#19: The Lessons From North Yorkshire
Sussex And The City
The Sussex And The City Podcast – Episode 19: The Lessons From North Yorkshire Host: Richard Freeman Guest: James Farrar - Chief Executive, York & North Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority 🔍 Episode summary Sussex is heading for devolution—new unitaries, a directly elected mayor, and big expectations. So what does it really take to go from theory to action? Richard talks to James Farah, Chief Executive of the York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority, about how his region navigated local government reorganisation and launched a mayoral combined authority - then moved quickly...
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#18: Bridges Not Borders; Rethinking Sussex’s Link To The World
Sussex And The City
The Sussex And The City Podcast – Episode 19: Bridges Not Borders; Rethinking Sussex’s Link To The World Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Graham Precey – social impact leader (ex-Head of Sustainability, Legal & General); community convenor for the Newhaven–Dieppe (“Le Havre de Paix”) ferry decarbonisation effort; Normandy–Sussex bridge-builder 🔍 Episode summary Richard speaks with Graham Precey from across the Channel in Normandy to unpack why the Newhaven–Dieppe ferry is more than a boat: but a living bridge between Sussex and Normandy that carries tourists, freight,...
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#17: The Case For Bold, Female-led Climate Entrepreneurship In Sussex
Sussex And The City
The Sussex And The City Podcast – Episode 17: The Case For Bold, Female-led Climate Entrepreneurship In Sussex Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Maddy Cooper – Founder of Flourish This episode is brought to you in partnership with: Plus Accounting – The leading B Corp certified firm of Chartered Accountants dedicated to Brighton & Hove. Serving growth sectors from video game studios and creative industries to healthcare, property, life sciences and cutting-edge tech, their team support start-ups, scale-ups and long-established enterprises with tailored tax planning, R&D claims,...
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#16: Why I Want To Be Mayor (Parts Two & Three)
Sussex And The City
The Sussex And The City Podcast – Episode 16: Why I Want To Be Mayor (Parts Two & Three) Host: Richard Freeman Guests: Tim Loughton – former MP for East Worthing & Shoreham Paul Marshall – Leader of West Sussex County Council This episode is brought to you in partnership with: Different Hats – founded by Sam Thomas in 2024, Different Hats brings together 20 years of helping Sussex businesses tell stories that convert. From producing over 100 podcast episodes to hosting live events and building a powerful network of regional leaders, they’re shaping authentic storytelling...
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#15: Small Is Beautiful - But Sussex Needs Scale
Sussex And The City
The Sussex And The City Podcast – Episode 15: Small Is Beautiful - But Sussex Needs Scale Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Simon Chuter - business growth strategist, founder of Scale Up Sussex, former Head of Centres & Investment Services at Sussex Innovation This episode is brought to you in partnership with: Kreston Reeves – one of the UK’s leading accountancy and advisory firms and one of the first to achieve B Corp status. With offices in Brighton, Chichester and beyond, they help Sussex businesses grow with clarity, confidence and purpose – from tax strategy and audit to ESG...
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#14: We Can Be Better At Communicating Complexity
Sussex And The City
The Sussex And The City Podcast – Episode 14: We Can Be Better At Communicating Complexity Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Natalie Orringe - Founder, Strategy + Impact This episode is brought to you in partnership with: Be Well. Live Well. – A data-led workplace wellbeing model helping Sussex employers boost performance and productivity by putting health at the heart of their culture. 👉 🔍 Episode summary Richard speaks with Natalie Orringe, one of the UK's most thoughtful voices on public engagement, communications and strategic leadership. A former agency director turned local...
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#13: Sussex Is Full Of Talent. But Employers Aren't Finding It.
Sussex And The City
The Sussex And The City Podcast – Episode 13: Sussex Is Full Of Talent. But Employers Aren't Finding It. Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Dan Wallman - Founder, TechNative Digital This episode is brought to you in partnership with: Different Hats – Strategic storytelling, curated events and creative content from Sam Thomas and co, helping Sussex leaders spark real change across business and communities. 👉 🔍 Episode summary Richard speaks with Dan Wallman - a long-time force in Sussex creative/digital learning and founder of Tech Native Digital - about why our tech skills system...
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#12: If No One Understands Devolution, What’s The Point?
Sussex And The City
🔍 Episode summary Richard speaks with Flo Powell, PR strategist and co-owner of Brighton-based agency Midnight Communications, about trust, language, and the colossal communications challenge facing Sussex’s devolution journey. With 30 years of regional insight, Flo doesn’t pull punches. She shares sharp reflections on how local authorities handle public engagement, why badly written surveys aren’t just annoying – they’re dangerous – and what might happen if a mayor is introduced before people understand what one even is. This episode unpacks why messaging matters now more...
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#11: Why I Want To Be Mayor (Part One)
Sussex And The City
The Sussex And The City Podcast – Episode 11: Why I Want To Be Mayor (Part One) Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Sally-Ann Hart – former MP for Hastings & Rye This episode is brought to you in partnership with: Digital Islands – Delivering fully funded business support to small firms across Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight since 2017. 👉 🔍 Episode summary This week, Richard meets someone who actively wants to lead devolution in Sussex and Brighton. Sally-Ann Hart, the former Conservative party MP for Hastings & Rye, is seeking her party's nomination to become the first...
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#10: Investment In Sussex Skills Needs More Than Duct Tape And Goodwill
Sussex And The City
The Sussex And The City Podcast – Episode 10: Investment In Sussex Skills Needs More Than Duct Tape And Goodwill Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Dan Shelley – Chair, Sussex Local Skills Improvement Plan Board This episode is brought to you in partnership with: Let’s Do Business Finance – A British Business Bank-accredited lender, providing tailored funding and expert advice to new and growing ventures across Sussex since 2004. 👉 🔍 Episode summary In this deep-dive episode, Richard speaks with Dan Shelley, one of the South East's leading thinkers on skills and regional development,...
info_outlineThe Sussex And The City Podcast
– Episode 6:
The Ocean Doesn't Care About Political Boundaries
Host: Richard Freeman
Guest: Dr Lewis White – Marine Scientist and Research Lead, Sussex Bay
This episode is brought to you in partnership with:
Be Well. Live Well. – An integrated wellbeing model transforming Sussex organisations through diagnostic-driven action plans. Powered by Little Jasmine Therapies and Nostos restaurant and catering group.
👉 bewelllivewell.co.uk
🔍 Episode summary
In this episode, Richard Freeman talks to marine scientist Dr Lewis White, the research lead for Sussex Bay — a bold and growing coalition driving environmental and economic recovery across 100 miles of coastline.
Lewis is no ordinary scientist. A global expert in aquatic genetics, he brings a powerful, pragmatic perspective to the role of nature in regional development. With Sussex Bay gaining international attention and cross-party praise, this conversation explores why the coast is an untapped asset for health, jobs and sustainable growth.
From ecosystem restoration to inclusive governance, this episode dives into:
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Why Sussex Bay is a model for post-devolution regional planning
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The myths of environmental work as separate from economy and education
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How over 400 collaborators are already making decisions without borders in Sussex
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What it really means to centre local voices in nature recovery
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Making environmental policy digestible (and fundable) through natural capital
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The case for cross-sector language that policymakers and scientists can both use
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Ocean literacy and the public’s emotional connection to the sea
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How marine conservation can unlock jobs, boost wellbeing, and fight hidden homelessness
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Advice for Sussex mayoral candidates: don’t bolt environment on — build it in
Lewis also explains how a £50m investment target is a call to build infrastructure that doesn’t just withstand climate change, but actively improves lives.
This is an inspiring and grounded take on how regionalism can work with nature, not despite it.
👉 Sign up for updates, resources and events at sussexandthecity.info
📚 Key references and further reading
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Sussex Bay: A strategic partnership for marine and coastal nature recovery across Sussex.
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Ocean Literacy by UNESCO: Understanding how the sea affects us and how we affect the sea.
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DEFRA Natural Capital Programme: UK government’s approach to ecosystem valuation, once led by Lewis.
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The Living Coast Biosphere: Brighton & Lewes UNESCO Biosphere, collaborating on coastal resilience.
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Local Nature Recovery Strategies (DEFRA): Legal requirement for each county to plan for biodiversity and green infrastructure.
🎧 Production credits
Host: Richard Freeman
Guest: Dr Lewis White
Sound design / editing / original music: Chris Thorpe-Tracey
Production management: Letitia McConalogue
Recorded at: Projects: The Lanes, Brighton
📣 Get involved
Want to join the conversation on devolution, environment and the Sussex of the future?
👉 sussexandthecity.info