ABOUT OUR TEAM

Find out more about the people behind
Manchester’s Digital Strategy below.

Sherelle Fairweather
Digital Strategy Lead

  • Sherelle has worked within the equalities and social change space across local government and the community sector for over 10 years. Now, as Digital Strategy Lead at Manchester City Council, Sherelle is responsible for the implementation of the city's five-year strategy. 

    Sherelle previously coordinated the Council's response to reducing the digital divide during the COVID pandemic. She currently serves as a proud board member for Manchester Animation Festival and Community Arts Northwest, and is Chair of the Proper Job Theatre Trustees Board. 

    Why the Digital Strategy is important to Sherelle:

    The Digital Strategy is important to me because I want to see and be a part of making sure that technological influence on society is for the better.

    I was born in Manchester and live in the city centre and I have much love for the city and its people. Manchester is changing a lot, some of which is really exciting to see and some of which does not include the full range of communities that live here. I believe true cross-organisational collaboration mobilises action and long-lasting change.

    I am enthused by projects that enable people to live their lives independently and full. The strategy fits in this category and we have an opportunity here to do great things for great people and places!

Stuart Pearson
Senior Digital Strategy Officer

  • About me coming soon.

    Why the Digital Strategy is so important so Stuart:

    Answer coming soon.

Megan Lawless
Senior Digital Strategy Officer

  • Megan is the Senior Digital Strategy Officer for Manchester City Council. She has a keen interest in the impact of technology on society, climate and culture. Megan is interested in how Manchester can enable a just transition to digital, that improves the quality of people's lives.

    Before joining the Council, Megan worked in policy and communications positions at The University of Manchester and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

    Why the Digital Strategy is important to Megan:

    Fundamentally, I want to see the Digital Strategy succeed in its ambitions to help shape a Manchester where digital can help us to break down divides, not create more of them. I am also just fascinated in general by the scope of digital technology, how intertwined our lives have become with it, and its potential (positive and negative) impact on societal change.

Becky McMillan
Digital Strategy Officer

  • Becky joined the Digital Strategy Team in January 2024. She is passionate about exploring the ways in which digital technology can make a positive impact to local communities and the importance of digital literacy in dismantling barriers to success.

    Before joining the council, Becky worked in a variety of roles within the Education sector. For the last six years, she has been surrounded by books, leading Libraries in a Multi Academy Trust.

    Why the Digital Strategy is important to Becky:

    My career in Education was built upon the belief that everyone should have access to the learning, skills, and resources needed to envision and achieve the future of their choice. While the digital sector may be a huge change from the world of education, driving equitable access to opportunities remains a core conviction in my professional work.

    Access to the digital world plays a pivotal role in shaping future prospects, and our Digital Strategy has the potential to make a real difference to communities and affect meaningful change.

    I’m so excited to be a part of it!

Hyeran Lee
Intern

  • Hello, I'm Hyeran, a CCIs Master's student at the University of Manchester, originally from South Korea. I double-majored in film and business administration during my undergraduate years. My post-Masters goal is to pursue a career in the music industry. I will use the creativity I gained through my advertising internship experience, where I was in charge of planning and copywriting in this internship!

    Why the Digital Strategy is so important to Hyeran:

    I firmly believe that the Digital Strategy is essential as it respects and maximises diversity, thereby reducing intergenerational gaps and offering better opportunities for international individuals like myself.

    Additionally, the Digital Strategy will significantly enhance community development in Manchester. As such, I view the potential and impact of the Digital Strategy as pivotal in fostering inclusivity and driving societal progress.

Chiara Bassini
Intern

  • Hello! I’m Chiara. I’m joining the team as an intern, interlacing my Master’s studies with real-world experience. During my undergraduate degree, I had the chance to create content for my university and realised that social media creation is the field I want to pursue in the future. I like to keep myself updated with what goes on around me and how that gets translated through social media — a tool for connecting people to vital topics.

    Why the Digital Strategy is so important so Chiara:

    As a student, I see immense potential in my generation to revolutionize online services for the better. Recognising digital disparities in Manchester, I support the Digital Strategy as a means to bridge these gaps, fostering inclusivity and positive change in our digital landscape.