Frank McKenna
Chairman

Who are yer?

Frank is the founder and Chairman of Downtown Preston in Business. He brought the Downtown brand to Lancashire in 2006, following the success of Downtown Liverpool in Business, which was launched in 2004, and now boasts a membership of over 300 companies.

Previously he was a full time politician, serving as the Deputy Leader of Lancashire County Council and the Leader of the North West Regional Assembly. He also chaired economic development company Lancashire Enterprises and worked as a Parliamentary Assistant for seven years.

Described at the time as ‘the most powerful politician in the North West’, and ‘Tony Blair’s man in the North’, Frank is now a key business figure in the region, and is regarded as one of the best networked and connected individuals in the business community.

He is a regular contributor to local, regional and national media and has written extensively about regeneration, politics and business development. He is also an accomplished public speaker, regularly addressing conferences, seminars and dinners.

Although an avid Evertonian, Frank has a soft spot for PNE, as his son, Chris, was at the club’s Academy for three seasons and his favourite restaurant in Preston is Sakura.

frank.mckenna@downtowninbusiness.com

Roger Jonas
Events Coordinator

Who are yer?

Roger’s professional career started in set design at the Chester Gateway Theatre back in the 70’s. After a spell as production manager, he moved to Liverpool in 89 to raise funds to open Easy Street Arts Centre.

Prior to joining Downtown, he spent two years as production manager with Black Box Theatre Company, where he was responsible for managing their corporate events and North West touring programme.

His “sense of theatre” is a major influence as an Events Manager, a career that has brought about past relationships with both independent TV, the BBC and many regional businesses.

His claim to fame is attending the Beckham’s Garden party in 2002 as a guest of Graham Norton, as well as looking after Laurence Olivier’s daughters dog.

Roger is an experienced equestrian, photographer and playwright. His most recent play was nominated for Best Comedy at the Buxton Festival.

roger.jonas@downtowninbusiness.com

Tracey McKenna
Business
Development
Manager

Who are yer?

Tracey McKenna joined Downtown in October 2008, taking on the role of Business Development Manager. This involves focusing on membership liaison and development.

She is based at our Winckley Square office.

She has previously worked in the banking, retail and leisure sectors. All of these positions involved travel, training and networking.

Her interests include going to the theatre, travel, reading and shopping!!!

Her favourite bar/restaurant in Preston is Vintage, and her claim to fame is once owning a BMW that was previously owned by footballer John Aldridge.

tracey.mckenna@downtowninbusiness.com

Phil Griffiths
Business
Development
Manager

Who are yer?

Phil joined Downtown in February 2010 with a remit to build the organisations brand across Lancashire and to forge closer relationships with existing members and the wider business community.

For the last 14 months Phil has been working with Shout Preston the community website and business directory. A Preston lad, he is a very accomplished golfer and a member of Preston golf club.

A keen Liverpool supporter, Phil is also a regular at PNE.

Whilst at catering college, Phil cooked a meal for then Prime Minister John Major, and some of his cabinet colleagues.

His favourite Preston restaurant is EastzEast, his favourite bar is Glovers, and he counts getting married and having children as his biggest life achievement thus far.

phil.griffiths@downtowninbusiness.com

Chris Wilcox
Website Coordinator

Who are yer?

Chris permanently joined the DPIB team in June 2008, after successfully completing a year’s work experience in 2007.

Completing a ‘Computer Games Technology’ degree, Chris deals with the day-to-day responsibilities encompassing website maintenance, sending E-flyers, designing Newsletters and even the really important jobs, like making the Coffee.

Known affectionately as the ‘Office Nerd’, Chris helps the less technological minds in the office, deal with the difficult jobs, such as how to send E-Mails.

Chris isn’t really allowed out of the office much, therefore he can’t comment on his favourite ‘Bar’, ‘Place’ or ‘Restaurant’ in Preston.

chris.wilcox@downtowninbusiness.com

Chris McKenna
Assistant Events
Coordinator

Who are yer?

Chris previously worked for British Telecom before joining the Downtown team in September 09 after travelling the globe for the best part of 3 years.

Obviously a travel enthusiast, Chris is also a thrill seeker, who is a regular on the ski slopes, and once threw himself out of a plane 14,000 feet above the Great Barrier Reef.

In his younger days, he was a half decent footballer and played at Academy level for Everton and Preston North End.

Chris, being a sensible man, is a big Evertonian, which would mean his favourite place to visit in the city is the famous Goodison Park. (He was also very fortunate to play there as a youngster).

For an after work drink Chris’ enjoys a drink in The Cocktail Factory. If he was putting a record on the jukebox, his choice would be simple, the greatest band ever, The Beatles.

chris.mckenna@downtowninbusiness.com