What helps places thrive? Explore how local strengths can create growth, opportunity and prosperity.

Event Overview

Achieving Growth Through the Power of Place

What role does place play in driving economic growth, innovation, and opportunity? As the new PM seeks to “deliver good growth in every postcode”, understanding the unique assets and challenges of specific places has never been more topical or more important. Join academics,and regional stakeholders at the University of Liverpool for an engaging discussion on how places can unlock sustainable and inclusive economic prosperity.

This interactive panel event in partneshipe with the Campaign for Social Sceince will bring together leading voices from business, policy and academia to explore how place-based approaches can help cities and regions unlock growth, attract investment, foster innovation and build long-term economic resilience. Drawing on experiences from Liverpool and beyond, the discussion will consider how local strengths can be harnessed to create sustainable and inclusive growth and what this means for the future of the UK economy.

The event will be chaired by Professor Richard Black, Provost of the University of Liverpool, and forms part of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Festival of Social Science 2026. It will also mark the launch of the Campaign for Social Science' (https://acss.org.uk/campaign-for-social-science/)s new policy report, Achieving Good Growth in the UK.

Whether you are involved in business, policymaking, research, local government, the voluntary sector, or are simply interested in the future of cities and regions, this event offers an opportunity to hear from experts, exchange ideas and join the conversation about how places can realise their full potential.

Chair

Professor Richard Black

Provost, University of Liverpool

Richard Black provides leadership for strategic planning, annual resourcing and budgeting processes in line with the University's Liverpool 2031 strategy. He also leads the University's work on place and innovation, helping align University strategy with growth and innovation across the Liverpool City Region, while supporting its international partnerships in China and India.

Richard joined the University of Liverpool in 2023, having previously served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Social Sciences at the University of Birmingham and as Pro-Director (Research and Enterprise) at SOAS University of London. An internationally recognised scholar, his research has focused on migration, environmental change and international development, and he has advised the United Nations, governments and international organisations around the world.

He is currently Honorary Secretary of the Academy of Social Sciences, a Trustee of Ashanti Development, and a Commissioner on the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission.

Speakers

Susan Jarvis FAcSS

Co-Director, Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place, University of Liverpool

Sue Jarvis is Co-Director of the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place at the University of Liverpool and brings extensive expertise in policy development, public service reform and regional devolution.

With more than 20 years' senior leadership experience in local and regional government, Sue has played a central role in shaping and delivering place-based policy across Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester. Her work focuses on the relationship between policy, place and economic development, and she is actively involved in the Liverpool City Region Health Determinants Research Collaboration.

Philip McCann FAcSS

Sir Terry Leahy Chair of Urban and Regional Economics, Alliance Manchester Business School

Philip McCann is the Sir Terry Leahy Chair of Urban and Regional Economics at the University of Manchester. Specialising in spatial economics and economic geography, he is one of the UK's most highly cited social scientists and a leading authority on regional productivity, growth and economic development.

His advisory work has included roles with the European Commission, OECD, European Investment Bank and national governments. Philip was also a member of Labour's Commission on the UK's Future, chaired by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Colin Sinclair

CEO of Sciontec and Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool)

Colin is the CEO of Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool), which is transforming almost half of Liverpool City Centre into a world-leading innovation district focused on health and education, science and technology, including the £1bn Paddington Village Development. He started his career in the music industry, managing bands and owning nightclubs in Manchester, before moving on to produce major televised events internationally. Colin was CEO of Manchester’s investment agency (MIDAS) and, before taking up his role in KQ Liverpool, was a Director at the property developers Bruntwood, leading its diversification into scien

Description supplied by the event organiser.