In the latest episode of Placecast, Nicola Headlam sits down with Dr Sarah Longlands, Chief Executive of the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES), to explore why place matters more than ever in shaping policy, economy, and community wellbeing. Their conversation offers a compelling case for moving beyond one-size-fits-all solutions and embracing the complexity of local contexts.
Placecast is a Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub 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 2025 can become more manageable.
Guest speaker
Sarah leads CLES, the Centre for Local Economic Strategies, the National Organisation for Local Economies, based in Manchester. She is an expert in regional and local economic development and argues for economic and social justice and the creation of places which enable people to live good lives.
Before joining CLES in 2021, Sarah was Director of IPPR North, the dedicated think tank for the North of England. She previously worked for CLES until 2011 and began her career in local government, working in County Durham and North Yorkshire. She has a PhD in Urban Studies from the University of Glasgow.
Sarah is a member of the LPIP Hub Partnership Team.
Host
Dr Nicola Headlam has more than 20 years of experience working across all aspects of the multi-helix innovation system: central and local government, civil society and campaigning, academic research and knowledge mobilisation, and industry. Along the way, she has honed expertise in urban and regional subnational economic development, the roles of government in making and shaping place, and in 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.
Key takeaways from the conversation
Why Place is a Unifying Force
Place is more than geography—it’s a shared identity that brings people together across sectors and political divides. As Sarah notes, “Whether people agree or not on politics, they can agree on place.” This makes place a powerful driver for collaboration and innovation, especially as national “lever-pulling” approaches fail to address local realities.
Community Wealth Building: A Practical Framework
CLES is best known for its work on community wealth building, a strategic approach to creating inclusive economies. This means:
- Using procurement to support local businesses
- Leveraging land and assets for community benefit
- Investing in workforce development
- Applying creative finance models
The goal? Keep wealth circulating locally, create good jobs, and strengthen resilience.
Devolution and Embracing Complexity
Far from being a problem, governance complexity is a strength. Multi-scalar approaches—working at neighbourhood, city, regional, and national levels—reflect the diversity of challenges across the UK. LPIP (Local Policy Innovation Partnership) exemplifies this by fostering collaboration across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The Cost of Hollowing Out Local Government
Austerity has left deep scars. Sarah cites analysis showing that maintaining 2010-level investment in local services could have added £43 billion annually to GVA. Underfunding local government isn’t just socially damaging—it’s economically irrational.
Relationships, Technology, and the Human Factor
Effective place leadership depends on trust and relationships, which have been eroded by austerity and the pandemic. While technology enabled continuity during COVID, it also narrowed networks and reduced serendipitous collaboration. Physical presence in communities remains irreplaceable for understanding local dynamics.
Spotlighting Solutions
Despite challenges, local innovation thrives:
- Wigan: Transforming care and skills into good jobs
- Leeds & Birmingham: Anchor partnerships promoting health and social care careers
- Salford & Westminster: Progressive procurement and insourcing strategies
These examples show that creativity and courage at the local level can deliver real change.
Learning from Elsewhere
International lessons matter. New Zealand’s Wellbeing Budget and Wales’ Wellbeing of Future Generations Act offer inspiring models for prioritising wellbeing over narrow economic growth. Scotland’s forthcoming Community Wealth Building Bill signals similar ambition.
The Size of the Prize
Animating place isn’t just morally right—it’s economically smart. Reinvesting in local services, empowering local leaders, and embracing complexity could unlock billions in growth while strengthening social cohesion.
Place is where challenges happen—and where solutions must be found. As Sarah puts it, “The politics of division is expensive. It costs billions to hate your neighbour.” Investing in place-based leadership is not optional; it’s essential for a thriving, inclusive future.
Transcript
Find out more about the Local Policy Innovation Partnership Hub.
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this analysis post are those of the author and not necessarily those of City-REDI or the University of Birmingham.
Generative AI was used to summarise the transcript from the podcast to create the introduction and key points for the blog.