Previously, he was a Full Time politician, serving as the Deputy Leader of Lancashire County Council and Leader of the North West Regional Assembly. He also chaired Economic development company Lancashire Enterprises and worked as a Parliamentary Assistant for seven years.

Described at the time as ‘the most powerful politician in the region’, Frank is now a key business figure in the North West, regarded as one of the best networked and connected individuals in the business community.

He is a regular contributor to local, regional and national media and has written extensively about regeneration, politics and business development. He is also an accomplished public speaker, regularly addressing conferences, seminars and dinners; and he hosts a weekly business programme on City Talk 105.9fm.

frank.mckenna@downtowninbusiness.com

Michael Taylor is on a mission to make the North think more. He is the founder of Think More, a new start-up business with the ambition to create thought-provoking and stimulating events. An events host, broadcaster and an experienced journalist he has been the editorial director of Insider, the Manchester-based publishing group since 2000. Through 2012 he has presented at events and conferences across the UK, Northern Ireland and in France too. In doing so he has interviewed senior leaders such as Allan Leighton, Peter Salmon, Stephen Hester, Geoff Muirhead and Steve Morgan as well as politicians like the Enterprise Minister of Northern Ireland Arlene Foster, Manchester City Council Leader Sir Richard Leese and senior North West Conservative Susan Williams. He is a guest presenter on the Manchester Business programme on BBC Radio Manchester and was part of the 2012 budget commentary team on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Wake Up To Money. In March 2012 he was part of a delegation of entrepreneurs from the UK to Silicon Valley in California where he visited businesses such as Google, LinkedIn, Salesforce and Symantech. He is still buzzing from it. He lives in Marple, Cheshire with his wife Rachel and their 5 sons.

michael.taylor@downtowninbusiness.com

Roger spend much of his youth in Manchester, (and partied hard here in his latter years!) spending much time at White City watching and supporting his mate and stunt driver, Phil Reader. Some say that is where he learnt many of his driving skills!

His professional career started in the theatre with a sweeping brush as a stage technician, and rapidly grew to the position of production manager. He has worked with some of the country’s top artists and performers, including Billy Connelly, Peter Kaye, Rex Harrison (R.I.P) and even Showaddywaddy! (Oh yes!). He once looked after Lawrence Olivier’s daughters dog for a weekend.

His “sense of theatre” is a major influence as an Events Manager, a career that has brought about past relationships with both independent TV, the BBC and many regional businesses.

Roger is a seasoned equestrian, photographer and playwright. His most recent play was nominated for Best Comedy at the Buxton Festival.

roger.jonas@downtowninbusiness.com

Richard is Downtown Manchester’s Business Development Manager. He moved into the role in April 2012 after managing EN Magazine. Responsible for looking after new and existing relationships you’ll find him wandering the streets of Manchester both day, and night.

Richard’s career was originally in banking but after something called the ‘credit crunch’ he decided that there was more opportunity in the corporate world so moved to Manchester and got involved in marketing. Since then he has worked with companies such as Fidelity, the Economist (yes, a magazine with advertising in it needed help with, advertising) and even Audi.

His connections are vast, as anyone that has visited Downtown Towers and seen his Rolodex will know, ranging from the BBC right through to your local charity.

For fun Richard is an avid Skier, but aside from throwing himself down mountains he also enjoys cricket, the touring cars, cooking and golf.

richard.venables@downtowninbusiness.com

James Topping is Downtown’s Executive Sales Manager. James moves into the newly created role, responsible for business development team leadership, driving growth and developing member participation across the Company’s three key North West locations, Liverpool, Manchester and Preston.

James has almost two decades of business experience in the North West, previous roles include management positions in the retail, wholesale and mail order sectors. He also holds a B.A in Government from the University of Essex, easily making him the ‘brainbox’ of the office.

An avid Evertonian, but aside from visits to Goodison Park, he also enjoys politics, cricket and is a self-confessed Mac geek.

james.topping@downtowninbusiness.com