Michael Conlon Appointed as Lancashire Ambassador Inaugural Chair

Michael Conlon, Executive Chairman of Lancashire based Conlon Construction, has been named as the Lancashire Ambassador group inaugural Chair.

Conlon Construction started out as Conlon Brothers in 1961 and has been an integral part of developments across Lancashire and the North West since its inception. The company has a strong reputation for delivering construction projects on heritage buildings such as Wythenshaw Hall in Greater Manchester and Gawthorpe Hall in Padiham. Michael started out on the theodolite as a site engineer then assistant site manager and rose through the family company until he was appointed Executive Chairman in 2013. This company is currently undertaking the Harris, Your Place scheme which will see the full refurbishment of the much loved Grade I Listed Harris building in the centre of Preston.

Michael’s role in the family business has helped bring about a love for community, creativity and enterprise. In addition to his role at the construction firm, Michael sits on the board of Creative Lancashire and the Dean’s Council of The Lancashire School of Business and Enterprise, he is also trustee of the homeless charity Emmaus Preston.

As a proud Lancastrian, Michael joined the Lancashire Ambassador group in 2019 to help further promote everything Lancashire has to offer, and is looking forward to heading the group as the first chair. During his year as chair, he will be championing the built environment and heritage of Lancashire. One of the first events Michael is attending following his appointment as chair is the world’s leading real estate conference MIPIM which starts today. Michael will be in France throughout the event to fly the flag for Lancashire and to help encourage investment into the county.

On the appointment, Michael commented: “I am proud to be an ambassador for the county, which is a fantastic location from which to do business, and not just because of our transport connections and communication infrastructure. The highly skilled workforce and top class universities that continuously polish and add to those skills, plus the wonderful coastline and the fells on our doorstep. It’s not difficult to see that Lancashire makes for a great place, not just to work, but for families to live life to the full. People just need to be more aware of everything it has to offer.”

Rachel McQueen, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire added: “Michael has been a fantastic asset to the Lancashire Ambassador group since he joined in 2019, and we can always rely on him to shout from the rooftops about how great the county is. His passion for the built environment and preserving the heritage of buildings which can be found across Lancashire radiates, and we are so pleased to have him flying the flag for Lancashire and our Ambassador programme.”

The news of Michael’s new position within the group falls as the Lancashire Ambassadors release their manifesto. Each ambassador pledges to invest in, have pride in, be ambitious and committed to, respect and promote Lancashire during their tenure, leading by example when it comes to building the reputation of Lancashire. You can find out more about The Lancashire Business Ambassadors here, the full manifesto can also be read here.

To hear more about Michael’s passion for Lancashire, be sure to check out episode five of the Lancashire Ambassador podcast.