Purpose

The review will develop a practical agenda for building the institutional capability that UK places need if devolution is to become a serious engine of economic growth.

It is supported by the UK Dynamism Fund and designed to be useful to government, mayoralties, strategic authorities, local government, business and others.

The central question is:

What would it take to equip UK places with the leadership, institutions, financial capability, analytical capacity, delivery machinery and national support needed to use devolution seriously for economic growth?

Scope 

The work of the review is scoped widely but centre on: 

•    strategic finance and investment appraisal
•    economic analysis and applied ideas capability
•    project generation and delivery assurance
•    leadership
•    business and civic engagement
•    the relationship between places and Whitehall
•    the national support and unblocking machinery needed to make devolution work.
 

Outputs

The review will produce a public-facing implementation prospectus setting out:

•    a diagnosis of what places need to develop the capacity to drive growth at scale
•    a practical capability framework for mayoral and strategic authorities
•    proposals for leadership development, finance capability, applied ideas and project generation
•    a view on what national government needs to do differently
•    proposals for fundable place trials
•    a route map for implementation.
 

Place Trials

Subject to the evolving work of the Government formed in July 2026 the review aims to select a small number of places in which to trial key findings from its work.

 

The review will develop criteria and invite interest.

The working assumption is that the trials will cover:

1.    a major mayoral city-region;
2.    an emerging county or strategic authority;
3.    a polycentric place (ie one with multiple centres, identities and labour markets).
 

Advisory Group

The review will be led by Mike Emmerich and supported by a small advisory group chaired by Deborah Cadman.
The advisory group includes:

•    Will Burgon, Public Services Director, HM Treasury
•    Will Davis, Director for Devolution and Local Growth, MHCLG
•    Emma Lindsell, independent consultant 
•    Becky Shaw Chief Executive East Sussex County Council
•    Patrick White, Managing Director, Metro Dynamics
•    Rob Whiteman, former Chief Executive, CIPFA
•    John Wrathmell, Group Director of Strategy, Greater Manchester Combined Authority
•    Other invitations are outstanding.
 

The role of the advisory group will support and challenge the review’s developing analysis and its proposals. It will not be a formal decision-making body. The conclusions of the review will remain those of Mike Emmerich.
 

Timing
 

The review started in June 2026 and will report by October 2026.
 

Independence and Attribution
 

The review is independent. It is supported organisationally by Metro Dynamics but its conclusions will be those of Mike Emmerich personally.