"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-t...
Jun 19, 2025•46 min
What does it take to power a greener future for Manchester? Amer Gaffar is the Director of the Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre at Manchester Metropolitan University, a research hub developing hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, which will support Greater Manchester's goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2038. Lisa and Amer discuss exactly what a ‘fuel cell’ is and how hydrogen can power Manchester's next revolution; a green revolution. You’ll hear Lisa uncover Amer’s vision for a cleaner, ...
Jun 04, 2025•43 min
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 radica...
May 22, 2025•1 hr 15 min
"Peace is an ongoing journey; it never ends." What motivates somebody to tackle Manchester’s biggest problems? Professor Erinma Bell MBE joins host Lisa Morton to share what drove her to create change at a time when the city region was being called ‘Gunchester’ and the values that have kept her on that mission for the past 25 years. Erinma is a peace activist, community leader, and councillor for Manchester City Council. In the late 1990s, Erinma was part of a community group in Moss Side that w...
May 07, 2025•50 min
"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 yea...
Apr 23, 2025•48 min
"We always look out for each other in Manchester, no matter what." Five years ago Lisa Morton launched the ‘We Built This City’ podcast in an aim to connect with born, bred and adopted Mancunians who have helped to shape this city region, not just with bricks and mortar but with their impact too. It’s impossible to reflect back on that time without acknowledging the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on Greater Manchester and the world, so in this episode, you’ll hear Lisa reconnect with early guests...
Mar 31, 2025•28 min
"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 ...
Dec 11, 2024•25 min
Gethin Jones shares his morning with the nation right from Manchester City centre. In this episode, you’ll hear how Gethin’s Welsh roots have been entwined with Manchester since the late 90’s first coming here as a student. You’ll learn how Gethin has been immersing himself in the community here for the past few years through his work both on-screen and off, as he’s settled in Greater Manchester. Lisa and Gethin discuss his unplanned foray into TV presenting, starting his career in double denim ...
Nov 27, 2024•48 min
“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 ...
Nov 20, 2024•45 min
Remembering the legacy left by Sir Howard Bernstein This week Lisa attended the memorial for Sir Howard Bernstein, impacted by the emotions, tributes shared and lasting values. She wanted to re-share with you their conversation on the podcast. As the Chief Executive of Manchester City Council for nearly 20 years, Sir Howard was instrumental in getting the city back on its feet after the IRA bomb in 1996. He then carried on his regeneration mission for almost two decades, galvanising public and p...
Nov 13, 2024•1 hr 2 min
"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 aroun...
Oct 30, 2024•39 min
"The whole point about building a city is it isn’t one person’s project.” Colin Shenton is the founder and CEO of Shenton Group, a property company he started in Manchester in the late 1980s, when the city looked and worked very differently. You’ll hear about the deal Colin made the very beginning of his career, and how he handled the restoration of a heritage building aged just 21. Colin shares with Lisa his passion for revitalising some of Manchester’s oldest buildings, blending the old with t...
Sep 18, 2024•45 min
“This is my city now till I die. I absolutely love it." You will probably know Julie Hesmondhalgh as the legendary actor who took on the much-loved role of trans character Hayley Cropper on ITV’s Coronation Street. Julie and host Lisa Morton discuss everything from Julie’s beginnings in Accrington; how she became one of the UK's most cherished performers and how Manchester has now become ‘her city’. You’ll hear about Julie’s deep involvement in local theatre in Greater Manchester, including her ...
Sep 04, 2024•53 min
"There's a culture of creativity in our city” Dave Moutrey has been an integral part of Manchester’s arts and cultural scene since the 1980’s. He sits down with host Lisa Morton to discuss his journey to becoming a cornerstone of creativity in the city. Lisa hears about Dave’s formative years, where the sparks of his passion for the arts were ignited during memorable trips to London. It was punk that inspired Dave to move to Manchester, a city that would become his canvas for creativity. In this...
Aug 21, 2024•42 min
"What I love about Manchester, is it's constantly evolving” Seema Malhotra combines glitz, glamour and proper manc graft. On this episode of ‘We Built This City’ host Lisa Morton is joined by the co-founder of fashion brand ‘Forever Unique’ and star of the reality show ‘The Real Housewives of Cheshire’. Seema candidly shares her experiences of juggling cultural and family expectations whilst trying to find her own identity in Manchester in the 90’s. You’ll hear what it was like to establi...
Aug 07, 2024•53 min
‘Girls like me, they just don't do history.’ Dr Michala Hulme is a genealogist and broadcaster connecting people with their family history. In this episode, you’ll learn about the real people from Greater Manchester’s past and how they lived their lives. Michala has an incredible talent for uncovering family trees, and her mission is to make history accessible and engaging for everyone. Host Lisa Morton chats to Michala about her particular interest in the Victorian era of Manchester, he...
Jul 17, 2024•51 min
"The whole city centre's my playground." Take a stroll through Manchester's rich history and it’s vibrant present with Jonathan Schofield, a born and bred Mancunian. From its industrial roots to its modern-day resurgence, Jonathan shares intriguing stories and quotes that capture the essence of Greater Manchester's spirit. Tour Guide and Editor-at-large of ‘Manchester Confidentials’ Jonathan Schofield uncovers forgotten facts of Greater Manchester, shares his favourite hidden gems of the city re...
Jul 03, 2024•42 min
Matty is a long-time Manchester resident with an intriguing journey, over his 25 years in the city region he’s become a well-known figure in Manchester's food and drink scene, you may have seen his videos with Manchester’s Finest exploring some of Mnachester’s best food and drink venues. In this episode hear how Maty went from bartending across Manchester to broadcasting to the region, and what it was like to take on the role of live TV presenter when he landed a gig on Channel 4’s ‘Steph’s Pack...
Jun 19, 2024•50 min
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Greater Manchester with Lisa Morton as she explores the enduring values that make Mancunians remarkable. This episode of 'We Built This City' brings together stories from past guests like Sharon Latham, Siobhan Johnston and Anna Jameson and others who embody the city's spirit of connectivity, generosity, and resilience. You’ll hear stories of unexpected friendships and connections, career pivots and discover the power of connections, the magic of loyalty, and th...
Apr 17, 2024•18 min
Dive into the vibrant world of punk rock, DIY ethos, and the transformative power of music with John Robb an adopted Mancunian who has built a life in the beats and bars of Manchester. John is a prolific writer who was the first to write books on the likes of the Stone Roses and The Charlatans Discover the untold stories behind the city's gritty rise to musical fame and how John's relentless creativity continues to shape its future. Join Lisa Morton to hear how a punk kid from the coast became a...
Apr 03, 2024•48 min
“We look after the community and try to grow Manchester” Julie Twist is a property pioneer who has been helping to shape the city's skyline since 1994. In this episode of "We Built This City," Julie recounts her unexpected leap from supermarket employee to city centre property specialist celebrating 30 years of her company, Julie Twist Properties. Discover alongside host Lisa Morton how Julie took on a male-dominated industry aged only 23, and what it was like to navigate a business through hist...
Mar 20, 2024•43 min
“All of these formidable women, it’s amazing” To mark International Women’s Day 2024, Lisa Morton is asking some of Greater Manchester’s most inspiring role models what they are both celebrating and campaigning for in 2024. In this special episode of We Built This City, Lisa explores what’s changing for women across boardrooms, classrooms, changing rooms and dancefloors. You’ll hear from Jane Kenyon , founder of Girls Out Loud, Radio 1’s Victoria Jane , Zalena Vandrewala, chair of Women of the Y...
Mar 07, 2024•26 min
“Music is all around us in Manchester. It really is!” Join Host Lisa Morton as one of Manchester Music’s most influential figures DJ Paulette shares stories of breaking barriers and beats in a male-dominated industry, from blagging a lifetime Hacienda membership to spinning records at the city's most iconic venues. In this episode, Paulette reflects on the legendary “Flesh” club night the Hacienda's first gay event, where Paulette’s soundtracking helped to create cultural shifts and the unforget...
Feb 28, 2024•47 min
“We couldn’t have picked a better city to build this arena” Dive into the electrifying world of live events with Sam Piccione. Sam is the President International of Oak View Group, the company behind the much-anticipated Co-Op Live Arena. Sam’s work has taken him from the United States to China, London, and now Manchester, where he's helping to create a new state-of-the-art venue. Sam and host Lisa Morton discuss his journey from music-loving New Jersey kid to key player in the global live event...
Feb 14, 2024•43 min
“You can have such a laugh with Manchester artists” Yvonne Shelton’s musical career is as rich and varied as the city itself. Her voice has echoed through the city's vibrant music scene for the past 40 years. She has performed as a backing singer for global stars, provided vocals for some of Manchester’s best-known artists and sang centre stage as part of the much-loved Hacienda Classical. Yvonne's journey is a melody of resilience, community, and is a testament to the city's nurturing soul and ...
Jan 31, 2024•43 min
“All good cities don’t turn their back on the river” Dive into the transformational journey of Manchester's urban landscape. John Hughes has been a key player in the city's development for the past 20 years in his role at Ask Real Estate. John started work just days after leaving university in 1997 when the city was still recovering from the IRA bomb. He’s since shaped some of the city's groundbreaking developments, like First Street, HOME and Embankment. From the days of post-industrial decline...
Jan 17, 2024•44 min
“We're finding our feet again as a city.” Lisa Morton is in the process of talking to one hundred born, bred and adopted Mancunians that have been - and are - the building blocks of Greater Manchester. At the start of a new year it’s time to both reflect and look forward. Who’s going to be running the city? What are the events we'll be looking forward to? And how is Manchester’s skyline going to change? Lisa’s joined by Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, Joanne Roney OBE CBE; Entreprene...
Jan 03, 2024•27 min
“I just love telling people’s stories” When Michael Taylor left Lancaster for university studies in Manchester, he gained more than a sociology degree - he found a city to call home, a true adopted Manc. Experience 1980s Manchester through Michael's memories of the clubs, relationships and a cultural vibrancy he came to embrace and love. What did Michael learn from being at the heart of the city’s business world as the editor of Business Insider, and what are the valuable lessons that have infor...
Dec 13, 2023•43 min
“I started listing what I needed from a childcare provider” When Jennie Johnson’s childcare plans fell through on a work trip to London, she had a lightbulb moment that led her to create a hugely successful business. Jennie founded the children’s nursery chain Kids Allowed. By the time she sold that business, 20 years later, Kids Allowed was providing childcare services for over 2000 kids a week. Jennie is now the co-founder of My First Five years. It’s an app that gives parents the information ...
Nov 29, 2023•49 min
“I came here with a blank page to be written on” PR mogul Andy Spinoza came to Manchester from London in 1979, drawn by the city’s radical history, its growing music scene and the urge to find a place to “fit”. Lisa Morton finds out how he tried and failed to interview Tony Wilson in a front room in Rusholme’s Moon Grove, what it was like to launch the alternative magazine “City Life” and why he described himself as “Manchester’s human pinball” during his time working as the diary columnist for ...
Nov 15, 2023•50 min
