We Built This City: Greater Manchester

"Manchester is just a place of opportunity, whatever it is that you do." Nicola Marsh is a born and bred Salfordian and Managing Director of Essence Mediacom North. Nicola created a career for herself in digital advertising in the early days of the internet, you’ll hear about how she continues to navigate this constantly evolving media landscape, and her commitment to fostering diversity and inclu...

"The whole point about building a city is it isn’t one person’s project.” Colin Shenton is the founder and CEO of Shenton Group, a property company he started in Manchester in the late 1980s, when the city looked and worked very differently.  You’ll hear about the deal Colin made the very beginning of his career, and how he handled the restoration of a heritage building aged just 21. Colin sh...

“This is my city now till I die. I absolutely love it." You will probably know Julie Hesmondhalgh as the legendary actor who took on the much-loved role of trans character Hayley Cropper on ITV’s Coronation Street.  Julie and host Lisa Morton discuss everything from Julie’s beginnings in Accrington; how she became one of the UK's most cherished performers and how Manchester has now become ‘he...

"There's a culture of creativity in our city” Dave Moutrey has been an integral part of Manchester’s arts and cultural scene since the 1980’s. He sits down with host Lisa Morton to discuss his journey to becoming a cornerstone of creativity in the city.   Lisa hears about Dave’s formative years, where the sparks of his passion for the arts were ignited during memorable trips to London. I...

"What ​I ​love ​about ​Manchester, is ​it's ​constantly ​evolving” Seema Malhotra combines glitz, glamour and proper manc graft. On this episode of ‘We Built This City’ host Lisa Morton is joined by the co-founder of fashion brand ‘Forever Unique’ and star of the reality show ‘The Real Housewives of Cheshire’.  Seema candidly shares her experiences of juggling cultural and family expectations...

‘Girls ​like ​me, ​​they ​just ​don't ​do ​history.’ Dr Michala Hulme is a genealogist and broadcaster connecting people with their family history. In this episode, you’ll learn about the real people from Greater Manchester’s past and how they lived their lives. Michala has an incredible talent for uncovering family trees, and her mission is to make history accessible and engaging for everyone.&nb...

"The whole city centre's my playground." Take a stroll through Manchester's rich history and it’s vibrant present with Jonathan Schofield, a born and bred Mancunian. From its industrial roots to its modern-day resurgence, Jonathan shares intriguing stories and quotes that capture the essence of Greater Manchester's spirit. Tour Guide and Editor-at-large of ‘Manchester Confidentials’ Jonathan Schof...

Matty is a long-time Manchester resident with an intriguing journey, over his 25 years in the city region he’s become a well-known figure in Manchester's food and drink scene, you may have seen his videos with Manchester’s Finest exploring some of Mnachester’s best food and drink venues. In this episode hear how Maty went from bartending across Manchester to broadcasting to the region, and what it...

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Greater Manchester with Lisa Morton as she explores the enduring values that make Mancunians remarkable. This episode of 'We Built This City' brings together stories from past guests like Sharon Latham, Siobhan Johnston and Anna Jameson and others who embody the city's spirit of connectivity, generosity, and resilience. You’ll hear stories of unexpected friendship...

Dive into the vibrant world of punk rock, DIY ethos, and the transformative power of music with John Robb an adopted Mancunian who has built a life in the beats and bars of Manchester. John is a prolific writer who was the first to write books on the likes of the Stone Roses and The Charlatans Discover the untold stories behind the city's gritty rise to musical fame and how John's relentless creat...

“We look after the community and try to grow Manchester”  Julie Twist is a property pioneer who has been helping to shape the city's skyline since 1994.  In this episode of "We Built This City," Julie recounts her unexpected leap from supermarket employee to city centre property specialist celebrating 30 years of her company, Julie Twist Properties.  Discover alongside host Lisa Mor...

“All of these formidable women, it’s amazing” To mark International Women’s Day 2024, Lisa Morton is asking some of Greater Manchester’s most inspiring role models what they are both celebrating and campaigning for in 2024.  In this special episode of We Built This City, Lisa explores what’s changing for women across boardrooms, classrooms, changing rooms and dancefloors. You’ll hear from Jan...

“Music is all around us in Manchester. It really is!” Join Host Lisa Morton as one of Manchester Music’s most influential figures DJ Paulette shares stories of breaking barriers and beats in a male-dominated industry, from blagging a lifetime Hacienda membership to spinning records at the city's most iconic venues.  In this episode, Paulette reflects on the legendary “Flesh” club night the Ha...

“We couldn’t have picked a better city to build this arena” Dive into the electrifying world of live events with Sam Piccione. Sam is the President International of Oak View Group, the company behind the much-anticipated Co-Op Live Arena. Sam’s work has taken him from the United States to China, London, and now Manchester, where he's helping to create a new state-of-the-art venue. Sam and host Lis...

“You can have such a laugh with Manchester artists”  Yvonne Shelton’s musical career is as rich and varied as the city itself.  Her voice has echoed through the city's vibrant music scene for the past 40 years. She has performed as a backing singer for global stars, provided vocals for some of Manchester’s best-known artists and sang centre stage as part of the much-loved Hacienda Classi...

“All good cities don’t turn their back on the river” Dive into the transformational journey of Manchester's urban landscape. John Hughes has been a key player in the city's development for the past 20 years in his role at Ask Real Estate.  John started work just days after leaving university in 1997 when the city was still recovering from the IRA bomb.  He’s since shaped some of the city...

“We're finding our feet again as a city.” Lisa Morton is in the process of talking to one hundred born, bred and adopted Mancunians that have been -  and are - the building blocks of Greater Manchester.  At the start of a new year it’s time to both reflect and look forward.  Who’s going to be running the city? What are the events we'll be looking forward to? And how is Manchester’s...

“I just love telling people’s stories” When Michael Taylor left Lancaster for university studies in Manchester, he gained more than a sociology degree - he found a city to call home, a true adopted Manc. Experience 1980s Manchester through Michael's memories of the clubs, relationships and a cultural vibrancy he came to embrace and love. What did Michael learn from being at the heart of the city’s...

“I started listing what I needed from a childcare provider”  When Jennie Johnson’s childcare plans fell through on a work trip to London, she had a lightbulb moment that led her to create a hugely successful business.  Jennie founded the children’s nursery chain Kids Allowed.  By the time she sold that business, 20 years later, Kids Allowed was providing childcare services for over...

“I came here with a blank page to be written on” PR mogul Andy Spinoza came to Manchester from London in 1979, drawn by the city’s radical history, its growing music  scene and the urge to find a place to “fit”. Lisa Morton finds out how he tried and failed to interview Tony Wilson in a front room in Rusholme’s Moon Grove, what it was like to launch the alternative magazine “City Life” and wh...

“Go out there and create. You've got to do it.” Actor John Henshaw joins Lisa Morton for a conversation in City Tower, which overlooks Manchester city centre.  It’s a very different skyline to the one John came to love as a child growing up in Ancoats during the 50’s and 60’s.  John, who was one of 14, was  born and raised on George Leigh street. He jokingly describes his childhood...

Who's putting the "great" into Greater Manchester?  We Built This City is all about the people, places and relationships that have built the fabric of modern Manchester.   In this series, host Lisa Morton brings you the remaining the born, bred or adopted Mancs that have impacted the city region.  

"No one's better than anyone else, everyone's the same"  Anna Jameson is the broadcaster who wakes up Greater Manchester as the presenter of BBC Radio Manchester’s breakfast show.  She’s also a reporter on North West Tonight and you can hear her on BBC Radio Five Live too.   Lisa and Anna discuss how Anna’s late Nan still inspires her, when she’s holding powerful people to account.&...

“Get young people interested and believing they have a voice”  This episode of We Built this City is all about the future of Greater Manchester.  Lisa Morton sat down with Councillor Garry Bridges and Manchester’s Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs), to talk about what young people need for their future. Over the past 12 months, Manchester has responded with a game-changing programme – “Our Year” -...

Lisa Morton has a new podcast. It's called Lobster Brain and it features interviews with highly successful people to find out how they got to the top. Click here to follow the podcast now. Mentioned in this episode: Thanks to our partners for this episode of We Built This City, Car Finance 247. You can visit CarFinance247.co.uk or follow Car Finance 247 on LinkedIn to find out more about them.