Dinner: Devolution Dialogue

Our Moderator Jo Henwood is a freelance journalist, editor and Public Relations professional, Jo’s career has spanned national newspapers, regional radio, magazines and local papers. She is currently editor of the Liverpool-based NHS MC Magazine and a regular panel host for Chester Cathedral’s Assemble events. She was PR Manager for Telegraph plc when The Daily Telegraph was selling more than 1million copies every day and, as Digital Editor of the Chester Chronicle, Jo’s team won the 2014 North West’s O2 New Media award. Since 2013, Jo has handled PR for the historic, quinquennial Chester Mystery Plays, securing features on national TV, radio, magazines and newspapers. A lover of theatre and contemporary dance, Jo once danced for the Prince of Wales, now King Charles III.

As Director of Economy and Housing of Cheshire West & Chester Council, Gemma Davies is responsible for Planning Services, Economic Growth, Housing and Capital Delivery. Key priorities are delivering positive place making, an inclusive economy, the climate emergency response and tackling rough sleeping and homelessness, alongside external partners. Gemma’s background is in economic development and project management, graduating from Lancaster University in 2004. Her 21 year career in the public sector started in the Economic Development team at Chester City Council and includes a four-year period at Shropshire Council as Head of Economic Growth, leading on the development of its economic growth plans, a Local Plan Review of its planning services and Connecting Shropshire. Latterly, Gemma is highly involved in Cheshire and Warrington’s ambitious plans for devolution as part of the Government’s Priority Programme.

At CWAC, Rose McArthur is responsible for  safe delivery of the highways service, strategic transport, infrastructure delivery, investment into transport, climate change and transport commissioning.  She is chair of Transport for the North Executive Board and Growth Track 360 Officer Board. Her experience includes projects such as the London 2012 Olympics, the 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games and the surface access strategy for London Heathrow airport

Trevor Brocklebank holds a portfolio of roles including member of Liverpool – Manchester Railway Partnership Board and of the Cheshire and Warrington Business Advisory Board. He is a former Chair of the British Franchise Association (BFA) and the United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA). He served as Deputy Chair of Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership and as NED of Mid-Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust. He co-founded Warrington-headquartered Home Instead, now a £300m company recognised as the UK’s leading home care specialist. He also co-founded Mezenet, an IT Business Intelligence Consultancy, servicing clients such as Unilever, the BBC, and Novartis.

Cllr Richard Beacham represents the Newton and Hoole ward in Chester on Cheshire West and Chester Council. He is the Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy and Regeneration and Deputy Chair of CWAC. He is the Leaders Champion for Chester’s One City Plan and Chair of the Northgate Development Group, Chair of the Town Hall Board, Chair of Chester Alternative Giving Board and has served as a non-executive director of Storyhouse, the Northgate Arena and Chester Mystery Plays. He is a member of the Cheshire and Warrington Rural Strategy Board.

Cllr Adrian Waddelove represents the Farndon ward near Chester on Cheshire West and Chester Council. He was elected the Leader of the Conservative Group in November 2024. Adrian was born in Chester and has lived in the Chester South & Eddisbury parliamentary constituency all his life. A graduate from Durham University, he works in public affairs in the energy sector after a period in the civil service. He is chair of Tattenhall Cricket Club and is passionate about getting youngsters playing the game.

Jamie Christon is the CEO of Chester Zoo, the most visited zoo in the UK and a major employer in Cheshire. It is a global conservation powerhouse, working in 21 countries around the world. He is a member of the Cheshire & Warrington Business Advisory Board and Chair of Marketing Cheshire. Jamie is a Trustee and Chair of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums and on the Council of The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. He is a governor of The Kings School in Chester and a Fellow of Liverpool John Moore’s University. In 2023 Jamie was commissioned as a Deputy Lieutenant within the County of Cheshire.

Annabel Turpin is CEO of Storyhouse in Chester and former CEO & Artistic Director of ARC in Stockton on Tees, one of the North East’s largest arts venues. She is also Co-Director of Future Arts Centres, a national network of 160+ arts centres, committed to championing their artistic and social contribution to the cultural and civic life of UK towns and cities. Annabel is Chair of the North Area Council for Arts Council England, and a member of their National Council. She is a member of the Cheshire and Warrington Business Advisory Board. She was formerly Deputy Chair and Strategic Lead for Creative Place for the Tees Valley Combined Authority’s Business Board (LEP) and co-chaired the Creative Place Advisory Group. Other roles included serving as a North East Culture Partnership board member and leading the independent Tees Valley Creative & Visitor Economy Task Force, established by the Tees Valley Mayor.

Paul Bissell is Professor of Public Health & Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation at the University of Chester. He is responsible for driving forward the University’s research and knowledge exchange strategy. Paul set up the University’s Ideas Festival, now in its second year and running from 3-6th July 2025. He leads on the University’s response to devolution in Cheshire and Warrington. With respect to devolution, Paul is interested in how the University of Chester can play a key role in supporting regional economic growth, transport, skills and public health and well-being. He is an active researcher, having authored over 120 peer reviewed publications and his interests span public health, the health sciences and medical sociology.