From the Local to Global: A New Framework for Devolution and Diplomacy
This report argues that the UK is not leveraging the international potential of its cities, regions, universities and civic institutions.
The UK is competing in a highly competitive global environment for investment, talent and influence — but it lacks a coherent strategy for how its cities and regions should engage internationally.
It proposes a new framework for ‘sub-national diplomacy’ that enables strategic authorities and local partners to play a greater role in attracting investment, promoting trade, developing international partnerships and supporting economic growth. The report sets out a set of principles and recommendations designed to better align local, regional and national international engagement.
The Government should work with places to establish a national framework for sub-national diplomacy, including a dedicated strategy, stronger devolution arrangements and greater support for strategic authorities and universities in order to maximise the UK's international competitiveness and regional growth. Without embracing the agenda, the UK is leaving opportunity on the table.
Meet the Authors
Jack Shaw
Jack is an associate at City-REDI, University of Birmingham and Director of Groundwork Research.
Dr Chloe Billings
Chloe joined the City-REDI team in November 2016 as a Research Fellow, working on the Urban Living Birmingham Project. She is responsible for undertaking a detailed review of end-user and open innovation to explore its application to urban services. This is based on the understanding that service reform in many fast growth and highly innovative private sector firms is driven by the application of new approaches to innovation.
Patrick Diamond
Professor Patrick Diamond is Professor of Public Policy at Queen Mary, University of London, and a Senior Advisor at Groundwork Research.
Charlotte Hoole
Charlotte is a Research Fellow at City-REDI. Charlotte’s research interests lie broadly in the geography and political economy of local and regional development, governance and policy. Previously, Charlotte worked as a Post-doctoral ESRC Fellow in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at the University of Sheffield. She has eight years of experience in academic and consultancy posts, during which she has carried out research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Research England, local government in England, BEIS, Innovate UK, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the Bank of England, the European Union and the Swiss National Science Foundation. Charlotte completed her PhD in 2018 at the University of Sheffield, focused on place leadership and governance in a city-regional context.
Fumi Kitagawa
Fumi Kitagawa joined City-REDI in April 2023, as Professor/Chair in Regional Economic Development. She has conducted research related to regional innovation and entrepreneurship policies; higher education policy and regional development.
She has expertise on the role of universities in innovation and entrepreneurial processes, knowledge exchange and third mission, and governance of local and regional development in different national contexts (e.g. UK, Japan, Sweden).
Andrew Stevens
Andrew is a Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies and an Advisor at Groundwork Research.