We Built This City: Greater Manchester

What does it take to run one of the UK's most ambitious city regions?Caroline Simpson, Group Chief Executive of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, joins Lisa Morton to share how the region is turning devolution into real, tangible change for people's lives.Caroline has helped shape some of the most significant developments in Greater Manchester in recent years, including the Bee Network; the region's locally run public transport system. She also played a central role in developing the Greater Manchester Strategy, a plan that brings the public, private, and voluntary sectors together around a single, shared vision.You'll hear how the Greater Manchester Combined Authority identified the need for the Good Growth Fund, and how they're positioning the region as a compelling destination for outside investment. Caroline also explores what it means in practice to ensure that growth reaches all ten Greater Manchester Boroughs, so that no community is left behind.With the world watching the city’s growth, development and leadership, Lisa and Caroline also reflect on what Caroline believes will define Greater Manchester's next decade.--------------------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 30 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 Caroline and GMCAVia Caroline’s LinkedIn Via GMCA LinkedInVia GMCA InstagramConnect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:Via our websiteOn InstagramOn X Thanks to our partners on this episode of We Built This City, Car Finance 247. You can visit CarFinance247.co.uk or follow Car Finance 247 on LinkedIn to find out more about them.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for Manchester United and the region” Collette Roche is the Chief Operating Officer of Manchester United, the first woman ever to hold that role at the club. Along the way, she’s had to navigate male-dominated environments; hold tough conversations, and lead with clarity and empathy since she was 21 years old.Collette’s story isn’t just about football. She’s played key roles in some of Manchester’s most important institutions; from Manchester Airport Group and Manchester Metropolitan University to JW Lees,  The Northern Powerhouse Partnership, UA92 and The Manchester United Foundation.Host Lisa Morton hears about Collette’s journey from working-class roots in Haydock, to leading one of the most renowned football clubs in the world.  Collette’s been a steady hand through years of change, during which she’s seen five managers come and go.  She’s now at the heart of one of the most ambitious projects in the club’s history: a planned new stadium for the club and an ambitious regeneration programme for Old Trafford which will leave a lasting impact on Greater Manchester as well as its fans.From working-class roots in Haydock to leading one of the most renowned football clubs in the world, Collette’s story is one leading with purpose and integrity.Part of this conversation was recorded live at Business Desk’s The Business of Greater Manchester Conference, and it captures how Collette is helping to build not just a new stadium, but a stronger Manchester for generations to come.------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 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 websiteOn InstagramOn this episode, We Built This City has partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University. Wherever your business wants to be, Manchester Met is there to help you go further. Visit mmu.ac.uk/business or follow Business at Manchester Met on LinkedIn, to find out more.

"It's all about connecting people and place to opportunity."Tom Stannard is the Chief Executive of Manchester City Council. A proud public servant, he began his career in London, but his journey in the North West has been a tale of two cities. Tom left Salford four months ago to start his new role in Manchester.Find out how Tom leads with a community first mindset; humility, purpose and humour, including a commitment to staying grounded, even if that means posing for a photo next to some fly-tipping!In this episode, Lisa Morton explores what it means to lead a global city with local people at its heart. Tom shares how his experiences in Salford have shaped his approach to inclusive regeneration, why he believes that listening to community voices is key to effective policymaking, and how his family values have influenced his leadership journey. From site visits in Miles Platting to gigs in Co-op Live, Tom proves that civic leadership can have both steel and soul.You’ll hear how regeneration can serve every part of a city, not just its centre and what Tom and his team have planned for Greater Manchester in the next 10 years. This is a conversation about building a fairer Manchester, one that’s ambitious, inclusive, and connected to the people who call it home.------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 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 TomVia LinkedInConnect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our websiteOn InstagramOn X FKA TwitterOn this episode, We Built This City has partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University. Wherever your business wants to be, Manchester Met is there to help you go further. Visit mmu.ac.uk/business or follow Business at Manchester Met on LinkedIn, to find out more.

In this special episode, Lisa Morton revisits one of the most powerful conversations from the podcast to date — her 2022 interview with Figen Murray OBE.Figen practises kindness and teaches resilience in an effort to build a safer, more united society — one rooted in trust, respect, and compassion. After losing her son Martyn Hett in the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017, she gave up her career as a therapist to study counter-terrorism and speak to young people about the dangers of online radicalisation.Originally recorded ahead of the fifth anniversary of the attack, Figen shares a deeply personal account of that harrowing night and the difficult months that followed. She reflects on the power of forgiveness, the need to understand those who’ve been led astray, and how small, everyday acts of kindness can have a monumental impact on our communities.Now, in 2025 Figen has had a very busy 3 years and she tells Lisa about the journey she’s made since that first conversation — including the landmark achievement of Martyn’s Law receiving Royal Assent, you’ll hear what that means for everyone going to live events in the future and how the legislation will keep the public safe.She speaks powerfully about the need for improved security at public venues, what it’s really like to work with government, raise public awareness, and ensure that no other family has to endure the same pain. This episode is a moving reminder of the enduring legacy of Martyn Hett and how the spirit of Manchester continues to drive unity, resilience, and change.------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 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 websiteOn InstagramOn X FKA TwitterOn this episode, We Built This City has partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University. Wherever your business wants to be, Manchester Met is there to help you go further. Visit mmu.ac.uk/business or follow Business at Manchester Met on LinkedIn, to find out more.

"If you want something, you can't sit there and wait for someone to put it in your hand for you."In this episode, Lisa sat down with Victoria Braddock, the Managing Director of Marketing Manchester, Lisa heard how she and her team are putting Manchester’s brand on the global stage. Victoria shares what it was like growing up in Manchester, offering ‘backies’ into town on her brother's bike as a kid, her career journey from Wimpy burger as a teenager to joining ‘Marketing Manchester’ over 20 years ago, find out what has made her ambitious to stay!From major international campaigns to the power of local stories, Victoria reveals what she’s learnt from positioning Manchester as a must-visit destination for tourists, businesses, and investors alike. Whether you're a business owner, marketer, or a proud Mancunian, this episode will give you an insider’s look at how strategic storytelling fuels the city’s growth. ------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 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 Victoria:On LinkedInOn Marketing Manchester's LinkedInVia Marketing Mancheter's WebsiteConnect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our websiteOn InstagramOn X FKA TwitterOn this episode, We Built This City has partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University. Wherever your business wants to be, Manchester Met is there to help you go further. Visit mmu.ac.uk/business or follow Business at Manchester Met on LinkedIn, to find out more.

"Legacy isn't about monuments or headlines. It's about impact."Join Lisa Morton in a reflective episode of "We Built This City" as she delves into the themes of values and legacy. This special episode revisits conversations with some of the guests who have joined Lisa on  “We Built This City” over the past year, including Gethen Jones and Julie Hesmondhalgh. Learn how Manchester's unique character shapes their sense of purpose and legacy. You’ll hear stories of community support, creativity and collaboration and Lisa speaks to the importance of leaving a lasting impact. As 2024 comes to a close let’s celebrate the resilience, creativity, and collective spirit that defines Greater Manchester.------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 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 websiteOn InstagramOn X FKA TwitterMentioned in this episode:Thanks to our partners for this episode of We Built This City, Car Finance 247. You can visit CarFinance247.co.uk or follow Car Finance 247 on LinkedIn to find out more about them.

“Everything we do is all about relationships”We Built This City host Lisa Morton isn't the one asking the questions this week, she shares with you her conversation on the  3:00AM Conversations podcast from international Law firm Hill Dickinson.Hosts Peter Jackson and Anjon Mallik hear how Lisa made her way as a young female entrepreneur in the 1990’s, to become a leader in communications in Manchester.  They uncover how, inspired by James Kerr’s “Legacy”, Lisa and her team developed a business that’s committed to its values, purpose and legacy. They learn about Lisa’s resilience, her fight against perfectionism, and the values she and her team live by that drive business success.’Click here to follow and listen to more 3:00AM ConversationsMentioned in this episode:Thanks to our partners for this episode of We Built This City, Car Finance 247. You can visit CarFinance247.co.uk or follow Car Finance 247 on LinkedIn to find out more about them.

"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. ------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 websiteOn InstagramOn X FKA TwitterConnect with Nicola and Essence Media Com NorthOn LinkedInOn InstagramMentioned in this episode:Thanks to our partners for this episode of We Built This City, Car Finance 247. You can visit CarFinance247.co.uk or follow Car Finance 247 on LinkedIn to find out more about them.