Frank McKenna

By LBV

21 Oct 2009

Name: Frank McKenna
Company: Downtown in Business
Position: Chairman

Brief CV:
I spent my first working years as a community development officer before entering politics at the tender age of 26 - Lancashire County Councillor for 12years; parliamentary assistant for seven.

Among the highlights – deputy leader of LCC, chair of Lancashire Enterprises, leader of North West Regional Assembly.

I established the Downtown brand in Liverpool in 2004, in Preston in 2007 and in Lancaster in 2009, with plans to expand into Manchester next year.

I am also a non executive director of Aintree University Hospital Trust, contribute to various business publications, including Lancashire Business View, and regularly speak at events, conferences and seminars.

What’s keeping you busy at work at the moment?
Two major awards evenings, Liverpool and Preston, and the groundwork for our new branches in Lancaster and Manchester.

Favourite music of the moment:
Beyoncé – I went to see her in concert earlier this year and she was amazing.

Your must-watch TV:
The Wire, The Sopranos, that type of thing.

Ideal way to wind down after work:
An evening out with my girlfriend Gemma during the week. A visit to Everton’s Goodison Park at the weekend.

Best piece of business advice:
Do something that you enjoy – preferably LOVE!
 

Enjoyed this? Read more from LBV

Latest news

1

Preston appoint new director of environment and property Sarah Robinson

Preston appoint new director of environment and property

27 Mar 2026

2

Public consultation for proposed merger of Blackpool and The Fylde College and Furness College Blackpool and the Fylde College

Public consultation for proposed merger of Blackpool and The Fylde College and Furness College

26 Mar 2026

3

Preston Council invests £1m in plans NW Mutual Bank NW Mutual Bank

Preston Council invests £1m in plans NW Mutual Bank

26 Mar 2026

4

BAE boost as UK signs Typhoon support contract with Turkey Typhoon aircraft new

BAE boost as UK signs Typhoon support contract with Turkey

26 Mar 2026

5

Burnley gets £4.8m heritage boost for town centre regeneration Burnley secures £4.8 million heritage boost for town centre regeneration

Burnley gets £4.8m heritage boost for town centre regeneration

25 Mar 2026

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
AI & Cybersecurity Summit
AI and Cybersecurity Logo
Summit
28 Apr 2026

AI & Cybersecurity Summit

Dunkenhalgh House , Blackburn Road, Clayton Le Moors, BB5 5JP

08:30 - 11:00

Sub36 Networking - Outdoor Elements
Sub36 Outdoor Elements Logo1920x1008
Networking
29 Apr 2026

Sub36 Networking - Outdoor Elements

Outdoor Elements, Pump House Dean Wood, Trapp Lane, Burnley, BB12 7JD

09:00 - 11:00

LBV Magazine Networking Events - SAVE THE DATES
Jan/ Feb Networking Event - Talking
Networking
14 May 2026

LBV Magazine Networking Events - SAVE THE DATES

Lancashire

08:30 - 10:30

RISE - a tailored 6 month leadership programme for women across the North West
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Apr 2026 - 15 Apr 2026

RISE - a tailored 6 month leadership programme for women across the North West

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire
LBV Header (31).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Apr 2026 - 16 Apr 2026

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Blackburn, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Sickness Absence: key actions for your business
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Apr 2026 - 22 Feb 2026

Sickness Absence: key actions for your business

The Longlands Hotel, Carnforth, LA6 1JH

08:00 - 10:00

Freelancer Meet-Up April
April Freelancer Instagram size.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Apr 2026 - 23 Apr 2026

Freelancer Meet-Up April

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 00:00

Vibe Coding: "Who owns what when no one wrote the code?"
April PTC Banner.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
28 Apr 2026 - 28 Apr 2026

Vibe Coding: "Who owns what when no one wrote the code?"

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Dazzle & Decadence
Dazzle & Decadence TryBooking Header.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
30 Apr 2026

Dazzle & Decadence

Ainsworth Jewellers, 57-59 Darwen St, Blackburn, BB2 2BW

18:00 - 20:00

Blackburn Beer and Gin Festival 2026
Blackburn Beer and Gin Festival 2026
LBV Hub Social
01 May 2026

Blackburn Beer and Gin Festival 2026

BB1 8NB

17:00 - 23:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin