Webinar: Lessons in local growth
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Webinar: Lessons in local growth
June 5 @ 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
The Prime Minister has made strategic authorities a key part of his plans for national economic growth, asking metro mayors to produce Local Growth Plans for their regions. Power to Change’s new report, ‘Lessons in local growth’, argues that alongside boosting high growth industries these growth plans provide a timely opportunity to create inclusive growth, by working with organisations in the social economy – like community businesses, co-operatives and social enterprises.
Join Power to Change and regional and local partners as we launch our new report and discuss how strategic authorities can help drive inclusive local growth through partnership and support for local social economy organisations.
Speakers
Nicola Steuer (Chair)
Deputy Chief Executive, Power to Change
Natalie White
Practice and Innovation Manager, Power to Change
Natalie is the lead author of this report. Natalie is a Practice and Innovation Manager at Power to Change, she manages our partnerships with local and regional authorities, and oversees the delivery of a portfolio of activities and investments that shape the conditions for community business and the wider social economy to thrive in place.
Afzal Hussain
Chief Officer, Witton Lodge Community Association
Afzal is Chief Officer at Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) – a dynamic social enterprise and community landlord in Birmingham. Prior to this, he led large-scale urban regeneration schemes in Coventry and Birmingham, during his tenure in local government. He is a staunch advocate of community-led approaches, with a proven track record of driving transformation and impact, most recently through his work on WMCA’s Social Economy Cluster and the creation of Birmingham Community Action Network (B:CAN).
Afzal also undertakes several Board roles. He is a Chair of Birmingham Metropolitan College, Chair of Health Inequalities, Communities and Economies (HICE) Committee at Birmingham and Solihull ICB, and a Member of West Midlands Mayor’s Taskforce on Homes. In 2022, he was appointed Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands.
Jo Leek
Senior Investment Manager, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Kate Duffy
Founder, Junction Point CIC
Kate Duffy is the founder of Junction Point CIC, an infrastructure organisation that supports changemakers to turn bold ideas into lasting impact. With 16 years of experience in the social sector, Kate has worked to strengthen the social economy from the ground up — particularly in places where access to support is patchy or postcode-dependent. She leads the North East Changemakers community and is currently developing nationally recognised qualifications to professionalise support for social entrepreneurs. Kate is passionate about championing practical solutions that ensure purpose-led people have the tools, networks, and confidence to lead sustainable change.
Catch up on the webinar:
If you missed us, you can catch up on the panel discussion.
Jo is Senior Investment Manager at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, specialising in social investment, business support and people projects. She has 18 years professional experience across various sectors including financial services, business support and energy. Her experience spans across private and public sector, social economy and higher education.
She was awarded her PhD in 2019 which looked at the role of social enterprise in wider system transformation. Her PhD, along with diverse professional background gives her a holistic view of the complexities and interdependencies that exist within Economic Development. She also is a Director for the Institute of Economic Development.