Since retiring from athletics in 2000, Diane has dedicated her career to empowering young people to fulfil their potential, from founding a successful registered charity that uses sport as the catalyst to develop life skills; to becoming Head of Inclusion England Talent Pathways Sport England - working in partnership to ensure athlete development pathways are more accessible, inclusive, and representative of the nation and all its diversity.

In 2018, Diane was awarded an MBE for Services to Sport and Young People in the Northwest of England, and in 2020 she was appointed by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, the Chair of the Greater Manchester Young Person’s Task Force, to lead the Task Force’s engagement with young people as part of the Covid-19 recovery process.

Diane is one of Britain’s most accomplished and decorated middle-distance runners having represented Great Britain in four consecutive Olympic Games, winning gold, silver and bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games and is the former Commonwealth Games record holder over her specialist distance of 800m.

In May 2021, Diane joined the board of Commonwealth Games England and is the Chair of the Sport Committee.

In 2013 Diane Co-founded City of Champions with the aim of celebrating Manchester’s finest talent in sport and business, and to inspire the next generation of change makers.

Among her many other activities she has also written her autobiography, ‘The Diane Modahl Story: Going the Distance’, and took part in the ITV series I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!

Founder and CEO of Roland Dransfield, a Manchester-based communications agency she launched in 1996 with a mission to build purposeful relationships that create lasting impact - and Purposeful Podcasts which helps business, brands and individuals tell their stories and connect with like-minded audiences.

Over nearly three decades, Lisa has worked with some of the city’s most transformative businesses, leaders, and brands, championing Greater Manchester’s growth story on a national and international stage.

A proud Greater Mancunian, Lisa is passionate about the values that drive the city forward - resilience, creativity, collaboration, and a fierce sense of community.

Through Roland Dransfield’s work, she has helped clients in sectors from property and regeneration to business, sport, media, and social enterprise to tell stories that inspire action and leave a positive legacy.

Lisa is also the creator and host of the award-winning We Built This City podcast, celebrating Greater Mancunians born, bred, and adopted, who have shaped the city region’s culture and future. She is a regular speaker on leadership, purpose-led business, and the power of relationships, and is a driving force behind initiatives that connect people and ideas for the greater good.

Deeply committed to giving back, Lisa champions causes that make Greater Manchester a more inclusive, vibrant, and opportunity-rich place for all. In 2024, she was recognised as one of the city’s most influential voices for her work in connecting people and ideas that shape Manchester’s future – I Love MCR’s “Worker Bee” award.

Her belief is simple: when people come together with purpose, they can change not just a city, but the world around them.

Founder of Strategic Sherpas, a consultancy focused on helping established business leaders implement AI to increase efficiency, reduce risk and drive growth.

For over two decades, Ben has guided organisations through periods of significant transformation. From turning around non-performing retail stores in his early career to transforming a local advertising agency into an international success story, his journey has been defined by a commitment to strategic clarity and tangible results.

At Strategic Sherpas, Ben works with ambitious leaders of established businesses seeking exponential growth through intelligent AI implementation. His approach combines strategic thinking with practical application, helping organisations audit their processes, identify the right AI tools, and implement solutions that deliver measurable outcomes.

Ben is also a Director at City of Champions. Working alongside Diane, Lisa and Johanna and other leaders in the community, he has helped develop the strategic blueprint.

As a Partner at ThinkTangible AI, Ben specialises in turning compliance into a competitive advantage for regulated industries, particularly in financial services and pharmaceuticals.

Despite his deep involvement in artificial intelligence, Ben remains a steadfast advocate for human connection. His philosophy is that while technology can enhance decision-making, it's the relationships we build that drive meaningful change.

This human-centred approach guides his work with clients ranging from football club CEOs and tech founders to professional services boards.

Johanna has been at the heart of City of Champions since its inception, playing a pivotal role in its evolution from an annual flagship fundraising event in partnership with Manchester City Council into a movement that celebrates Manchester’s finest talent. Having witnessed countless faces ‘walk the red carpet,’ Johanna has been a driving force in championing the stories of individuals who inspire future generations through their ambition, resilience, and achievements in sport, business, and education.

With a career spanning both public and private sectors, Johanna is an accomplished business development professional. Her expertise stretches across a diverse range of industries including environment, sport, film, television, games, retail, and cultural and creative services.

She has a particular passion for the public and charity sectors, having spent over a decade working for a charity as Communications & External Engagement Manager and as a Board Trustee. In these roles, she was instrumental in shaping the organisation’s values and standards, guiding the board in developing impactful marketing and communications strategies, and designing programmes and events that foster engagement and long-lasting impact.

Through her work with City of Champions and beyond, Johanna has helped celebrate and amplify the contributions of Greater Manchester’s most inspirational figures, harnessing their experiences to motivate and empower the next generation. Her deep commitment to purpose-driven business development and her ability to bring people together under shared values have made her an influential voice in both the public and charitable arenas.