The Team
The team behind the United Estates are experts in inner city culture; are frenzied report writers producing many reports on the issues and concerns regarding the lives of people living in tough inner city areas. They have advised the Government and helped shape policy on all areas in and around inner city areas.
Founder, Greg Davis
From working some of the toughest pub and club doors in Mancehster to preaching the Gospel in the Churches of Wythenshawe. From promoting sell out rock concerts to feeding homeless people living rough on the streets of Greater Manchester.
From establishing Peace Conferences to building recording studios, from managing homeless shelters to founding one of the biggest community enterprises in the country. Greg Davis is ex-CEO of Diplomat Security, (one of the biggest independent security companies in opperation in the mid 80’s) Greg opened the first FareShare Scheme outside of London, helping to provide around 2000 hot meals per week to hostels and shelters around Greater Manchester, he also is responsible for creating and developing the Mancehster Urban Collective and the Street Peace un-Conference. Greg managed the huge Christmas food distribution for 14 years before passing it over to the Emerge group as a going concern. Today Greg is married to Sharon, they have four daughters, Sian-Rose, Ciarra-Violet, Isobel-Daisy and PoppyBluebell, they live in Wythensahawe. Greg is currently engaged in developing the United Estates into the UK’s first Inner City Cultural Centre (IC3) and more recently helped in founding Music for Cities, an inspirational music project highlighting concerns and raising funds for tough inner city areas across the UK.
Greg was educated at Schools in Wythenshawe, Crossacres Primary, South Manchester Secondary, West Wythenshawe College, Openshaw Technical college then on to a Communications Degree at Manchester Polytechnic.
Our Real Community Leaders:
Eddie Wyzkowski.
Eddie is an ex-miner, and now is a local taxi driver. Like many miners he believes in the importance of building and maintaining strong communities. Back in the 1980’s he pioneered the first youth exchange between Wythenshawe and Moscow!
Eddie Bates
Eddie started his martial arts school at UEW and now runs one of the region’s biggest martial arts businesses. He uses his innovative skills in teaching martial arts to steer kids away from less desirable activities.
Ian Bromley.
Ian is a tiler by trade, but prefers to spend his time training local kids in mixed martial arts. He is considered a guru on this subject and has lectured as far a field as USA and is mentor to many on the estate.
Julie Boyle.
Julie’s early life was hard, serving a prison sentence in 1994 for supplying drugs. The birth of her son put her on a different path and she works for the homeless charity Lifeshare. She helps UEW form new partnerships with agencies that support the most vulnerable in our society.
Tommy Longstaff.
Tommy is an ex-publican who was the founder of the legendary Blues Gym, spiritual home to numerous Wythenshawe characters. He now lends his expertise to running a inner-city gym to UEW.
Johnny Sticks.
A father of three, Johnny is ward clerk at Wythenshawe Hospital. He’s been doing martial arts since he was 14 and now runs popular classes in warrior eskrima, otherwise known as stick fighting.
Danny Gilligan.
Danny is a former doorman turned hospital worker. An accomplished body-builder, he now spends his spare time as a role model and mentor to the local youth and is heavily in developing the fitness facilities at UEW.
Lenny Robinson.
Lenny worked the doors of Manchester during the colourful 1980’s and later started his own security firm out of UEW. His company now provides professional security cover to schools and youth facilities in Manchester. Lenny is a provider of employment and is a local community leader.
Jimmy Kelly.
Jimmy is an ex-boxer turned teaching assistant, personal training, boxing coach, wrestling coach and dedicated charity fundraiser. He organizes many of the fitness activities at UEW. The original all round positive role model.
John Williams.
John is qualified boxing coach and has trained some of the biggest names in the game including Tyson Fury and Coleman Barratt. He brings his extensive knowledge of youth culture associated with tough inner-city estates.
Ted Murray.
Ted ran a successful private hire taxi company for a number of years before turning to property development. His company provides employment opportunities for young people from the estate and his knowledge of the trade is used to good effect for UEW building projects.
Michelle Coates.
Michelle is a qualified therapist who specializes in all aspects of sports injury care. She opened the fit holistic therapy room at UEW before moving to bigger premises.
Jimmy Macullough.
Jimmy is a qualified football coach and white goods repair engineer. In line with entrepreneurial ethos of UEW, he’s started a number of community enterprises including a garden & landscape business, a white good repair service and a carwash all employing local kids.
Executive Committee:
Erinma Bell MBE, DLM
David Bown, (Superintendent Minister Wythenshawe and Bramhall Methodist Circuit)
Derek May (er-CEO BNFL, current of Trinity-May Venture Capital)
Don da Silva (IoC etc)
Vikas Shah
John Macaulay
Stuart Mathews (Solicitor, UEW Hon Sol)
Press Officer:
Matt O’Donahughe, ITV News Anchor.
Music Director:
Harry Lechstien, Producer and Founder of London Urban Collectvie, CEO Free Port Records.
Sport Ambassador:
Jamie Moore (ex-pro boxer)
Jim Kelly Jr (pro boxer)
Patron:
Peter Hook, Legend
Mascot:
Tilly the Dog