Regional Minister's Team

Liz Meek:

Liz took over as Regional Director for Government Office for the North West in February 2008. She was a founder member of Government Office for London when it was set up in 1994 and specialises in urban policy and regeneration.

As Regional Director at GOL, Liz was responsible for the delivery of some 40 government policies and programmes in London for 11 central government departments.  She was the point of contact with the Mayor and the Assembly and advised the Minister for London.
Liz is the national lead for the Government Office Network on worklessness, social exclusion and local government, working with Whitehall departments to tailor policies to meet the needs of regions.

Gill Ayres:

Gill Ayres is Head of Strategic Planning at GONW and leads the team supporting the work of the Regional Minister. She joined GONW from the Northwest Regional Development Agency in 2005 and has worked for various local authorities in the North West on planning, regeneration and partnership issues.

Ian Hamilton:

Ian Hamilton is Communications Manager at GONW and heads the Communications team and the Ministerial Business Unit. Ian provides strategic communications support for the Regional Minister. He joined GONW in 2006 and previously worked for the Government News Network. 

Sarah Flynn:

Sarah Flynn is Assistant to the North West Regional Minister and is first point of contact for the Regional Minister's office. She leads on correspondence, diary engagements, and briefing on regional issues for the Minister. Sarah previously worked in the Ministerial Business Unit and the Home Office department at GONW.

Michael Hyatt:

Michael Hyatt is on secondment to GONW from Cumbria County Council where he is Assistant Chief Executive. With his knowledge of the North West and experience of working with local and regional partnerships he is supporting GONW in its work with the Regional Minister.