ASHLEIGH MURRAY joined Cork City Council in 2022 as an Executive Architectural Conservation Officer. Before this, for 8 years, she worked as a Heritage Advisor for Donald Insall Associates, a leading conservation architectural practice in the UK. She previously also worked for 1.5 years in the London Planning Department of Historic England. In a voluntary capacity, she is involved with the Irish Georgian Society (IGS) and was previously Chair of their London Chapter and is now an active member of their Irish planning committee (Architectural Conservation Planning Committee). Ashleigh has a specialism in conservation and 18th-century century houses, which she gained through two masters.

GWEN JORDAN is a Senior Executive Planner with 25 years of experience in local authorities. Gwen has worked for Cork City Council since 2005 and in that time, she has worked in a variety of planning roles. She currently oversees development proposals and planning applications for Cork City Centre and South-central area. Key areas of Gwen’s work have involved urban regeneration projects, conservation of built heritage, residential strategy, grant schemes and tax incentive initiatives for refurbishing buildings.

Shane Clarke is the CEO of Garden City Culture – a consultancy specialising in place making and urban development. His recent clients have included: The VQ, where he is the Director of Operations, Nano Nagle Place and the Cork Business Association. From 2016-2022 Shane was the CEO of Nano Nagle Place – winners of the Council of Europe Museum Prize 2022. Prior to that Shane spent over 20 years in London working in urban development in both the public and private sector – most recently as the Deputy Director at business improvement district company Team London Bridge. Shane holds an MSc Urban Design; a MRes Humanities & Cultural Studies; and he is studying for a MSc World Heritage Conservation. He is an Academician with the Academy of Urbanism.

Lawrence Owens is currently a Director of the Cork Business Association and a former past President of the organisation. He is well known in Cork as the long serving General Manager of Roches Stores and Debenhams.  He has spearheaded many campaigns on behalf of local businesses and his retail experience brings a depth of understanding of the challenges faced by retail businesses.