Show Notes
“It’s an amazing opportunity for Manchester United and the region” Collette Roche is the Chief Operating Officer of Manchester United, the first woman ever to hold that role at the club. Along the way, she’s had to navigate male-dominated environments; hold tough conversations, and lead with clarity and empathy since she was 21 years old. Collette’s story isn’t just about football. She’s played key roles in some of Manchester’s most important institutions; from Manchester Airport Group and Manchester Metropolitan University to JW Lees, The Northern Powerhouse Partnership, UA92 and The Manchester United Foundation. Host Lisa Morton hears about Collette’s journey from working-class roots in Haydock, to leading one of the most renowned football clubs in the world. Collette’s been a steady hand through years of change, during which she’s seen five managers come and go. She’s now at the heart of one of the most ambitious projects in the club’s history: a planned new stadium for the club and an ambitious regeneration programme for Old Trafford which will leave a lasting impact on Greater Manchester as well as its fans.
From working-class roots in Haydock to leading one of the most renowned football clubs in the world, Collette’s story is one leading with purpose and integrity.
Part of this conversation was recorded live at Business Desk’s The Business of Greater Manchester Conference, and it captures how Collette is helping to build not just a new stadium, but a stronger Manchester for generations to come. ------ Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture. To celebrate the 28 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world. Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our website On Instagram On this episode, We Built This City has partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University. Wherever your business wants to be, Manchester Met is there to help you go further. Visit mmu.ac.uk/business or follow Business at Manchester Met on LinkedIn, to find out more.
More from We Built This City: Greater Manchester
"Our job is to create as many opportunities as possible." Jo Walby is the CEO of Mustard Tree, the Manchester charity fighting poverty and homelessness. Every month, more than 11,000 people walk through its doors and the charity provides food, clothes and furniture for those who need it. It also offers training, work placements and a route into a home. Jo's personal story has shaped her work. She was born in Manchester, adopted as a baby and moved house five times before she turned 18. She grew up wanting to belong and for her, Manchester is the place that feels more like home. Jo built a high flying career in recruitment and IT, then motherhood and a serious mental crisis changed everything. After Jo recovered, she spotted a job advert at the Big Life Group asking for people with lived experience of mental illness. She applied, and was able to bring her whole self to work for the first time. The CEO role at Mustard Tree followed. Host Lisa Morton hears how Jo’s ideas around "industrial kindness" and dignity drive the charity. They discuss the asylum crisis and Andy Burnham's pledge to end rough sleeping, as well as what you can do to help tackle homelessness, even in the smallest of ways. You’ll hear why a simple "you all right?" to someone on the streets can be the first step in rebuilding their hope. This episode includes discussion of mental health and suicide. In the UK, call Samaritans free on 116 123. In the US or Canada, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988. In Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. You can find helplines in other countries at Find A Helpline.
‘Creating nurture for people who’ve never had it”
“ I'm interested in people's stories. I want to know where they've come from. I want to know what they're up to, what makes them tick.” Meet Gareth Shenton, the Manc who’ll always welcome you to his table and creates atmospheres you want to be a part of. Gareth is Operations Director at Shenton Group, which means he steers the ship across their buildings in Manchester City centre, including the former Freemasons Hall, now Manchester Hall, Shenton Group's 100-year-old Grade II-listed event space. This episode is a lesson in how to welcome people the Manc way and create events that live long in the memory. You'll hear Gareth and Lisa recount the We Built This City: Big Manc Chippy Tea event in February this year, which Gareth and the team at Manchester Hall made very special, serving 100 Mancs their favourite chippy order. So, when you're the life of the party, what are the values and beliefs that help you recharge and keep it real? And hear how Gareth came to join the cast of The Real Housewives of Cheshire for Series 20, coming to ITV very soon, and find out what's already causing drama
The best networks aren’t built by asking; they’re built by giving.
”She was a quiet rebel in class, a diamond sifter in a gravel pit." Caroline Aherne left Manchester with a comedic legacy that went on to redefine British TV. One of the many people she inspired is Dave Scott, the poet and author who you might know better as Argh Kid. Dave’s latest book ‘Rebel in Disguise', is a love letter to Caroline’s work as a writer, actress and comedian. Host Lisa Morton recorded this conversation at the We Built This City afternoon tea at Cloud 23 in The Manchester Deansgate Hotel, to celebrate the launch of Dave’s book. Dave has built a career out of finding the poetry in the lives of everyday Mancunians; from the phrases, the humour and the heart that makes this city region different. So it’s no surprise that Caroline and The Royle Family had a huge impact on him. As you'll hear him say, watching the show felt just like watching his own family; something many people who grew up in Greater Manchester will resonate with.