Julie Bowmer and Steve Kuncewicz appointed to RDA Board

Julie Bowmer and Steve Kuncewicz

Julie Bowmer and Steve Kuncewicz have been appointed to the Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) Board.

Commenting on the two appointments 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.”

Ms Bowmer worked for the civil service in the borough and then the council before becoming the 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 is chairwoman and managing director of several companies including Rochdale based Likahea Holdings, The Business Depot and TrailerTeq Ltd.

Ms Bowmer 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.”

Mr Kuncewicz is Head of Intellectual Property & Media at Bermans, a niche commercial law firm, and 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.

Mr Kuncewicz 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 to redevelop the town centre and prove to the business community that Rochdale is a great place for them to be.”