Metro Dynamics Consultants Fiona Tuck, Gillian O’Connell and Mary Dolphin are to join leaders working across place-based innovation roles, government teams and investors, next month, at the UK Innovation Districts Summit 2026.
The Summit, to be held on 5 June within the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool, will convene UK Innovation Districts Group (UK IDG) Members with a wider network of practitioners and stakeholders invested in the UK’s innovation ecosystem.
The Metro Dynamics team will be running one of three power-up sessions programmed into the day-long Summit, delivering an interactive workshop that explores how data drives inclusive growth. Other power-up content will be led by subject matter experts on themes including; ‘Crowding Investment’ and ‘Mapping and maximising entrepreneurial skills: lessons from Liverpool, Glasgow, Newcastle and Belfast’.
Principal Consultant, Gillian O’Connell, Metro Dynamics, said: “At this year’s UK Innovation Districts Summit we’ll be delivering an interactive workshop that explores applications for data collection and the power of data-led stories. Our aim is to support innovation districts and their partners to become more confident in using data strategically: to shape priorities, guide investment decisions, strengthen partnerships and articulate impact. Reflecting the wider theme of the Summit, the emphasis will be on practical delivery and peer learning.”
Metro Dynamics is a place-based economic development advisory business. They work with cities and city-regions to support inclusive innovation-led growth. In 2021 Metro Dynamics and Professor Neil Lee were commissioned by UK IDG to research how, as part of the levelling-up agenda and the Government’s 2022 Levelling Up White Paper, places right across the UK can deliver truly inclusive innovation. This culminated in a report published the following year – Opening the Innovation Economy: The case for inclusive innovation.
Of this Summit Programme announcement, UK Innovation Districts Group Chair, Emma Frost, said: “We are thrilled that Metro Dynamics will host the data and impact themed-power-up session at the Summit this year. Having worked with the MetroDynamics on a major research project exploring the case for inclusive innovation, I know how valuable their experience is for our Members and our wider stakeholders attending. Capturing good quality data and having the confidence to use it remains a significant challenge for innovation districts and knowledge quarters across the UK”.
The UK Innovation Districts Summit 2026 is being held at the Everyman Theatre, with support from UK IDG member Knowledge Quarter Liverpool during the city region’s Innovation Investment Fortnight.
This is an opportunity for curious people working across place-based innovation, to connect with other UK Innovation Districts, explore the year’s most relevant themes, share knowledge and make valuable connections. The Summit is for UK IDG Members, policy makers, placemakers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers designing and delivering innovation districts, economic growth and placemaking activity. Secure your place today: UK Innovation District Summit 2026