Following the 2026 call for ELLIS Fellows and Scholars, the announced this month that Mingfei has been appointed as an ELLIS Scholar.

is a pan-European AI network of excellence which aims to secure lasting international leadership of AI made in Europe by connecting top researchers in this field and by creating a multi-centric AI research laboratory. The annual appointment of ELLIS scholars recognises promising researchers who show a clear trajectory towards becoming senior leaders in AI and machine learning research.

Mingfei, recently promoted to Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science, has been a key member of the ELLIS �鶹�ƽ�� Faculty since the unit was founded, working closely with colleagues from across The University of �鶹�ƽ�� and with ELLIS sites across Europe. Mingfei has particularly strong connections with the ELLIS Institute in Finland and as well as a large number of published papers, he has been involved with organising events including the Helsinki summer school.

In a recent example of this collaboration, Mingfei has co-authored a paper on ‘Adam’: an optimization algorithm used to train deep neural networks, with international colleagues, including ELLIS Institute Finland. This paper has been accepted for the NeurIPS conference and will be presented there later this year.

We look forward to Mingfei continuing to play an important role in �鶹�ƽ��’s contribution to the ELLIS Society in the coming years.

has launched a new ten-year Strategy setting out the next phase of growth and development for �鶹�ƽ��’s Knowledge Quarter. 

Covering one square mile south of �鶹�ƽ�� city centre, the Oxford Road Corridor is one of the UK’s most significant concentrations of research and innovation. It supports more than 104,000 jobs and generates £7.8 billion in annual economic output 

The Oxford Road Corridor Strategy 2026–2036 builds on decades of collaboration between the major institutions that shape this part of �鶹�ƽ��. Over almost two decades of formal partnership, more than £2.8 billion of public and private investment has been aligned across the area. During that period, more than 60,000 jobs have been created and annual economic output has increased by £4.6 billion.  

Alongside major physical change, the Corridor has continued to evolve as a vibrant and distinctive part of the city, with a diverse cultural offer central to its identity. 

The Strategy focuses on how the Corridor can make more of its exceptional concentration of research, talent and economic activity. It sets out how partners will support businesses and attract investment, while continuing to improve the quality and connectivity of the area. 

Future growth will build on established strengths in health and life sciences, digital and technology, advanced materials and the creative industries. 

Major development is already taking shape across the Corridor, from Sister at its northern end to the continued expansion of Citylabs and �鶹�ƽ�� Science Park in the south. The Strategy also looks ahead to the transformation of �鶹�ƽ�� Piccadilly and Oxford Road stations, alongside better connections with surrounding communities.

An independent assessment underpinning the Strategy estimates that the development pipeline could support around 15,800 additional jobs and generate £1.9 billion in GVA per annum, alongside an estimated 2,200 construction jobs per year.

The Strategy was launched at the Royal Northern College of Music at an event hosted by journalist and author Andy Spinoza, bringing together partners and stakeholders from across �鶹�ƽ�� and Greater �鶹�ƽ��.

Professor Duncan Ivison, Chair of the Oxford Road Corridor Board and President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of �鶹�ƽ��, said: “We have an extraordinary concentration of research and talent within the Oxford Road Corridor, but its real strength comes from the relationships between the institutions and organisations based here.

“The partnership has been built over decades and has helped transform this part of �鶹�ƽ��. This Strategy is about what comes next. We want to strengthen the Corridor’s international position and create the conditions for businesses and ideas to grow, while ensuring more people benefit from that success.

“The opportunity over the next decade is significant, and we will achieve far more by continuing to work together than any institution could achieve alone.”

Councillor Garry Bridges, Leader of �鶹�ƽ�� City Council, said: “The Oxford Road Corridor has made an enormous contribution to �鶹�ƽ��’s growth, and the new Strategy gives us a clear direction for the next decade.

“We want �鶹�ƽ�� to continue creating highly skilled, well-paid jobs in sectors where we can compete internationally. Increasingly, people can build careers here that a generation ago might have meant leaving �鶹�ƽ�� to pursue elsewhere.

“The challenge now is to build on that success and attract further investment. Just as importantly, people and communities across the city need to be able to access the opportunities being created.”

Professor Linda Merrick CBE, Principal of the Royal Northern College of Music, said: “The Oxford Road Corridor brings together an exceptional concentration of institutions and talent within one part of the city. What makes it particularly distinctive is the opportunity to work across institutional boundaries and connect world-class education and research with �鶹�ƽ��’s wider ambitions.

“The new Strategy gives us a shared direction for the next decade, and the RNCM is proud to be part of a partnership with such a strong international outlook and commitment to the future of this place.”

Esme Ward, Director of �鶹�ƽ�� Museum, said: “Culture is fundamental to the identity of the Oxford Road Corridor. It is part of why people come here, how they experience the area and how the Corridor connects with �鶹�ƽ��’s communities and the wider world.

“The new Strategy recognises the value of that cultural ecology and the role it can play over the next decade, not only in making this a vibrant and distinctive place but in supporting creative talent and the wider economy.”

Chris Oglesby OBE, Chief Executive Officer, Bruntwood, said: “The Oxford Road Corridor is the UK exemplar of what can be achieved through long-term partnership between the private sector, universities, the NHS and the City Council, delivering wider benefits for �鶹�ƽ��.

“Bruntwood has had a relationship with the Corridor spanning more than 20 years and we’ve seen first-hand how sustained investment and collaboration have helped transform the area. The next decade is about building on that momentum, creating the conditions for innovative businesses to start and scale here, and helping �鶹�ƽ�� continue to compete internationally.”

The Strategy’s vision is to drive the growth of an internationally renowned, inclusive and sustainable place where knowledge, business and culture transform lives. It will provide the shared framework for the partnership’s activity and investment through to 2036.

Building on the success of the 2024 CBI Mayoral Roundtable, the summit focused on a singular mission: turning regional potential into tangible economic results. During a roundtable attendees agreed on a framework to unlock long-term private investment and enhance the UK’s regional competitiveness.

Duncan Ivison, President & Vice-Chancellor of The University of �鶹�ƽ��, said: “We are delighted to host this summit on our campus, bringing together leaders from business, government and civil society in �鶹�ƽ��. Delivering an effective industrial strategy must be underpinned by robust academic evidence, and The University of �鶹�ƽ�� has an important role to play in that work.

“Here in Greater �鶹�ƽ��, we are part of a close partnership between business, policymakers and communities, and are pleased to be a helpful convenor, and contributor, to discussions and collaborations that support the UK’s future."

The summit identified three critical pillars for accelerated implementation of the Industrial Strategy with the potential to deliver transformative gains to regional growth that boost jobs, opportunities and living standards across England:

·&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����; Investable Pipelines: Creating clear, ready-to-fund projects that attract global capital.

·&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����; Deepened Partnerships: Strengthening the "front door" for businesses through closer Mayoral collaboration.

·&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����; Innovation Engines: Leveraging the power of higher education to fuel local talent and R&D.

The afternoon concluded with reflections from Rain Newton-Smith (CBI), Charlie Nunn (Lloyds Banking Group), and Andy Burnham (Mayor of Greater �鶹�ƽ��), highlighting the essential role of regional leadership in the UK’s economic future.

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI CEO, said: “The government has set out bold ambitions for the UK to lead the G7 in driving business investment into the UK. PWC’s recent survey of global CEOs places the UK as the second most attractive location alongside Germany and India so there is no doubt the appetite is there. Building on and championing the unique capabilities of all of our regions is essential if we’re to secure that investment and turn those bold ambitions into tangible economic growth that benefits the whole country.

“Metro mayors are our regional ambassadors in chief, and provide a single, locally-responsive, front door for that investment – helping to remove potential barriers and expedite decision-making. With the power to boost local skills delivery, accelerate critical planning and infrastructure decisions, and smooth access to market opportunities, mayors play a vital role in ensuring investment comes to the UK and is not lost to our global competitors.”

Charlie Nunn, Chief Executive, Lloyds Banking Group said: “Businesses are the engines of regional growth, innovation and job creation, and we want to help them succeed.  This year, we’re making available £35 billion in new finance for businesses across the regions, with one third targeted to SMEs.  We’re proud to be working in partnership across regional leaders, higher education and major infrastructure, in order to attract investment and catalyse growth.”

This event is a cornerstone of the CBI-Lloyds Industrial Strategy Roadshow, a 12-month delivery programme in partnership with DBT and HMT to help government and industry work together to deliver a successful industrial strategy.

Developed through the Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Civic University Agreement, the initiative enables postgraduate researchers to teach up to 20 hours per week in FE settings, providing specialist expertise in priority subjects such as engineering, STEM and digital skills. In turn, the programme offers researchers valuable, paid teaching experience while helping colleges tackle critical local and regional skills gaps.

University of �鶹�ƽ�� President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Ivison highlighted the civic significance of the programme: “We’re putting PhD researchers into Greater �鶹�ƽ�� colleges to teach alongside experienced staff – starting with engineering, where skills shortages are most acute. This will help colleges with specialist expertise, give our researchers valuable paid teaching experience, and create clearer pathways between further and higher education. This is the kind of collaboration that will contribute to the region’s economic growth and is exactly what a civic university should be doing.”

Professor Callum Kidd, who led the pilot programme, said: “This initiative strengthens the link between Higher Education and Further Education, creating pathways for learners and tackling regional skills gaps. It also offers PhD researchers real-world teaching experience that enhances their career prospects.”

The pilot phase of the programme was launched in 2025 at Wigan & Leigh College, where three postgraduate researchers from the School of Engineering were recruited through the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) Doctoral Academy. The project has been chaired by Professor Callum Kidd (FSE) and jointly developed by a cross-institutional team.‑institutional team

Anna Dawe, Principal of Wigan & Leigh College, added: “We are delighted to build together this partnership with The University of �鶹�ƽ��. Bringing PhD researchers into our colleges enriches students' learning experience and helps address the pressing need for skilled educators in technical subjects. This collaboration is a fantastic example of how Greater �鶹�ƽ��’s education ecosystem can work together to deliver real impact.”

The programme aligns with national and regional priorities to strengthen the civic role of universities while boosting access to specialist expertise across FE colleges.

Following the success of the first phase, the project team is now developing plans to expand the programme across the full Faculty of Science and Engineering, with long term ambitions to extend it university wide. Discussions with additional Further Education colleges in Greater �鶹�ƽ�� are underway, with participating institutions set to be confirmed later this year. A full review of the pilot phase will be completed in February 2026.‑term ambitions to extend it university‑wide. Discussions with additional Further Education colleges in Greater �鶹�ƽ�� are underway, with participating institutions set to be confirmed later this year. A full review of the pilot phase will be completed in February 2026.

For further information please directly contact mags.bradbury@manchester.ac.uk

Part of the Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Civic University Agreement (CUA), the priorities were unveiled this week at a special event at the Royal Northern College of Music, attended by civic leaders, university partners, members of the Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Citizens’ Panel and Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council.

Developed in collaboration with the Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Combined Authority (GMCA) and shaped by the Citizens’ Panel, the new priorities ensure the universities’ civic mission remains grounded in the needs of residents while also supporting Greater �鶹�ƽ��’s long-term vision of becoming ‘a thriving city region where everyone can live a good life’.

The Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Civic University Agreement (CUA), launched in 2021, brings together the University of Greater �鶹�ƽ��, �鶹�ƽ�� Metropolitan University, the University of �鶹�ƽ��, the Royal Northern College of Music and the University of Salford, alongside the the Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Combined Authority, in a shared commitment to align the strengths of the universities with the needs of the city-region, with a shared goal of improving the lives of people across Greater �鶹�ƽ��.

Professor Jennie Henley, Chair of the Civic University Board, highlighted the importance of this partnership: “Our universities are not separate from Greater �鶹�ƽ��; they are part of its fabric. These refreshed priorities are about reaffirming our long-term commitment to the people of this city-region. By working in partnership, we can achieve more together than any of us could alone, helping to build a Greater �鶹�ƽ�� that is fairer, healthier, greener, and full of opportunity.”

The four new priorities focus on areas where the universities can make the biggest collective difference:

• Opportunity & Prosperity – widening access to education, creating lifelong learning pathways, supporting innovation, and helping people secure good jobs.
• Health & Wellbeing – training the next generation of doctors, nurses and social care professionals, supporting mental health initiatives, tackling health inequalities, and using research and expertise to put prevention at the heart of the region’s health strategy.
• Culture – celebrating Greater �鶹�ƽ��’s cultural strengths, making arts and creativity accessible to everyone, and building the skills that keep the city region’s creative economy thriving.
• Environment – helping Greater �鶹�ƽ�� reach net zero by promoting sustainability in learning and research, creating greener places to live, and preparing people for the jobs of the future.

Greater �鶹�ƽ��’s universities already contribute over £4 billion to the local economy each year, educate more than 100,000 students and welcome millions of residents to concerts, lectures and public events. They also train the region’s future workforce, including an estimated 9,500 nurses, 3,500 doctors, and 8,500 teachers between 2022 and 2027.

Mayor of Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Andy Burnham said: “Greater �鶹�ƽ��’s universities make a massive contribution to our city region, one that goes far beyond educating students. These refreshed civic priorities reflect the breadth of our universities’ impact across our society and economy, from creating jobs and supporting business innovation to enriching our culture. We recently set out our vision for Greater �鶹�ƽ��’s next decade of growth and we know our universities have a vital role to play in our continued success.”

By refreshing their priorities, the universities have renewed their pledge to work with civic partners and communities to make Greater �鶹�ƽ�� a place where everyone can thrive. Explore our shared priorities for Greater �鶹�ƽ��.

•  for Greater �鶹�ƽ��

36,000 runners took part in the 26.2-mile race which started at Old Trafford football stadium, looping down to Stretford, Sale, Altrincham, Baguley, Sale Moor, Chorlton, Whalley and Hulme before finishing on Oxford Road.

The adidas �鶹�ƽ�� Marathon’s conclusion at The University of �鶹�ƽ�� was new for 2025, with the historic university chosen to close off the race in recognition of its buildings’ grandeur and its reputation as a hub of innovation and progress.

James Marenghi, Head of Sport & Physical Activity at The University of �鶹�ƽ�� said: “A huge congratulations to all those who took part in the �鶹�ƽ�� Marathon on Sunday, I hope you enjoyed the experience and feeling of achievement as you crossed the finish line. Whilst it was great to get a feel for the atmosphere across the route, it was fantastic to see the thousands of participants and spectators under the iconic University arches at the finish line celebrating their successes.

“At the University, sport and physical activity is extremely important for our community’s wellbeing and we are delighted to have supported such a fantastic event that will enable a positive health benefit to our students, staff and local region. We hope that everyone involved is inspired to continue their fitness journey beyond this event and make the most of the other opportunities available through the University to stay active.”

The University was also chosen to backdrop the finish line this year to allow runners a better post-finish experience, with the University perfectly situated among bars, restaurants, shops and transport options.

Members of staff at the University took part in the challenge including James Spearing, Change Communications Officer, who ran to raise money for Breast Cancer UK.

He said after the event: “I enjoyed my run today as part of a four-person relay team and raising money for charity. I love having events like this on my doorstep in �鶹�ƽ��.

“What made it even better this year was how the new finish line was able to showcase The University’s beautiful architecture as another iconic location in the city - it’s not all about Old Trafford!”

Kirsty Wilde, Director of Operations at A.S.O. UK, said: "This year’s event was truly exceptional, culminating in a breathtaking new finish line on Oxford Road set against the iconic backdrop of the University of �鶹�ƽ��. Welcoming 36,000 participants to the event was a proud moment for everyone involved.

“We are grateful to The University of �鶹�ƽ�� for their ongoing support in helping us to deliver one of Europe’s largest marathons, and we look forward to building on this and to working with them in the years to come."

The University of �鶹�ƽ�� has been at the heart of the city of �鶹�ƽ�� for two centuries and it celebrated its bicentenary in 2024.

The HDRC is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). It will connect the Council, University of �鶹�ƽ�� researchers and other academic institutions to give local people an equal say in research and the ability to influence decisions made from that research, using both real-life experiences and building on current ways of doing things, to make sure the benefits last long after the programme ends.

The funding approval given today  follows last year’s submission to the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The collaboration, led by �鶹�ƽ�� City Council, University of �鶹�ƽ�� and partner organisations, is a significant step in uniting �鶹�ƽ�� academic institutions and residents with other key players including voluntary and faith organisations, and public and private sector partners.

It aims to enhance better understanding of the factors affecting health and health inequalities, increase research capacity and use this evidence to inform future policy and planning and improve health outcomes in areas of high deprivation.

Councillor Thomas Robinson, Executive �鶹�ƽ�� for Healthy �鶹�ƽ�� and Adult Social Care said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for �鶹�ƽ�� to lead the way in tackling health inequalities by ensuring that local people’s voices are at the heart of shaping policy. By building our research capacity and working closely with partners and local people across the city we can develop a deeper understanding of the challenges our communities face and create evidence-based solutions that will have a real and lasting impact on people’s lives.

"This collaboration allows us to continue to shape the future of health and wellbeing in our city which is the central tenet of our Making �鶹�ƽ�� Fairer Programme to address health inequity and preventable deaths by looking at all the social factors that mean that some people in the city die earlier than others.”

Professor Arpana Verma from The University of �鶹�ƽ��, Academic Lead for the HDRC, said: “We are so proud that �鶹�ƽ�� has been awarded full HDRC status. This is a testament to our communities and public contributors who have helped us as the HDRC team create a plan of work that will strengthen our partnership. The HDRC will ensure we continue to hear the voices of the unheard, make the invisible, visible and making sure that we don’t leave anyone behind.

“Putting people at the heart of this exciting initiative is vital for inclusive research and improving health and wellbeing. As we look to the next 5 years, we will continue to build our research-active communities and research-responsive policies to tackle inequalities together."

This commitment to addressing health inequalities across �鶹�ƽ�� is echoed in the University's recent investment in interdisciplinary research focused on delivering fairer health outcomes for all through its  research platform.

The groundbreaking collaborative initiative, pioneered by , brought together students from a variety of disciplines and levels to tackle real-world challenges set by industry partners, aligned with the Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Combined Authority (GMCA)’s Environmental Plan.

Hosted at �鶹�ƽ�� Metropolitan University, the Green Careers Mission invited students to work in teams to develop actionable solutions for the environmental challenges that threaten the future health and prosperity of our city region: mitigating climate change, improving air quality, sustainable production and consumption of resources, protecting the natural environment, and building resilience to the impacts of climate change.

These challenges were supported by employers including �鶹�ƽ�� City Council, Siemens, Thomas Kneale, and GMCA itself, providing students with real-world context for their work.

The event aligns with the commitment of Greater �鶹�ƽ��’s leading higher education institutions — The University of �鶹�ƽ��, �鶹�ƽ�� Metropolitan University, the University of Salford, the Royal Northern College of Music, and the University of Bolton — to drive social, economic, and environmental change across the city region through the Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Civic University Agreement.

Through collaborative action, the universities aim to support Greater �鶹�ƽ��’s 2038 zero-carbon target by fostering green skills, promoting research and innovation, and preparing students to lead in a rapidly evolving green economy.

Professor Jennifer O’Brien, Academic Lead of Sustainability Teaching and Learning at The University of �鶹�ƽ��, praised the initiative: “This was a glorious pedagogic experiment to bring students from all five Greater �鶹�ƽ�� institutions together to tackle challenges aligned with GMCA’s Environment Plan – and how truly powerful it was.

“Whilst the students enhanced their personal and professional skills, they contributed genuinely new insights to these challenges. All our external partners were so impressed by the talent, engagement, and sheer drive of our students. This interdisciplinary methodology could be applied to all sorts of civic challenges to really make a difference.”

The event’s impact was evident in the reactions of students, who described the experience as transformative. Ana Gonzalez Palos, an MSc Operations, Project & Supply Chain Management student from The University of �鶹�ƽ��, highlighted the power of diverse perspectives: "It's incredible how all the insights from our universities made our ideas sharper and more actionable. I’m proud to be part of such a collaborative initiative for a greener future.”

Adeel Chaudhry, a Software Engineering student at �鶹�ƽ�� Metropolitan University said: “Projects like these are essential for bridging theory and practice, giving us hands-on experience in creating actionable sustainability strategies.”

Neva Mowl, Education for Sustainable Development Officer at the University of Salford said: “Seeing students from different universities come together to tackle these challenges was fantastic. The quality of ideas they produced in such a short time, alongside the spirit of cross-institutional collaboration, really moved me. They have shown just how powerful this type of initiative can be.”

As Greater �鶹�ƽ��’s first Green Careers Challenge, the event demonstrates our region’s commitment to advancing sustainability goals through collaborative action and empowering students to play a meaningful role as change agents in building a greener, more resilient Greater �鶹�ƽ��.

Published by , �鶹�ƽ�� Minds offers readers a rich account of the influential figures who have shaped the University’s legacy, from world-renowned physicist Brian Cox and computing pioneer Alan Turing to economist Arthur Lewis and poet-activist Eva Gore-Booth. It highlights both famous and underappreciated figures, giving fresh insights into the University’s role in global innovation.

Timed to coincide with the University of �鶹�ƽ��’s bicentennial celebrations, �鶹�ƽ�� Minds is the first comprehensive history to cover the full span of the institution’s evolution, from its origins as The Mechanics' Institute to its present status as a major international centre of learning. The book delves into historic controversies and celebrates unsung heroes, offering an engaging and accessible narrative of how �鶹�ƽ��’s intellectual tradition has transformed the world.

Key Highlights:

· The first full history of The University of �鶹�ƽ��, covering its evolution over 200 years.

· Features pioneering figures such as Enriqueta Rylands, Lewis Namier, Arthur Lewis, Alan Turing, and Brian Cox.

· Brings to light the stories of lesser-known but equally important contributors to the University’s intellectual heritage.

· Attractively presented and illustrated, making it a perfect addition to the bicentennial celebrations in 2024.

Book Details:

· Publisher: �鶹�ƽ�� University Press

· Format: Hardcover

· Price: £25.00

· Published Date: September 2024

�鶹�ƽ�� Minds is now available in bookstores and online.

The Charter aims to raise employment standards across Greater �鶹�ƽ��. It strives for excellence in the core areas of Secure Work, Flexible Work, Pay, Engagement & Voice, Recruitment, People Management and Health & Wellbeing.

The University seeks to be an employer of choice nationally and internationally, and is one of the biggest employers in Greater �鶹�ƽ��, providing jobs to more than 12,500 people across a range of professional services and academic roles.

Dr Julian Skyrme, Executive Director of Social Responsibility and Civic Engagement at The University of �鶹�ƽ��, commented: “Being accredited by the Good Employment Charter is important to our mission as a civic university with social responsibility at its core. This voluntary Charter is an independent way to measure our practices around good employment, learn from other employers in Greater �鶹�ƽ�� and be part of a wider movement of organisations committed to improving the lives of our employees.

“People are at the heart of the University’s vision, and we are proud of our diverse, inclusive community of individuals who work together to create positive change for the world around them. We also know we have more work to do to ensure we remain an employer of choice in the region and are keen to work with the Charter team to share our plans to develop and enhance the experience for our community of colleagues.”

Membership of the is voluntary, and it is allocated when institutions and businesses in the region demonstrate that they have met the criteria in all seven characteristics of the Charter.

Ian MacArthur, Director of the Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Good Employment Charter, said: “I am delighted that The University of �鶹�ƽ�� are now Members of the Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Good Employment Charter. As a key anchor institution in the city region it is wonderful to have them as part of our expanding movement, that is continually striving to adopt better employment standards for all.”

The Charter was co-designed by the Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Combined Authority (GMCA), Greater �鶹�ƽ�� districts, trade unions, employers and employees from all sectors.

The collection touches on a number of issues of vital importance to towns, cities features over 40 essayists from  across the political spectrum and across different sectors – including education, business, healthcare, local government, think tanks, charities and the arts – who all advocate for universities to have a stronger voice in place-making. Each essay includes policy ideas for the new Government to enable the local civic role to thrive.

Included in this is a contribution from Dr Julian Skyrme and Professor Richard Jones, along with Bev Craig (Leader of �鶹�ƽ�� City Council) with . The essay demonstrates the important role universities play in innovation and productivity growth across their regions. 

There is also a on Developing skills and innovation and the importance of universities’ civic roles.

Dr Julian Skyrme, Executive Director of Social Responsibility and Civic Engagement at The University of �鶹�ƽ�� said: "Lord Bob Kerslake was one of the most distinguished public servants of his generation and made a critical contribution to the higher education sector with his Civic University Commission. As the original civic university, The University of �鶹�ƽ�� has been delighted to contribute to this collection of essays by civic leaders, which has been written with a new government firmly in mind". 

The collection touches on a number of issues of vital importance to towns, cities and regions, including local economic growth, raising educational attainment and opportunity for disadvantaged groups, the local supply of the NHS workforce, improving the local environment, and access to culture and te arts. Following the launch at the National Theatre, the full collection is available from kerslakecollection.org.

Several prominent public figures have also signed an open letter to the new Prime Minister calling for actions including support for the creative sector, investment in the NHS workforce and a review of how the the post-16 educational sector can overcome the current funding crisis effecting it - all of which would continue Bob's legacy.

Among many other leadership roles, Lord Kerslake was Chair of the UPP Foundation Civic University Commission supporting over 70 universities in developing Civic University Agreements and the creation of the Civic University Network. The groundbreaking work championed by Lord Kerslake has transformed the relationship between universities and their local communities across the UK.

This stands as one among many other achievements across a lifetime of public service. As a former head of the civil service, a prominent figure in local government, housing and higher education and a regular media political commentator, Lord Kerslake and his vision for society touched thousands of lives. His impact is reflected in the breadth of the essays brought together in the collection, with reflections on everything from the future of English devolution to the role of universities in tackling homelessness.

Richard Brabner, Director of the UPP Foundation, said: “It has been an honour to orchestrate this collection to celebrate the legacy of our late great friend Bob Kerslake. It was the privilege of my career to work closely with Bob, his passion, insight, and hard work were crucial to the success of our Civic University Commission, and I know that everyone involved in the collection has benefitted from Bob’s wisdom over the years. We hope that this collection provies the inspiration to the new Government to build on Bob’s work to ensure the civic role is truly recognised.

Professor Sir Chris Husbands, Former Vice Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University said: “Bob was one of the most gifted and committed public servants of our time. It's fitting that we launch this collection this evening, just a few days into the new government.  Bob was respected across the political spectrum, but there is no doubt that had he lived he would have been a powerful resource for a progressive government embarking on national renewal. It falls to those of us who remain to rise to the standards he set, to play our part in shaping and doing policy for the common good”.

●      £160 million of public funding to boost growth of city-region’s advanced manufacturing and materials sector.

●      Investments worth over £10m from manufacturers Kadant, Werit, First Graphene and Hydrograph unveiled as part of Investment Zone.

A new Investment Zone for Greater �鶹�ƽ��, announced by the Chancellor in today’s Autumn Statement, is expected to create 32,000 jobs and leverage £1.1 billion of private sector investment.

The Investment Zone will provide £160 million in public funding over 10 years to support initiatives and interventions agreed between Greater �鶹�ƽ�� and Government, which will include new research and innovation, sector-focussed skills programmes, local infrastructure enhancements, and targeted business support.

Greater �鶹�ƽ��’s Investment Zone will focus on the advanced materials and manufacturing sector. The package will support established strengths, including, a joint venture between The University of �鶹�ƽ�� and and other assets in the city-region core, and build on longer-term ambitions to be able to scale up and deploy innovations in our growth businesses, for example through Atom Valley.

ID �鶹�ƽ�� will become a world-class innovation platform that drives inclusive and sustainable economic growth for the city by leveraging the unique experience and expertise of its joint venture partners, combining The University of �鶹�ƽ��'s long history of industry collaboration and world-class research strengths with Bruntwood SciTech's experience of working in strategic partnership with city councils, universities and NHS Trusts to deliver connected science and technology infrastructure.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater �鶹�ƽ��, said: “The Investment Zone will help us attract investment and create jobs and opportunities that will benefit people across Greater �鶹�ƽ��. Our city-region has been a centre for manufacturing and materials innovation for centuries, from leading the Industrial Revolution right through to the development of graphene, and the Investment Zone will ensure that continues.

“It’s also a vote of confidence in devolution and its ability to deliver levelling up. Providing more flexibility and local control over spending can help unlock Greater �鶹�ƽ��’s potential.”

, Vice-President for Regional Innovation and Civic Engagement at The University of �鶹�ƽ��, said: “The University of �鶹�ƽ�� has been at the forefront of research in advanced materials and manufacturing, from the industrial revolution to the discovery of graphene, and we have a strong culture of innovation which builds on that research to create economic benefit. This announcement gives further impetus to the work we do with our partners in business and the city-region, to improve people’s lives through economic growth and improved productivity throughout Greater �鶹�ƽ��.” 

Greater �鶹�ƽ��’s advanced manufacturing and materials sector comprises hundreds of innovative companies and the city-region’s universities host world-leading research and development. Advanced manufacturing alone employs approximately 110,000 people and generates around £8bn of economic output each year.

Government has also confirmed plans to extend the Made Smarter Adoption programme following its successful pilot in Greater �鶹�ƽ�� and the North West, with a view to expanding the programme across the UK by 2027. The programme helps SME manufacturers adopt digital technologies to help improve productivity and reduce carbon emissions.

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of �鶹�ƽ�� City Council and Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Lead for Economy, Business, and Inclusive Growth, said: “Greater �鶹�ƽ�� has an attractive proposition, with world-leading advanced manufacturing and materials research at our universities, a strong skills base, and an existing ecosystem of innovative companies.

“The Investment Zone will build on that cluster, linking and investing in different sites across the city-region, and helping us translate research and development and new discoveries into business growth.”

Speaking on behalf of ID �鶹�ƽ��, John Holden, Associate Vice-President at The University of �鶹�ƽ��, said: "We’re delighted that ID �鶹�ƽ�� will be part of the Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Investment Zone plans to put the region at the forefront of advanced materials and manufacturing innovation in the UK and globally. The ecosystem we’re building at ID �鶹�ƽ�� will leverage The University of �鶹�ƽ��’s world-class R&D strengths to help scale and commercialise new ideas, driving new jobs across the city region in future-facing industries. We look forward to working closely with our neighbouring centres of innovation in Greater �鶹�ƽ�� to create valuable new opportunities for local residents and businesses across the North.”

Dramatic changes over recent years have seen major employers including Google, Amazon and Microsoft following the BBC in relocating jobs to �鶹�ƽ��, and a population boom with tens of thousands of highly-educated workers arriving in the city from across the country and the wider world. Maciej says that while he did not set out to assess whether this has had a linguistic effect on the city, it may well accelerate the changes already happening to the accent.

To read the paper, visit . 

• The inequalities identified in Year 1 of the #BeeWell data have persisted; girls are reporting significantly lower levels of wellbeing than boys, and LGBTQ+ young people have significantly lower wellbeing than their cisgender heterosexual peers. The data remains consistent when comparing two different cohorts of Year 10 pupils across the two years.
   
• Wellbeing scores have declined slightly as young people have moved from Year 8 into Year 9. This is in line with wider research about how young people’s wellbeing declines as they get older.
   
• As young people get older, they are less likely to feel like they get enough sleep to feel awake throughout the school day. 41.8% of Year 9 students report that they aren’t getting enough sleep to concentrate at school, which is around 9 young people in an average class of 22. This is compared to 36% of Year 8 pupils who said they do not get enough sleep in 2021.
   
• There has been a decline in young people reporting that they have good places to spend free time. In 2021, 75.5% of young people in Year 8 agreed or strongly agreed that they had good places to spend free time, compared to 67.6% of those young people when they were surveyed again in Year 9 in 2022.

The #BeeWell survey results have overall remained consistent over the two years of the programme, meaning that there is an increased confidence on how accurate the findings are – as over 60,000 young people have told us their views.

In response to the findings, the #BeeWell Coalition of Partners and Greater �鶹�ƽ�� schools have already begun to take action to respond to what young people across the city-region are telling us. This includes investment to support the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ young people, to encourage girls to get involved in physical activity, and the completion of a social prescribing and youth-led investment pilot in five neighbourhoods of Greater �鶹�ƽ��.

With two successful years of Greater �鶹�ƽ�� leading with the #BeeWell programme a second programme will be launched in Hampshire, The Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton (HIPS) from September 2023, in a new partnership with the four local authorities. The expansion of the programme marks the second Integrated Care System area to deliver the #BeeWell Programme and will help to establish any differences between different parts of the country. The programme is already being kickstarted in the region with the process of co-designing the local survey with young people already underway in 15 pathfinder schools.

Building on experiences and learning in Greater �鶹�ƽ��, and national endorsements from the Fair Education Alliance and Times Education Commission, the new partnership with HIPS is the next step of #BeeWell's ambition to ensure that wellbeing is prioritised and measured consistently and rigorously in schools and communities in every corner of England by 2030.

“We have a 10-year plan to take #BeeWell to scale nationally and create a public policy agenda for young people that gives equal weight to wellbeing and attainment," Neil added. "The next step of this plan is our expansion to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System area. This is critical to understanding local variation, issues of sustainability, scaling up, and synergy.  The learning generated will inform the development of the #BeeWell model to ensure our approach can be embedded and sustained across wider geographies over time, as we seek to fulfil our mission of making young people’s wellbeing everybody’s business.”

"The #BeeWell surveys have facilitated a real breakthrough in conversations about young people’s health, wellbeing, and activity,” said Cllr Mark Hunter, Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Portfolio Lead for Young People. "The results have helped to shape some important changes in Greater �鶹�ƽ�� to support young people and their wellbeing. This year’s findings show that more action needs to be taken to tackle the inequalities in wellbeing between girls and boys, and with LGBTQ+ young people. The support of Greater �鶹�ƽ��’s schools has been integral to #BeeWell, and in Year 2 shows how schools have used the survey results to make positive changes for their pupils. I am looking forward to Year 3 of the survey and the positive changes the results will initiate.”

“The #BeeWell data has enabled us to understand our community with greater focus - we are able to react strategically to areas of fragility and celebrate the strengths and feedback we gain from our young people," said Glyn Potts MBE DL, Headteacher at Saint John Henry Newman Catholic College in Oldham. “Put simply, it is the closest we have to a microscope into the minds of our young people and enables us to be reactive to their needs and a stronger community.”

“The Youth Steering Group weren’t surprised that there remain inequalities in young people’s wellbeing in Greater �鶹�ƽ�� - unfortunately, it is what we see in school every day, particularly pressure on girls," said Ruby, a member of the #BeeWell Youth Steering Group. “It’s good that the data remained consistent – it means things aren’t getting worse and gives us hope that things can get better.”

"The Youth Steering Group would like to open a conversation about how difficult it is for young people to find the balance between your emotions and all the things you have to get done in a day before you can get enough sleep. There are a lot of expectations on young people with homework, revision, caring for ourselves as well as others, especially as you get older. We want to extend this conversation to include adults' wellbeing, too, as they set expectations for younger generations on managing everything that matters to our wellbeing.”

For more background on the #BeeWell project, visit . 

�鶹�ƽ�� was top of Conde Nast Traveller’s list, which praised the city’s improving sustainability, green space and culture. Time Out also listed �鶹�ƽ�� as 4^th in their list, and included a guided tour of our UNESCO City of Literature sites as part of the perfect day here. 

"The City of Literature has fostered collaborations across the city on many flagship initiatives, from research on creativity and well-being, to working with writers through �鶹�ƽ�� Literature Festival and Carcanet (publisher of another Nobel Prize winner in 2020)," Dame Rothwell added. "It has also led to the development of public engagement activities for schools and libraries and festivals, a key part of our social responsibility agenda".

"Colleagues at our University’s Centre for New Writing share the City of Literature’s mission to discover and support emerging writers, and to develop projects which both strengthen our graduates’ employability skills and offer opportunities for them to become part of �鶹�ƽ��’s diverse, evolving literary community.”

"Being a UNESCO City of Literature is such a great achievement for the city - we are one of 42 cities in the world that have this prestigious designation, and we’re proud to showcase the diverse talent of our city on the international stage,” said Councillor Luthfur Rahman OBE, Deputy Leader of �鶹�ƽ�� City Council. "We have built on the strong foundations of �鶹�ƽ��’s rich literary history, and alongside our partners from the city’s universities and literary community we have harnessed their collective creative energies to launch and create events, libraries and spaces where words and literature can be celebrated."

“We have supported over 100 �鶹�ƽ�� based creatives to accomplish their dreams and secure paid opportunities in the creative industry. This is a fantastic achievement for the city and shows that we are investing in local talent and the cultural future of �鶹�ƽ��. We’re excited for what the next years will bring!”

“�鶹�ƽ�� Met’s involvement with City of Literature is central to our contribution to the region as a leading civic institution, and to our commitment to research and education that advances sustainable development through culture,” said Malcolm Press CBE, Vice-Chancellor of �鶹�ƽ�� Metropolitan University. “The designation has raised the profile of our City as a beacon destination for creative industries, cultural tourism and students of the arts and humanities, and established the reputation of its literature ecosystem as an exemplar of creative excellence and inclusivity.”

"I’m proud that our University is playing a key role in this work, and excited to see how it develops.”

�鶹�ƽ�� City of Literature’s first four-year report can be downloaded .  

The facility, located in The Beacon Centre, is a collaboration between the , The University of �鶹�ƽ��, and national education charity to provide long-term educational support to young people facing disadvantage and who are typically underrepresented in higher education.

The launch event brought together young people who will benefit from the centre, their parents and guardians, donors, organisers and local supporters. Guests were also surprised by a special video message from award-winning comedian and Salford alumnus Peter Kay, who himself had a life-changing experience by going to university to study Media and Performance.

Working closely with local schools, businesses and universities, the centre offers long-term support to young people aged 7-18, helping them to discover their focus, build their capabilities and ultimately have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Support offered at the centre includes after-school academic support, mentoring with local university students and professionals, in-school aspiration-raising workshops and enrichment and work experience opportunities. Once established, the centre will support over 1,000 students per year.

Salford was found to be the 18^th most deprived local authority in England, out of 317, according to the Government's . Figures suggest around 22% of children in Salford are living in poverty (, 2022). Pupils facing disadvantage in Salford are now 22.9 months of learning behind their peers by the time they finish their GCSEs (EPI, 2020), making it a high-priority area for this additional educational support.

IntoUniversity centres have a strong track record of improving outcomes for young people in England. 66% of school leavers who attended IntoUniversity centres in 2021 went on to progress to university, compared with 26.6% of students from similar backgrounds nationally.

In attendance at the launch were around 25 students aged 7-18, all set to benefit from the centre for the next academic year and beyond, with some of them delivering speeches.

Primary school students took part in a variety of activities during the event replicating the type of activities they will be engaging with in the year ahead during after-school academic support sessions. Secondary school students came up with questions about future study and careers to survey attending guests.

Peter Kay offered some sound advice for students at the centre, telling them: “There’s a lot on offer at IntoUniversity to help young people achieve their potential and realise ambitions they may have never even considered. For all the children benefitting from the centre, my advice would be to take every opportunity you’re offered. You’re never going to know what will come up in life and you might fall in love with something you’ve never thought of. You’ve got time to explore many new subjects - keep your options open because you never stop learning.”

Professor Helen Marshall, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Salford, said: “As a university, we have a strong track record in the area of widening participation and are motivated to helping students realise their full potential. We are proud to make a major contribution to providing access to higher education across Salford, the North West and nationally.

“I am delighted to support the launch of a new IntoUniversity right here on our doorstep in Salford. The new centre will engage traditionally under-represented groups and aid our mission to give all students the best possible opportunity in life to succeed.”

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of �鶹�ƽ�� said: “University education is a transformative experience for individuals, and for the prosperity of our local communities, so we are really enthusiastic about this new partnership with IntoUniversity in Salford. It adds to the existing IntoUniversity centre we support in North �鶹�ƽ��, which has already supported more than 2,500 students with their academic work since autumn 2018. I’m very grateful to the staff, students and donors who have helped make the Salford centre happen and who will ensure its ongoing success.”

Dr Rachel Carr, Chief Executive and Co-Founder of IntoUniversity, said: “We are delighted to have officially launched this centre in Salford Central, building on our existing work in the Greater �鶹�ƽ�� area. The young people of Salford have so much to offer, but circumstances can mean they don’t get the same opportunities as other young people to reach their potential. We’re delighted that through this unique collaboration between local universities, we can provide many young people in the area with the support they need to succeed. We’re looking forward to continuing to build partnerships with schools and families in the local community and supporting students to achieve their ambitions.”

To find out more about IntoUniversity, visit

On Saturday, 5 November, the 50 citizens came together with the Universities and Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Combined Authority, as part of the region’s . The panel will work with the Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Civic University Board to ensure that its work is rooted in the public's priorities.

Panellists come from all walks of life, with the only condition of membership being that they live in Greater �鶹�ƽ�� and can spare the time to share their opinions.

This means advising on what activities the five universities in Greater �鶹�ƽ�� should undertake to create jobs, contribute to economic growth and to improve education and skills in Greater �鶹�ƽ��. 

One participant, from Prestwich said: “I joined the panel because I think a lot needs to be done and I would love my voice to be heard and give some valuable opinions and hopefully contribute to making change happen.”

Another, from Wigan, said: “I have joined the panel for the opportunity to represent my local borough. We know universities play a massive role in increasing growth and ideally provide the opportunity to increase the number of young people into the higher education sector in order to bring about growth in the Wigan borough.”

The panel will work with the universities for two years, meeting key people from the organisations in through a programme of events and activities. During this time they will help shape prioritises, explore how research and innovation can benefit Greater �鶹�ƽ�� and advising on how to engage with people across the city region.

Professor Richard Jones, Chair of the Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Civic University Board and 
Vice-President for Regional Innovation and Civic Engagement at The University of �鶹�ƽ��, said of the launch: “It’s really exciting to begin the work of our panel. The Civic University Agreement, which recently celebrated its first anniversary, committed GM’s five universities to work together for the benefit of our city region, so it’s important that our work over the next two years reflects the priorities of the citizens of Greater �鶹�ƽ��.”

Professor Jennie Henley, Vice Chair of the Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Civic University Board and Director of Programmes at the Royal Northern College of Music added: “Our aim is to listen and learn from the people of Greater �鶹�ƽ��. We are really proud of the work our universities do, but we want to connect more and work in partnership with our communities to build a stronger and healthier Greater �鶹�ƽ��.”

The 50 panellists will work with the five Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Universities (The University of Salford, The University of Bolton, �鶹�ƽ�� Metropolitan University, The University of �鶹�ƽ�� and The Royal Northern College of Music), Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Combined Authority and Public First.*

·&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����; To find out more, visit -

“His murals transcend traditional models of history painting by focusing on the idea of human vitality. As Brown saw it, history painting should be an exercise in understanding how ordinary people interact with broader social forces and powers. The displays of exuberance in the murals confirm Brown's concern with the idea of human freedom - and what people do when confronted by representatives of the political establishment.”

The Health Foundation funded study also showed the benefits linked to devolution on life expectancy were felt in the most deprived local authorities where there was poorer health, suggesting a narrowing of inequality.

The study, published in The Lancet Public Health  (showed that between 2014/16 and 2017/19:

• Life expectancy was 0.2 years higher in Greater �鶹�ƽ�� compared to a comparable control group from the rest of England. The change in Greater �鶹�ƽ��  was 2·2 times larger than the average change in life expectancy over the same period.
• The change persisted throughout the period after the devolution deal  and was larger for men (0.34 years) than for women (0·06 years).
• Statistically significant increases in life expectancy were observed in eight out of the ten local authorities in Greater �鶹�ƽ��, with the exceptions of Rochdale (decrease) and Oldham (no change).
• In the short-term, life expectancy remained constant in Greater �鶹�ƽ�� but declined in comparable areas in England. In the longer-term, life expectancy increased at a faster rate in Greater �鶹�ƽ�� than in the rest of the country.
• Improvements in life expectancy were larger in the local authorities with the worst levels of income deprivation and lowest life expectancy prior to devolution, when compared to areas with equally high deprivation and low life expectancy in the rest of England.

The improvements, say the researchers, may have been a result of a combination of changes in response to the devolution deals in the region, including the health and social care devolution agreement, the devolution of powers over wider determinants of health (such as housing, employment, transport, adult education, policing, and economic development), and the election of a Greater �鶹�ƽ�� mayor.

The study, which is the first of first kind, estimated the impact of devolution on the population stratified by sex, local authority, income deprivation, and life expectancy compared to the rest of England, excluding London.

The researchers used local authority data on life expectancy at birth published by the Office for National Statistics between 2006 and 2019 to calculate the relationship.

Lead author Dr Philip Britteon Research Fellow at The University of �鶹�ƽ�� said: “We provide the first robust evidence on the impact of devolution in England on population health, focusing on changes occurring in Greater �鶹�ƽ��.

“The study shows modest improvements in life expectancy in Greater �鶹�ƽ�� compared to comparable areas in the rest of the country from the introduction of devolution until the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, using a robust statistical method.

“This finding may have been driven by combination of changes in response to the health and social care devolution agreement, the devolution of powers over wider public services, the election of a new mayor, or earlier steps to improve population health prior to devolution.

"The findings support the suggestion that devolved systems are able to more closely identify and address the needs of local populations. However, further research is required to understand the mechanisms behind the estimated effect.”

Co-author Professor Matt Sutton from The University of �鶹�ƽ�� and Deputy Director of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Greater �鶹�ƽ�� (ARC-GM) said: “In Greater �鶹�ƽ�� many more people die younger than in most other parts of the UK; many others suffer more from serious diseases.

“However, this study has shown that devolution in Greater �鶹�ƽ�� could improve things for the better.”

Following devolution, the Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Health and Social Care Partnership (GMHSCP) was established to set strategy and oversee its delivery, including the delivery of Taking Charge, the region’s five year plan.

And also part of the health and social care devolution settlement, NHS England granted the region control of its share of the national sustainability and transformation fund.

The GMHSCP policy priorities also formed components of The Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Strategy; a plan produced  by Greater �鶹�ƽ�� Combined Authority on behalf of Greater �鶹�ƽ�� partners, to transform and integrate public services within the conurbation.

Co-author Dr Yiu-Shing Lau from The University of �鶹�ƽ�� said: “These findings may provide clues to the potential success or failure of Integrated Care Systems in England.

“However, there are key differences that should be considered when drawing comparisons between the setup of the GMHSCP and the organisation of Integrated Care Systems outlined in the Health and Care Act 2022.

“Similar improvements in population health may not be replicated in Integrated Care Systems without a comprehensive representation of councils on their board.

“The success of future devolution reforms may therefore depend on other factors beyond the types and strength of powers devolved to a health system, including the extent to which health and wider public services are aligned.

“Future research will seek to further investigate the findings of the study by evaluating the impact of devolution on a range of outcome measures and investigating the activities in Greater �鶹�ƽ�� that may have contributed to the observed change in life expectancy”

The paper, The Impact of Devolution on Health:  A Synthetic Control Analysis of Greater �鶹�ƽ�� in England, published in  in The Lancet Public Health is published in The Lancet Public Health 

Professor Tony Redmond has been honoured with a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 Pride of �鶹�ƽ�� Awards, in recognition of a career spent providing crucial medical care to those most in need all over the world.

Tony is Professor of International Emergency Medicine at The University of �鶹�ƽ��’s Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute, and he has been involved in delivering international emergency humanitarian assistance since 1988. 

He has organised and led medical support to natural disasters, major incidents, conflicts and complex emergencies throughout the world including earthquakes, epidemics, wars and plane crashes.

He set up , a charity based at the University which sends vital medical care to places of great humanitarian need across the globe – a team of their volunteer medics are currently in Ukraine, where they have set up clinics to treat injured and displaced people as well providing vital support and training for local healthcare staff.

Tony coordinated the NHS response to the Ebola epidemic in 2014 – the experience and knowledge that he acquired during this crisis led to him being appointed as the medical director of the NHS Nightingale Hospital North West, the temporary hospital located in the �鶹�ƽ�� Central conference venue at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He has won countless awards and accolades during his distinguished career, including an OBE in 1994 for his work providing humanitarian assistance in Sarajevo during the Bosnian war, and The University of �鶹�ƽ��’s Medal of Honour in 2018.

He recalled seeing a letter in the �鶹�ƽ�� Evening News from a local resident who said it made them proud to see a team from the city doing such important work in the places where it is most needed. “It really touched me - it makes me proud to be from �鶹�ƽ��,” he said.

Redmond was presented with his award by Elbow singer Guy Garvey, who reflected on Redmond’s achievements to the audience at �鶹�ƽ��’s Kimpton Clocktower Hotel. 

“When I think about what Tony has done and how many millions of people he’s facilitated to live - he’s remarkable,” he said. “I’m just so very very honoured and proud to be here with him. The attitude at the top filters down in organisations, and that’s why what Tony has done is so special.”

Tony’s charity UK-Med is currently providing direct medical care, training and support for the people of Ukraine - please to help them to provide emergency healthcare to those most vulnerable.