Mayors unite to launch innovation exchange

Mayors from across the UK have launched the Mayoral Innovation Exchange, a new initiative to foster collaboration, share best practice and drive innovation among mayoral combined authorities.

The inaugural event, held at Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, brought together leaders to discuss pressing issues, including leveraging data to address health challenges, transitioning to sustainable public transport fleets and aligning skills development with infrastructure needs such as housing.

Hosted by South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard and supported by professional services firm PwC, the inaugural event explored cutting-edge projects from the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre on ways to increase people's physical activity, improve health outcomes and drive economic growth. 

Mayor Coppard said: “As mayors we are already tackling some of the biggest issues that face our communities - whether that’s improving public transport, boosting skills and training locally or growing our economies. 

“Mayors are making a difference and are here to stay.

“Now, as the number of mayors and combined authorities across the country grows, we have the chance to tackle national challenges and help the whole country to thrive. 

“The Mayoral Innovation Exchange gives us the opportunity to share the brilliant work we’re all doing in our regions – and also plan how we work together nationally, with Government, to renew our country.”

Professor Liz Mossop, vice-chancellor at Sheffield Hallam University, added: “We were delighted to host the inaugural Mayoral Innovation Exchange event, and it’s particularly appropriate that it was held at our Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre on the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park – a hub for world leading innovation.

“Innovation is more than just a buzzword, it’s central to making progress on health, skills, and sustainability – which all underpin a wider economic strategy to boost growth and ultimately improve living standards. 

“When it comes to supporting innovation within our regions, universities like Sheffield Hallam are willing and able to play our part.”

Discussions aimed to inspire new approaches to improving health, boosting economic growth and advancing local infrastructure, with insights helping to shape strategies across the combined authorities and influencing Government policy on devolution.

North East mayor Kim McGuiness, who will host the next Mayoral Innovation Exchange, added: “Mayors stand ready to address the long-standing challenges that for too long have held our communities back and stifled people's potential. 

“From helping people with poor health find and stay in work, to getting our skills and training offer right, and building better public transport, mayors are working together to reimagine public services.

"Working with a Government committed to devolution and empowering local leaders, we have ambitions to transform the prospects of the people we serve, helping unlock opportunity and prosperity for our regions and the country.”

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