The Role of Regional Data in Driving Productivity

A panel session exploring how high‑quality regional data can drive better decisions, investment and collaboration for UK productivity.

About the Session

Understanding and improving regional productivity requires rich, place-based insights that reveal how communities, businesses, and institutions really function. Join us for a panel discussion that brings together perspectives from academics and policymakers to explore how regional data can support better decisions and stronger outcomes for places.

This session will feature a panel discussion and audience Q&A designed to highlight how regional data can be used to inform strategy, investment, and collaboration across the UK.

What to Expect

Hear from panellists about the current landscape of regional data, how it’s being used, and why understanding local context is essential for effective policy and economic development.

Panellists:

• Professor Raquel Ortega-Argilés: Director of The Productivity Lab and Professor of Regional Economic Development at Alliance Manchester Business School
• Professor Philip McCann: Sir Terry Leahy Chair of Urban and Regional Economics at Alliance Manchester Business School
• Henri Murison: Chief Executive, Northern Powerhouse Partnership
• Richard Waggott: Principal Researcher, Business & Economy, GMCA

Who Should Attend?

• Researchers and analysts
• Local and regional policymakers
• Economic development practitioners
• Business leaders and industry partners
• Anyone interested in place-based productivity and data-driven decision making

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.

Other North West Productivity Forum events

This event forms part of the wider programme from the North West Productivity Forum taking place at Alliance Manchester Business School.

We hope you will arrive before the event for a workshop on improving productivity through manager-employee relationships, followed by a complimentary networking lunch.

Find out more about this event and register here:

Increasing Productivity Through Manager–Employee Relationships, 1st May 10:00 -12:00