Judges

Active in the NW housing market for 30+ years, throughout Strategic/Immediate land acquisition and Housing Association package deals. A Director for several major housebuilders/partnership developers and established a Housing Association development business. Now running my own land consultancy business – EC Squared (NW) and a partner consultant to CPC Project Services

A founding director of Stockport’s Business Improvement District, Helen has written, developed, and delivered marketing strategies across the financial, retail and property sectors. In 2011, Helen co-founded Marketing Stockport, a membership-based organisation promoting Stockport to encourage inward investment while connecting, supporting, and promoting businesses across Stockport to stimulate growth and enhance the local economy.

Katrina is a councillor for Chester City and Garden Quarter and Deputy Chair of Planning at Cheshire West and Chester Council. Her main manifesto promise was “more people living in the city” and she currently has about 1000 new homes in planning or under construction in her ward from market price to affordable to social rent.

Louise Emmott is the Founder and Managing Director of Kingsdene, a residential property consultancy focused on urban living across Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool. With more than 20 years’ experience in the property industry, Louise has built her career across residential agency, development consultancy, new homes, sales, lettings and property management, progressing from King Sturge to senior leadership roles at JLL before founding Kingsdene in 2023. Louise’s experience spans the full development lifecycle, from site acquisition and disposal through design, dwelling mix, specification and pricing to sales and marketing strategies. She has advised on major residential schemes across Manchester City Centre and the North West, combining detailed market knowledge with a strong commercial focus and extensive experience of both City Centre and International sales. Louise is also the current Chair of Women in Property in the North West and is passionate about building strong professional networks, supporting emerging talent and helping people develop the confidence and visibility to progress in the property industry. Her approach is grounded in hard work, resilience, relationship-building and practical and authentic advice.

Sandra Robinson is passionate about helping shape thriving places and stronger communities. As Director of Strategic Growth at WSP, she builds relationships and creates opportunities across Greater Manchester and the wider Northwest, working with public and private sector partners on regeneration, infrastructure, placemaking and social value initiatives.

Simon runs his own practice through which he advises on large regeneration and investment projects across the country. He has recently been appointed to the Stockport MDC board as a non - executive director and is the regional lead for the Whitehall Industry Group (WIG).