Committee details

About the Town Deal Board

The Town Deal Board is the vehicle to establish the Town Investment Plan for Worcester, inform the deal and coordinate the stakeholders to ensure that key local institutions, businesses and communities are involved in the development of the strategy and vision.

The Town Deal Board provides overall strategic oversight and direction in the development of a Town Investment Plan, leading to a Town Deal for Worcester. It will provide assurance to Government and to the governing bodies of Board Member organisations that the Town Investment Plan is being developed according to the requirements of Government and is within the scope of the organisational approvals established by the Board Members.

The Board shall act as an advisory body, steering the direction of the work of the Lead Council (Worcester City Council) and considering issues which require referral for further approval by Member organisations’ governing bodies and/or which have a material impact on the delivery against Government requirements.

Terms of Reference

The Board’s Terms of Reference were agreed at its first meeting in January 2020 and were amended in September 2023. They can be viewed here: Agenda for Town Deal Board on Thursday, 7th September, 2023, 5.00 pm - Modern Council (worcester.gov.uk)

Member Profiles

Craig Moule (Sanctuary)

The Chair of the Board, Craig has been with Sanctuary for over 30 years, having joined the organisation in 1989 from Coopers & Lybrand. Craig was appointed Group Chief Executive on 1 January 2019. Prior to this he was the Group’s Chief Financial Officer. While holding this position, Craig oversaw Sanctuary being the first housing association to implement a SAP enterprise solution and the formation of a Corporate Shared Service Centre. Craig is an ex-officio member of the Sanctuary Group Board.

Councillor Lynn Denham (Worcester City Council)

Lynn is the Leader of Worcester City Council and Labour Group Leader at the Council. Lynn has lived in Worcester for over 30 years, working as a hospital pharmacist and senior NHS manager.  She has been a Worcester City Councillor since 2012 and is involved in many community projects. She is Chair of the Friends of Fort Royal Park and Worcester Dementia Action Alliance.

Councillor Robyn Norfolk (Worcester City Council)

Robyn is the current chair of the City Council’s Place and Economic Development Committee. She has lived in Worcester for the last 24 years, and is an IT Security Architect for a global computer services organisation. Robyn has been a Worcester City Councillor since 2021, representing the St. John Ward, and following recent boundary changes, the new Ward of Dines Green and Grove Farm.

Tom Collins (Member of Parliament)

Tom was elected as a City Councillor representing the Rainbow Hill Ward in 2018. He served for 4 years to 2022. He has been the Member of Parliament for Worcester since July 2024, having gained the seat after the incumbent MP Robin Walker stood down. Before becoming an MP, Tom worked for Worcester Bosch for 19 years.

Michelle Dowse (Heart of Worcestershire College)

Michelle is the Principal and Chief Executive of the largest further education college in Worcestershire.  She has extensive experience of the private sector and has worked in education since 2008.  The College offers  a wide range of vocational and technical courses in specialist subject areas alongside a vast array of apprenticeships and higher education courses. Michelle is passionate about nurturing the brilliance of every student and ensuring that learners develop both technical and employability skills to meet regional needs.

The Revd Canon Dr Stephen Edwards (Worcester Cathedral)

As the Dean of Worcester, Stephen is responsible for governing and directing the life and work of Worcester Cathedral, working with the rest of the Cathedral Chapter. He became a Residentiary Canon in 2019, then Vice-Dean in 2021 and Interim Dean in 2023 before being appointed as Dean in June 2024. Previously he was an incumbent of parishes firstly in north Wales and then in Manchester. He trained for ministry at Westcott House Cambridge, being ordained deacon in 1996 and priest in 1997.

Sally Ellison MBE (Worcester Community Action)

Sally has over 20 years’ experience of working in the voluntary sector finishing as Chief Officer of Worcester Volunteer Centre. She has experience of project management, funding bid writing, development of policies and procedures, governance, registering charities etc. Sally also has vast experience in managing volunteers, recruiting and retaining volunteers, support & training volunteers.

Councillor Simon Geraghty (Worcestershire County Council)

Simon is the Leader of Worcestershire County Council. He has a keen interest in seeing Worcestershire businesses grow and succeed and he represents the County Council on the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership. Simon has been a County Councillor since 2005 and was a City Councillor for the St. Clement Ward from 2000 to 2024.

Professor David Green CBE (University of Worcester)

David is the Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Worcester. He has been the University’s executive head since 2003 and is accountable to the University’s Board of Governors for the strategic leadership, overall performance and management of the University. He has led Worcester to successful applications for full University title in 2005, and for Research Degree Awarding Powers in 2010.

Councillor Mrs Lucy Hodgson (Warndon Parish Council)

Having served on Warndon Parish Council since 2019, Lucy became Chairman in May 2023. Until the May 2023 Elections she had been a City Councillor for 20 years and was Mayor in 2008/09. In recent years Lucy chaired the City Council’s Place and Economic Development Committee and was also the Heritage Champion.

Mohammed Iqbal (Community Representative)

Mohammed Iqbal is Secretary General of Worcester Muslim Welfare Association, a local charity based in Worcester which has been serving the local Muslim community since 1979.

Councillor Roger Knight (St Peter’s Parish Council)

Roger has lived in the city since 1991 and has served as both a Parish and a City Councillor, having been first elected in 2004. A retired retail executive, he is a former Mayor of Worcester.

Jan Scrine BEM (Worcester Civic Society)

Jan is Vice-Chair of Worcester Civic Society. A former Mayoress of Bromyard, she was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2016 for services to roadside heritage, being a founder member of the Milestone Society, where she has served as Honorary Treasurer and Chair. Jan is a well-qualified human resources professional, having held Board appointments in blue chip companies.

Sam McCarthy (Worcester BID)

Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) has been in operation since April 2010 and is a non-for-profit organisation with the aim of improving the trading conditions for the businesses who contribute a BID levy. Sam joined the BID team in 2015 and was appointed Chief Executive in February 2022. She has worked on managing key partnerships and has actively developed brand awareness within the city.

Gary Woodman (Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership)

The Chief Executive of Worcestershire LEP, Gary has a wealth of business insight and networks as well as considerable experience of Government policy and delivery. Educated at the University of Wales, Cardiff, where he obtained his degree in Leisure and Recreation Management, and the University of Gloucestershire, where he studied for his postgraduate diploma in Business Administration, he previously worked for Gloucestershire County Council’s market towns and economic development arm, then went onto become Head of Policy and Education at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.

Register of Members’ Interests

Board Members are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary and/or non-pecuniary interests. A Register of Interests is in place for all Board Members and is available on request. Contact committeeadministration@worcester.gov.uk