We Built This City: 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 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 the spirit that has shaped Manchester's legacy this is an episode that's not just about a city, but about the people who make it great. ------ Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture. To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world. Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our website On Instagram On X FKA Twitter

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 cornerstone of the city's music scene, and why he believes Manchester's perpetual state of change is its greatest strength. John is currently on a spoken-word tour and you can find out more about that here. ------ Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture. To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world. Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our website On Instagram On X FKA Twitter Connect with John: Via ‘Louder Than War’ On X FKA Twitter On Instagram

“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 historic events like the Manchester IRA bomb. Julie shares insights on the seismic shifts in Manchester's real estate landscape, the rise of luxury developments, and the challenges of balancing motherhood with a burgeoning business. Find out how you create a community where there wasn’t one before and what it takes to create a 24-hour city. ------ Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture. To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world. Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our website On Instagram On X FKA Twitter Connect with Julie On Rightmove Via her website On LinkedIn

“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 Year awards, Yvonne Harrison, CEO of Women In Football and Natasha Davies, Senior Marketing Manager for fine dining group, D&D London, who made it onto Northern Power Women’s Future List for 2024. Find out what they are proud of, what they’re still fighting for - and which Greater Mancunian women inspire them to keep pushing for change. Girls Out Loud have an upcoming fundraising ball on 19th April find out more information here. ------ Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture. To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world. Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our website On Instagram On X FKA Twitter

“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 unforgettable nights that were a testament to the transformative power of music. Hear what is was like for Paulette to lose all of her live event work overnight during the pandemic, her involvement with StreamGM how the reaction of mancunians made her proud to be from this city. Hear the insights and stories behind DJ Paulette’s much-anticipated book “Welcome to the Club, The Life and Lessons of a Black Woman DJ” It tells the story of over 30 years of living a creative life, the intersection of gay and rave culture and using music to shake things up. Paulette is celebrating her book launch and International Women's Day with an event at the Whitworth Art Gallery on March 7th 2024. She’ll be in conversation with AFRODEUTSCHE. You can get free tickets here ------ Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture. To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world. Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our website On Instagram On X FKA Twitter Connect with Paulette Buy her book Via her Website On Instagram On X FKA Twitter

“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 events scene. With iconic Manchester venues, like the Hacienda, the Free Trade Hall and the Ritz, what will this new space bring to the city and how do you build something brand new yet still incorporate the values of a Manchester institution like the Co-op? Sam and Lisa discuss the unique features of Co-op Live, its community impact, and why Manchester is the perfect setting for this new chapter in live entertainment. Sam explains what it will feel like to be one of thousands of fans watching your favourite artists at Co-Op Live. ------ Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture. To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world. Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our website On Instagram On X FKA Twitter On Spotify Connect with Sam On LinkedIn

“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 its knack for producing enduring talent. You’ll hear about the supportive network of artists in Manchester that Yvonne is a part of and how you create connections that can lift people up. Host Lisa Morton learns about the challenges of racism and sexism in the music industry, and the unyielding spirit that propels artists like Yvonne to keep their heads to the sky. ------ Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture. To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world. Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our website On Instagram On X FKA Twitter On Spotify

“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 to the bustling metropolis Manchester is today, discover the inside track on the city's regeneration. This conversation takes you through the placemaking and relationships that have formed the city. So what does John think about gentrification and the rapid growth of Manchester? What are the values Ask Real Estate is keeping at the forefront whilst leaving a lasting legacy on the city's skyline? You’ll hear about all this and more in this episode. ------ Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture. To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world. Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our website On Instagram On X FKA Twitter On Spotify Connect with Ask Via their website On Instagram On X FKA Twitter

“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; Entrepreneur and Business owner Karina Jadhav, Broadcaster Anna Jameson and the Co Founder of OBI property Will Lewis, to look at these issues and more. This episode is a celebration of Greater Manchester's spirit and a look ahead to its bright and promising horizon. ------ Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture. To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world. Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our website On Instagram On X FKA Twitter On Spotify

“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 informed change in Manchester over the past 20 years? Michael’s career has taken him down several different avenues into politics and academics, so what led him to recently return to his first love, journalism and become editor of online magazine The Business Desk.com and what does he feel is still left to be written? This conversation demonstrates the power of place in shaping identity and the relationships and connections that help to build a career in Manchester. ------ Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture. To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world. Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our website On Instagram On X FKA Twitter On Spotify Connect with Michael On X FKA Twitter On LinkedIn

“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 they need - and takes some of the stress out of parenting. Hear about Jennie’s drive, her ideas and how her network supports her with the ups and downs of being a business owner. Lisa and Jennie also discuss the challenges of balancing work and family life as female entrepreneurs. ------ Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture. To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world. Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our website On Instagram On Twitter On Spotify Connect with My First Five Years: Via their website On Instagram On Twitter

“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 The Manchester Evening News. Andy started his own PR firm SKV Communications in the late 90s and had a hand in the architectural regeneration of Mancher’s city centre, working on the likes of the launch of Beetham Tower in the mid-2000s So, what drove him to recently call time on his PR business and instead chronicle 40 years of musical, social, and architectural transformation in the city that made him? Andy’s new Book “Manchester Unspun” captures a moment in Manchester's rich cultural history and encapsulates a city in artistic and political flux. ------ Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture. To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world. Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our website On Instagram On Twitter On Spotify Connect with Andy Buy his book On Instagram On Twitter

“Go out there and create. You've got to do it.” Actor John Henshaw joins Lisa Morton for a conversation in City Tower, which overlooks Manchester city centre. It’s a very different skyline to the one John came to love as a child growing up in Ancoats during the 50’s and 60’s. John, who was one of 14, was born and raised on George Leigh street. He jokingly describes his childhood as “feral’, but with lots of love, pets and community. Hear how John made the transition from bin man to respected character actor; what it was like working alongside Craig Cash and Caroline Aherne and how a role in The Royal Family led to him epitomising everyone’s pub landlord in iconic series Early Doors. You’ll also get a great insight into Manchester history from someone who’s seen that area of the city experience dramatic change. ------ Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture. To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world. Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our website On Instagram On Twitter On Spotify

Who's putting the "great" into Greater Manchester? We Built This City is all about the people, places and relationships that have built the fabric of modern Manchester. Season 4 launches on 2nd November. In this series, host Lisa Morton brings you the remaining 22 of 100 born, bred or adopted Mancs that have impacted the city region.

"No one's better than anyone else, everyone's the same" Anna Jameson is the broadcaster who wakes up Greater Manchester as the presenter of BBC Radio Manchester’s breakfast show. She’s also a reporter on North West Tonight and you can hear her on BBC Radio Five Live too. Lisa and Anna discuss how Anna’s late Nan still inspires her, when she’s holding powerful people to account. Lisa also discovers what it’s like to be breaking news stories one minute, then holding people in power to account and interviewing celebrities the next. —------------------ Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture. To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world. Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our website On Instagram On Twitter On Spotify Connect with Anna: On Twitter On Instagram

“Get young people interested and believing they have a voice” This episode of We Built this City is all about the future of Greater Manchester. Lisa Morton sat down with Councillor Garry Bridges and Manchester’s Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs), to talk about what young people need for their future. Over the past 12 months, Manchester has responded with a game-changing programme – “Our Year” - a legacy initiative to address the long-term impact of Covid-19 lockdowns on our younger generations. Better engagement, more activities, opportunities for personal growth and platforms to form positive connections are at the heart of “Our Year” and will also be an integral part of Manchester’s move in 2023 to become a Unicef UK Child-Friendly city. Manchester’s three MYPs Virginia Collins, Daanya Isa and Lois Adela tell Lisa what drove them to stand for the Manchester Youth Parliament, the changes they’re working towards and what they’ve learnt about themselves since being elected. In this alternative perspective on Manchester, you’ll hear what these young people want from and for the city region. It’s more than fair to say that Manchester is in very good hands for the future. ------------------- Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture. To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world. Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our website On Instagram On Twitter On Spotify Connect with Manchester MYP’s and Councillor Bridges Lois Virigina Daanya Counselor Garry Bridges

Lisa Morton has a new podcast. It's called Lobster Brain and it features interviews with highly successful people to find out how they got to the top. Click here to follow the podcast now.

“The only way we got our rights is by showing solidarity” Divina De Campo is a force to be reckoned with, both on stage and off. They’ve got the ability to sing in 5 different languages and up and down 4.5 octaves - whilst wearing some incredible outfits and heels. Divina has the best laugh in showbiz and there are some real laughs in this conversation too. Underpinning it all though, are some strong values and belief systems that have contributed towards Divina’s vibrant and unforgettable on-stage presence. You’ll hear about the grit and graft it takes to make a career in the creative industries and the reality of taking part in some of the UK’s biggest entertainment shows. Divina’s time on Ru-Paul’s drag race UK created an iconic moment of television, when they addressed the damaging effects of section 28 in schools whilst they were growing up. You’ll hear Divina and Lisa explore this as well as the action that can be taken to stand up for LGBTQ rights in 2022. —------------------ Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture. To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world. Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our website On Instagram On Twitter On Spotify Connect with Divina On Instagram On Twitter

“For me it’s about giving opportunities to others.” Maria Turner is the Client Services Director at Roland Dransfield. She’s recently celebrated 10 years at Roland Dransfield, having worked her way continuously from work experience - straight out of The University of Manchester - all the way to the leadership team. Maria was an integral part of the team that created the “Roland Dransfield Way”, a set of values that form the core of the business. In this episode, you’ll hear that she lives those values day in, day out. So what draws a Scouser to Manchester, to work here, to strengthen relationships and help build this city (whilst wearing some of the highest stiletto ankle boots Manchester has ever seen)? This conversation is about crafting a career and creating a legacy within a company and a community. Lisa and Maria discuss the “pits and peaks” of 10 years in business together and the “purposeful relationships” the business has created in that time. ------ Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture. To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world. Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our website On Instagram On Twitter On Spotify Connect with Maria On Twitter

“If I’m not an artist, what am I?” Artist Davo Howarth joined Lisa Morton in “Heaven” at Hotel Football for this week's episode. It’s a place that’s very close to Davo’s heart as it overlooks Old Trafford football ground. A born and raised Manc, Davo is an artist who describes his style as “explosive.” In this conversation, you’ll hear how he navigated the school system growing up as a creatively minded kid who’d rather be painting than playing PlayStation. Davo says people would tell him being an artist wasn’t a career option but he carved out his own path to creative success all the same. Hear about the values of discipline that have kept Davo consistent with his work, how he deals with self-doubt and how a recent health scare has forced him to re-evaluate his priorities and take a slower pace of life for a while. ------ Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture. To celebrate the 26 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world. Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield: Via our website On Instagram On Twitter On Spotify Connect with Davo On Instagram On Twitter Via his website