We Built This City: Greater Manchester
by Roland Dransfield
Incredible conversations with the Mancunians - born, bred and adopted - who put the heart into Modern Manchester.We Built This City focuses on how these extraordinary Mancunians have built something that impacts lives and the purposeful relationships that have helped steer them, the values that have driven them to do it, and the legacies they plan to leave behind.Celebrate human grit, determination, loyalty, and diversity across culture, arts, politics, sport, music and business.Lisa Morton interviews Mancunian icons like Andy Burnham, John Thomson, Gary Neville, Sacha Lord, Stacey Copeland, Clint Boon, Sir Richard Leese, Diane Modahl MBE, Ged King, Chris Brindley MBE, Carl Austin-Behan OBE, Karina Jadhav, Joanne Roney OBE and Sir Howard Bernstein.
Episodes
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Manc Returns: Clint Boon - Raising Manchester’s Boon Army
“I've learned you need to appreciate things you've created and not be afraid to celebrate them at every opportunity.” Manchester legend Clint Boon has spent five decades at the heart of the city’s music scene, and now he’s put it all down on paper in his new book, The Manchester Chronicles: True...
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Manc 108: Jo Walby - The Manc Planting Seeds of Hope
"Our job is to create as many opportunities as possible." Jo Walby is the CEO of Mustard Tree, the Manchester charity fighting poverty and homelessness. Every month, more than 11,000 people walk through its doors and the charity provides food, clothes and furniture for those who need it. It also...
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Manc 107: Anthony Thompson - The Manc Who Delivers A Different Route
‘Creating nurture for people who’ve never had it” What happens when education is built around people instead of qualifications? Introducing Manchester’s dreamer who’s creating a movement that is changing the educational system not just in this city region, but across the world. Anthony Thompson…
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Manc 106 - Gareth Shenton - The Manc about Town
“ I'm interested in people's stories. I want to know where they've come from. I want to know what they're up to, what makes them tick.” Meet Gareth Shenton, the Manc who’ll always welcome you to his table and creates atmospheres you want to be a part of. Gareth is Operations Director at Shenton...
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The Compound Effect of Being Generous - Blooming North with Lisa Morton
The best networks aren’t built by asking; they’re built by giving. We Built This City host Lisa Morton was invited to be a guest on another great Manchester podcast, Blooming North, and you can hear that conversation in this episode. Lisa joined 'Coach to the North' Lisa Hughes on the most recent...
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Argh Kid on Caroline Aherne: A Love Letter to A Rebel in Disguise
”She was a quiet rebel in class, a diamond sifter in a gravel pit." Caroline Aherne left Manchester with a comedic legacy that went on to redefine British TV. One of the many people she inspired is Dave Scott, the poet and author who you might know better as Argh Kid. Dave’s latest book ‘Rebel in...
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Manc 105: Mike Pickering - The Manc Who Made Manchester Move On Up
”Our songs were all about how I felt being Mancunian” What does it look like to live a life immersed in the Manchester music scene and to make a city dance? Mike Pickering is the legendary Hacienda DJ, musician and former A&R for Factory Records and now, author. You can’t tell the story of music…
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Manc 104: Caroline Simpson - The Adopted Manc Moving Greater Manchester Forward
What does it take to run one of the UK's most ambitious city regions? Caroline Simpson, Group Chief Executive of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, joins Lisa Morton to share how the region is turning devolution into real, tangible change for people's lives. Caroline has helped shape some...
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Manc 103: Joe Gallagher - Wythenshawe and World Champions: A Manc Mentality with Championship Mindset
What does it mean to spend over 40 years building a career that shapes so much of who you are? Joe Gallagher is a professional world champion boxing coach and the owner of Gallagher's Gym in Moss Side. A born and bred Mancunian, Joe spends his time fighting people’s corner, encouraging them to…
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Manc 102: Emma Neville - The Manc Making Menopause Matter
How do you create a community that helps women across Greater Manchester feel seen, heard and valued? Emma Neville is a menopause coach and trained counsellor, whose work is centred around listening to and supporting women. Hear about the lessons she’s learnt from spending years giving her time…
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Manc 101: Lisa Morton - The Heart of 100 Mancs
‘It takes a village, it takes a city’ How do you create your big Manchester Family? Fresh from the Big Manc Chippy tea event, which celebrated reaching 100 Mancs on the podcast, Lisa Morton is turning the tables in this episode. For the first time, she’s the one answering questions on values,...
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Making a Team Thrive and Go Live: Han Thompson - Drawn Here Not Born Here
“The city has been my ally; I've never been frightened to make any career changes” Han Thompson is the Production Executive for BBC’s Morning Live. Her rural roots in the Cotswolds haven't stopped her from finding her place here in Manchester, something she attributes to “typical Manc chattiness...
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The Yorkshire Man with a MIDAS Touch - Joe Manning - Drawn Here Not Born Here
“It’s exciting to be part of the city; we've got so much further to go” On this episode of Drawn Here Not Born Here from We Built This City, Lisa talks to Joe Manning, Managing Director of MIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment agency. Joe explains how MIDAS is building relationships between…
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Manc 100: Michael Ingall - 25 Years of Building This City
“Manchester has a DNA, which is very powerful, founded on things that matter in life” Meet Manc 100. Michael Ingall is the Chairman and CEO of the property and investment group Allied London. Michael and his team have always had an incredible understanding of the energy and confidence of the…
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Lending A Manc Attitude: Andrew Charnley - Drawn Here Not Born Here
What makes you fall in love with Manchester and stay for three decades? Andrew Charnley is the Managing Director of Sancus, a property finance and lending company, and a long-time champion of Manchester. When he joined the business in 2024, he knew they would benefit from being part of the city’s...
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A Manc Kind of Care - Prof Jon Bell
What does it take to care for people at the most vulnerable moments of their lives? Jon Bell is a consultant Interventional Radiologist at The Christie in Manchester, the largest cancer care centre in Europe, providing world-leading cancer care, from Greater Manchester. Jon and his team are…
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Checked In and Stayed: Matt Townley - Drawn Here Not Born Here
How do you make people feel at home in a city that still feels new? There are so many people making big contributions to Greater Manchester who don’t quite fit the ‘born, bred or adopted Manc’ label. We Built This City is celebrating some of those people with ‘Drawn Here Not Born Here’. Matt...
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Going Live in Manchester: Becci Thomson - Drawn Here Not Born Here
How do you sell a groundbreaking new venue in a city you’ve only just moved to? We Built This City celebrates people who contribute to Greater Manchester in a meaningful way, and Mancs can be “born, bred or adopted”. But what about the people who don’t quite fit those labels? Like in Tony Walsh's...
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Legally Scouse but a Little Bit Manc: Peter Jackson - Drawn Here Not Born Here
How do you make your way in business in Manchester as a Scouser? There are many people making big contributions to Greater Manchester who don’t quite fit the born, bred or adopted Manc label. And We Built This City is celebrating some of those people with ‘Drawn Here Not Born Here’. Peter Jackson...
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Manc 99: Collette Roche - The Manc Bringing A United Vision
“It’s an amazing opportunity for Manchester United and the region” Collette Roche is the Chief Operating Officer of Manchester United, the first woman ever to hold that role at the club. Along the way, she’s had to navigate male-dominated environments; hold tough conversations, and lead with...
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Manc Returns: Will Lees-Jones - Bringing Boddies Back To Town
How has the ‘Cream of Manchester’ been “pulled” back to the city? Will Lees-Jones is the Managing Director of JW Lees, a seventh-generation family brewery and pub business with pubs all across the North West. Will caught up with Lisa Morton to share the news about the exciting return of…
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Manc 98: Tom Stannard - Leading a Global City with A Local Touch
"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…
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Manc 97: Amer Gaffar - The Manc (Clean) Fuelling Greater Manchester
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…
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Special Episode: Figen Murray - The Loving Mum Campaigning for Safe Spaces
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...
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Manc 96: Erinma Bell - Manchester’s Peaceful Activist
"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…
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Manc 95: Victoria Braddock -The Manc Marketing Manchester
"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…
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From Lockdown to Legacy: A Greater Mancunian Story
"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....
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*Special Episode* Reflecting On The Values it Takes to Build a City
"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”…
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Manc 94: Gethin Jones - The Adopted Manc Combining Courtesy, Community and the Quickstep
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...
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3:00AM Conversations with Lisa Morton
“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...
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Special Episode: In Tribute to Sir Howard Bernstein
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...
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Manc 93: Nicola Marsh - The Salfordian Helping Talent Shine
"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...
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Manc 92: Colin Shenton - The Restoration Manc
"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…
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Manc 91: Julie Hesmondhalgh - The Manc Acting With Heart
“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…
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Manc 90: Dave Moutrey - Creating a HOME for Culture in Greater Manchester
"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,...
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Manc 89: Seema Malhotra - Reality Housewife of Cheshire. A Real Manc
"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...
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Manc 88: Michala Hulme - The Genealogist Who Loves The Bones of Manchester
‘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…
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Manc 87: Jonathan Schofield - The Manc That Walks The Talk
"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...
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Manc 86: Matty White - Manchester's Food Guy
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...
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Values That Maketh the Manc, Celebrating 50 years of Greater Manchester
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...
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Manc 85: John Robb - The Punk Writing Manchesters Music History
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...
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Manc 84: Julie Twist - The City Living Pioneer
“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...
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Changing the Game for Women in Greater Manchester on International Women's Day
“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...
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Manc 83: DJ Paulette - The DJ Sharing Peace, Love, Unity and Respect
“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...
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Manc 82: Sam Piccione - Building on the Beat of Manchester
“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,...
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Manc 81: Yvonne Shelton - The Backing Singer Backing Her Community
“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...
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Manc 80: John Hughes - The Creator of Places People Love
“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…
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*Special* The Mancunian Way In 2024
“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…
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Manc 79: Michael Taylor - All Roads Lead To Journalism
“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...
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Manc 78: Jennie Johnson MBE - The Entrepreneur Getting Better By The Day
“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...
About this show
Incredible conversations with the Mancunians - born, bred and adopted - who put the heart into Modern Manchester.We Built This City focuses on how these extraordinary Mancunians have built something that impacts lives and the purposeful relationships that have helped steer them, the values that have driven them to do it, and the legacies they plan to leave behind.Celebrate human grit, determination, loyalty, and diversity across culture, arts, politics, sport, music and business.Lisa Morton interviews Mancunian icons like Andy Burnham, John Thomson, Gary Neville, Sacha Lord, Stacey Copeland, Clint Boon, Sir Richard Leese, Diane Modahl MBE, Ged King, Chris Brindley MBE, Carl Austin-Behan OBE, Karina Jadhav, Joanne Roney OBE and Sir Howard Bernstein.
Hosted by
Roland Dransfield
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