Nicola Walker, Visitor Economy Officer

Posted on 17 Jun 2025

Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m Nicola Walker, and I work for Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) as the strategic lead for the Visitor Economy.                                                                               

My career has been really varied in a good way. I spent the first 14 years working in the civil service, leading on complex tax matters and later working in a role within HR and leading on learning and development. Which is where I think, I really discovered my passion for working with people and helping them grow and to reach their full potential.

After leaving the civil service, I moved into education, managing learning and accreditation within Adult Learning and alongside this I trained to become a language and ESOL Tutor, and then taking on responsibility for leading on apprenticeships within Higher Education and once again helping businesses develop their workforce. The experiences led me into business consultancy and a role with the Manchester Growth Company, where I supported businesses from all sectors and sizes through various challenges, including the pandemic. That work naturally connects to what I do now, supporting the economic development of the visitor economy.

What is your role with the RDA?
As the Visitor Economy Officer, my job is to help attract visitors to Rochdale and footfall into town centres and deliver positive social and economic impacts for the Borough.  A big part of my role is working closely with partner organisations, businesses, venues, and cultural organisations to look at opportunities to develop and improve their offer, using culture as a catalyst for economic growth, whether through events, live music, or highlighting our fantastic open spaces, like Hollingworth Lake and the Pennines.

I also see myself as a connector, I have a lot of strong local contacts, so I help businesses collaborate and make the most of local opportunities. That includes supporting the local supply chain and making sure our businesses and venues work together to strengthen Rochdale’s economy.

Why did you choose to work with the RDA?
I feel privileged to work in Rochdale, not just because it’s where I live but because of the incredible passion and community spirit here. People genuinely care about making a difference, and when challenges arise, everyone pulls together. I want Rochdale to be known as a great place to live, work, and visit. It has everything, brilliant transport links, beautiful countryside, and a strong sense of pride and identity. Working at the RDA gives me the opportunity to play a part in putting Rochdale on the map for all the right reasons.

What projects do you work on?
One of the big projects I’ve been involved in is developing Rochdale’s Early Evening Economy strategy with the Combined Authority. Looking at ways to encourage more activity in our town centres during those early evening hours, which is so important for hospitality and leisure businesses and creating an improved Visit Rochdale website, which provides key information as to what’s on, where to visit and to provide organisations, venues and attractions with a platform to promote their offer.

What do you really enjoy about your profession?
I love the diversity of my role, no two days are ever the same! I get to meet so many different people, from business owners and cultural organisations to community groups and event promoters. I also love being able to make a tangible impact in my hometown. I’ve lived in Rochdale for almost 30 years, raised my family here, and I want to help create a place where people are proud to live and where businesses can thrive.

What makes you get up in the morning?
It’s that sense of purpose, knowing that the work I do makes a difference. Whether it’s helping a business connect with the right people, supporting an event that brings more visitors to the area, or working on a strategy that will shape Rochdale’s future, I love seeing the positive impact of my work.

Tell us something people don’t know about you
I have a strong family connection to sport and in particular football, my grandfather was a Manchester United and England international footballer. The reason my family is based in this part of the world is that he later managed one of the local football clubs. It’s something I’m really proud of, and its part of why I feel such a strong connection to this area.