Property & Regeneration Lunch 2026
Tracing Manchester’s journey from recovery to growth, the event opens with a reflective session marking 30 years since the 1996 bombing, honoring the city's resilience and unity. Building on that foundation of urban renewal, the final panel turns toward the future, bringing together experts to discuss the key infrastructure projects and strategic developments set to expand Manchester's reach and shape its skyline through 2030 and beyond.
Agenda:
12:00 - 12:30 Registration and drinks reception
12:35 - 13:15 Fireside discussion: Reflection, Resilience, and Renewal: 30 Years On From the 1996 Manchester Bomb
Marking a significant 30-year milestone, this fireside chat offers a gentle space to reflect on a profoundly difficult chapter in our city’s history. While the events of 1996 brought sudden sorrow, the decades since have stood as a testament to the enduring strength, healing, and unity of the people of Manchester moving from a moment of shared adversity to thoughtfully rebuilding a hopeful future together.
13:15 - 14:15 Two course lunch served
14:15 - 15:00 Panel Session: The Next Chapter: Scaling Manchester’s Future
While the first session explored how we fixed the city's core, this panel discussion focuses on how we are now expanding its reach. Our experts will dive into the strategic projects and massive infrastructure shifts that will define the skyline through 2030 and beyond.
About the Speakers:
Sir Alan Cockshaw is a highly respected figure in the business world. Born in Manchester, he spent his early career working in both the public and private sectors.
He became the chief executive of Fairclough Civil Engineering in 1978 and a director of Amec in 1982 before his appointment as group chief executive in 1984. In 1988 he became chairman until his retirement in 1997.
Sir Alan was asked by HM Government and Manchester City Council to pull together the team to lead the rebuilding of Manchester city centre following the IRA Bomb in 1996 and he subsequently chaired Manchester Millennium Ltd from 1996 to 2000; He was also chairman of English Partnerships and Commission for New Towns (1998-2001) and Roxboro plc (1998-2002).
He became a director of Pidemco, Singapore (1991-2001), director of CapitalLand, Singapore & UK and the International Advisory Board (2001-2007).
He was chairman of the governors of Bolton School (1997-2007) and chairman of the Major Projects Association (2005-2010).
He became a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 1986 and was president of the Institution of Civil Engineers (1997-98). He holds two honorary doctorates from Manchester and Salford universities.
He was knighted in 1992.
Tom Bloxham CBE MBE is chairman and founder of award-winning regeneration company Urban Splash, which has received 489 awards to date for architecture, design and business success.
The company is responsible for development projects across the country, including Manchester, Liverpool, Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Birmingham, Leeds, Bradford Sheffield, Bristol, Plymouth, North Shields and Morecambe.
Tom has also held many other prominent positions; he was the Founding Chair of Manchester International Festival and Factory International before stepping down in 2024 having led the development of the organisation’s £250 million Aviva Studios. Tom was also Founding Chair of the Centre for Cities think tank, Founding Chair of the Ancoats Urban Village Trust, Chair of the Arts Council NW, Chancellor of The University of Manchester, Trustee of The Tate Galleries, the Manchester United Foundation, The Big Issue in the North, Barbican Centre Trust and The Bloxham Charitable Trust.
In 1999 at the age of 35, Tom was awarded an MBE for his services to Architecture and Urban Regeneration.
In 2025, Tom was awarded a CBE for Services to Culture and MIF Factory International.
Karen is the Project Director for the Old Trafford Regeneration Mayoral Development Corporation. Prior to that she was Managing Director of Maple Grove Developments and Board Director of Eric Wright Group for 9.5 years. Karen brings 35 years property, development and regeneration experience from both public and private sectors and was previously a Development Director at Salford City Council and Central Salford Regeneration Company.
In her role as Managing Director at Maple Grove, Karen developed public/private partnerships across the Group and progressed development opportunities, including some of the North West’s major commercial projects: industrial/logistics Lancashire Central and town centre regeneration in Preston, Burnley and Blackburn.
In Salford Karen was the public sector lead for a few of the large scale mixed use regeneration projects in partnership with the private sector which included Salford Central – English Cities Fund, Greengate – Ask/Network Rail, MediaCityUK – Peel and RHS Bridgewater with Peel/RHS.
Karen was appointed as a NED for Regenda Group in September 2025 and since February 2025, Chair of two of their subsidiary companies M&Y Maintenance and Construction and Ecogee.
Luthfur Rahman OBE has spent many years working in Manchester’s local government, including as Deputy Leader of the City Council. During his time in public service, he helped lead initiatives focused on housing, regeneration, and supporting inclusive communities, as well as Manchester’s successful bid to become a UNESCO City of Literature.
His work has earned recognition such as an OBE for public service, reflecting his commitment to championing opportunities for all residents. Drawing on this background, Luthfur brings practical experience in shaping policy and advocating for fairer housing including the challenges addressed by the upcoming Renters’ Rights Bill.
On the panel, he offers a perspective rooted in hands-on leadership, lifelong community involvement, and a focus on helping policy work better for tenants, landlords, and Manchester’s diverse neighbourhoods.
Euan Kellie is a Chartered Town Planner and Chartered Planning and Development Surveyor with more than 25 years’ experience advising on complex development projects across Greater Manchester and beyond. As leader of the Homebuilder Awards 2026 Consultancy Firm of the Year, he specialises in creating planning strategies that unlock challenging sites and enable ambitious regeneration and development.
Known for his collaborative approach, strategic insight and focus on delivery, Euan leads planning matters on many major redevelopment projects and his company advises a range of private and public sector clients, including Salboy International, Domis Construction, Kellen Homes, Bruntwood, Forshaw Land & Property, ACLO, Westchurch Homes; and, True North Partnerships. Alongside the commercial work the business is committed to supporting local charities and organisations, including Embassy Village, Dogs4Rescue, Daycare4Dogs, and Cheadle & Gatley Junior Football Club.
Drawing on his early career in local government, Euan understands the importance of listening, building consensus and navigating complex stakeholder environments. He is motivated by creating lasting value and helping clients achieve commercially successful and socially beneficial outcomes.
Alongside his consultancy work, Euan is a recognised commentator on planning, development and Manchester’s urban transformation. He is the author of Rebuilding Manchester, which examines the city’s recovery following the 1996 IRA bombing. He regularly contributes to industry discussions, delivers guest lectures at universities and is widely known for his popular ‘Flashback Friday’ LinkedIn series exploring Manchester’s built environment and development history.
Euan is a Fellow of both the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). Most recently, he curated and hosted the ‘Manchester Then and Now’ exhibition marking the 30th anniversary of the 1996 Manchester IRA bombing.
Interested In The Event?
If you’re interested in attending, you can book online here.
For any further enquires about this event, contact [email protected]
