We have appointed our partnership board to help deliver our vision to connect Greater Manchester’s parks, squares, rivers, canals and viaducts into a high-quality 100 mile plus network of walking, wheeling and cycling routes for residents, visitors and for nature to thrive.

The board, which was formally appointed on Monday 22 June, is drawn from the private and public sectors and all have impressive track records and expertise in their fields. Co-chaired by leader of Manchester City Council, Councillor Bev Craig OBE and chair of Urban Splash and CyanLines co-founder Tom Bloxham MBE CBE the other members of the board are:

• Mike Innerdale, regional director, National Trust
• Jo Harrison, asset management director, United Utilities
• Cllr Tom Ross, leader, Trafford Borough Council
• Sally MacDonald OBE, director, Science and Industry Museum
• Jessica Bowles, director of strategy, Bruntwood
• George Coombs, principal officer for access to nature, Natural England
• Sarah Walker, research associate, Manchester Metropolitan University
• Anusha Shah, founder and CEO, Plan for Earth
• Martyn Evans, creative director, Landsec

The partnership will be supported by senior responsible officer, Becca Heron, strategic director – growth and development, Manchester City Council and Pete Swift, co-founder of CyanLines, will be an advisor to the board.

The partnership board will provide leadership, influence, expertise, advocacy and strategic perspective to support the delivery of the network of CyanLines routes, over the next ten years, starting with the city centres of Manchester and Salford and then stretching out across Greater Manchester to create a greener, healthier and more climate-resilient city for the future.

Tom Bloxham said: “We were thrilled by the response to our call out to join our partnership board and I am really pleased with our mix of experienced and highly motivated individuals – it is certainly a group who get stuff done! Having robust governance and leadership is going to be crucial, particularly as we lobby for national and international funding to help deliver our ambitious plans to create CyanLines.

“We are well underway with agreeing and co-designing the first phase of CyanLines routes with our partners including building our investment case for them.”

Cllr Bev Craig said: “CyanLines continues to build momentum and appointing our board is a significant step forward. With representatives from a range of organisations and sectors, the knowledge and expertise of the board will help us drive forward our plans to bring more nature into the city for the benefit of everyone who live, works and visits here.”

Since its launch in September 2025, CyanLines has concentrated on engagement and consultation with many community groups and organisations, charities, businesses and individuals who have a keen and vested interest in bringing nature into the city.

We’ve hosted three very popular free guided public walks of CyanLines routes attracting hundreds of participants from across the region of all ages and abilities. Organised canal clean-up volunteering days with the Canal and River Trust, plus a series of walking workshops including one for the Greater Manchester Green Summit attracting over 100 walkers.

Led by interim programme director Steve Connor, we continue to welcome more founding partner organisations. Most recent additions are:

• BUPA
• Property consultancy OBI
• Planning advisors Euan Kellie Property Solutions
• Outdoor clothing brand Regatta

Steve said: “As well as our work, led by GM Moving, on engagement and consultation with young people, dedicated community groups and organisations across the city, CyanLines has been embraced by the business community, particularly the property sector whose support both financially and practically will be essential in transforming our vision for over 100 miles of nature network into a reality.”

The other CyanLines founding partners are:

• Allied London
• Bruntwood
• CIVIC
• Factory International 
• Far East Consortium
• Glenbrook
• Greater Manchester Combined Authority
• Jolly Foundation (AO.com)
• Landsec
• Manchester City Council
• Manchester City Football Club
• Muse
• National Trust
• Nature Towns and Cities
• Property Alliance
• Renaker
• Trafford Council
• Urban Splash / Bloxham Charitable Trust
• Wain Group
• Legal partners are Clarke Willmott 

A Community Interest Company is being set up and it will be the co-ordinating body for CyanLines, with funds held in the already-established Greater Manchester Environment Trust and programme delivery through a wide range of private, public and voluntary sector partners.