Since leaving Liverpool & training as a town planner at UCL in the 80’s, Shelagh has worked for many decades across diverse aspects of regeneration, development & planning in the UK. She has an unusual blend of private & public sector experience working for local authorities notably both Salford & Manchester City Councils & within architectural & master planning practices. She has a fascination with how cities develop & people overcome challenges. She completed an MA in Architectural History during lockdown. She is back working for Manchester City Council focused on East Manchester in particular Ancoats & Holt Town; areas of both post-industrial decline and substantial change, re-birth and investment.