Putting place first: Mayoral event provides global lessons in regional leadership
A recent event hosted by the Centre for Economy, Policy and Place at Nottingham Business School brought together Claire Ward, mayor of the East Midlands Combined County Authority, and Aki Takehisa, former mayor of Setouchi City in Japan.
By Helen Breese | Published on 20 January 2026
Categories: Business; Research; Nottingham Business School;
The two leaders compared their experiences of regional leadership, with Japan offering a more mature model of devolution.
Mayor Claire, a former MP, described the mayoral role as distinct from national politics, offering direct accountability to residents and a mandate to speak to central government on behalf of an entire region. She also noted that the position is as much about diplomacy as politics, including listening, translating local needs, and managing complex relationships across a diverse region.
Claire emphasised that place‑based leadership is essential for tackling the wider determinants of health and argued that achieving long‑term inclusive growth relies on improving skills, access to stable jobs, safe and sustainable housing and efficient transport systems.
In her view, consensus‑building around place is essential for genuine progress and should unite politicians, institutions and residents, even amid shifting political environments.
Aki reflected on his own path into office, inspired by a mayoral speech at his graduation. As mayor, he acted as the public face of Setouchi City and worked across almost every policy area. He explained that Japanese mayors have broad powers, supported by a mix of local taxes, non‑tax income and central funding. Unlike the UK, most grants are not ring‑fenced, allowing greater freedom in how money is used.
Aki also highlighted the close relationships between local authorities, landowners and residents in smaller cities, as well as the strong accountability mechanisms within Japan’s system of vertical and horizontal governance.
The discussion, supported by the Regional Studies Association, was facilitated by Professor Will Rossiter, director of the Centre for Economy, Policy and Place at NBS.
He said: “This was very much a local event with a global reach. Bringing together mayors from England and Japan created a rare opportunity to compare approaches to leadership and regional governance across entirely different contexts.
“It shows the value of universities as places where international perspectives can be shared, tested and learned from, and where global insights can inform local practice.”
Opening remarks were delivered by Professor Dave Petley, Vice-Chancellor of Nottingham Trent University, with keynote contributions from Professor Anne Green and Dr Abigail Taylor of City-REDI at the University of Birmingham. Their research examines comparative approaches to mayoral leadership in England and Japan.
Professor Green commented: “The evening highlighted the importance of a ‘place‑first vision’ - one that depends on building consensus through strong formal and informal relationships across multiple geographical scales. Effective multi‑level governance requires working vertically between places and horizontally across them, creating the glue that connects institutions and infrastructure and enables progress toward inclusive growth and wellbeing.”
The event marked the launch of a new series from the Centre for Economy, Policy and Place, which focuses on research in economic and public policy, place-based development and public services.
Notes for Editors
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