Helping you put the pizzazz into your place 2026
Thursday 12th November, 9.30 – 4pm, Manchester Metropolitan University Business School
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9.30: Refreshments and networking
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Panel discussions
Distance and dislocation: the new place dynamics, not for the fearful but the bold
Creating a successful place now transcends traditional relationships as the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Oxford University, the University of Liverpool, Oxfordshire County Council and Liverpool City Region Combined County Authority demonstrates. There’s a real need to think bigger and wider; for example research in Oxfordshire creating space related jobs in Cornwall. How might this impact your place?
Dr Martin Reeves OBE, CEO, Oxfordshire County Council
Sarah Haywood, Managing Director, Advanced Oxford
Moving past peripheral and perception, why our rurality and coast are critical for UK plc
The Prime Minister has talked about creating ‘good growth in every postcode’ and traditionally we have looked for growth from cities and urban centres. However, the UK’s rural and coastal regions generate over £250 billion in GVA. How important is their offer and is it being taken seriously by Government and investors?
Tarah Gear, Director of Brand and Place Futures, Milligan
Cllr Adrian Moss, Leader, Chichester District Council
Andrew Leeming, Head of Strategy, Planning & Policy, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
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Lunch and networking
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Breakout sessions – choose two of the fantastic breakout sessions, which will run simultaneously for 40 minutes each. Details to be confirmed by 19.10.26
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Refreshment break
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Panel discussions
Culture isn’t a ‘nice to have’: it’s good growth, pride and identity
We are well into the selection process for the UK City of Culture 2029 and UK Town of Culture 2028 and certainly culture is increasingly seen as a ‘growth infrastructure’ that unlocks wider economic development. Isn’t there a risk of it being a low-cost fix for industrial decline and an appealing narrative to obscure economic weakness
Rocca Holly-Nambi, Director, b-side
Professor Kirsty Fairclough, Professor of Screen Studies, Manchester Metropolitan University
Paul Cowell, Chief Culture Officer, Medway Council
What ‘Manchesterism’ means to you
Since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister ‘Manchesterism’ has become prevalent in discussions about growth and devolution. But what is it?, has it really worked across Greater Manchester? and more importantly what does it mean for people in Bournemouth, Bridgend, Belfast and Berwick-upon-Tweed?
Tom Stannard, CEO, Manchester City Council
Victoria Braddock, Managing Director, Marketing Manchester
Sean Anstee CBE, Deputy Chair of Manchester Metropolitan University and Director of Operations for the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority
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16.00: Event closes.
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