We Built This City: Greater Manchester

“The only way we got our rights is by showing solidarity” Divina De Campo is a force to be reckoned with, both on stage and off.  They’ve got the ability to sing in 5 different languages and up and down 4.5 octaves - whilst wearing some incredible outfits and heels.  Divina has the best laugh in showbiz and there are some real laughs in this conversation too.  Underpinning it all th...

“For me it’s about giving opportunities to others.” Maria Turner is the Client Services Director at Roland Dransfield. She’s recently celebrated 10 years at Roland Dransfield, having worked her way continuously from work experience - straight out of The University of Manchester - all the way to the leadership team.   Maria was an integral part of the team that created the “Roland Dransfield W...

“If I’m not an artist, what am I?” Artist Davo Howarth joined Lisa Morton in “Heaven” at Hotel Football for this week's episode.  It’s a place that’s very close to Davo’s heart as it overlooks Old Trafford football ground.  A born and raised Manc, Davo is an artist who describes his style as “explosive.” In this conversation, you’ll hear how he navigated the school system growing up as a...

Tony Michaelides has been described as a walking, talking, encyclopaedia of music. He’s been described that way for good reason, because he’s worked with everyone from David Bowie, to New Order to Take That.  Tony worked in promotions and as a consultant in the music industry.  He’s also very well known in Manchester for his time at Piccadilly Radio, where his nickname was “Tony the Gree...

“Hopefully, people see me and think ‘I could do that too’” In this episode, Lisa is joined by Manchester-born and raised Kyle Walker. Kyle is a presenter and reporter for Sky Sports, former host of BBC Radio Manchester’s “The Dead Good Show” and contributor on Football Focus and Match of the Day. Kyle is proud of his roots and is passionate about showing young people from Manchester that they don'...

“Continuing a Pride that Manchester can be proud of” This week the city is celebrating Manchester Pride 2022. Across the weekend there will be the annual parade, vigil, parties and a new Human Rights rally in celebration of Manchester’s LQBTQ+ community. This episode shines a light on Manchester Pride: the festival weekend, the people who bring it all together and the community that surrounds it....

“Manchester is a place where young people come, to find their feet and then fly.” Manchester has hosted graduation ceremonies for thousands of students recently, who have reached the end of their undergraduate and postgraduate studies. It’s a good time to celebrate everything Manchester has to offer its students, from the amazing creative and tech industries to the ever-growing music scene and nig...

Bev Craig is the leader of Manchester City Council, a job she describes on her Twitter biog as “running the best city in the world”. She grew up on a council estate just outside Belfast, and it wasn’t the kind of place where you’d be expected to move away and go to university.   But as you’ll hear - Bev’s not the kind of person to be pigeonholed.   She got involved in politics at a young...

Emma Goswell is a broadcaster, podcaster and author who champions the stories of LGBTQ plus people.   Her podcast and book, “Coming Out Stories', shines a light on the experiences of 100’s of people of all ages and backgrounds, from all over the world.   Emma co-hosted the groundbreaking Gaydio breakfast show in Manchester when the station first went national.   She won a Sony award...

William Lees-Jones took over the family’s brewing company, JW Lees, in 2004 and now owns pubs across the North-West of England and Wales. His forward thinking and proactive approach has earned him a reputation for invoking radical changes within his industry whilst sticking to traditional values and championing the culture that surrounds the local. He recalls the struggle of ensuring the safety of...

"If you can see the poverty in Greater Manchester or anywhere and not act, I'm worried.” - Vikas Shah MBE Ahead of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on Friday 3rd June, we are taking a look back at those, of our guests, who have been recognised for their acts of service to others, to their communities and to causes they hold close to their hearts.  Join us for a special episode in which we will hear th...

“I’m going to publicly forgive the terrorist who killed Martyn, because anger breeds anger and hate breeds hate - somebody needs to break the cycle.” Figen Murray practises kindness and teaches resilience in an effort to build a safer, united community in which people trust and respect each other. After losing her son, Martyn, in the Manchester Arena attack she gave up her career working as a ther...

“For us it’s all about the future, it’s about laying down the foundations with new composers and new communities that we can make a difference in, in the future.” Bob Riley came from the “cow pats of East Yorkshire” to the “hustle and bustle of Manchester” after his talents on the violin secured him a place at the Royal Northern College of Music. He has now held the position of Chief Executive at...

“It was that dark moment that powered me forward - that year I went on to achieve things I never thought were possible.” Scott Thomas, owner of Social PR, Food4Thoughts and his own personal brand, knows the struggle of beating your demons and overcoming difficult times. The desire to reach his full potential has driven him to continually work on himself, both mentally and physically, so that he ca...

“It’s about creating a new generation of Mancs who believe they can do anything” Can a museum do exactly that? Sally MacDonald is the Director of the Science and Industry Museum, and that’s her aim. Sally learnt about the importance of looking and storytelling through objects, after attending an art class at Manchester Museum as a child.  Her passion continued as she studied archaeology and w...

“I'm living the dream - Manchester United fan, boy and man” What’s it like to live your dream? Alan Keegan is otherwise known as “The Voice of Old Trafford”, where he’s the corporate MC and matchday compere.   Alan’s family came to Manchester from the west of Ireland in the late 50’s. They settled in Chorlton Upon Medlock, where his mum ran a shop, which was a real hub of the community. ...

“So much of social media was a gold rush” At 28 Dominic McGregor has already sold his first very successful business Social Chain which he co-founded with Dragon Steven Barlett, Dom has now moved into the world of investments with Fearless Adventures. He says he knows what it's like to start a company and face the business world for the first time overwhelmed, so, he is driven by helping first tim...

“We’re enabling a city region of tinkerers” Dr Marilyn ​​Comrie OBE is a green tech entrepreneur who is passionate about creating opportunities for young people to thrive.  She’s also a leader for diversity and inclusion in the city. As you’ll hear Marilyn believes in following the “golden thread” of life.  She’s followed a flow of life which has taken her all over the world and changed...

“When I go to a club and the music is great and it’s full of  young people I think, this is the next revolution.” Dave Haslam is a legendary Manc, who helped to create the eclectic sound of the Hacienda through his weekly DJ sets during the late 80’s and 90’s and then at iconic Manchester club The Boardwalk. He played for the Hacienda crowds over 480 times and was even the last person to spin...

"Manchester had always been glinting on the horizon across the Lancashire plain" On National Storytelling week, host Lisa Morton brings you some of the best stories about Manchester places, from the We Built This City archives. You'll hear about iconic Manchester buildings, like Granada studios, Manchester's pubs, like the Dog and Partridge in Didsbury and about the redevelopment of the Northern Q...

“You didn’t need music. You could listen to the stories by earwigging” Manchester poet Argh Kid is one of many guests on We Built This City, to reflect on the fact that Mancunians tell great tales.   As National Storytelling Week approaches, host Lisa Morton brings you some of the best stories about Manchester people, from the We Built This City Archives.   You’ll hear about the famous to the not...

“There’s a real sense of collaboration in Manchester that’s quite unique” Dr Kirsty Fairclough is a reader in Screen Studies and Chair of the Manchester Jazz Festival.  She’s also on the Music Board for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority - and as you’ll hear in this interview, she oozes Manchester music culture.  However, it’s not just the maraca shaking scene of the nineties that...

“If you put it out there, you’ll get it back” Siobhan Johnston is a sales executive for Hits Radio. This episode is a lesson in how to get out of things what you put in and giving everything your all. Siobhan is a big believer in putting your dreams out into the universe to see them realised, she tells Lisa how she went from losing everything to being headhunted by Manchester City to manage The Tu...

2021 has really sorted the wheat from the chaff when it comes to those people who lead authentically. To round up We Built This City for the year, Lisa takes the time to reflect on the wise words of her guests from the past 12 months. You’ll hear Manchester’s leaders, doers and creators discuss why traits like vulnerability, honesty and humility allow you to create connections; built on trust and...

“You don’t need to have super-heroes because there are so many stories you can shine a spotlight on from an ordinary couple sat on the couch.” David Scott - AKA Argh Kid - is the poet who's captured the imagination of Mancunians with his observational work that often celebrates the Manchester dialect.   David never expected to get a career in the creative industries when he was growing up.&nb...