Rhys Owen
Chair and BID Director & Leasing Director at Orbit Developments
Rhys, has been part of the Orbit team for over 20 years and has spent the last 15years working on a 400,000 square foot of Stockport town centre portfolio which includes offices, retail and business units.
Orbits involvement in the town centre started in the early 1970’s. Many of the properties under Orbits ownership sit within the BID boundary meaning many of its customers are Levy Payers whilst Orbit themselves are a notable Levy Payer.
Rhys led Orbits introduction of a town centre reward card for its 3,000+ customer employees and is a strong advocate for the towns independent offer.
Rhys’ connections to Stockport are not solely through work; he is also a resident of the borough with his young family and was one of the original Stockport Ambassador programme established in 2017.
He also sits on the Stockport council of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Economic Alliance.
Rhys is passionate about the future of Stockport and supporting businesses of all sizes so that they continue to grow and flourish, in turn supporting jobs, shops and all elements of the town centre.
Rhys is a firm believer that a strong commercial property offer is key to ensuring the viability of many town centre retailers and associated businesses than depend on this regular weekday footfall.
Charlie Wood
BID Director & Partner – Employment, SAS Daniels
Charlie has worked for SAS Daniels LLP for over 8 years, based primary in their Stockport office. He started his career as a Paralegal and, after completing his training contract training contract with the Firm, qualified as a solicitor in 2018.
He currently holds the position of Partner in their Employment Law team and is responsible for advising a wide range of business and individual clients around Stockport and the Greater Manchester area. His role involves advising on all aspects of employment law including unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, discrimination, TUPE, redundancy, and contracts of employment etc. He also represents clients in Employment Tribunal proceedings and is experienced in conducting his own advocacy for complex multi-day hearings.
As part of his role, he is heavily involved in local networking and business development. Charlie has spent a lot of time developing a network of contacts in and around the Stockport area, as well as a keen interest and passion for the wider Stockport business community. Charlie regularly attends Stockport focused events as a representative of his Firm and am also involved in several local groups.
Charlie is independently recommended by prestigious legal directory Legal 500 UK 2024 and is one of the founding members of Future Stockport, a new networking group designed to bring professionals together from across Stockport.
Claire Stott
BID Director & Marketing Director
Claire Stott is a Marketing Director who has worked for multi-award winning EMEA cybersecurity solutions provider and distributor, Distology and was part of the management team responsible for choosing to relocate the business to Stockport.
During her time at Orbit Developments, Claire was responsible for networking with local businesses and the council team, identifying grassroots events requiring sponsorship funding (including Foodie Friday) to increase footfall to the town centre. As a local resident and employer/employee of a business in Stockport town centre, Claire is passionate about finding new ways to help Stockport succeed and bring vibrancy, fun and most importantly, footfall to the area.
Mike Lamont
BID Director
Managing Director of Edengreave Limited, delivering Management Consultancy alongside a Boutique Recruitment Agency (DipRP qualified in Recruitment Leadership and a corporate member of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation ). SME Consultant in various aspects including Growth Strategy, Implementation and Delivery, Leadership Coaching, Risk Management, Funding, Recruitment Strategy, MBO and exit strategy delivery.
37 years of Commercial and Corporate Banking experience (ACIB) with 20 years being in a Senior People, Risk, Credit, Leadership and Change Management Director’s role. A passion for Developing others and recognised for Coaching Mastery. A Strong Lending background and Business Development a strength. A motivator of talent and demanding of a strong performance Management ethic always ensured a highest percentile delivery in at times a highly volatile environment and in significant periods requiring strong Change Management. Overseeing full Risk profiling of Commercial and Corporate clients including Strategy, Lending, AML, Regulatory and Operational Risk.
Voluntary elected Director for 8 years (6 as chair) of Stockport Business Improvement District t/a Totally Stockport steering the Board in delivering the Town Centre Objectives through consensus and collaboration with Public and Private Sector Business Partners. Implementation of Strategy and Projects resulting in significant footfall increases and supported inward investment included invited role as an officially appointed Stockport Ambassador.
Board Member of the Stockport Economic Alliance working alongside Public and Private Sector helping shape the Strategic Economic Plan for Stockport Borough including aspects of business, education, transport, housing, health from the perspective of large employers and businesses across the borough holding SMBC to account for ultimate delivery.
Volunteer Trustee for NK Theatre Arts for 10 years, an all inclusive Theatre Company for all ages and abilities including children and Theatre in Education delivering .
Paul Kelsall
BID Director & Director / Architect at Kelsall Architects
Paul is co-founder and Director of award-winning architectural practice and property developer Kelsall Architects, he is also the co-founder of Mustard Cowork. Both businesses are located in Stockport Old Town.
Kelsall Architects have a proven track record of delivering numerous high-profile projects within Stockport town centre, including 15 Lower Hillgate (Yellowhammer), 13 Little Underbank (Mustard Cowork) and 18-20 Lower Hillgate (Bohemian Arts Club and Salon), with many more in the pipeline.
Paul remains deeply involved in design, from building scale to the smallest detail, and promotes the ethos and design quality for which Kelsall Architects is renowned. As a property developer Kelsall Architects own numerous properties within Stockport. Through the redevelopment of these properties, they realise their vision of using innovative, sustainable and joyful architecture as an agent for positive change in the borough.
Prior to founding Kelsall Architects, Paul garnered international experience in both the UK and Australia at recognised architectural practices, managing high-profile projects characterised by complex constraints and diverse stakeholders. As a Stockport resident, Paul is excited by the future of the borough. This excitement was underscored by the relocation of Kelsall Architects from Manchester City Centre to Stockport Old Town – a move fueled by Paul’s genuine passion for the town as well as his desire to help it achieve its full potential. Paul believes Stockport has all the raw ingredients to become a thriving borough for everyone and is excited by the opportunity we have to realise that potential.
Martin Healy
BID Director & Owner of The Good Rebel & This Godless Place Bar & Canteen
Martin is the owner operator of two of Stockport’s independent food and beverage businesses: The Good Rebel and This Godless Place Bar & Canteen. Prior to opening The Good Rebel he already had 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including a decade as General Manager at Stonegate Pub Company in the Hogs Head and Slug & Lettuce brands around the East Midlands and Greater Manchester area before moving on to Turtle Bay Restaurant Group managing large city centre venues.
Skilled in managing small and large teams, delivering exceptional guest experiences, growing sales with detailed marketing plans and delivering controlled profit growth, he is an experienced hospitality professional.
In January 2020 Martin decided to open his first venture in Stockport as it was the perfect place for a start-up to open with its growing independent business scene and beautiful charm, the aim was to bring a bit of the city centre to the suburbs in what was an up and coming area. The Good Rebel opened its doors in January 2020, with a strong cocktail offering. This Godless Place opened in January 2022, with a focus on comfort food and late night parties. Martin is a resident of Heaton Norris with his young family and loves the community around the Underbanks and Market Place and is passionate about the success of Stockport and it’s on the rise comeback story.
Maisy Bland
BID Director & Owner of Jakes Shoes
Maisy is the owner of Jake Shoes – an independent, family-run shoe shop which has been a staple in Stockport since the 1970s. The business was established by her grandparents and passed down through generations, with Maisy becoming managing director at the age of twenty-two. Despite her age, Maisy carries over a decade of retail experience, having started working in the store at eight years old. She manages a team of staff across her Stockport and Altrincham stores as well as running a website, selecting product ranges, and overseeing the businesses finances.
Having grown up in Stockport, Maisy has a deep connection to the town and a strong understanding of its independent business scene. She has experienced first-hand both good and trying times as a business owner and is proud to see Stockport on the up once again.
We welcome your ideas and input. If you are interested Get in touch please email the bid.
Contact Totally Stockport’s BID Office Manager Lisa Noel – lisa.noel@totallystockport.co.uk
Call the Totally Stockport office on 0161 537 9382 or call in to: Suite G1.3, STOK 43-59 Prince’s Street, Stockport SK1 1RY
