Two join Rochdale Development Agency board
Rochdale Development Agency has appointed two local business people to its board; accountant and business coach Julie Bowmer, and media lawyer Steve Kuncewicz.
Bowmer is chairman and managing director of several companies including Rochdale-based Likahea Holdings, IT infrastructure company the Business Depot and engineering company TrailerTeq.
Kuncewicz is head of intellectual property and media at Bermans, a niche commercial law firm, as well as a member of the boards of ProManchester, the Manchester Publicity Association, NOISE Festival and the councils of both the National and Manchester Law Societies. He was the author of the first two books written on legal issues involving social media in the UK.
He said: "My day job involves keeping people out of trouble online and although I know that won't be what I'm called on to do as a member of the RDA Board, I'm hoping that my experience, contacts and pride in my home town will really help bring about positive change in Rochdale. The RDA has achieved so much over the last 21 years, much of which the general public may not be aware of, and I'm looking forward to playing my own small part in the hugely ambitious plans t redevelop the town centre and prove to the business community that Rochdale is a great place for them to be."
Bowmer worked for the civil service in the borough and then the council before becoming financial controller of Rochdale's Baker Bennett, a bakery distribution and technical specialist, supplying the whole of the UK. She went on to lead a management buyout of the company and then set up an accountancy practice in Rochdale, TBD Associates.
She said: "My family come from Rochdale and I am very passionate about the borough, its future and giving people good reason to have a really positive mindset about the area. We don't shout loud enough about our successes. I'd like to help change that and help build confidence and pride especially amongst our young people."
Phil Ewbank, chairman of RDA, said: "Steve and Julie are going to bring a wealth of experience to the board. I am impressed by their undoubted business skills as well as their passion and enthusiasm for contributing to the regeneration of the borough. Both are incredibly visionary leaders and will add further impetus to the drive to move Rochdale forward. The RDA Board consists of senior figures from both the private and public sectors that work together on a shared vision for the continuing economic regeneration and development of Rochdale borough."
