Sussex And The City

The Sussex And The City Podcast

– Episode #53

"You Can't Just Slide This Under The Mat And Say, 'Oh, We're Just Going To Do This, And Nobody's Going To Notice.'"

Host: Richard Freeman Guests: Irene, Graham, Alan and Alexandra - Members of Hop 50+ at Impact Initiatives

🔍 Episode summary

In this special community edition of Sussex And The City, Richard Freeman visits the Cornerstone Community Centre in Hove to hear directly from members of the Hop 50+ programme run by Impact Initiatives about the future of Sussex.

Rather than debating constitutional reform, the conversation focuses on buses that don't arrive, community spaces that keep people connected, concerns about mental health services, affordable housing, local identity and whether decision-makers truly understand everyday life.

The discussion reveals widespread support for decisions being made closer to local communities, but also a clear warning. If Sussex is about to undergo its biggest governance change in a generation, residents believe they need to understand it, shape it and feel part of it. Devolution cannot simply happen to people.

Along the way the group reflects on rural isolation, public transport, tourism, local newspapers, Airbnbs, culture, ageing well and what makes Sussex distinctive. Throughout, they return to one central question: can a future Sussex Mayor provide a long-term vision while remaining close enough to the communities they serve?

The result is one of the most grounded conversations in the series; less about political structures and more about what good local leadership should actually feel like.

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with Sussex Community Foundation; connecting people who care with the communities and causes making a difference across Sussex.

Through grant-making, philanthropy and local partnerships, Sussex Community Foundation helps strengthen communities, reduce inequality and support grassroots organisations throughout the county.

To find out more, visit sussexcommunityfoundation.org.

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🎯 In this episode

• Why many residents have never heard about Sussex devolution
• Community centres as essential public infrastructure
• Mental health, prevention and local wellbeing services
• Rural Sussex and fears of being overlooked
• Public transport, concessionary travel and accessibility
• Housing affordability, second homes and Airbnbs
• The decline of local newspapers and civic engagement
• Arts, tourism and protecting Sussex's character
• What people actually want from a Sussex Mayor
• Building a long-term vision that communities recognise as their own

🧠 Key themes Devolution needs public consent

Participants repeatedly argue that constitutional change cannot simply be announced. Residents need to understand what is happening, why it matters and how they can influence it.

Community is preventative infrastructure

From mental wellbeing to tackling loneliness, local community organisations provide services that reduce pressure elsewhere in the public sector.

Rural and urban Sussex both matter

Any future strategic authority will need to balance the needs of Brighton & Hove, coastal towns, market towns and rural communities rather than allowing one perspective to dominate.

Better communication builds trust

Many participants describe feeling disconnected from modern politics. Clear information, visible leadership and meaningful engagement are seen as essential if devolution is to succeed.

Identity should unite rather than divide

While local loyalties remain strong, contributors believe Sussex needs a clearer shared story that celebrates its coastline, countryside, culture and communities.

Think beyond election cycles

The group consistently calls for decisions that improve quality of life over decades rather than responding only to short-term political pressures.

👥 About Hop 50+ and Impact Initiatives

Hop 50+ is a community programme delivered by Impact Initiatives, one of Sussex's largest charities supporting wellbeing, resilience and social connection across the county. Through activities, advice, volunteering and community events, the programme helps older residents remain active, connected and engaged within their local communities.

🎧 Production credits

Host: Richard Freeman Guests: Irene, Graham, Alan and Alexandra Sound design / editing / original music: Chris Thorpe-Tracey Production management: Letitia McConalogue

📣 Get involved

👉 https://sussexandthecity.info — episodes, resources and events

👉 https://sussexintelligence.com — research, insight and analysis on Sussex's future

The Sussex And The City Podcast

– Episode #52

Is Sussex Ready For The AI Economy?

Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Adam Stafford – Founder & CEO, Fresh Egg

🔍 Episode summary

Artificial intelligence might be reshaping the Sussex labour market faster than education, government and business can adapt. Is this a priority for devolution?

In this episode, Richard Freeman speaks with Adam Stafford, founder and CEO of Worthing-based digital agency Fresh Egg, about the future of work, entrepreneurship and what Sussex needs to do if it wants to remain competitive in a rapidly changing economy.

Having built Fresh Egg from a spare bedroom in Worthing into one of the UK's leading digital marketing and web performance agencies, Adam reflects on nearly three decades of technological change, and argues that the AI revolution is unlike anything businesses have experienced before.

Together they discuss how automation is transforming entry-level jobs, why employers are struggling to plan for skills that barely existed six months ago, and whether universities, colleges and government can realistically keep pace with the speed of change.

The conversation also explores why Sussex's economy is powered by ambitious small businesses, how a future mayor could better connect business, education and innovation, and why creating the right conditions for entrepreneurs may be one of the most important investments the region can make.

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with the University of Brighton's Help to Grow programme, supporting ambitious SME leaders across Sussex with practical leadership, innovation and business growth support through a government-funded executive development programme.

🎯 In this episode

• How Fresh Egg grew from a Worthing start-up into a national digital agency
• Why Worthing became home for a successful technology business
• How AI is changing digital businesses at unprecedented speed
• Why entry-level jobs are becoming increasingly difficult to create
• Whether education can keep pace with technological change
• Why small businesses drive innovation
• The future relationship between business and skills development
• What Sussex needs to become more competitive nationally
• How devolution could support entrepreneurship and innovation
• Why collaboration between business, education and government matters

🧠 Key themes AI is transforming work faster than institutions can respond

Adam argues that businesses are already redesigning roles around artificial intelligence, while education systems and public policy struggle to adapt to technology that evolves almost weekly.

Small businesses drive innovation

Sussex's economy depends heavily on founder-led businesses that can experiment, adapt and innovate quickly, often moving faster than larger organisations.

Skills need continual reinvention

Traditional career pathways are becoming less predictable. Future success will depend on adaptability, continuous learning and the ability to work alongside rapidly evolving technologies.

Sussex needs a stronger business identity

While the county has significant strengths across digital, creative industries and entrepreneurship, Adam believes Sussex could do far more to promote itself as a destination for ambitious businesses and skilled people.

Growth is about more than infrastructure

Alongside transport and housing, economic growth depends on supporting entrepreneurs, strengthening local networks and creating an environment where businesses can evolve with confidence.

Collaboration creates resilience

Closer partnerships between business, education and local leadership could help Sussex respond more effectively to technological disruption and prepare the workforce for emerging industries.

💬 What Adam says

"Technology is moving at a pace no one has seen before."

"The businesses that will get through the next few years are the smaller organisations who can move quickly."

"The curriculum simply can't keep up with the pace of change."

"Wouldn't it be nice if running a small business could become a little bit easier?"

"What is the thing that we want Sussex to become recognised for?"

🤖 Why AI changes the conversation

Rather than viewing artificial intelligence simply as another technology trend, Adam argues that it represents a fundamental shift in how businesses operate. As routine tasks become increasingly automated, employers will need different skills, different organisational structures and new approaches to recruitment and training. The challenge for Sussex is not simply adopting AI, but preparing people, businesses and institutions to thrive alongside it.

👤 About Adam Stafford

Adam Stafford is Founder and CEO of Fresh Egg, one of Sussex's longest-established digital marketing and web performance agencies.

Founded in Worthing in 2000, Fresh Egg has grown from a three-person start-up into a nationally recognised agency working with organisations including John Lewis, Vitality and the Open University. Alongside leading the business, Adam has championed digital skills development through initiatives including the Fresh Egg Academy and CharityWise, supporting charities and future digital professionals across Sussex.

🎧 Production credits

Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Adam Stafford Sound design / editing / original music: Chris Thorpe-Tracey Production management: Letitia McConalogue

📣 Get involved

👉 https://sussexandthecity.info — episodes, resources and events

👉 https://sussexintelligence.com — research, insight and analysis on Sussex's future

The Sussex And The City Podcast

– Episode #51

The Problem With One-Size-Fits-All Devolution

Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Andrew Griffith MP – Member of Parliament for Arundel and South Downs; Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade

🔍 Episode summary

Can one model of devolution work for every part of England?

In this episode, Richard Freeman speaks with Andrew Griffith MP about what devolution could mean for Sussex, and why he believes Whitehall often underestimates the diversity of places it is trying to reform.

Drawing on experience in both business and government, Andrew reflects on representing one of Sussex's largest rural constituencies, the challenges facing small businesses, infrastructure and planning, and whether a Sussex mayor can genuinely make better decisions than Westminster.

Together they explore the balance between local identity and regional strategy, why transport remains one of Sussex's biggest barriers to growth, and whether devolution risks becoming another layer of government unless accompanied by meaningful powers and funding.

The discussion also examines the importance of rural economies, the future of the South Downs, the county's growing wine industry and why Sussex's distinctive character should shape, rather than be squeezed into, a national model of devolution.

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with You All Right, Mate?, the workplace programme from Different Hats, helping organisations build healthier, more resilient cultures through honest conversation, connection and psychological safety.

🎯 In this episode

• Why Andrew believes Sussex needs devolution with genuine local powers
• Whether a directly elected mayor can make a practical difference
• The economic importance of rural Sussex
• Why transport infrastructure remains a long-standing challenge
• Lessons from Covid for local businesses and communities
• The future of planning inside the South Downs National Park
• How Sussex's wine industry is building an international reputation
• Why Whitehall often struggles with place-based policymaking
• Whether devolution should look different in rural and urban England
• What success could look like for Sussex over the next decade

🧠 Key themes Devolution needs meaningful powers

Andrew supports decisions being made closer to local communities but argues that genuine devolution requires more than new governance structures. Without significant funding and decision-making authority, new institutions risk becoming another administrative layer.

Rural economies deserve greater attention

Much of Sussex's economy depends on small businesses, farming, tourism, hospitality and specialist rural industries that often receive less policy attention than larger urban economies.

Infrastructure shapes opportunity

Long-standing transport issues, particularly along the A27, continue to constrain economic growth, investment and connectivity across Sussex.

National policies rarely fit every place

One-size-fits-all policymaking often struggles to reflect the realities of places like Sussex, where cities, market towns, villages and protected landscapes exist alongside globally significant businesses.

Identity matters

Andrew argues that successful devolution should strengthen Sussex's identity while respecting the strong local loyalties that already exist across its towns, villages and communities.

Local resilience matters

Reflecting on Covid, Andrew highlights the adaptability of Sussex's small businesses and argues that future economic policy should better recognise and support local enterprise.

💬 What Andrew says

"The smartest, best decisions are made close to local people."

"Nobody ever came to my surgeries asking for a Sussex mayor."

"One-size-fits-all doesn't work."

"The world is simply a more challenging place than it has been for most of my adult life."

"If there was a greater pride in being from Sussex, that would be a success."

🌿 Why rural Sussex matters

While discussions about economic growth often focus on cities, Andrew argues that much of Sussex's long-term prosperity depends on its rural economy. Farming, food production, tourism, vineyards, hospitality and thousands of small independent businesses contribute significantly to the county's identity and economic resilience. Any future mayoral authority, he argues, will need to balance urban investment with the needs of countryside communities and protected landscapes.

👤 About Andrew Griffith MP

Andrew Griffith has been Member of Parliament for Arundel and South Downs since 2019.

Before entering politics he spent over two decades at Sky, becoming one of the youngest finance directors in the FTSE 100 before serving as Chief Operating Officer. He also chaired Just Eat during a significant period of its growth.

Since entering Parliament he has held ministerial responsibilities across business, trade, science, innovation and the Treasury, including serving as Director of the Number 10 Policy Unit. He currently serves as Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade.

🎧 Production credits

Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Andrew Griffith MP Sound design / editing / original music: Chris Thorpe-Tracey Production management: Letitia McConalogue

📣 Get involved

👉 https://sussexandthecity.info — episodes, resources and events

👉 https://sussexintelligence.com — research, insight and analysis on Sussex's future

The Sussex And The City Podcast

– Episode #50

Can Place-Based Experiments Fix Broken Politics?

Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Polly Mackenzie – public policy thinker, former senior government adviser

🔍 Episode summary

Can devolution do more than simply move power around? Could it fundamentally change how Britain solves problems?

In this episode, Richard Freeman speaks with one of Britain's leading public policy thinkers, Polly Mackenzie, about why many of today's biggest challenges cannot be solved by traditional government structures alone.

Drawing on experience inside Whitehall, think tanks, universities and social innovation, Polly argues that Britain's institutions have become too slow, too fragmented and too risk-averse to deal with modern challenges. Instead, she makes the case for a new culture of place-based experimentation, where local leaders are trusted to test ideas, learn quickly and build stronger collaboration across public services.

Against the backdrop of Sussex's emerging devolution settlement, the conversation explores whether a future mayoral authority could become a laboratory for more agile government, bringing together health, housing, education, policing and economic development around shared local outcomes rather than departmental silos.

Along the way they discuss democratic frustration, state capacity, local leadership, innovation, public sector culture and why solving complex problems often depends less on finding new ideas than creating better conditions for people to work together.

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Sussex Intelligence Unit, a new independent research platform from the team behind Sussex And The City.

Sussex is changing.

Devolution is reshaping how major decisions and major investment get made, but without the right evidence, how can it deliver what our communities need? The Sussex Intelligence Unit answers that challenge.

It's the first independent cross-sector platform to look at growth, infrastructure, governance, and belonging across East Sussex, West Sussex, Brighton & Hove.

New data, fresh analysis, evidence-led insight designed to put businesses, voluntary sector organisations, and policy makers ahead of what's next, because the decisions made today will shape Sussex for a generation.

For the intelligence you need, visit www.sussexintelligence.com

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🎯 In this episode

• Why frustration has become Britain's defining political emotion
• What Polly means by being a 'policy entrepreneur'
• Why many public problems cut across government departments
• How devolution could strengthen state capacity
• The leadership skills modern public services increasingly need
• Why collaboration matters more than organisational structures
• Fiscal devolution and the future of English mayors
• Why experimentation should become part of public service culture
• The role of 'Test, Learn and Grow' in government reform
• Whether Sussex could become a national model for place-based innovation

🧠 Key themes Modern problems require joined-up government

Challenges including housing, chronic health conditions, youth unemployment and public safety span multiple organisations, making traditional departmental structures increasingly ineffective.

Devolution is about more than governance

Done well, devolution creates opportunities for places to coordinate services, build stronger partnerships and make decisions closer to the communities they affect.

Leadership is becoming more relational

Future public leaders will need to convene organisations, build trust and create space for collaboration, rather than simply manage hierarchical systems.

Innovation depends on experimentation

Public institutions often reward certainty over curiosity. Polly argues that genuine improvement requires permission to test ideas, learn from failure and continuously adapt.

Place creates better policy

Local government can become a platform for solving complex problems because people, services and institutions are physically closer together and better able to collaborate.

Sussex has an unusual opportunity

With a new strategic authority being created alongside local government reorganisation, Sussex has a chance not simply to redesign governance, but to rethink how public services innovate and work together.

💬 What Polly says

"The dominant emotion of our time is frustration."

"There are very rarely new ideas. It's the patient, diligent work of getting things done that matters."

"Freedom to succeed is the same as freedom to fail."

"If everybody is constantly trying to make things five per cent better, that's transformative."

"Entrepreneurial tinkering never gets too tidy."

🧠 Why this matters for Sussex

As Sussex prepares for an elected mayor and a new Strategic Authority, there is an opportunity to think differently about how public services are designed.

Rather than simply creating another layer of governance, Polly argues that devolution should enable places to become more experimental, bringing together organisations around shared local challenges, giving leaders permission to innovate and creating cultures where learning is valued as highly as certainty.

For Sussex, success may depend less on constitutional reform than on whether local institutions are prepared to collaborate, experiment and embrace a more entrepreneurial approach to public leadership.

👤 About Polly Mackenzie

Polly Mackenzie is one of Britain's best-known public policy thinkers.

She served as Director of Policy to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg during the 2010-2015 UK Coalition Government, playing a significant role during the first wave of English devolution. She later became Chief Executive of the think tank Demos, co-founded the Women's Equality Party, helped establish Martin Lewis's Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, and served as Chief Social Purpose Officer at the University of the Arts London.

Today she writes the influential How To Run A Country blog and is a regular commentator on British politics, democracy, public sector reform and institutional change.

🎧 Production credits

Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Polly Mackenzie Sound design / editing / original music: Chris Thorpe-Tracey Production management: Letitia McConalogue

📣 Get involved

👉 https://sussexandthecity.info — episodes, resources and events

👉 https://sussexintelligence.com — research, insight and analysis on Sussex's future

The Sussex And The City Podcast

– Episode #49

What Sussex devolution means to a 20-year-old

Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Joe Herd

🔍 Episode summary

What does Sussex devolution look like through the eyes of someone who will live with its consequences for the next 50 years?

Most Sussex And The City episodes feature politicians, academics, business leaders or public sector decision-makers. This conversation takes a different approach.

Recorded on Worthing seafront, Richard Freeman is joined by 20-year-old Brighton resident Joe Herd for an open discussion about devolution, democracy, trust and political participation.

Joe is not a councillor, civil servant or policy expert. He is simply a young Sussex resident who became curious about devolution and wanted to understand what it could mean for the place where he grew up.

The conversation begins with the question: why does devolution matter?

For Joe, the appeal lies in the possibility of a more collaborative and constructive form of politics than many people associate with Westminster. Together, Richard and Joe explore whether moving power closer to communities could help rebuild trust, improve participation and create a stronger sense of ownership over local decisions.

Along the way they discuss local government reorganisation, the future Sussex mayor, citizens' assemblies, regional identity, public engagement and the challenge of explaining political change in ways that people actually understand.

Despite the scale of the changes underway, relatively few younger people are actively involved in conversations about devolution. If Sussex is entering a new chapter of self-government, how can the next generation become active participants rather than passive observers?

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with Trust for Developing Communities - a Brighton & Hove charity working alongside communities to tackle inequality and create lasting, community-led change.

TDC delivers community development, youth work, research and training across the city, supporting people and neighbourhoods to build confidence, connection and power. Its youth work helps young people feel safer, more connected, and more able to shape the places they live.

At a time when Sussex is facing major decisions about devolution, democracy and the future of local services, TDC's work is a reminder that change only works when people are genuinely involved, especially those whose voices are too often missing from the room. To find out more, visit trustdevcom.org.uk.

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🎯 In this episode

• Why devolution caught the attention of a 20-year-old Sussex resident
• Whether local politics feels more constructive than national politics
• Trust and confidence in democratic institutions
• The impact of local government reorganisation
• What younger people think about political participation
• The challenge of building a Sussex-wide identity
• Citizens' assemblies and new approaches to democracy
• The future role of a Sussex mayor
• Why communication matters as much as governance structures
• What success could look like for Sussex devolution

🧠 Key themes Devolution offers a different political conversation

For younger people frustrated by national political division, devolution can represent a more practical and collaborative way of approaching local challenges.

Trust cannot be taken for granted

Public confidence in institutions remains fragile. New structures alone will not rebuild trust without genuine engagement and transparency.

Young people are largely absent from the debate

Despite being the generation most affected by long-term decisions, relatively few younger residents are participating in discussions about Sussex's future governance.

Sussex still needs a shared story

The county contains diverse communities with different identities and priorities. Building a stronger sense of common purpose will be one of devolution's biggest challenges.

Participation matters

People are more likely to support political change when they feel involved in shaping it rather than simply being informed after decisions have been made.

Democracy works best when it feels local

Many of the issues people care most about (housing, transport, public spaces and opportunity) are experienced locally, making local decision-making particularly important.

💬 What Joe says

"I think devolution feels like an alternative to the combative and destructive nature of national politics."

"It's about moving power closer to the population."

"A lot of it comes down to trust."

"People need to feel like they're doing the politics, not that politics is being done to them."

"There is a Sussex identity somewhere, but making people feel connected to it is the challenge."

👤 About Joe Herd

Joe Herd is a Brighton-born student and lifelong Sussex resident.

Having studied history, Spanish and music, he developed a growing interest in politics, governance and democratic participation. His curiosity about devolution led him to contact Sussex and the City to better understand the changes taking place across Sussex and Brighton.

Joe represents a perspective that is often missing from policy discussions: that of younger residents who will inherit the long-term consequences of today's decisions and whose engagement will help shape the future success of devolution.

🎧 Production credits

Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Joe Herd Sound design / editing / original music: Chris Thorpe-Tracey Production management: Letitia McConalogue

📣 Get involved

👉 https://sussexandthecity.info — episodes, resources and events

👉 https://sussexintelligence.com — research, insight and analysis on Sussex's future

The Sussex And The City Podcast

– Episode #48

Universities, Knowledge and the Future of Sussex Prosperity (Part Two)

Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Professor Sasha Roseneil – Vice-Chancellor, University of Sussex

🔍 Episode summary

What role should universities play in the future of Sussex?

As devolution reshapes local decision-making and the higher education sector faces mounting financial pressures, universities are being forced to think differently about their purpose, their partnerships and their place within local economies.

In this episode, Richard Freeman speaks with Professor Sasha Roseneil, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sussex, about the future of higher education and why universities remain critical to innovation, economic growth and social mobility.

This conversation follows Richard's earlier discussion with Jo Havers from the University of Brighton and forms the second part of a wider exploration of how Sussex's universities contribute to the region's future prosperity.

Together they discuss the challenges currently facing the sector, including funding pressures, changing attitudes towards degrees, student finance and the future relationship between education and work. Sasha argues that universities are far more than providers of qualifications. They are places where new knowledge is created, where future industries emerge and where people develop the adaptability needed to thrive in an uncertain world.

The discussion also explores the University of Sussex's growing civic role within the county. From the Civic University Agreement to skills development, research partnerships and economic strategy, the conversation examines how universities can help shape a more connected, innovative and ambitious Sussex.

Along the way, they discuss artificial intelligence, quantum computing, regional identity and the opportunities that a future Sussex mayor could unlock through closer collaboration with higher education.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Sussex Intelligence Unit, the independent research platform from the team behind Sussex and the City, providing evidence-led insight into growth, infrastructure, governance and belonging across Sussex.

🎯 In this episode

• Why universities are facing significant financial pressures
• Whether degrees still represent value in a changing economy
• How universities help people navigate uncertainty and change
• The University of Sussex's global outlook and local impact
• Why research universities matter for economic growth
• The Civic University Agreement and its ambitions for Sussex
• Collaboration between universities, colleges and employers
• The future relationship between higher education and devolution
• Quantum computing and the vision for a Sussex innovation cluster
• What long-term prosperity could look like across Sussex

🧠 Key themes

Universities are more than teaching institutions

Higher education plays a crucial role in generating knowledge, developing future industries and preparing people for complex and changing careers.

Economic growth depends on research and innovation

Universities sit at the centre of many of the technologies and industries that will shape future prosperity, from artificial intelligence to quantum technologies.

Civic leadership is becoming more important

Universities increasingly recognise their responsibility not just to global research communities, but also to the places and regions they serve.

Sussex needs stronger collaboration

The Civic University Agreement reflects a growing belief that universities, colleges, businesses and public institutions can achieve more by working together.

Opportunity remains uneven

Despite Sussex's strengths, significant inequalities persist across the county. Addressing these disparities will be central to any long-term vision for prosperity.

Devolution creates new possibilities

A future mayoral authority could provide new opportunities for strategic investment, partnership working and innovation-led economic growth.

💬 What Sasha says

"Universities are the engines of economic growth."

"What university, at its best, gives students is resilience, adaptability and the ability to ask difficult questions."

"The whole region will be stronger if it wasn't as unequal as it is now."

"We can do far more if we work together than if we work individually."

"It's not about building boundaries around Sussex. It will be a strong region in a strong country in a globally connected world."

🧠 Why quantum could matter to Sussex

The University of Sussex is home to world-leading research in quantum technologies and physics. The university is helping develop proposals for a Sussex-based quantum innovation cluster, building on strengths in research, advanced manufacturing and specialist engineering. The ambition is to create a globally significant centre for next-generation technologies within Sussex.

🎓 About Professor Sasha Roseneil

Professor Sasha Roseneil has been Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sussex since 2022 and is one of the UK's leading social scientists. Before joining Sussex, she held senior leadership positions at University College London (UCL), where she served as Pro-Vice-Provost for Equity and Inclusion and Dean of the Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences, and previously at Birkbeck, University of London.

Her academic work has focused on social change, citizenship, identities, relationships, gender, social movements and the ways people build communities and belonging. She has published extensively on questions of social transformation and has led major international research projects examining how societies adapt to cultural, economic and political change.

🎧 Production credits

Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Professor Sasha Roseneil Sound design / editing / original music: Chris Thorpe-Tracey Production management: Letitia McConalogue

📣 Get involved

👉 https://sussexandthecity.info — episodes, resources and events

👉 https://sussexintelligence.com — research, insight and analysis on Sussex's future

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The Sussex And The City Podcast

– Episode #47

Why Sheep's Wool Might Be Sussex's Secret Innovation

Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Mark Beaumont – Founder of Lanoguard, community entrepreneur and Newhaven advocate

🔍 Episode summary

When people talk about Sussex's economic future, they often focus on Brighton, Gatwick, Crawley or the region's larger towns and cities. But what if one of Sussex's most strategically important places has been hiding in plain sight?

In this episode, Richard Freeman speaks with entrepreneur, manufacturer and community leader Mark Beaumont about Newhaven's future and why he believes the town could become one of Sussex's most important economic assets.

Mark's story is rooted in Sussex. From travelling the county with his family's organic food business as a child to building multiple ventures from Newhaven, he has spent decades exploring how entrepreneurship, community action and local pride can create opportunity.

Together they explore the unique combination of assets that Newhaven possesses: a working port, direct European connections, rail freight capability, manufacturing expertise, access to London, proximity to the South Downs National Park and a strong culture of grassroots action. They discuss why these strengths are often overlooked and why places with challenges frequently become places of innovation.

The conversation also explores Lanoguard, Mark's successful Sussex manufacturing business, which produces natural anti-corrosion products derived from sheep's wool and exports internationally from Newhaven. The story becomes a wider discussion about circular economy thinking, local supply chains, regenerative land use and how Sussex can build prosperity from its natural assets.

As devolution approaches, this episode asks an important question: could Sussex unlock greater prosperity by paying more attention to the places, industries and communities that have often sat outside the spotlight?

🎯 In this episode

• Why Newhaven's geography is both its greatest challenge and greatest opportunity
• The strategic importance of the Newhaven-Dieppe ferry
• How ports, rail freight and manufacturing fit into Sussex's future economy
• Why entrepreneurial communities thrive in overlooked places
• The role of local leadership in regeneration
• How Lanoguard grew from Newhaven into an international manufacturing business
• What sheep's wool has to do with corrosion protection
• Circular economy opportunities across Sussex
• The potential for local food, local supply chains and regenerative enterprise
• What a future Sussex mayor could learn from places like Newhaven

🧠 Key themes

Strategic assets hiding in plain sight Newhaven possesses a combination of transport, logistics, manufacturing and maritime assets that few places in Sussex can match, yet it rarely features prominently in regional economic conversations.

Innovation through constraint Mark argues that places facing geographical and economic challenges often develop stronger entrepreneurial instincts because they are forced to find new ways to solve problems.

Community as infrastructure The town's tightly connected networks create opportunities for collaboration, skills development and grassroots problem solving that larger places can sometimes struggle to replicate.

Manufacturing still matters While economic debates often focus on digital industries and services, manufacturing, logistics and maritime sectors remain vital sources of employment, productivity and resilience.

A different vision for growth The conversation challenges the idea that prosperity must always come from large-scale inward investment, suggesting that supporting local entrepreneurs and small businesses may deliver equally important long-term benefits.

💬 What Mark says

"The challenges and the opportunities go together."

"You can get the train directly to London and the ferry directly to Europe."

"There's a very deep community here."

"Those who can should be enabled to."

"We need to grow Sussex together."

🏭 About Lanoguard

Lanoguard manufactures natural anti-corrosion products using refined sheep's wool grease. Produced in Newhaven and exported internationally, the business demonstrates how Sussex-based manufacturing can combine innovation, sustainability and local supply chains.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Newhaven Enterprise Zone.

Newhaven Enterprise Zone is working to transform Newhaven into a thriving and dynamic business destination by 2030, with a repurposed town centre, stronger growth sectors and a more resilient local economy.

Its current investment plan includes seven key initiatives, including targeted grant programmes to drive productivity, business growth and investment, helping to create sustainable, inclusive jobs for the whole community.

For Sussex, it means higher-value jobs, a stronger skills base and a culture of enterprise rooted in place.

Find out more at newhavenenterprisezone.com

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🎧 Production credits

Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Mark Beaumont Sound design / editing / original music: Chris Thorpe-Tracey Production management: Letitia McConalogue

📣 Get involved

👉 sussexandthecity.info — episodes, resources, events and analysis on devolution, growth, infrastructure and the future of Sussex.

The Sussex And The City Podcast

– Episode #46

Why Devolution Should Help Build Better Digital Public Services

Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Will Callaghan – Tech Resort / local government digital consultant

🔍 Episode summary

Richard Freeman speaks with Will Callaghan, a public sector digital specialist and volunteer leader at Eastbourne-based Tech Resort, about digital exclusion, local government reform and why being offline now means being locked out of work, benefits, healthcare, education and everyday services.

Will explains how Tech Resort supports people who cannot afford devices, data or basic digital confidence, and why demand for this support has grown sharply. The conversation also explores LocalGov Drupal, a Sussex-born civic tech project now used by councils across the UK and Ireland.

As Sussex moves towards devolution and local government reorganisation, this episode asks what kind of digital region Sussex wants to become. Not just one with AI strategies and better websites, but one that designs public services around the people most likely to be excluded.

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🎯 In this episode

What digital inclusion really means Why digital poverty affects working-age adults as well as older people How lack of phones, data and broadband deepens poverty Why Universal Credit, job applications and health support now depend on digital access How Tech Resort supports people across Eastbourne, Hastings and beyond Why digital inclusion should become a statutory responsibility What devolution could mean for digital strategy in Sussex How local government reorganisation will affect council staff and services Why councils need to stop rebuilding the same digital tools repeatedly How LocalGov Drupal became a Sussex civic tech success story

🧠 Key themes

Digital exclusion is not a side issue. It is now central to poverty, employability, health access and public service reform.

Technology can save money, but badly designed digital change can also push people further away from help.

Devolution gives Sussex a chance to build a proper digital inclusion strategy across the whole region, rather than relying on patchy local provision.

Local government reorganisation will place huge pressure on council staff, systems and services. Digital change needs to be humane, not just efficient.

Sussex already has serious civic tech expertise. Projects like LocalGov Drupal show how councils can collaborate, share code and avoid wasting public money.

The future digital region should not only be about AI, automation and innovation. It should be about access, dignity and public services that work for everyone.

🎧 Production credits

Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Will Callaghan Sound design / editing / original music: Chris Thorpe-Tracey Production management: Letitia McConalogue

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The Sussex And The City Podcast

– Episode #45

Where Does A National Park Fit Into Devolution?

Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Vanessa Rowlands – Chair, South Downs National Park Authority; Chair, National Parks England

🔍 Episode summary

The South Downs National Park is one of Sussex's core systems for water, climate resilience, biodiversity, tourism, farming, health and long-term prosperity.

Richard Freeman speaks with Vanessa Rowlands, Chair of the South Downs National Park Authority and Chair of National Parks England, about where protected landscapes fit into devolution. As Sussex prepares for new regional governance, the conversation asks whether a future mayor can genuinely plan for growth without understanding land, water and nature.

The South Downs is unusual. It stretches across Hampshire and Sussex, includes large market towns such as Lewes, Petersfield, Petworth and Midhurst, and works across multiple council boundaries. Can Sussex think strategically about the systems that do not fit neatly inside administrative lines?

The conversation explores planning, farming, chalk aquifers, tourism, nature recovery, renewable energy, flooding, rural businesses and the need to stop treating environment and economy as separate conversations.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with EQ Investors.

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🎯 In this episode

What the South Downs National Park Authority actually does Why national parks are more than conservation bodies How the South Downs fits into Sussex devolution Why water security could become a defining issue for Sussex The role of chalk aquifers, wetlands and sustainable land management How nature recovery and economic growth can support each other Why protected landscapes should be seen as infrastructure What tourism growth could mean for Eastbourne, Lewes and the wider park How farming, food supply chains and rural businesses fit into the devolution debate What a future Sussex mayor needs to understand about land, climate and place

🧠 Key themes

The National Park is infrastructure, not backdrop. It supports water supply, flood mitigation, biodiversity, tourism and public wellbeing.

Growth depends on environmental capacity. Housing, business expansion and tourism all rely on land, water, energy and climate resilience.

Devolution could overlook bodies that already think strategically. The South Downs National Park Authority works across boundaries, but protected landscapes need a clearer role in emerging regional structures.

Water is the hidden strategic issue. Flooding, drought, aquifers, wastewater and soil health may become as politically important as housing and transport.

The countryside is economically active. Farming, tourism, green finance, rural businesses and cultural assets are part of the real economy, not an add-on.

Sussex needs a better story about itself. The region's rural, coastal, urban and cultural assets need to be joined up into a clearer proposition.

💬 What Vanessa says

"These countryside protected landscapes aren't just passive places. They are critical pieces of national infrastructure."

"How can we be good neighbours for everybody else?"

"We've got to start creating this story about Sussex and drawing people into it."

"Everything we do across any national park can always be related to water."

"Nature is our business."

🎧 Production credits

Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Vanessa Rowlands Sound design / editing / original music: Chris Thorpe-Tracey Production management: Letitia McConalogue

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The Sussex And The City Podcast

– Bonus episode

Andy Burnham in 2022: How A Mayor Measures Impact

Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Andy Burnham – Mayor of Greater Manchester

🔍 Episode summary

This special bonus episode goes back into the archive, sharing Richard Freeman's January 2022 interview with Andy Burnham, originally recorded for The Possibility Club.

At the time, Burnham was already one of the most prominent voices in English devolution. Today, his arguments about Westminster centralisation, regional power, transport, homelessness, young people, skills and public trust feel directly relevant to Sussex as it begins its own devolution journey.

The conversation explores what it means to lead a region with visibility, convening power and a clear story of place. Burnham argues that devolution should start with people's lives, not abstract structures, and that impact should be measured through "names, not numbers".

For Sussex, the episode offers some perspective. If a future mayor is to mean anything, they will need to do more than manage structures. They will need to build trust, connect councils, businesses, charities and communities, and make regional leadership feel human.

🎯 In this episode

Why Andy Burnham believes England is too centralised What Greater Manchester can teach Sussex about devolution Why regional leaders need power, visibility and a clear story How Burnham measures impact through human stories, not just statistics Why young people, transport, skills and homelessness became mayoral priorities How creativity and culture shape civic leadership Why collaboration has to start from the grassroots How a mayor can use convening power to bring people together

🧠 Key themes

Devolution is not just about structures. Burnham argues that real devolution should give places the power to act on the issues affecting people's lives.

Impact needs to be human. Data matters, but Burnham makes the case for measuring change through lived experience and real stories.

Young people need a stronger place in regional policy. The conversation covers life readiness, mental health, skills and whether education is preparing young people for the world they are actually entering.

Collaboration works best when it starts from place. Burnham describes how Greater Manchester brought councils, charities, businesses, faith groups and communities together around shared missions.

Sussex should pay attention. The episode raises useful questions about what kind of mayoral leadership Sussex might need: visible, practical, collaborative and rooted in local identity.

💬 What Andy says

"Politics lives too much in the world of numbers and statistics."

"It should all be about names, not numbers."

"To build resilience, you need to take power out and enable places and people and organisations to do much more for themselves."

"Devolution creates that possibility."

"Collaboration starts with where you are."

"If you build collaboration from the bottom up, that actually is the way to make more impactful, meaningful change."

🎧 Production credits

Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Andy Burnham Original podcast: The Possibility Club Producer / editor: Chris Thorpe-Tracey Produced by: always possible

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