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As we continue our build-up to the Annual Conference & Awards Dinner next week, we spoke to Mark Hughes, Chief Executive of the Growth Company. The Growth Company is a Knowledge Partner at the iED Annual Conference 2025, and is sponsoring the Social Value Initiative of the Year award at the iED Annual Awards 2025.
Thank you for your partnership this year. Why have you decided to get on board with the iED?
“As a pioneering social enterprise, the Growth Company is committed to driving inclusive economic growth that leaves no person or community behind – the epitome of good growth. Partnering with the iED allows us to collaborate with like-minded organisations, share best practice and tell our story of how our commitment to social value is making a difference to people and places. We’re looking forward to contributing our unique insight on what works on a national and regional level, particularly in this era of devolution. As an example, our work in Greater Manchester over the past decade has helped the city-region grow faster than the UK average, with further devolution and the new Integrated Settlement set to accelerate growth to ensure it is more inclusive for all residents. We welcome the opportunity to share our experiences and gain further insight from others’ successful initiatives. Overall, we view this conference as a unique platform to influence policy, support practitioners, and champion the importance of growth for good.”
The title of this year’s conference is Good Growth: Driving the UK economy with investment in our regions and communities. What does that mean to you/the Growth Company?
“Good Growth means growth that is sustainable, inclusive and delivers real benefits for people and places. This means investing in skills, innovation and infrastructure and taking a place-based, person-centred approach to unlock potential in every community. Our delivery in the employment support space evidences the positive impact of this approach. We work with employers and partners to deliver good jobs and opportunities that are inclusive and accessible to all, helping people to thrive. This area of the business has expanded its service offer into specialist areas of justice and health, helping people overcome barriers and into good jobs. Combined with our skills and business support, in 2024/25, we placed almost 8,500 people into work, assisted 38,000 businesses, and created nearly 16,000 jobs – contributing £773.9m of additional GVA to the economy. In order to create a more resilient and equitable UK economy, we need to heighten the focus and importance of social value – which is where the Growth Company can support places, organisations, and businesses, through our insight, data and expertise.”
You are an Awards Partner for the Social Value Initiative of the Year award too. Why have you chosen that particular award category?
“Social value sits at the heart of everything we do at the Growth Company, so it was an obvious choice to sponsor this award. We’re looking forward to celebrating the organisations, individuals and projects that are making a genuine impact – whether that be through the creation of well-paid jobs, helping businesses and localities to flourish, fostering innovation, empowering diverse communities, or championing environmentally sustainable development. The awards evening represents an important opportunity to share and learn from those successfully putting social value into practice across our regions, and explore how we, as both an organisation and a collective, can build on these successes and continue to make a meaningful difference.”
What aspects of the conference, and awards evening, are you especially looking forward to?
“The conference is a unique opportunity to share insights, connect with new people and learn from innovative projects across the UK. I’m looking forward to joining my fellow panellists (Question Time, 3.30-4.30pm) from across the private, VCSFE and academic sectors to reflect on the day and really get under the skin of what good growth actually means and how we achieve it. It should make for an insightful and engaging discussion – but importantly I want attendees to takeaway actionable ideas and insight they can put into practice to make sure we are driving economic growth in a sustainable and equitable way. Not to give away any spoilers, but I am particularly looking forward to sharing how the Growth Company’s holistic approach to business support in Greater Manchester is driving inclusive growth. By integrating sectoral and issue-based expertise connecting businesses to tailored resources, funding, and networks, we have overcome the challenge of fragmented, sometimes siloed services. Through this joined-up model we can leverage relationships with local employers and the broader ecosystem, to mobilise support for strategic initiatives, such as workforce development and giving young people a clear line of sight to good jobs. This approach is driving both business growth and community benefit, supporting Greater Manchester’s vision of inclusive, sustainable economic development. We’re open to working with economic development professionals in other areas, to learn from and adapt what we’ve delivered in Greater Manchester.”
What do you think the next 12-18 months holds for economic development professionals?
“Economic development professionals will need to navigate a period of considerable change and uncertainty over the next 12-18 months. Shifting economic conditions, global influences, evolving policy priorities and the removal of Shared Prosperity Funding mean that adaptability and resilience will be key attributes for those working in the sector. The political landscape, including the next round of local elections in May 2026, will undoubtedly shape priorities and create challenges and opportunities for growth at both a regional and community level. Devolution will provide fresh opportunities to drive place-based investment in skills, innovation and business support. With this comes an increasing need to evidence and measure growth that is genuinely inclusive, ensuring that the benefits of development reach all parts of society, and that social value remains at the forefront of decision making. The rapid advancement of AI and innovation also offer significant potential to transform approaches to economic development, creating new avenues for collaboration, efficiency and sustainable growth.”
What services does the Growth Company provide that may be able to help them in their work?
“GC Insight, part of the Growth Company, provides economic development professionals with robust, data-driven insight alongside strategic guidance and expertise. This will be invaluable in helping stakeholders identify growth opportunities and flag emerging trends, to inform decision-making and evaluate impact. Our approach also allows our partners to respond effectively to the rapidly changing economic landscape and supports the delivery of inclusive, measurable growth. In addition to our insight capabilities, the Growth Company delivers comprehensive business support services, skills development and interventions to support people’s health, wellbeing and access to employment. These services are tailored to meet local and regional needs, ensuring that businesses and individuals can thrive and contribute to growing the local economy. We’re also well-versed in helping businesses and people adapt in a world of rapid economic, social and environmental change, whether that means fostering innovation, supporting the uptake of green initiatives, or developing the skills needed for the future workforce. We work with people, businesses and places to design and deliver interventions that drive sustainable, long-term growth.”
For further information on both the iED Annual Conference & Awards Dinner 2025, please visit our dedicated event website here.
