shaw, Director of Regeneration & Place, Wirral Council

Damian Cooke, Director of Economy, Enterprise and Property, Halton Council

Sean Traynor, Director of Strategic Growth, St. Helens Council

Tony Clark, Assistant Executive Director Development and Infrastructure, Knowsley Council

Chaired By Steve Beechey, Group Public Sector Director, Wates Group

11:00 - 11:15 Comfort break

11:15 - 12:00 Panel 3 | Private Sector Spotlight

Key note speakers:

Tom Sewell, Regional Director, Stepnell

Mike Lane, Director, Willmott Dixon

Sarah Morton, Regional Director, Kier

Steven Gregory, Area Director, Morgan Sindall

Wayne Flannery, Managing Director (Construction West), Wates

Chaired By Robbie Blackhurst, Chair of CCBP

12:00 - 12:30 Event Close and Networking

Future Focus Liverpool City Region: Public Sector Development Spotlight

Book your ticket to discover key insights into the region's growth prospects and opportunities to get involved in the next wave of public sector development. To request an invoice, please contact info@ccbp.org.uk

Future Focus: Liverpool City Region Development Spotlight

The Future Focus: Liverpool City Region Development Spotlight is your chance to gain an exclusive look at the major public sector projects set to shape the region’s development landscape.

Our speakers

Damian Cooke

Damian Cooke

Steven Gregory

Steven Gregory

Mike Horne

Mike Horne

Marcus Shaw

Marcus Shaw

Sean Traynor

Sean Traynor

Tony Clark

Tony Clark

Agenda

Future Focus Liverpool City Region: Public Sector Development Spotlight

Event details