Connected Places

In this episode, we visit a city with a proud sense of identity and a bold vision for the future. Liverpool is famous for its maritime heritage, musical legacy, and vibrant culture. But today it's reimagining itself as a hub for science, technology and inclusive innovation. We explore how civic leaders, entrepreneurs and community voices are driving change, from green shipping corridors and digital connectivity to inclusive growth and skills for the next generation. We hear from Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region; Ruth Wood, CEO of Mersey Maritime; Bill Addy, Chief Executive of Liverpool BID Company; Frank McKenna, CEO of Downtown in Business; Simone Roche, CEO of Northern Power Women; Colin Sinclair and Emily Robson from Knowledge Quarter Liverpool; David Meyerowitz, Chair of the Business and Enterprise Board; Richard Willis from Haskoning; and Mark Wray, Head of Maritime at Connected Places Catapult.

In this episode, we visit a city with a powerful story to tell about invention and reinvention. Bristol, in the southwest of England, is famous for its engineering heritage, creative industries, and independent spirit. Today it is forging a national reputation bold plans for sustainable and inclusive growth. We explore how leaders, entrepreneurs, and community organisations are working together to create a city that works for everyone. We hear from Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council; Claire Reddington, Chief Executive of the Watershed; Ges Rosenberg, Research Fellow at the University of Bristol; Claudette Forbes, Non-Executive Director of Connected Places Catapult; Chris Green, local entrepreneur and skipper with Bristol Community Ferry Boats; Phil Harrison, consultant at Arup; James Cooke, former Deputy Director of Western Gateway; Susan Evans and Brian Wortman from Network Rail; Zoe Banks-Gross, who previously worked with cycling charity Sustrans; and Phil Townley from Rolls Royce. Theme music on this episode is by Phill Ward Music www.phillward.com

In this episode we visit a place with a fascinating story to tell about reimagining the economy of a place. Northeast Ohio in the USA, or the Greater Cleveland region, comprises 30% of the state of Ohio's economy, which is ranked 5th in the US for its business climate, 3rd when it comes to affordability, and second in the country for quality of life. Team NEO (the NEO stand for Northeast Ohio) is the economic development accelerator for the region and the business gateway for trade and investment. Team NEO have been supporters of our Connected Places Summit and they have a fascinating story to tell when it comes to creating new opportunities for innovation and business growth across the region, and how important it is to understand the power of place. So in this episode we spoke to Team NEO's Vice President for Industry Advancement & Engagement, Steve Fritsch, as well as Christine Nelson, Vice President for Project Management & Site Strategies. But we also spoke to their partners across the Greater Cleveland region, including Mayor of Cleveland, Justin Bibb, Baiju Shah, CEO of Greater Cleveland Partnership, Bethia Burke, President of Fund for Our Economic Future, and Ethan Karp, CEO of the Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network (MAGNET). And Lord Rees of Easton, former Mayor of Bristol also shared some reflections from a UK perspective on the role of civic leadership in unlocking economic growth that benefits everyone. Theme music on this episode is by Phill Ward Music (www.phillward.com)  SHOW NOTES: To find out more about Team NEO and how you can get in touch, click here. You can also learn more here about their Were Matters site selection tool that is discussed in the episode. Sessions from the 2024 and 2025 Summits are available to view online, and you can also subscribe to our newsletter now to find out all about our plans for our next Summit in 2026! If you'd like to get in touch with your feedback, comments and suggestions on what you'd like to hear more of on the Connected Places Podcast, please email: [email protected]. We're looking forward to hearing from you. Follow the show!  Don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Please also take a moment to write a review and rate us so that more people can hear about the podcast and what we do at Connected Places Catapult.   

In this episode we meet Dan Labbad, CEO of the Crown Estate - an independent commercial business, created by an Act of Parliament, with a diverse portfolio of UK buildings, shoreline, seabed, forestry, agriculture and common land. Dan sat down with the Chair of the Catapult, Prof. Greg Clark, shortly after giving a keynote address to the Summit our second Connected Places Catapult Summit held in in London on 19-20 March. They discussed the Crown Estate's approach to long-term stewardship, the future of placemaking, the role of innovation and new technologies in creating that future, and the challenges of navigating profound change and uncertainty. Dan has a long background in global property and infrastructure. He previously held senior leadership roles at Lendlease, including CEO for International Operations, where he oversaw business expansion across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Dan has previously served as a Director of the Green Building Council of Australia, and more recently as Chairman of the UK Green Building Council. The recorded sessions from the Summit are now available to view online, and you can also subscribe to our newsletter now to find out all about our plans for our next Summit in 2025!   Connected Places Summit website: https://cp.catapult.org.uk/summit/connected-places-summit-2025-wrapped/  Theme music on this episode is by Phill Ward Music (www.phillward.com) 

In this episode we meet Andrew Barr, President of Hitachi Europe in conversation with Becky Wood at our recent Connected Places Summit, held in London on 19/20 March. Hitachi Europe was one of our strategic Summit partners and we are very grateful for their support. Andrew and Becky sat down in the margins of the Summit to discuss Hitachi's approach to innovation in rail, the work they do in the energy sector, navigating the clean transition, and how data and digital technologies are changing how we think about rail, energy and place. Andrew is President of Hitachi Group's Regional Headquarters for Europe, Middle East & Africa - the company's largest business region outside Japan. He has had a career spanning 20 years at Hitachi, and under his leadership he's played a leading role in shaping the company's global strategy and expansion – and that includes helping governments, cities, and customers cut carbon and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future. Becky is a partner in EY's infrastructure consulting business, and she's lead a number of complex and high-profile transport infrastructure programmes for the UK's Department for Transport, as well as Crossrail, Thameslink, Intercity Express, and the Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade programme. The recorded sessions from the Summit are now available to view online, and you can also subscribe to our newsletter now to find out all about our plans for our next Summit in 2025!   Connected Places Summit website: https://cp.catapult.org.uk/summit/connected-places-summit-2025-wrapped/ Theme music on this episode is by Phill Ward Music (www.phillward.com)