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Roland Dransfield
Incredible conversations with the Mancunians - born, bred and adopted - who put the heart into Modern Manchester.
We Built This City focuses on how these extraordinary Mancunians have built something that impacts lives and the purposeful relationships that have helped steer them, the values that have driven them to do it, and the legacies they plan to leave behind.
Celebrate human grit, determination, loyalty, and diversity across culture, arts, politics, sport, music and business.
Lisa Morton interviews Mancunian icons like Andy Burnham, John Thomson, Gary Neville, Sacha Lord, Stacey Copeland, Clint Boon, Sir Richard Leese, Diane Modahl MBE, Ged King, Chris Brindley MBE, Carl Austin-Behan OBE, Karina Jadhav, Joanne Roney OBE and Sir Howard Bernstein.
Manc 29: Dianne Bourne - Creator Of Manchester’s Showbiz Buzz
Dianne Bourne goes to the party so you don’t have to: “Manchester’s full of great people with stories to tell."
As Showbiz Editor for the Manchester Evening News Diary page for 13 years, Dianne is no stranger to fame. She’s interviewed global superstars including Rihanna, at the Trafford Centre, Lady Gaga, in Whalley Range and Snoop Dogg, in Ordsall. Lisa Morton discovers how this gossip columnist learnt how to gossip in the right way, and created the buzz around Manchester’s celebrity culture.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our city in a better place.
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via our website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Dianne Bourne:
Via I Love MCR
On Twitter
54:1224/12/2020
Bonus: Know Your Value - Champions Do Extra
Better yourself. Better your clients. Better your business.
Lisa Morton explores Will Lewis' inspiring revelation that he "fights like a dog to get the best results for his clients". She reveals how every business leader can take the value 'Champions Do Extra' and make it work for their organisation to become winners in their industry.
03:3221/12/2020
Manc 28: Will Lewis - The Property Disruptor With No Title
“I've never been arsed about money. When I get out of bed in the morning, I just want to make sure we do our absolute best."
From selling Mars Bars at school to negotiating multi-million pound property deals, this week Lisa sits down with Will Lewis, Director of OBI.
Will started OBI 10 years ago, in the middle of the debris of the banking crisis. Since then, he’s grown his business to manage nearly half of all property deals in Manchester. In this podcast, find out more about why he’s referred to as a disruptor, and his mission to do things differently.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our city in a better place.
_ _ _ _ _
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via our website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Will Lewis:
Via LinkedIn
Via OBI’s website
38:3117/12/2020
Bonus: Know Your Value - No D*******s
Building a team is a continuous challenge for many business leaders. Lisa Morton reflects on Mark Fletcher's observation that the 2020 pandemic exposed those that were on the team, and those that weren't.
Find out how a simple rule like "No D*******s" not only helps you surround yourself with people who share your values, but also helps you make sure you’re not being one.
03:2415/12/2020
Manc 27: Mark Fletcher - An Accidental Activist
“Creating a world where people are free to love who they want.”
Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride, brought Ariana Grande to the Pride stage in 2019, cementing it as an event that attracts global attention. Closer to home, Lisa Morton discovers how his fight for a more inclusive world is helping to break down barriers for Manchester’s LGBTQ+ community
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our city in a better place.
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Mark Fletcher:
On Twitter
Via Manchester Pride
44:1010/12/2020
Bonus: Know Your Value - No Integrity Slippage
How do your values work together to help each other? Lisa Morton explores "Integrity" off the back of Joanne Roney's interview. She discusses how integrity can drive you in your decision making, and a surprise second value comes in to help.
04:1708/12/2020
Manc 26: Joanne Roney OBE - Manchester Council's First Female CEO
What does it take to make history? Find out from Joanne Roney OBE.
Desperate to earn a wage to buy her first ever new coat, Joanne left school at 16 and got a job at Birmingham Council’s Housing Department. On day one, she had a dead rat thrown at her.
Find out how she overcame the obstacles (and rats), to become Manchester Council’s first ever female Chief Executive.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our city in a better place.
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Joanne Roney:
On Twitter
57:5903/12/2020
Bonus: Know Your Value - Sweep The Sheds
Discover what it means to live and work by your values. Lisa Morton delves in to her interview with Sir Howard Bernstein and discusses the idea of "Sweeping the Sheds".
05:0001/12/2020
Manc 25: Sir Howard Bernstein - Rebuilding A City
What values drive a CEO with integrity like Sir Howard Bernstein?
As the Chief Executive of Manchester City Council for nearly 20 years, Sir Howard got the city back on its feet after the IRA bomb in 1996. He then carried on his regeneration mission for almost two decades, galvanising public and private partnerships, changing the skyline and creating new communities in addition to bringing The Commonwealth Games to Manchester.
Lisa Morton finds out how you rebuild a city, the values that drove Sir Howard to grow the community, and the legacy he wants to leave. Sir Howard also has some warm words of advice and support for Greater Manchester as we rebuild out of a pandemic.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our city in a better place.
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Howard:
Via Deloitte
58:2926/11/2020
We Built This City Season 2 - Launches 26th November
Lisa Morton tells the story of Greater Manchester, interviewing one legacy maker at a time. Find out what to expect in Season 2.
2020 has been a tough year for Manchester, and the world. We Built This City showcases people from the city region who've shown generosity and grit to pull the Manchester community through adversity. In Season 2 you'll hear stories of growth, determination, love, community and family.
See you on the 26th of November at 9 am for the first episode.
04:1819/11/2020
Manc 24: Plant Trees You'll Never See
“Plant trees you’ll never see” means that we should all leave a legacy out of respect for those who follow us.
This is one of the most important values of The Roland Dransfield Way – 15 values by which we try to hold ourselves accountable personally and professionally.
Each of our We Built This City guests has shown that their personal journeys have at their heart a determination to leave Greater Manchester in a better place.
To celebrate Roland Dransfield’s 24th anniversary, we wanted to dedicate our 24th episode to the importance of ‘planting trees’ and to share some of the vital legacy work that our guests are doing, not out of self-interest, but for the benefit of Mancunian generations to come.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our city in a better place.
_ _ _ _ _
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
34:0119/08/2020
Manc 23: Ged King - The Barber Still On A Mission
Ged King has dedicated his formative years to changing the lives of Manchester’s homeless community, but for the last five months, his altruism and soul searching has taken place in Thailand’s Koh Samui.
Hear about Ged’s hopes of bringing his Skullfades Foundation to Thailand - cutting hair, changing lives, and finding his own spiritual space along the way.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our city in a better place.
_ _ _ _ _
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Ged:
Via Skullfades
On LinkedIn
46:5812/08/2020
Manc 22: Christopher Bisson - The Actor Who Made His Own Luck
Star of Coronation Street, Shameless, East Is East and Emmerdale, Christopher Bisson follows one manta – make your own luck, and make the most of it.
Chris started his career by chance as a child model turned actor on Children’s Ward. CEO Lisa Morton finds out how making the most of his chances turned him into one of the nation’s favourite TV fixtures over the last three decades.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our city in a better place.
_ _ _ _ _
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Chris:
On Twitter
51:5905/08/2020
Manc 21: Thom Hetherington - Manchester’s Food and Art Showman
Thom Hetherington says great taste comes from learning. Find out what you can learn from Manchester’s leading arts and food expert.
CEO of Holden Media, Thom spends his life bringing celebrated arts and culture events to Manchester. Lisa Morton finds out what drove him to start the Northern Restaurant and Bar Show, and the Manchester Art Fair.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our city in a better place.
_ _ _ _ _
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Thom:
On Twitter
On LinkedIn
45:5329/07/2020
Manc 20: Shelina Begum - Manchester's Lois Lane
Journalist Shelina Begum knows how to get a good story. Lisa Morton gets curious with the Manchester Evening News’ Business Editor to find out how she has been the voice for Manchester’s Asian and Business Communities for the last 20 years.
We Built This City is a series of incredible conversations with the incredible Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. It’s a celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city. These episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our city in a better place.
_ _ _ _ _
20 years ago, Shelina stepped into her career in journalism, starting as a junior reporter at Asian News at just 17 years old.
Now, as the Business Editor of the Manchester Evening News, she’s not only watched Manchester rebuild over the last two decades - she’s been at the forefront of the growth, reporting on every move.
You won’t always get your story through Shelina’s ironclad ‘what makes a good news story’ radar, but when you do, you know you’re onto something special.
Satisfy your curiosity with our brand new We Built This City episode.
_ _ _ _ _
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Shelina:
On Twitter
46:0622/07/2020
Manc 19: Sir Richard Leese - The Leader Who Gave Manchester Its Confidence Back
Sir Richard Leese says there is one fundamental thing that rebuilt Manchester in 1996. Lisa Morton finds out what it is.
Manchester City Council Leader Sir Richard Leese was instrumental in rebuilding the city after the IRA bomb in 1996. Hear how he plans to pull the city through COVID, making it stronger and more formidable than ever before.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our city in a better place.
_ _ _ _ _
Sir Richard Leese was voted into office one month before the IRA bomb, giving him the huge task of rebuilding the city.
Using the unwavering relationships that the city had built up over the years before, huge successes were achieved from setting up the lord mayor’s emergency fund to help countless businesses to reopen, to breaking down the north/south divide of the city. Needless to say, Sir Richard has created an exceptional legacy for Manchester.
Lisa Morton chats to Sir Richard about the challenges that Manchester faces now in the aftermath of a pandemic, and the ways in which he’ll tackle them head on to reestablish a thriving city that can recruit and retain for a modern economy.
And the best advice he has to give?
“Understanding that everything is done by teams – you can’t achieve much on your own.”
_ _ _ _ _
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Sir Richard:
Via the Manchester City Council website
On Twitter
46:2015/07/2020
Manc 18: Eamonn O'Neal - From Tea Boy To High Sheriff
Discover what happens when you’re not frightened of failure.
From teaching and radio presenting to being appointed High Sheriff, Eamonn O’Neal has achieved everything he’s ever set out to do. Here, Lisa Morton discovers what happens when you take the risks and the opportunities life throws at you.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our city in a better place.
_ _ _ _ _
Eamonn was appointed by the Queen this year as High Sheriff of Greater Manchester – the first High Sheriff in history to be installed via Zoom! - and his year campaign is to celebrate ‘being you’. A man with a big heart, Eamonn is working with organisations to create cultures that allow those with disabilities to thrive in our society.
In his own words: “I want to celebrate and show the strength that’s in differences.”
Leaving his job as a deputy head when he was 30, Eamonn was the oldest tea boy in media when he started his career in broadcast at ITV and BBC Radio Manchester, and has even been Managing Editor of the Manchester Evening News.
On top of his current work as High Sheriff, Eamonn is Chief Executive of St Ann’s Hospice, working to give people peace in their final stages of life and helping to raise £20m as they go into their 50th year.
In this episode, you’ll find out what can happen when you have the courage to follow where life leads.
_ _ _ _ _
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Eamon:
On LinkedIn
51:5308/07/2020
Manc 17: Vikas Shah MBE - Entrepreneur, philanthropist, game-changer
What do Sir Richard Branson, Rita Ora and Usain Bolt have in common? They’re all on a first-name basis with Vikas Shah MBE.
Here, Lisa Morton delves into the life of one of the most successful entrepreneurs and philanthropists in the UK.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our city in a better place.
_ _ _ _ _
Vikas started his first business aged just 14, creating and selling website designs – never knowing that this would be the start of an exceptional career.
Now, Vikas is CEO of Swiscot Group - a diversified international trading business – and teaches at three separate universities, including his role as Visiting Professor of Entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan. Not just settling for that, however, he’s also the Chair of several social enterprises, sits on the board of local and global charities and speaks publicly on issues ranging from mental health to inequality.
Understanding his privileged position, he lives by the mantra: “If you can make a difference, you should feel obligated to do so – because it’s just by pure fluke that you’re not in that position.”
If you want to learn how to make positive change whatever your position, Vikas is someone you need to know.
_ _ _ _ _
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Greater Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best place in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Vikas:
Via his website
Via Twitter
46:3901/07/2020
Manc 16: Corin Bell - Feeding Bellies Not Bins
Corin Bell has one clear mission: to end food waste. Lisa Morton finds out how Corin uses her catering business to do just that - and to feed thousands of vulnerable people in Manchester during lockdown.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our city in a better place.
_ _ _ _ _
Corin launched Open Kitchen Manchester six years ago with a determination to intercept food that would be thrown away along the distribution line to feed the city.
Her aim: feed bellies, not bins. She’s since struck up incredible partnerships that allow her to make a real impact in the UK’s food waste industry.
However once COVID struck, her business - alongside the rest of the hospitality industry - was stopped in its tracks. But her team wasn’t ready to pack it in just yet: “We’ll feed people, won’t we? We’ll just keep cooking.”
And that’s what they did, they put their own needs to one side to help those who needed it most.
This is what social conscience truly looks like.
_ _ _ _ _
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best city in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Corin:
Via her website
On Twitter
41:4024/06/2020
Manc 15: Chris Oglesby - Creating Cities That Thrive
He built this city. Chris Oglesby is the CEO of Bruntwood with a £1billion investment portfolio across the UK. He tells Lisa Morton of the values, passion and drive it takes to building thriving cities - including his home one: Manchester.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our city in a better place.
_ _ _ _ _
Michael Oglesby, Chris’ father, set up Bruntwood in 1976. His first ever acquisition was a gas meter factory in Farnworth. Never did he think his business would achieve the successes it’s celebrated for today.
Four decades on, and Chris and the Bruntwood team are managing £1bn worth of assets across the UK, including Circle Square, Manchester Science Park and Alderley Park, but he’s never forgotten the values that his dad instilled in him from a young age – values of hard work, integrity and respect.
Chris’ mission is to create thriving cities, and his ethos has never failed him: “Culture beats strategy every time.”
_ _ _ _ _
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best city in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Chris:
Via their website
On LinkedIn
44:3517/06/2020
We Built This City: Manchester's Reaction To The IRA Bomb 1996
On June 15th 1996 a bomb, planted by the IRA, exploded in Manchester City Centre. Thanks to the efforts of the rescue services, no one died. In this special episode previous We Built This City guests talk about their experiences on the day, and how the people of Manchester were able to build a new, stronger community in the face of adversity.
Voices include: Clint Boon, John Thomson, Diane Modahl, Carl Austin-Behan, Sarah Collins, Liz Taylor, Ged King, Karina Jadhav, Andy Burnham & Chris Brindley MBE
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our city in a better place.
_ _ _ _ _
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best city in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
23:3014/06/2020
Manc 14: Stacey Copeland - The Commonwealth Champion Paving The Way
“If you’re going to inspire people, you have to step up.” Hear how Stacey Copeland has been breaking down barriers in the world of sport for years as an FA Cup finalist and Commonwealth boxing champion - her work is only just getting started.
A master of football and boxing, Stacey has since set her sights on a new mission – to challenge gender stereotyping and create a world where gender is never a barrier to human potential.
Now that’s purpose.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our city in a better place.
_ _ _ _ _
When Stacey first wanted to become a boxer, it was illegal, and when she tried to play football she was told she wasn’t allowed to play with the boys. As a girl, she couldn’t fight in her grandad’s gym, or have a kickabout with the lads at school.
Thankfully, Stacey’s not one to let adversity stop her.
She is now a celebrated athlete in the UK, having represented her country in both football and boxing, and in 2018 became the first ever British woman to win a boxing Commonwealth title.
_ _ _ _ _
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best city in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Stacey:
Via her website
On Twitter
55:1810/06/2020
Manc 13: Rose Marley - One Voice, One Mission
Has a song ever changed your life? If so, you have something in common with our next guest.
“If I hadn’t seen such riches, I could live with being poor” – these two short lines gave Rose Marley the ambition she needed to give up her career and start a new business from scratch – a business that was destined to give back.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our city in a better place.
_ _ _ _ _
Manchester’s famous Madchester movement helped Rose secure a job in the music industry for over ten years. When she gave birth to her first child, however, she wondered what type of world she was bringing them into - and that’s when a serendipitous moment with a James song gave her life a whole new meaning.
Leaving the music industry, Rose became a social entrepreneur as the COO of the Sharp Project, and is now the Founder of Sharp Futures – giving young people with uncertain aspirations the opportunity to get into the creative industry. But as a social enterprise, she’ll only work with businesses that do good.
Remember, business for good is good for business.
_ _ _ _ _
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best city in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Rose:
Via her website
On Twitter
On Instagram
50:4103/06/2020
Manc 12: Karina Jadhav - Manchester's Vibrant Diner
Manchester is a city that thinks a table is for dancing on – and our latest guest has only gone and made it compulsory!
Founder of Menagerie and Neighbourhood, Karina Jadhav has been a maker of memories for over a decade in Manchester, and she’s ready for the good times to roll back in.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our city in a better place.
_ _ _ _ _
Starting her career as a journalist, Karina never quite realised her passion for the hospitality sector until she began working with her ex-partner at Neighbourhood. She knew people were hungry for something different, and she was ready to provide the goods.
Following a divorce and an emotional farewell to the bar she helped make famous, Karina decided to go on her own food and drink tasting roadshow across the US – a trip that inspired the launch of her own restaurant, Menagerie. And, well, the rest is history.
In this episode we discuss the importance of family, of building yourself back up when you’ve been knocked down, and the secrets of running a successful business.
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Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best city in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Karina:
Via her website
On Twitter
On Instagram
46:5727/05/2020
Manc 11: Andy Burnham - The Ultimate Adopted Manc Mayor
How does a man who was born in Aintree and educated in Cambridge become Mayor of Manchester?
Andy Burnham has always been a man of the people, and when he’s not in the Britain’s Protection with a pint of bitter or at a Slow Reader’s Club gig, you can find him enacting genuine, purposeful change that will transform Manchester and the Northern Powerhouse for the better.
We Built This City is a series of incredible conversations with incredible Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our city in a better place.
_ _ _ _ _
Just two weeks into his position as Mayor of Manchester, the city was brought to its knees by the Manchester Arena bomb – a defining moment for Andy’s career, and a moment that showed him the true scale of our city’s heart.
Since then, Andy has campaigned tirelessly to make our city a place that we can be truly proud of – from his work to end homelessness through his Bed Every Night campaign, to Build Back Better – a project that supports the improved regrowth of Manchester post-COVID19.
Discover the true importance of resilience and heart, and the impact it can have on a community you love.
_ _ _ _ _
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best city in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Andy:
On Twitter
54:4220/05/2020
Manc 10: Carl Austin-Behan - The First Gay Mayor of Manchester
How does Mr Gay UK become Manchester’s first openly gay Lord Mayor? From hot pants to regal robes, Carl Austin-Behan’s uniform has changed a lot over the years – but his values have always stayed the same.
In his own words: “You can be anything – and if someone sows a seed, let it grow”.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our city in a better place.
_ _ _ _ _
To lose his career, his home and his family, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Carl had done something terrible to warrant such pain. The truth of the matter however, is that he was just trying to live his true, authentic life.
Carl’s story is one of bravery. From the heroic act of throwing himself into a burning plane to save his team member, to the more personal, daily acts of bravery that come with being a gay man (and yes, that does include wearing a pair of hot pants to walk up Deansgate!)
In this podcast we discover proof that, no matter what you’re going through, things always get better.
_ _ _ _ _
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best city in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Carl:
Via his website
On Twitter
On Instagram
52:4313/05/2020
Manc 09: Gary Neville – The Man With A Plan (B)
From one of Manchester United’s most celebrated players, to one of the City’s most prolific leaders, Gary Neville continues at the same relentless pace he did as a footballer.
And what’s helped him sustain it?
A key lesson he took from his days at United: “You go for it - you think you’re right and you don’t stop ... even if sometimes you get a little slap around the face”.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into Modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and community found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our much-loved corner of the world in a better place.
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Gary Neville was trained under the watchful eye of the great Sir Alex Ferguson, and along with a sterling career as a footballer, he learned how to be a strong leader and a fair boss.
From winning titles and smashing up planes (it wasn’t him), to building a new cityscape with his property company, Gary’s relentless energy has permeated through our City for years.
Learn about the values that have helped shape his professional career – both on and off the pitch – and why his love of Manchester will never fade.
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Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best city in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Gary:
Via Relentless Group
On Twitter
57:2106/05/2020
Manc 08: Liz Taylor - The Event Planner With The Best Black Book In Manchester
Expect life advice, business acumen and funny stories from Manchester’s first ever Event Planner, Liz Taylor of the Taylor Lynn Corporation.
Being a big fish in a small tank was the criteria when Liz Taylor founded her Manchester based event management company. But that didn’t stop her from building a hugely respected international event company.
Liz Taylor has the best black book in Manchester and was the first party and events planner in the City. She’s worked with most of the North West’s corporates, venues and a just a few famous faces (Taylor Swift, Gary Barlow, Bon Jovi and Prince William?)
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. A celebration of the human grit, determination and love found throughout the city, these episodes will lift you up, make you laugh and inspire you to leave our wonderful city in a better place.
_ _ _ _ _
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best city in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Liz:
Via her website
On Twitter
39:4029/04/2020
Manc 07: Chris Brindley - The Manc who's "winning the right way"
It’s time to meet the man with Britain’s best CV.
Chris Brindley was titled Britain’s Best Boss in 2017, was awarded an MBE by Prince Charles in 2018 for services to sport, and is now Chair of the Rugby League World Cup 2021 – and we haven’t even scratched the surface.
Hear the inspirational story about how this former newspaper boy became one of our country’s greatest leaders.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. We recorded these episodes before the Corona Virus outbreak, which has for the time-being, not only taken the swagger out of Manchester, but brought us to our knees. Not for long. We had always planned to launch in March and wondered if that was still the right thing to do now. On reflection, we decided to go ahead, because the love and the family and the community that comes out of these conversations, will hopefully provide some strength and conviction that we did build this city - and we will do it again.
_ _ _ _ _
Growing up as a newspaper boy in the 1960s, Chris Brindley developed an unfaltering love of sport. Although his dream of going pro didn’t work out, he realised he had a hidden talent in leading a team.
A talent that would become his most coveted asset.
Chris’ leadership abilities have put him at the helm of some of the most successful businesses in the UK - taking on Director roles at NatWest, British Gas and MetroBank – but back at the Bowling Green pub in Chorlton, he’s just one of the lads.
A story of determination, personal growth and a gratitude for life. If you didn’t want to become a leader before, you will now.
_ _ _ _ _
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best city in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Chris:
On LinkedIn
On Twitter
50:4922/04/2020
Manc 06: Sarah Collins - The Woman Maketh the Manc
“I can and I will, watch me” – not a bad role model rallying cry, right?
Sarah Collins spends her life empowering others. If it’s not through training her junior netball team, it’s by generating purposeful change in her new role at TalkSPORT, or picking her ‘PMA crew’ up when they’re down. She’s a constant reminder that sometimes all you need is a good friend.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. We recorded these episodes before the Corona Virus outbreak, which has for the time-being, not only taken the swagger out of Manchester, but brought us to our knees. Not for long. We had always planned to launch in March and wondered if that was still the right thing to do now. On reflection, we decided to go ahead, because the love and the family and the community that comes out of these conversations, will hopefully provide some strength and conviction that we did build this city - and we will do it again.
_ _ _ _ _
Former Head of Sport for BBC Radio Manchester, Sarah Collins has spent her career encouraging young women to build their careers, promoting women in sport, and trying very hard to get out of bed before 9am.
Hear Sarah’s impassioned protests in favour of more grassroots sporting opportunities for women, her hilarious tales about the doomed radio car that didn’t survive the Salford riots, and why she’ll never forget that fateful Manchester City match on September 23rd 1989…
If laughter is the best medicine, you’re all about to feel pretty wonderful.
_ _ _ _ _
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best city in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Sarah:
Via TalkSPORT
On Twitter
On Instagram
39:0415/04/2020
Manc 05: Sacha Lord - Manchester's Party Tsar
Meet the man that’s responsible for your last epic night out.
Not only has Sacha Lord brought the party to Manchester for years, he’s also brought along some global superstars - including Tyler the Creator, Lorde and Frank Ocean. And in this episode he reveals the line up to the Hacienda House Party for this weekend's unitedwestream.co.uk.
If you want some behind the scenes exclusives about Parklife festival, or want to find out why the Warehouse Project almost never happened, this one’s for you.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. We recorded these episodes before the Corona Virus outbreak, which has for the time-being, not only taken the swagger out of Manchester, but brought us to our knees. Not for long. We had always planned to launch in March and wondered if that was still the right thing to do now. On reflection, we decided to go ahead, because the love and the family and the community that comes out of these conversations, will hopefully provide some strength and conviction that we did build this city - and we will do it again.
_ _ _ _ _
It’s fair to say that Sacha’s educational career never really took off, and after leaving sixth form with two Us and an E, he knew there was only one place he wanted to be – wherever the music was.
Sacha has been instrumental in keeping the sound of Manchester alive, and has worked tirelessly alongside our Mayor and City Council to protect and grow our city’s musical institutions. In fact, Sacha’s been such a success that his photograph now hangs on the walls of the school that kicked him out!
An astounding story of passion, determination and a little bit of luck, Sacha shows us that you don’t need to have life planned out to truly make a difference.
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Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best city in the world.
.
.
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Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Sacha:
Via Twitter
Via Instagram
50:0808/04/2020
Manc 04: Clint Boon – The Musician With A Voice
What’s life without music? Clint Boon has been keeping the spirit of Mancunian music alive for years, and the self proclaimed “creative hurricane” is showing no signs of slowing down. See Clint Boon's We Built This City Playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0YW3lVDOWrE0QZlV6XjEtF?si=Fc0V4R3WS7exqvNdEkGZkg
We Built This City is a series of incredible conversations with the incredible Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into Modern Manchester. We recorded this episode before the Corona Virus outbreak, which has for the time-being, not only taken the swagger out of Manchester, but brought us to our knees. Not for long. We had always planned to launch in March and wondered if that was still the right thing to do now. On reflection, we decided to go ahead, because the love and the family and the community that comes out of these conversations, will hopefully provide some strength and conviction that we did build this city - and we will do it again.
_ _ _ _ _
Clint’s life-long dream was to be in a band, playing music for his fans – ever since he first saw Elvis Presley on the TV. And whilst he achieved his goal, he knew that it couldn’t last forever. When the Inspiral Carpets went their separate ways, Clint needed to find a new way to bring that ‘buzz’ back into his life.
Lisa hears how Clint’s love of entertaining manifested in many ways throughout his life – as a DJ in Manchester’s South nightclub, a radio presenter on XS Manchester, and a public speaker, inspiring our City’s future great musicians.
A story of celebration and reinvention, Clint helps us to remember the importance of familial love and most importantly, staying unique.
_ _ _ _ _
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best city in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Spotify
Connect with Clint and his Boon Army:
On Twitter
On Facebook
57:3801/04/2020
Manc 03: John Thomson - The Actor Who Loves Escape Rooms
John Thomson is someone that Mancunians have claimed as their own. Born in Salford, bred in Preston and made in Manchester. Once named Mancunian Of The Year, John is one of our screen treasures - best known as Pete Gifford in Cold Feet. Lisa Morton talks to him about how he built his life, career and family, in and around Greater Manchester.
As one of Manchester’s Comedy Hall Of Fame, you will have seen John in The Dead Good Show, Coronation Street and The Fast Show. What you might not know is that he is a philanthropist, voice over artist, magician and game show obsessive.
Hear about his old haunts, his relationships, and the places he loves most throughout the city. Find out what really makes him laugh and why it’s “nice to be nice”. He’ll also reveal his in-depth knowledge of Manchester’s ‘escape rooms’.
Your host Lisa Morton set up PR company, Roland Dransfield, one month after the fateful IRA Bomb that tore apart the city’s centre. Since then as a company they have helped to rebuild the city from its infrastructure to the arts. To celebrate more the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering great Mancunian icons - born, bred or adopted - and through each episode, she will be exploring how they have created business, careers, relationships, communities and the stories they have to tell from along the way.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 0161 2361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
Connect with John Thomson:
On Instagram
On Twitter
42:3726/03/2020
Manc 02: Diane Modahl MBE - The Athlete With Manchester In Her Bones
From a working-class Manchester home to Olympic running tracks, Diane Modahl MBE tells Lisa Morton her incredible story. Hear how she was able to chase her dream, how she won a battle she never thought she’d ever have to fight and the young people she helps now.
This episode was recorded in early 2020 before Corona Virus spread across the world. It is as relevant now as it was when we recorded it. Diane talks about Manchester and the relationships here that helped her through her highs and her lows. Now her Foundation helps Manchester’s young people to thrive in the same way.
This podcast series will be delving into purposeful relationships that built the greatest city on earth, Manchester.
In this episode of We Built This City Lisa hears how Diane was given the opportunity to flourish as a young runner, since falling in love with the track Diane’s career has taken her many unexpected places.
Growing up in Longsight, attending high school in Moss Side, Diane says she was truly made in Manchester. Coming from a working-class household, Diane thanks her family network for allowing her to succeed as an athlete - her parents showed her true hard work ethic and she was able to use this mindset on the track.
The pair discuss her many achievements including setting up The Diane Modahl Sports Foundation which is striving to provide children growing up in social deprivation, the same opportunity that she had growing up allowing young talent and potential to be nurtured around the city.
And Lisa hears about the false doping claim that pulled Diane’s professional running career from under feet and the battle that followed for herself and her husband to clear her name. Diane’s success at this time has changed the way samples are taken.
Your host Lisa Morton set up PR company, Roland Dransfield, one month after the fateful IRA Bomb that tore apart the city’s centre. Since then as a company they have helped to rebuild the city from its infrastructure to the arts. To celebrate more the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering great Mancunian icons - born, bred or adopted - and through each episode, she will be exploring how they have created business, careers, relationships, communities and the stories they have to tell from along the way.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 0161 2361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
Connect with Diane:
On Twitter
Via her Website
53:0026/03/2020
Manc 01: Ged King - The Barber With A Mission
Prepare to be inspired. Ged King is the city’s barber who is changing lives. Hear how a haircut can help get people off the streets of Manchester.
Two-time TEDx speaker Ged tells Lisa Morton about his personal journey to self-belief and fulfillment, and how he is now doing the same for those that need it the most – all through cutting hair.
We Built This City is a series of conversations with some of the amazing Mancunians - born, bred or adopted – who put the heart into modern Manchester. We recorded these episodes before the Corona Virus outbreak, which has for the time-being, not only taken the swagger out of Manchester, but brought us to our knees. Not for long. We had always planned to launch in March and wondered if that was still the right thing to do now. On reflection, we decided to go ahead, because the love and the family and the community that comes out of these conversations, will hopefully provide some strength and conviction that we did build this city - and we will do it again.
Ged had experienced his own struggles, but after finally having achieved the dream of having his own barber business, he couldn’t understand why he still felt empty. Deep soul-searching led him to understand that what was going to make him feel complete was to help others – to give, not to take – and it was then that he and his team started to work on the streets of Manchester, helping to support people who had found themselves homeless.
Lisa hears how Ged and his team can change the physiology of a person by cutting their hair, by lifting them up, by washing away the dirt and by empowering each individual through conversation. Through this, he has created a ‘tribe’ of people around him to inspire him every day and to drive The Skullfades Foundation forward.
Skullfades’ work in Manchester - which has been very much supported by GM Mayor, Andy Burnham - is helping to create real sustainable social change. This includes the recent launch of the world’s first community barber shop, in Stretford, where young people, who have been homeless, are being trained in barbering skills.
Ged and Lisa discuss his plans to grow the Foundation to help end homelessness not just in Manchester, but around the world.
Your host, Lisa Morton, started PR company Roland Dransfield in 1996, one month after the fateful IRA bomb that tore apart the city centre. From that point, the business, and its team members, have been involved in helping to support the creation of Modern Manchester – across regeneration, business, charity, leisure and hospitality, sport and culture.
To celebrate the 24 years that Roland Dransfield has spent creating these bonds, Lisa is gathering together some of her Mancunian ‘family’ and will be exploring how they have created their own purposeful relationships with the best city in the world.
Connect with Lisa and Roland Dransfield:
Via Phone: 01612361122
Via their website
On Instagram
On Twitter
Connect with Ged and his Skullfades tribe:
On Facebook
On Twitter
On Instagram
Via the website
36:2025/03/2020
Welcome To 'We Built This City' from Roland Dransfield PR
These are the relationships that have rebuilt Manchester since 1996.
03:0419/02/2020