To execute the Charity’s scope of work associated with the Unlock Runcorn project a team has been formed to focus on this specific element of the our work. The project is funded by the Town Improvement Plan (TIP) Grant and forms one of the eight Reconnecting Runcorn projects. The team meet regularly with Halton Borough Council to discuss interface issues and project progress.
Graham Wallace
Graham is a former Royal Navy Engineer, Diver and NCO. After leaving the Navy, Graham worked in the canal industry as Boat Hire Manager at Claymore Navigation before setting up his own business which employed 240 staff. Graham has been Chair of Runcorn Locks Restoration Society since 2016.
Stephen Illidge – Project Lead
Steve has founded and run over 30 companies and projects including specialist events companies, training, catering and community café projects, a construction management company and is an expert witness for Lloyds of London syndicates. He has extensive knowledge in managing teams and volunteer programmes including in construction, building refurbishment, events and crisis management. Steve is currently undertaking his MSc Management at Chester university, researching waterways regeneration. Steve has developed training to city and guilds standards, and is a National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) and Prince 2 Practitioner. Steve is the Project Lead for the charity.
David Steele – Technical Lead
David is Chartered Mechanical Engineer (CEng) and Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (MIMechE). In his working life he held a number of managerial roles in the nuclear industry and spent a period of time in the USA working on a project for the US DoE (Department of Energy). Davis is the Technical Lead for the Project.
Daren Andrews – Engineering
Daren is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer (CEng) with a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters Degree in Engineering Management. He has a strong interest in canals and boating and has volunteered at the charity for a number of years providing engineering support.