Productivity for Better Outcomes

This event showcases The Productivity Institute’s research on what drives UK productivity and how to achieve inclusive, sustainable growth.

Join us at Manchester Central Library for a National Productivity Week 2026 event to showcase The Productivity Institute’s seven integrated research programmes, designed to strengthen the UK’s evidence base on what drives productivity, what holds it back and how it can be improved.

The research combines large-scale data analysis, international comparison and firm- and place-based case studies to address persistent challenges such as skills mismatches, weak investment, uneven regional performance and the slow diffusion of knowledge and innovation.

Structured around the themes of People, Firms, and Institutions and the Economic System, the programmes explore how productivity improvements can deliver better outcomes in practice. They examine how skills are developed and used, how firms manage digital and net-zero transitions and new business models, and how finance, governance and spatial policy shape long-term growth across places.

Together, the programmes aim to generate practical insights for policymakers, businesses and regional leaders seeking inclusive and sustainable productivity growth.

What to Expect

Presentations
Hear from experts introducing The Productivity Institute’s seven research programmes, each addressing a key set of challenges shaping UK productivity.

• Mary O’Mahony - TPI Research Director and Professor of Applied Economics, King’s Business School, King's College London

• Stephen Roper - Professor of Enterprise at the University of Warwick and Director of the Enterprise Research Centre
• Philip McCann - Sir Terry Leahy Chair of Urban and Regional Economics at Alliance Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester
• Paul Mizen - Professor in Economics and Vice Dean, Research, King’s Business School, King's College London

Policy Panel
Engage with national partners discussing how policy and practice can support inclusive, sustainable and impactful productivity growth.

• Diane Coyle - Bennett Professor of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge
• Anton Muscatelli - President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and Distinguished Honorary Professor, Adam Smith Business School
• Anna Valero - Professor in Practice and Director of the Growth Programme at the CEP, London School of Economics
• Nadim Ahmad - Deputy Director at the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE)

The event will be moderated by Bart van Ark, TPI Managing Director and Professor of Productivity Studies, Alliance Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester.

Agenda:

• 1:30-2:00: Welcome refreshments and networking
• 2:00-3:30: Presentations
• 3:30-4:00: Break
• 4:00-4:45: Policy panel discussion and Q&A
• 4:45-5:30: Refreshments and networking

Please note, a copy of the summary report of the TPI research of the past two years will be available at the event.

Networking Drinks
Continue the conversation over teas and coffees at the end of the event. This is a chance to meet fellow attendees, connect with researchers and policymakers, exchange insights and build professional relationships in a relaxed setting.

About National Productivity Week

National Productivity Week is a nationwide initiative dedicated to improving outcomes for people, firms and places across the UK. This national campaign brings together leading researchers, policy thinkers, industry partners and regional voices to kick off a week of new report launches, debate and knowledge‑sharing.

This year’s overarching theme for National Productivity Week, “Better outcomes for people, firms and places,” reflects The Productivity Institute’s mission to ensure that productivity improvements translate into real benefits: higher living standards, better‑quality jobs, stronger business performance and more prosperous local economies.

This event is in collaboration with Alliance Manchester Business School at The University of Manchester. To learn more about AMBS, please see the information on their website: Alliance Manchester Business School UK - Undergraduate, Graduate & MBA Degrees | Alliance MBS

Please note that this event will take place in person only at Manchester Central Library, please find instructions on how to get to the library below.

Manchester Central Library is close to several major rail stations: Manchester Piccadilly, Oxford Road, Victoria and Deansgate.

You can reach the Library by walking from all these stations in under 20 minutes or by connecting tram or bus services.

Manchester Piccadilly

• On foot: Approximately 15 minutes

Oxford Road

• On foot: Approximately 10 minutes

Manchester Victoria

• On foot: Approximately 15 minutes

Deansgate Station

• On foot: Approximately 10 minutes

The nearest tram stop is St Peter’s Square, directly opposite the Library, and there are several city‑centre bus routes stop within a short walk of the Library:

• Nearest major bus stops: Piccadilly Gardens, Albert Square, Portland Street, and Oxford Road

To plan your journey, please visit the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) website.