The Preston Partnership, a membership organisation with the aim of driving forward Preston’s growth and potential, has undergone a relaunch. Initially established in 2018 with over 100 members, the partnership has secured additional funding and appointed a new chair and board.
The rejuvenation has been made possible by an £80,000 funding injection from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The Partnership will collaborate with Preston City Council, the University of Central Lancashire, and Lancashire County Council to explore further regeneration possibilities for the city.
Chair John Chesworth expressed optimism about the positive changes happening in Preston. He highlighted the momentum behind the £200 million Harris Quarter programme, the city’s transformation by a world-class university, an award-winning city living strategy, and numerous public realm projects. He emphasized Preston’s distinct identity and its potential to become a prominent modern city at the heart of Lancashire’s development.
Beckie Joyce, founder and CEO of regeneration consultancy Radics Consulting, has been appointed to lead the Partnership’s operations. She brings valuable experience from her previous roles at Lancashire County Council, Bolton Council, and Manchester City Council.
The reconstituted board includes key figures from various sectors, reflecting the diverse and talented private sector in Preston. These members are committed to leveraging their collective ambition to enhance Preston as an attractive place to live, visit, invest in, and do business, while preserving the city’s unique identity.
Notable figures on the board include representatives from Caritas Care, Cotton Court, Cassidy + Ashton, Maple Grove Developments, North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Preston City Council, Wrkspace, Freshfield, and UCLan. Their collaborative efforts have previously secured significant funding for Preston, such as the £20.9 million for the Towns Fund in 2021 and £1.2 million for the regeneration of Winckley Square Gardens in 2016.
Looking ahead, the relaunched Preston Partnership aims to amplify the voices of the city’s business community and foster robust collaboration between the public and private sectors. This strategic approach is pivotal for successful future regeneration and investment in Preston. To encourage involvement, membership in the Preston Partnership is currently free until 30th August next year, with new members invited to join via the partnership’s website.
Image: Preston Partnership board Rob Binns, Beckie Joyce, John Chesworth, Karen Hirst, Rizwan Seth, Simon Turner and Adrian Phillips