Placecast Episode 18: Community-Driven Economic Growth in Wales

Placecast Episode 18: Community-Driven Economic Growth in Wales

In Episode 18 of Placecast, Nicola Headlam interviews Professor Calvin Jones, a LPIP Hub Place Fellow working on sustainability and regional economics in Wales. The discussion explores how devolved governance in Wales is evolving, particularly in areas such as fiscal powers, wellbeing policy, and green transition. Cavlin argues that traditional growth-led economic models are failing to deliver for local communities and highlights the need for place-based, community-driven approaches. The conversation illustrates how grassroots initiatives such as community energy schemes in northwest Wales and the Welcome to Our Woods project in Treherbert demonstrate the power of local assets, collective action, and long-term thinking. Jones emphasises that policy success depends on understanding local context, embedding evidence in decision-making, and avoiding one-size-fits-all solutions borrowed from elsewhere. They also reflect on the importance of “brokers” who translate knowledge into action, the role of future-focused policymaking, and the need for better land use planning. Overall, the episode advocates for a more holistic, place-sensitive approach to economic development and governance that prioritises wellbeing, sustainability, and community resilience. GUEST SPEAKERS PROFESSOR CALVIN JONES Managing Director, Jones the Numbers LTD Calvin is a specialist in regional development, sustainability and energy economics. He holds a PhD in the Economics of Tourism and Major Events and is a specialist in economic and environmental accounting and modelling. He has been involved in the development of a number of measurement tools for sustainability. He manages Jones the Numbers Ltd, and additionally is Adjunct Professor at Cork University Business School and a non-executive Director at Natural Resources Wales. He has written and spoken extensively on sustainable development, regional policy and energy transformations. Possibly too extensively. Calvin is a failed novelist, rock star and screenwriter, but served a successful and rewarding (if short) period in Nelson Mandela's security detail. He is a winner of both the Moss Madden Medal in Regional Science, and the People's Choice Award at the 1996 Milwaukee International Snow Sculpting Championships, representing Cymru. View Calvin's LinkedIn profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/profcalvinjones/%20] HOST DR NICOLA HEADLAM 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. View Nicola's LinkedIn Profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-headlam-26451711/] Find out more about the LPIP Hub [https://lpiphub.bham.ac.uk/]. Transcript from the podcast [https://blog.bham.ac.uk/lpip/wp-content/uploads/sites/140/2026/06/Placecast-Episode-18-Transcript.pdf] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Placecast Episode 17: Trust and Place-Based Innovation

In this episode of Placecast, presenter Dr Gerardo Javier Arriaga-Garcia is joined by Nina Ruddle and Sophie Cloutterbuck to explore what really enables innovation to take root in places as different as North Wales and London. Together, they argue that successful place-based development is not driven primarily by infrastructure or investment, but by relationships, trust and the often overlooked “glue work” of convening, translating and connecting people across systems. Drawing on their experiences, they highlight how these relational skills, alongside time, patience and meaningful engagement with communities, are essential to building effective partnerships and delivering change. The episode ultimately calls for a shift in how policy and research value this work, placing people, participation and trust at the centre of innovation and long-term impact. GUEST SPEAKERS NINA RUDDLE Head of Public Policy Engagement, Wrexham Glyndŵr University 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 WU’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. In her other roles, Nina is Vice Chair of the Civic Mission Network for Wales & Wrexham and Flintshire Public Service Board, a member of the Partnership Board for Actif North Wales, a member of 2025 social movement and Chair of Mold Netball Club. View Nina’s Full Profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nina-ruddle-44512711/?originalSubdomain=uk] SOPHIE CLOUTTERBUCK Director of London Engagement and the London Met Lab: Empowering London at London Metropolitan University Sophie is the Director of London Engagement and the London Met Lab: Empowering London at London Metropolitan University. She spearheads the Civic and Community stream of the University’s strategy and is a dedicated advocate for civic engagement. Her commitment to community impact is reflected in her numerous roles and affiliations. She is a member of the UK’s National Civic University Advisory Board and Chair of London Higher’s Civic Network, working to strengthen collaboration and innovation within the higher education sector. Sophie’s work is rooted in a deep understanding of the symbiotic relationship between academia and community. She collaborates with colleagues across the University and the wider community to ensure London Met fulfils its role as a civic institution, providing students with opportunities to develop into value-driven leaders. View Sophie’s online profile [https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/profiles/staff/sophie-cloutterbuck/] DR GERARDO ARRIAGA-GARCIA Dr Gerardo Arriaga-Garcia is a Research Fellow in the City-Region Economic Development Institute [https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/centres-institutes/city-region-economic-development-institute] (City-REDI), at Birmingham 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. Dr Arriaga-Garcia's current research focuses on co-creating actionable policy recommendations, advancing the academic discourse on place-based innovation, and performing in-depth data analysis to design novel intellectual models and methodologies that drive impactful change. Visit Gerardo's research profile [https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/business/garcia-gerrdo] Find out more about the LPIP Hub [https://lpiphub.bham.ac.uk/]. Transcript from the podcast [https://blog.bham.ac.uk/lpip/wp-content/uploads/sites/140/2026/06/Placecast-Episode-17-Transcript.pdf] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Placecast Episode 16: Beyond Publications - Building Research Careers That Matter

In this episode of PlaceCast, Rebecca Riley talks to Dr Conor O’Carroll about how research careers need to evolve to better support place-based policy and real-world impact. Dr O'Carroll argues that traditional academic pathways, particularly the PhD as a route into academia, are no longer fit for purpose, with most researchers working beyond universities. The conversation highlights the need to move away from narrow publication-based assessment toward recognising skills, collaboration, and societal impact. The episode emphasises stronger partnerships, placements, and cross-sector mobility as key to connecting research with local economies. Overall, it calls for a more flexible, skills-focused research system that delivers greater value for people and places. Placecast is a Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub [https://lpiphub.bham.ac.uk/] 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 2026 can become more manageable. GUEST SPEAKER DR CONOR O’CARROLL Dr Conor O'Carroll is Director of SciPol Services Limited. As an independent consultant on research and higher education policy and funding, he focuses on researchers' career development with special attention to doctoral education and career assessment. He began his career as a physicist, graduating from University College Dublin with a BSc and MSc, and later pursued a PhD in Italy at the University of Pavia and the European Joint Research Centre, IPSRA. He's a lead assessor for the EC Human Resource Excellence in Research Award and has worked on revising the European Researchers' Charter and Code. He's led European policy initiatives on open science and doctoral training, such as the development of the European Innovative Doctoral Training Principles and the European Framework for Research Careers. Dr O'Carroll is an active researcher on national and European research policy, R&D, higher education, and researcher mobility policy, and is an accomplished commentator on R&D and higher education policy and funding. Recently, he led a year-long study on implementing the new European Charter for Researchers with 16 countries. View Dr O'Carroll's LinkedIn profile. [http://linkedin.com/in/conor-o-carroll-research?originalSubdomain=ie] HOST REBECCA RILEY Professor Rebecca (Bec) Riley is Co-Director of City-REDI [https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/city-redi], Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Regional Engagement, Director of the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub [https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/city-redi/lpiphub], and Professor of Enterprise, Engagement, and Impact at the University of Birmingham’s Business School. Bec joined the University of Birmingham nine years ago to set up City-REDI, to build a distinctive local, regional, national and international research platform through the development of a Birmingham approach to understanding and facilitating growth in city regions. View Rebecca’s Full Profile [https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/business/riley-rebecca] Find out more about the LPIP Hub [https://lpiphub.bham.ac.uk/]. Transcript from the podcast [https://blog.bham.ac.uk/lpip/wp-content/uploads/sites/140/2026/06/PlaceCast-Ep.-16-–-Beyond-Publications-Building-Research-Careers-That-Matter-Transcript.pdf] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Placecast Episode 15: Data, Devolution and Delivery

In the latest episode of Placecast, host Dr Nicola Headlam is joined by Richard Jeffery, National Director at GC Insight and long‑standing leader in local economic development, and Nathan Shoesmith, Economic Consultant at GC Insight, specialising in data‑driven economic development and place‑based strategy. Together, they explore a deceptively simple question with profound implications for policy and practice: what actually makes places grow? The conversation ranges from mayoral devolution and business support to data literacy, optimism in tough policy environments, and the often‑overlooked power of foundational economies. What emerges is a compelling case for putting evidence, place and people back at the heart of growth. Placecast is a Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub [https://lpiphub.bham.ac.uk/] 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 2026 can become more manageable. GUEST SPEAKERS RICHARD JEFFERY Richard Jeffery is National Director at GC Insight, part of The Growth Company, with over 25 years’ experience designing and delivering enterprise and business support programmes across the UK. Richard is an economic development leader, skilled in business growth, international trade and investment, business planning, strategic planning, business development and funding. He is leading the national expansion of The Growth Company’s support services, providing advisory services to local areas, government departments and private partners on how best to design and deliver business growth programmes. He founded the UK’s first Growth Hub, which became the blueprint for the national network, and has since led major programmes supporting thousands of businesses to start, grow and innovate. He has also been at the forefront of data-led innovations such as Growth Flag. View Richard's LinkedIn profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanshoesmith/] NATHAN SHOESMITH Nathan Shoesmith is a Consultant at GC Insight, specialising in data‑driven economic development and place‑based strategy. He leads on insights and analysis across the UK for Growth Flag, a predictive business growth tool supporting local and national decision‑making on business support, place-making and investment. Nathan has a proven track record in analysing complex datasets and government policies, and is an experienced communicator, author, and TEDx speaker. In 2025, Nathan was named Institute of Economic Development Rising Star of the Year in recognition of his work in local and national economies, as well as leadership in data innovation, youth and mental health advocacy. View Nathan's LinkedIn profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanshoesmith/] HOST Dr Nicola Headlam  Nicola 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. View Nicola's LinkedIn Profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-headlam-26451711/] Find out more about the LPIP Hub [https://lpiphub.bham.ac.uk/]. Transcript from the podcast [https://blog.bham.ac.uk/lpip/wp-content/uploads/sites/140/2026/05/Placecast-Episode-15-summary-transcript.pdf] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Placecast Episode 14 - Power, Trust, and Community Organising in Birmingham

How do communities move from being consulted to being genuinely heard? What does it take to turn knowledge into influence, and influence into action? And what happens when universities, civil society and local leaders commit to working together over the long term rather than through short-term projects? In this episode of Placecast, we explore these questions through a rich conversation grounded in Birmingham and shaped by decades of lived experience. Bringing together Angela Jeffery, Saidul Haque Saeed and Professor Sara Jones, the discussion focuses on community organising, civic leadership and the often-unseen relational work that makes meaningful change possible. Rather than abstract theory, the podcast draws on concrete examples from neighbourhoods, institutions and campaigns that have reshaped how power operates at a local level. Placecast is a Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub [https://lpiphub.bham.ac.uk/] 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 2026 can become more manageable. GUEST SPEAKERS Angela Jeffery Angela Jeffery has been working at the interface between communities, universities, business and the public sector for the last 25 years. She is the Co-Chair of Birmingham Citizens UK, (an alliance of Faith, Education, Community and Union partners), Director at the Blesst Centre (a social enterprise focussed on supporting young people’s mental and physical health), Executive Director at Saathi House (a women’s charity in Aston focussed on empowering local women and young people to achieve their full potential and contribute positively to society) and Programme Lead with Community Connexions at Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust.  Visit Angela’s LinkedIn profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-jeffery-7901384/] Saidul Haque Saeed Saidul Haque Saeed is the Lead Organiser for Citizens UK, supervising its work in the West Midlands and supporting the development of professional organisers and civil society leaders. Visit Saidul's LinkedIn profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/saidulhaquesaeed/] Professor Sara Jones Sara Jones is Professor of Languages, Cultures and Societies at the University of Birmingham. Her current research focuses on the intersection of memory studies and migration studies with a focus on Europe’s East. Sara is the academic lead for major cultural and community partnership initiatives. HOST Dr Nicola Headlam  Nicola 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. View Nicola's LinkedIn Profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-headlam-26451711/] Find out more about the LPIP Hub [https://lpiphub.bham.ac.uk/]. Transcript from the podcast [http://blog.bham.ac.uk/lpip/wp-content/uploads/sites/140/2026/05/Placecast-Episode-14-Transcript-final.pdf] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.