Podcast: Building regional economies that work for everyone – now and in the future

Professor Alice Owen (Sustainability Research Institute, University of Leeds), Felix Kumi-Ampofo (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) and Professor Gary Dymski (Leeds University Business School) discuss what it really means for a regional economy to be successful, looking beyond headline growth figures to questions of inclusion and sustainability. Drawing on UK and US experience, they discuss devolution, fiscal powers, and the challenges of aligning national policy with local priorities in shaping economies fit for the future. 

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Visit the MetroCentral Capacity for Growth project webpage. 

Read the briefing - “Governance for inclusive economic growth in UK cities.” 

The project discussed in this episode is funded by the UK Innovation Caucus. 

This podcast episode was recorded remotely on 7 May 2026. If you would like to get in touch regarding this podcast, please contact research.lubs@leeds.ac.uk. A transcript of this episode is available.    

About the speakers:

Professor Alice Owen is Director of Leeds’ Sustainability Research Institute, the largest group of sustainability researchers in the UK. She brings her experience across policy and business to her research which focuses on how to delivery sustainable construction, and place-based approaches to sustainability.  
 
Felix Kumi-Ampofo is Director of Inclusive Economy, Skills, and Culture at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Felix has over 25 years of experience in policy-making and delivery. Prior to his current role at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Felix’s career had spanned both the public and private sectors including academia, local government, regional development, and international consultancy. 

Professor Gary Dymski is Professor of Applied Economics at Leeds University Business School. He has participated in national projects about how to rebuild macroeconomics and about the productivity paradox in the UK, and is currently the principal investigator of the URKI-funded Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership.