Gerry Allen

Gerry Allen is Town Manager for Halewood Town Council in Merseyside since June 2019. This busy and demanding role serving the residents of Halewood has a variety of projects aimed at improving the infrastructure and sense of civic pride in Halewood residents. Key projects include the development of a Neighbourhood Plan, staff restructure and the refurbishment of the council's main building - The Arncliffe Centre. With the support of Halewood Town Council, Gerry is Area Co-ordinator for MALC (Merseyside Association of Local Councils) which links to the county association in Lancashire and the sector's national body - NALC (National Association of Local Councils). Outside of his council role, Gerry is a Public Advisor supporting the ARC (Applied Research Collaboration) North West Coast's ongoing work with academic institutons and public sector bodies. His main invovlement presently is as Deputy Co-Lead for the MIDAS (Methodological Innovation, Development, Adaptation & Support) Project, and regulalry co-hosts the quarterly ARCFEST Conferences. Gerry was formerly a Senior Manager for the Children's Centre service within the Early Help department of Knowsley MBC to his departure from 2014-2019. Previously, Gerry managed children’s centres in the Halewood area of the borough for 10 years. In 2014, Gerry led two successful OfSTED inspections, one in each of these areas within a 6-month period between January and June.Gerry has previous experience of management within the sector dating back to the early days of Sure Start, whereby then he became a Sure Start Local Programme Manager in 2001 within Knowsley. Previously, Gerry was employed as a Manager for The Children's Society, as an Area Youth Work Leader at Warrington MBC and an actor/director in the arts sector.Gerry attended Liverpool John Moores University where he gained a degree in Social Studies and a professional qualification in Youth & Community Work. Gerry also holds NPQICL (National Professional Qualification in Integrated Centre Ledaership). Gerry also holds the CiLCA (Certificate in Local Council Administration) which is the gold standard qualification in the Town/Parish Council sector.Gerry is also a wannabee Playwright. He is seeking funds and theatrical 'angels' to fund his play "Do You Want to Knows a Secret" (Cold War Spy intrigues come to North Liverpool as a missing Picasso is dsicovered in the attic of a terraced house...). Get in touch if you love a risk!