In Our Public Spaces, High Streets & the Experience Economy
At this year’s Labour Party Conference, one of the key themes was the urgent need to build more homes and restore confidence in the market. But as our panel discussed, London’s future isn’t just about housing numbers - it’s also about placemaking, culture, and the experience economy.
Hosted by Concilio’s Yiannis Sophocleous and Siddo Dwyer, we asked: How do we Make London Fun Again?
Our brilliant panel:
Cllr Geoff Barraclough - Cabinet Member for Planning & Economic Development, Westminster City Council
Cllr Portia Mwangangye - Cabinet Member for Leisure, Parks & Young People, Southwark Council
Antonia Stratford - Head of Public Affairs, Heart of London Business Alliance
Graeme Craig - Chief Executive, Places for London
Key takeaways:
London’s diversity is its greatest strength - celebrate and protect it.
Housing and community building are investments in London’s and the UK’s future.
Young people and diverse communities must be central to consultations and policy.
The West End’s experience economy is pivotal to London’s global standing - business, culture, and government need to work hand-in-hand to keep it competitive.
Don’t miss this conversation – listen now!
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S4 Ep27: Mete Coban MBE on a greener London
London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Mete Coban MBE joins Concilio’s Account Director Siddo Dwyer to discuss the future of a greener London.
In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places podcast, Account Director Siddo Dwyer sits down with Mete Coban MBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy.
From growing up in a council flat in Hackney to shaping London’s city-wide response to the climate crisis, Mete brings both lived experience and bold vision to one of the capital’s most urgent challenges. Previously Hackney’s youngest ever councillor and a trailblazing Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, he now leads City Hall’s work to clean up London’s air and rivers, decarbonise its buildings, and deliver a just transition to net zero.
The conversation explores what it means to deliver climate action at the scale of a global city while keeping communities, fairness, and placemaking at the heart of that mission. We discuss London’s retrofit revolution, the drive to make rivers swimmable within a decade, and how planning and investment can support greener, healthier neighbourhoods. Mete also shares his thoughts on local leadership, community power, and why climate justice must be about lowering bills, creating good jobs, and improving quality of life for those who’ve historically been left behind.
This episode offers a hopeful, grounded take on what London’s green transition looks like in practice - from the policy levers at City Hall to the front doors of Londoners’ homes - and the leadership it will take to get us there.
Don’t miss this conversation – listen now!
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S4 Ep26: Airports to High Streets: shaping places with Ibrahim Ibrahim
Portland Design’s Managing Director, Ibrahim Ibrahim joins Concilio’s Account Director Siddo Dwyer to discuss human-centred placeshaping and future-ready retail.
In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places Podcast, Account Director Siddo Dwyer sits down with Ibrahim Ibrahim, Managing Director of Portland Design and one of the UK’s leading voices on human-centred placeshaping and future-ready retail, to explore how rapid change is rewriting the rules of design and development.
Key points discussed:
The evolution of Portland from retail design agency to global strategic consultancy
The importance of connection, experience, and belonging in successful places
Community-led placemaking and its role in shaping neighbourhoods
Reimagining passenger and visitor experiences in transport hubs
Insights from Future-Ready Retail and Ibrahim’s upcoming book
Ibrahim shares how his background in engineering and industrial design has informed his approach to placemaking, blending technical rigour with creative vision. He reflects on projects from Elephant & Castle to King’s Cross, and international airport transformations, explaining how design can drive human connection and business value. The conversation highlights why future-ready places are measured not just in footfall, but in emotional resonance, and why collaboration between designers, developers, and communities is critical to creating thriving, meaningful destinations.
Don’t miss this conversation – listen now!
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S4 Ep25: The future growth potential of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Chief Executive of Huntingdonshire District Council, Michelle Sacks, and the CEO of the Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte Horobin, join Nick Dines to explain economic growth opportunities for the County.
In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places podcast, Managing Director Nick Dines is joined by the Chief Executive of Huntingdonshire District Council, Michelle Sacks, and the CEO of the Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce, Michelle Horobin.
The conversation explores:
Cambridge's global reputation in science and technology - and how that success can benefit the wider County
The contribution of sectors like logistics, advanced manufacturing, agritech and defence - sometimes overlooked, but vital to the region's economy.
The role of Anglia Ruskin University in supporting skills, training and access to opportunity.
The importance of collaboration between all of the local authorities in the County, Combined Authority, business and education to deliver growth that works for communities.
Don’t miss this conversation – listen now!
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S4 Ep24: Discussing the future of Enfield with Cllr Ergin Erbil, Leader of Enfield Council
From grassroots football to the council leadership, Enfield’s Leader shares his vision for a fairer, safer and more ambitious borough.
In the latest episode of Concilio’s Better Places podcast, Managing Director Nick Dines is joined by Cllr Ergin Erbil, Leader of Enfield Council.
The conversation covers:
Local leadership and the shift from Deputy to Leader of the Council
Policing and Operation Pisces – tackling anti-social behaviour, drug crime and public safety
The Enfield Local Plan – including Green Belt proposals, family housing delivery, and industrial land
Major development at Meridian Water
The role of Angel Yard and meanwhile uses in supporting local enterprise
Temporary accommodation pressures, the rise in homelessness and HMO concerns
Creating real partnerships with the private sector to deliver social and affordable homes
Don’t miss this conversation – listen now!
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