Purpose

Stockport MDC’s constitution requires three Private Sector Board members alongside public sector Board members from Stockport Council and Homes England.

It was previously agreed with Mayor Burnham that Private Sector Board Members’ terms would be limited to a maximum of seven years, in line with good governance, and staggered to avoid all terms ending at the same time.

There are currently three Private sector Members appointed but the term of office of one (Debbie Francis) expires at the end of August 2026. A recruitment exercise has therefore been undertaken to secure a new private sector Board member. This included public advertisement of the role, shortlisting by the Chair and the MDC Executive Team, and interviews with shortlisted applicants conducted by the Chair and Managing Director of the MDC.

Through this process Simon Bedford has been identified as an exceptional candidate and is being recommended for appointment. Simon brings extensive and current experience as a real estate adviser specialising in public/private sector development, including senior leadership of Deloitte’s Manchester real estate business and recent advisory roles with GMCA, Wigan MBC and Liverpool City Council on area-based regeneration and development projects. He has also led work to establish the Old Trafford MDC, is supporting GMCA’s planned investment programme around the Western Gateway Mayoral Development Zone, and has a strong track record in market engagement, government relations, scrutiny, oversight, financial and risk management.

Decision

The GM Mayor:
1. Approves the appointment of Simon Bedford as a private sector member of the Stockport Town Centre Mayoral Development Corporation Board for a three-year term.
2. Notes that the appointment is recommended by the Chair of Stockport MDC. following an open recruitment process, shortlisting and interview.
3. Notes that the Leader of Stockport Council has been consulted in line with the MDC Constitution and is supportive of the appointment.
4. Confirms that the appointment will be on the terms set out in the template appointment letter, including a commitment of approximately one day per month and remuneration of £12,000 per year plus travel-related expenses, paid from the MDC’s operating budget.

Alternative options considered

The Mayor could decide not to approve the appointment. This option is not recommended because Debbie Francis’s private sector Board term expires at the end of August 2026 and the appointment of a new private sector member is needed to maintain the Board’s capacity, expertise and continuity as the MDC progresses its next phase of delivery.