Rochdale Development Agency Appoints Rachel Laver as New Managing Director

Posted by on 2 Apr 2026

Rochdale Development Agency has appointed Rachel Laver as its new Managing Director.

Rachel brings more than 25 years of senior leadership experience in economic development, regeneration and the delivery of major public sector programmes. She has successfully overseen £50m+ projects across the environmental, transport and education sectors, and is widely recognised for translating ambitious regional priorities into long term, measurable outcomes.

Most recently, Rachel served as Chief Executive Officer at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, where she championed sustainability focused investment, business growth and a culture of innovation. Prior to this, she led the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) as CEO, delivering multi million pound regeneration initiatives and pioneering low carbon programmes that strengthened competitiveness across the region.

Rachel joins RDA at a pivotal moment, as Rochdale Town of Culture 2025 shines a national spotlight on the borough’s creative identity, community spirit and cultural ambition. Alongside this, Rochdale is reasserting its role in Greater Manchester’s reindustrialisation story driven not by nostalgia, but by the borough’s strengths in advanced manufacturing, low carbon technologies and a renewed commitment to partnership and co-operation.

Her ability to unite public bodies, businesses and communities aligns strongly with Rochdale’s vision for a greener, more inclusive and more innovative local economy.

Paul Ormerod, Chair of Rochdale Development Agency, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Rachel Laver as the new Managing Director of the RDA. Her experience in regeneration, economic development and strategic programme delivery will be central to our mission as we write the next chapter of Rochdale’s growth.
With Rochdale Town of Culture showcasing the borough’s creative energy, a resilient and diverse business community, and transformational opportunities such as SMMC ahead, this is a place ready to lead with confidence. Rachel’s commitment to partnership working reflects our long-standing tradition of co-operation, while her track record in innovation and low carbon development aligns with the new wave of reindustrialisation across Greater Manchester. We look forward to working with her to move the borough forward with ambition, creativity and purpose.”

Rachel Laver, incoming Managing Director, said:
“Joining RDA at such an exciting moment is a real honour. Rochdale is a borough shaped by its pioneers, co-operation and resilience, these values will guide how we drive its future growth.
As Town of Culture, Rochdale has demonstrated the power of creativity to bring communities together and amplify its identity on a wider stage. Coupled with a strong business base and major strategic opportunities such as SMMC, the borough is poised for a new era of high value jobs, investment and sustainable growth. I look forward to working with partners across Greater Manchester to build on this momentum and contribute to the region’s wider reindustrialisation story.”