"Manchester is just a place of opportunity, whatever it is that you do."

Nicola Marsh is a born and bred Salfordian and Managing Director of Essence Mediacom North.

Nicola created a career for herself in digital advertising in the early days of the internet, you’ll hear about how she continues to navigate this constantly evolving media landscape, and her commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion at Essence Mediacom.

In this episode, host Lisa Morton hears how Nicola went from driving around Salford selling newspaper adverts and drinking brews with her clients, to creating a place for local talent to thrive, whilst shaking up the digital advertising world.

Nicola reflects on what Manchester's vibrant nightlife has meant to her over the years, Manchester's unique sense of community, and opportunities and she speaks to how businesses can contribute to Greater Manchester’s growth.

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Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre.  From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.

To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.

Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: 

Via our website

On Instagram

On X FKA Twitter

Connect with Nicola and Essence Media Com North

On LinkedIn

On Instagram

Mentioned in this episode:

We Built This City's partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University

On this episode, We Built This City has partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University.

Manchester Met

"The whole point about building a city is it isn’t one person’s project.”

Colin Shenton is the founder and CEO of Shenton Group, a property company he started in Manchester in the late 1980s, when the city looked and worked very differently. 

You’ll hear about the deal Colin made the very beginning of his career, and how he handled the restoration of a heritage building aged just 21.

Colin shares with Lisa his passion for revitalising some of Manchester’s oldest buildings, blending the old with the new adding to Manchester's unique architectural charm.

This episode delivers captivating stories, about buildings that are instantly recognisable parts of Manchester’s skyline and streets, as well as parts of the city you may have never known were there. 

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Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre.  From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.

To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.

Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: 

Via our website

On Instagram

On X FKA Twitter

On Spotify

Connect with Colin

On Instagram

On LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

We Built This City's partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University

On this episode, We Built This City has partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University.

Manchester Met

“This is my city now till I die. I absolutely love it."

You will probably know Julie Hesmondhalgh as the legendary actor who took on the much-loved role of trans character Hayley Cropper on ITV’s Coronation Street. 

Julie and host Lisa Morton discuss everything from Julie’s beginnings in Accrington; how she became one of the UK's most cherished performers and how Manchester has now become ‘her city’. You’ll hear about Julie’s deep involvement in local theatre in Greater Manchester, including her key role in the efforts to save Oldham Coliseum theatre from closing forever.

This is a heartwarming conversation about the transformative power of the arts, the importance of activism, and the strength of community.

Julie speaks about the 500 Acts of Kindness project she set up for Greater Mancunians who need them. Click the link above to join the Facebook page and learn how you can help.

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Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre.  From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.

To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.

Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: 

Via our website

On Instagram

On X FKA Twitter

Connect with Julie 

On X

On Instagram

Mentioned in this episode:

We Built This City's partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University

On this episode, We Built This City has partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University.

Manchester Met

"There's a culture of creativity in our city”

Dave Moutrey has been an integral part of Manchester’s arts and cultural scene since the 1980’s. He sits down with host Lisa Morton to discuss his journey to becoming a cornerstone of creativity in the city.  

Lisa hears about Dave’s formative years, where the sparks of his passion for the arts were ignited during memorable trips to London. It was punk that inspired Dave to move to Manchester, a city that would become his canvas for creativity.

In this episode, you’ll hear how he played a pivotal role in establishing the cooperative ‘Arts About Manchester’; how he ran the iconic ‘Corner House’, and led the £25 million move to Manchester’s arts centre HOME. 

Dave tells Lisa about his current work in shaping Manchester's new cultural strategy and together they delve into the significance of creativity, community, and collaboration in making Manchester a cultural hotspot for years to come.

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Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre.  From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.

To celebrate the nearly 28 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.

Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: 

Via our website

On Instagram

On X FKA Twitter

Connect with Dave 

Via Instagram

Via LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

We Built This City's partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University

On this episode, We Built This City has partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University.

Manchester Met

"What ​I ​love ​about ​Manchester, is ​it's ​constantly ​evolving”

Seema Malhotra combines glitz, glamour and proper manc graft.

On this episode of ‘We Built This City’ host Lisa Morton is joined by the co-founder of fashion brand ‘Forever Unique’ and star of the reality show ‘The Real Housewives of Cheshire’. 

Seema candidly shares her experiences of juggling cultural and family expectations whilst trying to find her own identity in Manchester in the 90’s.

 You’ll hear what it was like to establish a clothing brand in the textile quarter of the City and how Seema and her husband worked tirelessly to take it to the heights of the Fashion industry, and ultimately what it was like closing the doors on that brand after 30 years.

They also touch on her unwavering passion for Manchester United and why Roy Keane holds a special place in Seema’s heart.

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Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre.  From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.

To celebrate the nearly 28 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.

Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: 

Via our website

On Instagram

On X FKA Twitter

Connect with Seema

On Instagram

On X

Mentioned in this episode:

We Built This City's partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University

On this episode, We Built This City has partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University.

Manchester Met

‘Girls ​like ​me, ​​they ​just ​don't ​do ​history.’

Dr Michala Hulme is a genealogist and broadcaster connecting people with their family history. In this episode, you’ll learn about the real people from Greater Manchester’s past and how they lived their lives.

Michala has an incredible talent for uncovering family trees, and her mission is to make history accessible and engaging for everyone. 

Host Lisa Morton chats to Michala about her particular interest in the Victorian era of Manchester, her early interest in family history and the obstacles she faced and overcame in her educational pursuits and early career. 

You’ll also learn about the unique experiences she had working on the doors of Manchester nightclubs in the 1990s whilst studying history.

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Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre.  From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.

To celebrate the nearly 28 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.

Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: 

Via our website

On Instagram

On X FKA Twitter

Connect with Michala 

Via her website

On LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

We Built This City's partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University

On this episode, We Built This City has partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University.

Manchester Met

"The whole city centre's my playground."

Take a stroll through Manchester's rich history and it’s vibrant present with Jonathan Schofield, a born and bred Mancunian. From its industrial roots to its modern-day resurgence, Jonathan shares intriguing stories and quotes that capture the essence of Greater Manchester's spirit.

Tour Guide and Editor-at-large of ‘Manchester Confidentials’ Jonathan Schofield uncovers forgotten facts of Greater Manchester, shares his favourite hidden gems of the city region and how to keep people looking back in a city that is rapidly moving forward.

In this episode, you’ll discover alongside host Lisa Morton how the city reigon has evolved over the years, the importance of keeping the stories of Greater Manchester’s places and people alive, don't miss this engaging walk through time and place!

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Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre.  From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.

To celebrate the nearly 28 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.

Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: 

Via our website

On Instagram

On X FKA Twitter

Connect with Johnathan

Via his website

On X

Via Manchester Confidentials

Mentioned in this episode:

We Built This City's partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University

On this episode, We Built This City has partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University.

Manchester Met

Matty is a long-time Manchester resident with an intriguing journey, over his 25 years in the city region he’s become a well-known figure in Manchester's food and drink scene, you may have seen his videos with Manchester’s Finest exploring some of Mnachester’s best food and drink venues.

In this episode hear how Maty went from bartending across Manchester to broadcasting to the region, and what it was like to take on the role of live TV presenter when he landed a gig on Channel 4’s ‘Steph’s Packed Lunch’. This episode is not just about professional achievements but also about the power of resilience and the importance of finding your community.

 Matty opens up to Lisa about the profound impact of learning about his biological father as well as overcoming homelessness as a teen.  These experiences have significantly shaped his perspective on life, raising his own children and led him to help others experiencing homelessness in Manchester through the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity.

Join host Lisa Morton for an inspiring conversation about resilience, community, and the food and drink culture of Manchester.

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Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre.  From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.

To celebrate the nearly 28 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.

Charity Bus Pull - 22nd August

Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: 

Via our website

On Instagram

On X FKA Twitter

Connect with Matty

On Instagram

On X

On YouTube

On LinkedIn 

Mentioned in this episode:

We Built This City's partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University

On this episode, We Built This City has partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University.

Manchester Met

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Greater Manchester with Lisa Morton as she explores the enduring values that make Mancunians remarkable. This episode of 'We Built This City' brings together stories from past guests like Sharon Latham, Siobhan Johnston and Anna Jameson and others who embody the city's spirit of connectivity, generosity, and resilience.

You’ll hear stories of unexpected friendships and connections, career pivots and discover the power of connections, the magic of loyalty, and the spirit that has shaped Manchester's legacy this is an episode that's not just about a city, but about the people who make it great.

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Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre.  From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.

To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.

Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: 

Via our website

On Instagram

On X FKA Twitter

Mentioned in this episode:

We Built This City's partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University

On this episode, We Built This City has partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University.

Manchester Met

Dive into the vibrant world of punk rock, DIY ethos, and the transformative power of music with John Robb an adopted Mancunian who has built a life in the beats and bars of Manchester.

John is a prolific writer who was the first to write books on the likes of the Stone Roses and The Charlatans Discover the untold stories behind the city's gritty rise to musical fame and how John's relentless creativity continues to shape its future.

Join Lisa Morton to hear how a punk kid from the coast became a cornerstone of the city's music scene, and why he believes Manchester's perpetual state of change is its greatest strength.

John is currently on a spoken-word tour and you can find out more about that here.

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Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre.  From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.

To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.

Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: 

Via our website

On Instagram

On X FKA Twitter

Connect with John:

Via ‘Louder Than War’

On X FKA Twitter

On Instagram

Mentioned in this episode:

We Built This City's partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University

On this episode, We Built This City has partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University.

Manchester Met