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LED Confidential

LED Confidential
Local Economic Development
Devolution
Sustainable Development Goals
Poverty
London
Voluntary Local Review
Economic Inequality
Regional Development
Economic Development
Public Works Loan Board
Levelling Up Fund
Labour Party
UK General Election
Greater Manchester
Salford
UK Shared Prosperity Fund
Bristol
Climate Justice
New York City
Carnegie Mellon University

Podcast about local economic development and placemaking. Co-hosted by Mike Spicer of PolicyDepartment and David Marlow of Third Life Economics. Mike, David and guests address the divisive, often unspoken issues facing economic development professionals in 2020s Britain. Website: www.ledconfidential.co.uk

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes111Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Government

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Latest Episodes

What should England’s new Visitor Levy really be used for — growing the visitor economy, boosting wellbeing, or redistributing tourism across Combined Authority areas? David and Mike unpack the Government’s 72‑page consultation, explore why England’s... more

As US–Europe tensions over Greenland flare and then cool (for now), David and Mike ask what this kind of geopolitical dispute really means for local economic development. They unpack how tariff threats, critical minerals, energy security and defence ... more

What does it take to turn a 50km stretch of Scotland’s Firth of Forth into a hub for sustainable growth? CEO Sarah Murray gives LEDC the inside track on the Forth Green Freeport. From unlocking £8 billion in investment and creating 34,000 jobs to emb... more

2026 could be a year of big moves—or big misses for economic development. In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike share their predictions on placemaking, local growth, and the infrastructure bets that could make or break business confidence.

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Recent Guests

Sarah Murray
Chief Executive Officer of the Forth Green Freeport
Forth Green Freeport
Episode: Inclusive growth meets global trade: inside Scotland's Green Freeport model
Dr. Michael Glass
Global researcher on city, region, governance, and infrastructure
University of Pittsburgh
Episode: Innovation Districts 2.0: making growth inclusive
Alex Plant
Chief Executive of Scottish Water
Scottish Water
Episode: Liquid assets: rethinking water’s role in economic development and placemaking
John Denham
Former Southampton Labour MP and government minister, currently a Professorial Research Fellow and Director of the Centre for English Identity and Politics.
University of Southampton
Episode: Total Place 2.0 and the politics of belonging
Paul Swinney
Director of Policy and Research at Centre for Cities
Centre for Cities
Episode: Place before sectors? Rethinking UK industrial strategy with Paul Swinney
Kevin Morgan
Professor at Cardiff University
Cardiff University
Episode: Feeding the future: rethinking local economies through the foundational lens
Emma Frost
Chair of the UK Innovation District Group and Director of Fern Consulting
UK Innovation District Group
Episode: Can Innovation Districts and Knowledge Quarters deliver genuinely inclusive growth?
Henry Kippin
Chief Executive of the North East Combined Authority
North East Combined Authority
Episode: Transforming place-based growth with Mayoral Combined Authorities: insights from NECA CEO Henry Kippin
Dan Thorp
CEO of Cambridge Ahead, a network of major employers across business and academia in the Cambridge City region
Cambridge Ahead
Episode: How to be an effective place champion: lessons in tech-led economic development from Cambridge Ahead

Hosts

Mike Spicer
Co-host of Economic Development discussions, providing insights from his experience in policy.
David Marlow
Co-host of economic development discussions with a focus on community-driven solutions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#208
Sweden/Government
Apple Podcasts
#214
Saudi Arabia/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Inclusive growth meets global trade: inside Scotland's Green Freeport model
Q: What are the key challenges and opportunities for the Forth Green Freeport as it enters operational mode?
Key challenges include securing sufficient power for investments, while opportunities lie in regional economic regeneration and leveraging government support.
Liquid assets: rethinking water’s role in economic development and placemaking
Q: What are the opportunities for the water industry in light of upcoming infrastructure investments?
There is potential for innovative approaches like nature-based solutions and a shift to collaborative planning that could unlock broader economic, social, and environmental benefits.
Liquid assets: rethinking water’s role in economic development and placemaking
Q: How can local and regional leadership teams secure water utilities' contributions to economic goals?
Decision makers need to collaboratively align water utility planning with local development initiatives and actively engage water companies in these discussions.
Reorganising Local Government in England: 17 proposals, 56 councils -zero consensus?
Q: Do we know when the government is expected to signal its preferences for its favoured proposal within each area?
There is speculation that the government may announce preferences around the budget, but clarity is needed before the next proposals due at the end of November.
Total Place 2.0 and the politics of belonging
Q: How do we actually set about doing that?
Denham emphasizes the need to involve the community in discussions about local problems, advocating a more engaged and participatory approach to governance.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About LED Confidential

What is LED Confidential about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on the nuances of local economic development and placemaking, the content explores the intersecting realms of governance, community engagement, and economic strategy in contemporary Britain. The hosts engage with experts and practitioners to shed light on pressing issues such as fiscal devolution, infrastructure investment, and the implications of political changes on local governance. A notable aspect is the inclusion of discussions surrounding inclusivity in economic initiatives, highlighting the importance of community involvement and equitable growth in urban areas. This series is likely to attract professionals in public policy, government administration, and urban planning who are keen on understanding and shaping local econom... more

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1. The Rest Is History

How many episodes of LED Confidential are there?

LED Confidential launched 4 years ago and published 111 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on LED Confidential?

Recent guests on LED Confidential include:

1. Sarah Murray
2. Dr. Michael Glass
3. Alex Plant
4. John Denham
5. Paul Swinney
6. Kevin Morgan
7. Emma Frost
8. Henry Kippin

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