Board Members

Alison Bowcott-McGrath

Alison is Managing Director of Bo-Concepts Ltd based in Cheadle.  BO-CONCEPTS are proud ambassadors of the high street with a mission: to’ bring space to life’. Being experts in promotional space management, they have supported growth on UK high streets for the past 10 years by increasing footfall and generating community engagement. Working alongside fellow Board member Helen White of Marketing Stockport, one of their roles is to bring vitality to Stockport, creating a vibrant place to work, live and enjoy.

Malcolm Hurst

Malcolm is a founder member of Stockport CIC and the owner of Malcolm Hurst Consulting. Malcolm is probably best known as the founder of Hursts Accountants with their landmark building in the centre of Stockport. In addition to his skills as an accountant, Malcolm also brings to the Board a keen interest in developing a Business Improvement District (BID).

Tony Millar

Tony is another one of the founding members of Stockport CIC and is a Director at Great Grounds Ltd, a commercial landscape company based in Davenport. His interests are focused on improving the Stockport landscape, creating and making better use of green spaces. He also has a keen interest in involving the education sector in the re-generation of the Town Centre and identifying the vocational experiences that can be gained by young people in the area during the re-development process. His involvement as Vice President of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce in Stockport also creates opportunities to link education with commerce to the benefit of all.

Jean Walker

Jean is also a founder member of Stockport CIC and is a Partner at SAS Daniels solicitors in Stockport. She is an experienced Board member and also brings to this Board an extensive knowledge of setting up community organisations having been a founder member of the 4 Heatons Traders Association - an independent group of pro-active business people, all of whom trade within the four Heatons.

Helen White

Helen brings to the Board an in depth knowledge of marketing and PR. She began her career here in Stockport with the Messenger Newspaper Group and, after spells with both the national press and broadcast media, she became Head of Marketing with an insurance company before moving into the world of advertising, directing campaigns for many large UK companies. Her knowledge of Stockport, its thriving and diverse business community and belief in the opportunities for growth led to Helen co-founding Marketing Stockport, an independent organisation which promotes Stockport businesses with a strong, combined voice as 'the place' to do business.

Paul Taylor

Paul started his career in local press at the Stockport Express and Times before moving into national magazines and exhibitions. In 2008 Paul became the Chief Executive of Imagine fm, the areas independent, commercial radio station where he has been serving Stockport for the last 7 years based at town's iconic Strawberry Studios. He has worked with numerous local trader associations, hosting many of the town's larger events. Three years ago Paul launched Shout Media which delivers local marketing and events including the publication of the 'Stockport Source' magazine and the organisation of the annual 'Stockport Festival' and Christmas lights switch on. With a keen interest in developing a BID for the town, his company offers a multimedia approach to marketing and events in Stockport.

Maxine McDermott

Maxine is the Store Manager at Marks & Spencer in Stockport. Having worked in many town centres around the North West, she is accustomed to collaborating with different groups to try to promote and improve town centre partnerships. Also, as a local champion for the Healthy High Streets Campaign, a BITC initiative, Maxine looks forward to helping develop a successful BID for Stockport.