The Downtown Den Podcast

Tony Reeves joined us on Wednesday 6th May 2020 and the Liverpool City Council chief executive was in a positive and upbeat mood, despite the many difficulties he and his council colleagues have been dealing with in the past few weeks. In a rallying call to the city’s business leaders he said “Scousers are a resilient bunch. If we can’t come out of this crisis stronger then no one can.”

The chief executive of Manchester City Council Joanne Roney addressed DIB members and reflected on the challenges COVID-19 had brought to the local authority and to the wider Greater Manchester area, whilst also looking ahead to the Economic Recovery plan once lockdown is lifted.

City region metro mayors Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram spoke passionately about their ‘Build Back Better’ campaign, their briefings with prime minister Boris Johnson and their ambitious plans for the future, despite the tough environment in which we are currently operating.

Liam Byrne MP the West Midlands Mayoral Candidate for Labour joined Downtown Birmingham Chair Paul Cadman in the #DowntownDen recently. In an open discussion, Liam shared a brief story of his backstory and how he got involved in politics, talks about how he thinks the government has handled the COVID-19 crisis and how the global economy will be impacted, along with a variety of other topics.

Keith Tully, Managing Partner at the Liverpool Office for Begbies Traynor was in the #DowntownDen to discuss how businesses in the region have been performing amidst the current Coronavirus pandemic. Keith also explains how Begbies Traynor can offer advice to business owners on how they can help to safeguard their businesses for the future. For more information on Begbies Traynor visit https://www...

The Directors of Project Four Construction Safety, Alan Robson & Max Meadows, joined Downtown CEO Frank McKenna in the #DowntownDen to discuss how they and their clients have been dealing with the COVID-19 crisis. Alan & Max share their knowledge and advice of what they have learned so far and what the future may look like for the construction sector in the next 6 months and beyond. To find out mo...

Birmingham City and Everton legend Bob Latchford joined DIB boss Frank McKenna in the Downtown Den to talk about his glittering football career in the 1970’s and 80’s when he was one of the greatest goalscorers in the country. Bob reflects on Birmingham City’s promotion in 1972, his time at Everton FC where he came close to winning leagues and cups, but never quite got there, and his relatively sh...

Downtown Birmingham Chair, Paul Cadman spent some time in the Downtown Den with Adam Whitehouse, Studio Manager at Nettl Birmingham.

Downtown boss Frank McKenna was in conversation with the CEO of Liverpool John Lennon Airport John Irving, the Managing Director of Merseyrail Andy Heath and Managing Director for Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire, Matt Davies, to discuss the challenges and opportunities the transport sector faces once we get through the Coronavirus crisis.

Nick de Bois - former Member of Parliament, special advisor, author and businessman - joins Simon Danczuk in the London Downtown Den. As Chief of Staff to Dominic Raab, Nick sat in on the Brexit negotiations and shares his special take on the politics of it all, including where he thinks we should go next in the trade negotiations. He also recounts some of his Parliamentary experiences, drawing on...

If the UK had a ‘Brains Trust’ the head of Strategy for Bruntwood Jessica Bowles and Mike Emmerich from Metro Dynamics would certainly be in it. It was a pleasure to welcome the pair to the Den and hear their thoughts and predictions about the current crisis and the opportunities and challenges we are likely to face in its aftermath.

Recently appointed shadow sports Minister Alison McGovern was in the Downtown Den, offering her views on how the football season may resume; how business can learn from sport; and what she hopes Birmingham can achieve by hosting the Commonwealth Games. Liverpool fan Ali also revealed that Gary Neville is her ‘guilty pleasure’ and offered her thoughts on new Labour leader Keir Starmer.

Applied Futurist Tom Cheesewright visited the Downtown Den to share his thoughts on how business and the wider world can positively react to the current challenges posed by the Coronavirus Crisis. In a fascinating presentation, Tom explained the processes smart businesses implement to improve performance and stay ahead of the game. To purchase Tom's latest book visit https://bit.ly/future-proof-bo...

We welcome Matt Jones, Founder of Oxbridge Home Learning into the Downtown Den for a discussion with Downtown Birmingham Chair, Paul Cadman. Matt shares his story on how Oxbridge started and some of the learning opportunities they offer.

The Brummie Downtown Den heard first hand from charitable leaders in the city who are actively impacting our communities during this time of crisis. The panel featured Tim Andrews (Lovebrum), Carly Jones (Sifa Fireside), Toby Porter (Acorns) and Tina Swani (Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice). The discussion covered resilience, causes and support that is urgently needed to continue the work that is bein...

Professor John Ashton joined Downtown CEO, Frank McKenna in the #DowntownDen to discuss the UK governments handling of the Coronavirus pandemic. John discusses the advice he gave to Bahrain authorities at the outset of the Coronavirus pandemic and why he has thrown his hat in the ring for the Police and Crime Commissioner role for the Liverpool City Region.

Birmingham Chair, Paul Cadman was joined by Stu Wood (Woodshires) Rebecca Simkiss (Simkissguy Recruitment) and Gareth Wilcox (OPUS LLP) in the Downtown Den for an afternoon of straightforward, no-nonsense business advice.

Liverpool’s elected Mayor Joe Anderson was in the Downtown Den with a clear message to the city’s business community “We will come out of this crisis stronger. We will continue to build our economy and do what this city always does best in times of crisis. Our spirt will get us through this.” In a robust performance the Mayor told DIB members that he was confident that the major strategic schemes...

Sacha Lord joined DIB chief executive Frank McKenna in the Downtown Den. The Night Time Economy Czar for Greater Manchester told us about the entrepreneurial approach and his first gig at the Hacienda that launched his fascinating journey into the world of music, events and hospitality; the emergence of the Warehouse Project and Parklife; his current role within Andy Burnham’s team; the United We...

The chair of the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and the NP11 Roger Marsh visited the Downtown Den to chew the fat with DIB chief executive Frank McKenna. Roger spoke about his hopes for the future, the recent West Yorkshire devolution deal and his ambition for the North to be seen as a solution for the country in the future rather than a problem.

Paul Hodgins, CEO at Ginger - a shared transport business - joins Simon Danczuk, Downtown London chairman, in this latest Downtown Den conversation. They discuss micro electric vehicles, the Government's Future Mobility Zones, urban transport, the changing nature of town and city centres, smart cities and much more.

Downtown Birmingham Chair, Paul Cadman caught up with Cllr Ian Ward for a chat in the #DowntownDen.

Christina Wadlow, Head of Sales and Account Management at Western Union Business Solutions is the latest guest in the #DowntownDen. In Conversation with Downtown CEO, Frank McKenna, Christina shares amongst other topics, how Western Union Business Solutions are helping their customers during these times and how they can help other businesses going forward.

Downtown Birmingham chairman Paul Cadman was joined in the #DowntownDen by Managing Director of Transport for West Midlands, Laura Shoaf. Laura shared several insights into how TfWM are dealing with the current crisis and what their plan is for post-lockdown.

Downtown CEO, Frank McKenna caught up with the Owner of The Isla Gladstone Conservatory, Gemma McGowan. In this discussion, Gemma shares her thoughts and experiences during the COVID-19 lockdown.