The Centre for Economy, Policy and Place at Nottingham Business School (NBS) is to hold a special event which brings together Claire Ward, mayor of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), and Aki Takehisa, former mayor of Setouchi City, Japan.
By Helen Breese |
The in-conversation style session on Thursday 15 January 2026 will see Claire and Aki explore critical themes such as devolution, fiscal autonomy, and the balance between economic growth and wellbeing. They will also delve into the importance of place-based identities and consensus building in multi-level governance.
Claire Ward is the inaugural mayor of EMCCA, elected in 2024 to champion regional economic growth, transport infrastructure, and skills development. Her vision emphasises collaboration across local councils and central government to deliver inclusive prosperity for communities in the East Midlands.
Aki Takehisa served as mayor of Setouchi City, Japan, for 16 years (2009–2025), leading initiatives on inclusive growth, wellbeing, and sustainable development. A former councillor, he earned an MBA in Public Service from the University of Birmingham and worked with Deloitte as a consultant to local authorities. He also taught public management at Kwansei Gakuin University. Currently, he is a visiting researcher at Nottingham Business School, pursuing a PhD on mayoral accountability in Japan and the UK.
The event is the first in a new series of events promoted by the Centre for Economy, Policy and Place at NBS, Nottingham Trent University, which combines research on economic and public policy with a focus on place, public services, and applied economics.
Following opening remarks from Professor Dave Petley, vice-chancellor of Nottingham Trent University, keynote insights will be provided by Professor Anne Green from City-REDI at the University of Birmingham, whose research examines comparative approaches to mayoral governance in England and Japan.
The mayoral discussion will be hosted by Will Rossiter, centre director and Professor of Regional Policy and Development at NBS.
Professor Rossiter said: “This event marks an exciting moment for the Centre for People, Policy and Place. By bringing together leaders from the UK and Japan, we aim to explore how mayoral governance can shape inclusive, sustainable growth and strengthen the connection between policy and place. It’s a unique opportunity to share insights across international contexts and learn from different approaches to leadership.”
The session, which will take place from 6 – 7.30pm on Thursday 15 January 2026, will conclude with a Q&A and reflections from Professor Anne Green.