In this episode of Placecast, Nicola Headlam speaks with Abigail Taylor (City-REDI) and Jeff Matsu (City-REDI Fellow) about their groundbreaking comparative research on governance and fiscal devolution between Japan and the UK. Their work, supported by international partnerships and field visits to Osaka and Tokyo, offers fresh insights into how decentralisation and collaborative leadership can shape better outcomes for regions.

Placecast is a Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub production based at City-REDI, University of Birmingham. It is essential listening for those keen to explore the ins and outs of knowledge mobilisation for influence in central and local government, based on the view that it’s only through animating the power of place-based leadership that the wicked problems of 2026 can become more manageable.

Jeffrey Matsu is a former Chief Economist at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and a Fellow at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. He is a City-REDI Fellow and is also on the Delivery Team for the Local Policy Innovation Partnership Hub.

With extensive experience in connecting policy with practice through evidence-based research, he works with partner governments, accountancy bodies and the public sector around the world to advance public finance and support better public services.

Jeff holds degrees in economics from the University of Washington and Johns Hopkins University.

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Dr Abigail Taylor is a Research Fellow at City-REDI, University of Birmingham, and leads on several themes for the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub. Abigail’s research interests lie in regional and local labour markets, skills, institutions, employment support policy and place. Sub-interests include future skills mismatches, lifelong learning, funding flows and governance structures. Abigail has extensive experience in comparative international research.

View Abigail’s online profile

Dr Nicola Headlam has over 20 years of experience working across all aspects of the multi-helix innovation system, including central and local government, civil society and campaigning, academic research and knowledge mobilisation, and industry. Along the way, she has honed her expertise in urban and regional subnational economic development, the roles of government in shaping place, and in utilising data and evidence for transformation.

In 2024, she became a freelance economic advisor on the role of leadership and partnerships, urban and living lab forms for research, future of cities and foresighting methods, urban transformations, place-branding and urban regeneration and the spatial consequences of public policy.

Find out more about the LPIP Hub.

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In this episode of Placecast, Nicola Headlam sits down with Dr Sarah Longlands, Chief Executive of the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES), to explore why place matters more than ever in shaping policy, economy, and community wellbeing. Their conversation offers a compelling case for moving beyond one-size-fits-all solutions and embracing the complexity of local contexts.

Placecast is a Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub production based at City-REDI, University of Birmingham. Our new podcast is essential listening for those keen to explore the ins and outs of knowledge mobilisation for influence in central and local government, based on the view that it’s only through animating the power of place-based leadership that the wicked problems of 2025 can become more manageable.

Sarah Longlands leads CLES, the Centre for Local Economic Strategies, the National Organisation for Local Economies, based in Manchester. She is an expert in regional and local economic development and argues for economic and social justice and the creation of places which enable people to live good lives.

Before joining CLES in 2021, Sarah was Director of IPPR North, the dedicated think tank for the North of England. She previously worked for CLES until 2011 and began her career in local government, working in County Durham and North Yorkshire. She has a PhD in Urban Studies from the University of Glasgow.

Sarah is a member of the LPIP Hub Partnership Team.

View Sarah’s online profile

Dr Nicola Headlam has over 20 years of experience working across all aspects of the multi-helix innovation system, including central and local government, civil society and campaigning, academic research and knowledge mobilisation, and industry. Along the way, she has honed her expertise in urban and regional subnational economic development, the roles of government in shaping place, and in utilising data and evidence for transformation.

In 2024, she became a freelance economic advisor on the role of leadership and partnerships, urban and living lab forms for research, future of cities and foresighting methods, urban transformations, place-branding and urban regeneration and the spatial consequences of public policy.

Find out more about the LPIP Hub.

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Episode Eight of the Placecast Podcast dives deep into the power of place-based leadership and social entrepreneurship with guest Mark Swift, a social entrepreneur with over 15 years’ experience in health and care. Hosted by Nicola Headlam, the conversation explores how community-centred approaches can transform health outcomes, reduce demand on public services, and reconfigure system architecture for a more inclusive future. Mark shares his journey from NHS public health specialist to founding Wellbeing Enterprises, his lived experience shaping his mission, and his vision for civic imagination as a driver of social change.

PlaceCast is a Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub production based at City-REDI, University of Birmingham. Our new podcast is essential listening for those keen to explore the ins and outs of knowledge mobilisation for influence in central and local government, based on the view that it’s only through animating the power of place-based leadership that the wicked problems of 2025 can become more manageable.

Mark Swift is a serial social entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience working with the public and private sectors. He is the Founder CEO of Wellbeing Enterprises – a healthcare social enterprise, and one of the first Community Interest Companies (CICs) to be established. His special interests include health creation and health equity, social entrepreneurship and social economy and accelerating social innovation processes and social value creation.

He has previously held positions in the NHS as a Public Health Improvement Specialist and a Senior Project Manager, leading on Clinical Quality. He is currently a Fellow of the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place at the University of Liverpool and Ashoka, which identifies and supports the world’s leading social entrepreneurs.

Dr Nicola Headlam has more than 20 years of experience working within all aspects of the multi-helix innovation system; central and local government, civil society and campaigning, academic research and knowledge mobilisation and in industry. Along the way, she has honed expertise in urban and regional subnational economic development, the roles of government in making and shaping place, and in data and evidence for transformation.

In 2024, she became a freelance economic advisor on the role of leadership and partnerships, urban and living lab forms for research, future of cities and foresighting methods, urban transformations, place-branding and urban regeneration and the spatial consequences of public policy.

Find out more about the LPIP Hub.

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In the latest episode of Placecast, Nicola Headlam sits down with Dr Charlotte Hoole and Professor Andy Pike for a deep dive into one of the most pressing challenges facing England today: how we allocate public funding and govern economic development across regions. Drawing on extensive experience in subnational governance and policy research, Charlotte and Andy offer sharp insights and grounded expertise in a conversation that’s both timely and urgent.

As England grapples with entrenched geographical inequalities and a fragmented funding landscape, this podcast explores the findings of their recent ESRC-funded project on improving public funding allocation. From reflections on the legacy of regional development structures to lessons from international models like France and Australia, the episode offers a compelling look at what it will take to build a fairer, more effective system of place-based investment.

PlaceCast is a Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub production based at City-REDI, University of Birmingham. Our new podcast is essential listening for those keen to explore the ins and outs of knowledge mobilisation for influence in central and local government, based on the view that it’s only through animating the power of place-based leadership that the wicked problems of 2025 can become more manageable.

Andy Pike is the Henry Daysh Professor of Regional Development Studies in the Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies (CURDS), Newcastle University, UK. His research interests, publications and research projects are focused on the geographical political economy of local, regional and urban development and policy. He has undertaken research projects for the OECD, UN-ILO, European Commission, UK Government and national, regional and local institutions. He is a Fellow of the Regional Studies Association and an elected Fellow of the UK’s national Academy of Social Sciences.

Dr Charlotte Hoole is a Research Fellow at the City-Region Economic Development Institute (City-REDI). Her current research examines regional governance capacity in the context of English devolution and public funding allocation. Before this, she worked on projects looking at the impact of governance structures on the formulation of place-based policies and central-local relations, and their role in shaping regional disparities.

Dr Nicola Headlam has more than 20 years of experience working within all aspects of the multi-helix innovation system; central and local government, civil society and campaigning, academic research, knowledge mobilisation and in industry. Along the way, she has honed expertise in urban and regional subnational economic development, the roles of government in making and shaping place, and in data and evidence for transformation.

In 2024, she became a freelance economic advisor on the role of leadership and partnerships, urban and living lab forms for research, future of cities and foresighting methods, urban transformations, place-branding and urban regeneration and the spatial consequences of public policy.

Find out more about the LPIP Hub.

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In this episode of the Placecast podcast, Nicola Headlam speaks with Liz Shutt, Programme Director at Insights North East (INE). This episode offers a compelling look at how place-based leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and a generous spirit can reshape the way we think about and do policy. It’s a call to action for anyone committed to making a tangible difference in their region.

PlaceCast is a Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub production based at City-REDI, University of Birmingham. Our new podcast is essential listening for those keen to explore the ins and outs of knowledge mobilisation for influence in central and local government, based on the view that it’s only through animating the power of place-based leadership that the wicked problems of 2025 can become more manageable.

Liz Shutt is Programme Director for Insights North East (INE), an initiative seeking to produce actionable and accessible insights for policy makers in the North East of England, drawing on the rich evidence base from within Newcastle and Northumbria Universities and from the project's policy partners - North of Tyne Combined Authority, Newcastle City Council, NHS Newcastle and NHS Northumbria Trusts. INE has three priority challenge areas: Net Zero, Health and Wellbeing.

Liz is responsible for setting up the organisation, developing key relationships, setting strategic direction, spotting new opportunities and overall delivery of actionable insights for their policy partners.

Previously, Liz was Director of Policy for the University of Lincoln and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

Dr Nicola Headlam has more than 20 years of experience working within all aspects of the multi-helix innovation system; central and local government, civil society and campaigning, academic research and knowledge mobilisation and in industry. Along the way, she has honed expertise in urban and regional subnational economic development, the roles of government in making and shaping place, and in data and evidence for transformation.

In 2024, she became a freelance economic advisor on the role of leadership and partnerships, urban and living lab forms for research, future of cities and foresighting methods, urban transformations, place-branding and urban regeneration and the spatial consequences of public policy.

Find out more about the LPIP Hub.

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In this episode of Placecast, Nicola Headlam speaks with Des McNulty about the evolving relationship between academia and policymaking, particularly through the lens of place-based leadership. They explore how universities can act as hubs of knowledge and collaboration, contributing to local and regional development by aligning research with real-world policy needs. Des reflects on his experience in Scottish politics and academia, emphasising the importance of natural economic units, the role of city regions, and the need for sustainable partnerships. The conversation highlights the value of accumulated expertise, the challenges of institutional structures, and the potential of place-focused strategies to drive meaningful change across the UK.

PlaceCast is a Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub production based at City-REDI, University of Birmingham. Our new podcast is essential listening for those keen to explore the ins and outs of knowledge mobilisation for influence in central and local government, based on the view that it’s only through animating the power of place-based leadership that the wicked problems of 2025 can become more manageable.

Des McNulty was the Assistant Vice-Principal, Economic Development and Civic Engagement at the University of Glasgow from 2016 to 2021. Des was responsible for developing links between policy makers and researchers, as well as other forms of collaboration between the university and the city, devolved and national governments. He is currently Vice Chair of UPEN (International and Civic Engagement) and Vice Chair of the Glasgow Commission for Economic Growth, which provides strategic advice on economic matters to eight local authorities (elected Councils) in the Greater Glasgow conurbation that have participated in the Glasgow City Region City Deal. Between 1999 and 2011, Des McNulty was an elected member of the Scottish Parliament, where he served in roles including Minister for Communities and Social Justice, shadow spokesperson on Education and Chair of the Parliament’s Finance Committee.

Dr Nicola Headlam has more than 20 years of experience working within all aspects of the multi-helix innovation system; central and local government, civil society and campaigning, academic research and knowledge mobilisation and in industry. Along the way, she has honed expertise in urban and regional subnational economic development, the roles of government in making and shaping place, and in data and evidence for transformation.

In 2024, she became a freelance economic advisor on the role of leadership and partnerships, urban and living lab forms for research, future of cities and foresighting methods, urban transformations, place-branding and urban regeneration and the spatial consequences of public policy.

Find out more about the LPIP Hub.

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In the fourth episode of Placecast, Gerardo Javier Arriaga-Garcia sits down with Nina Ruddle, Head of Public Policy Engagement, Wrexham University. Their conversation dives deep into the challenges and triumphs of inclusive innovation, particularly in the context of Wales.

PlaceCast is a Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub production based at City-REDI, University of Birmingham. Our new podcast is essential listening for those keen to explore the ins and outs of knowledge mobilisation for influence in central and local government, based on the view that it’s only through animating the power of place-based leadership that the wicked problems of 2025 can become more manageable.

Nina Ruddle is a graduate of the University of Liverpool in Geography and Civic Design. Nina has 20 years’ experience in public services in education, social and economic regeneration, and policy development/delivery.

As Head of Public Policy Engagement, she leads Wrexham University’s civic mission partnership strategy across North Wales, which delivers a wide range of co-created civic mission work in collaboration with a vast range of partners and communities and aims to end social inequality by 2030. This work ranges from enabling systems leadership and whole systems thinking to support the implementation of the Well being of Future Generations Act (Wales) 2015, to establishing a North Wales Children’s University and leadership education for Children and Young People focused on leadership, health & well being, skills for the future, aspiration, and food poverty. Earlier this year, she was recognised in the Future Generations Changemaker 100 list for Wales.

Dr. Gerardo Arriaga-Garcia is a Research Fellow at City-REDI, Business School, where he leads an inclusive innovation research agenda. His work centres on developing tailored frameworks and toolkits to enhance place-based, inclusive local innovation ecosystems.

Find out more about the LPIP Hub.

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In the third episode of Placecast, Dr Abigail Taylor explores with Chris Naylor and Jamie Ounan how effective place leadership—rooted in collaboration, local knowledge, ambition, and institutional reform—can drive inclusive and sustainable growth in communities.

PlaceCast is a Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub production based at City-REDI, University of Birmingham. Our new podcast is essential listening for those keen to explore the ins and outs of knowledge mobilisation for influence in central and local government, based on the view that it's only through animating the power of place-based leadership that the wicked problems of 2025 can become more manageable.

Chris Naylor is a Managing Director at Inner Circle Consulting. He was previously the Chief Executive of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. In 2020, Chris was named Municipal Journal's Chief Executive of the year. He was also seconded to Birmingham City Council as the CEO, supporting, among other things, their response to the COVID-19 pandemic and preparations for the Commonwealth Games.

Jamie Ounan is the Executive Chair and founder of Inner Circle, which helps leaders across the UK to reform public services. Jamie has been a public sector reformer and transformer for over 20 years, supporting senior leaders within the public sector to prepare for change within complex systems and then enabling them to deliver the mission-critical elements of this. Jamie is also part of the LPIP hub leadership team.

Abigail Taylor is a Research Fellow at City-REDI, University of Birmingham, leading the place leadership theme for the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub.

Find out more about the LPIP Hub.

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This conversation is between Dr Konstantinos (Kostas) Kollydas and Professor Andy Westwood. It explores the complexities of skills development, regional disparities, and the impact of local and regional institutions on shaping effective policies.

PlaceCast is a Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub production based at City-REDI, University of Birmingham. Our new podcast is essential listening for those keen to explore the ins and outs of knowledge mobilisation for influence in central and local government, based on the view that it's only through animating the power of place-based leadership that the wicked problems of 2025 can become more manageable.

Andy Westwood is Professor of Public Policy, Government, and Business at the University of Manchester and Policy Director at The Productivity Institute.

Kostas Kollydas is a Research Fellow at City-REDI, University of Birmingham and leads the Skills theme for the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub.

Find out more about the LPIP Hub.

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PlaceCast is a Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub production based at City-REDI, University of Birmingham. Our new podcast is essential listening for those keen to explore the ins and outs of knowledge mobilisation for influence in central and local government, based on the view that it's only through animating the power of place-based leadership that the wicked problems of 2025 can become more manageable.

This conversation between Dr Nicola Headlam, the LPIP Principal Investigator (PI), Professor Rebecca Riley, and the LPIP Leadership Theme Lead Dr Abigail Taylor, was a wide-ranging introduction to all things place-based. All three women have extensive experience moving within universities focused on subnational economic development.

Find out more about the LPIP Hub.

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