Eastern Promise - The Podcast

Mike Rigby
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‘Eastern Promise‘ explores the full potential of the East of England. We talk to experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, disrupters and more, finding out why the Eastern region is the best place in the UK to start, run and grow a business. From architecture to zoology, every business has a place here, with Mike Rigby as your guide on this audio journey, celebrating and promoting our region. Eastern Promise also features the Plug Board; where a panel of three get to plug their own business, event or project in exchange for giving a plug to someone else in return. And there‘s also a bit of lighthearted audience participation in ‘CrowdSourcery’, where folk from across the East of England - and even beyond! - choose their favourite things on a given theme to share and celebrate! You can contact Mike at podcast@easternpromise.org.uk.

  1. Episode 161: Establishing a Greater Cambridge Development Corporation

    MAR 11

    Episode 161: Establishing a Greater Cambridge Development Corporation

    This week: We're taking a closer look at Government proposals to establish a centrally-led Urban Development Corporation (UDC) for Greater Cambridge. Taking us through the proposals, including what exactly is being proposed, the powers a UDC will have, the difference a UDC can make and the size of the opportunity presented, are two distinguished members of the Cambridge Growth Company's Advisory Council.  Mike is joined by CGC Chair, Peter Freeman; and Master of Fitzwilliam College Cambridge, and Chair of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Baroness Sally Morgan.  Peter and Sally take Mike through the proposals and stress the potential for positive public impact to emerge early through these proposals., The Government consultation on these proposals is open now and runs until 1 April 2026.  You can read the consultation documents and submit your response by clicking here.  You can also read more about the Cambridge Growth Company - which will evolve into the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation - by clicking here.  PLUS! This week's 'Eastern Insight' is delivered by our own Mike Rigby, delivering a three-minute slug of thought leadership on 4.5 years' worth of learning from the Eastern Promise podcast.  Listen now!  You can listen to our podcast's back catalogue, or contact Eastern Promise, by visiting our website - click here to go there now!    Eastern Promise is proud to be in partnership with Mills & Reeve.

    46 min
  2. Episode 160: Paul Bristow, Mayor of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority

    MAR 5

    Episode 160: Paul Bristow, Mayor of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority

    This week: Eastern Promise host Mike Rigby sits down to chat with Mayor of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, Paul Bristow. We discuss Paul's hometown of Peterborough, the Cambridge x Manchester Partnership, the difference between being a mayor and his previous role as an MP, and also the Combined Authority's Local Growth Plan - particularly the decision to have 'mayoral targets', putting his accountability front and centre.    You can read and download a copy of the Local Growth Plan by clicking here.    You can visit the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority website by clicking here.  PLUS!  We begin a new era with our first EASTERN INSIGHT!  This week, Kim Lockwood of Thetford Town Cricket Club's Project 100, which aims to create a fully inclusive, modern, and accessible community sports environment that enables more people in Thetford to become active, stay active and feel part of a supportive community.  Here's Project 100's crowdfunding page: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/project-100-2. For more more information on Eastern Insight, contact Eastern Promise at: podcast@easternpromise.org.uk. Visit our website at https://www.easternpromise.org.uk. Thank you to our partners, Mills & Reeve.

    41 min
  3. Episode 159: The Norfolk Farming Conference

    FEB 19

    Episode 159: The Norfolk Farming Conference

    This Week: With a packed hall of farmers, agronomists, scientists and agricultural luminaries old and young, we're glad Mike Rigby dropped in on the 2026 Norfolk Farming Conference!  Calling in first on the Food and Farming Discovery Trust's splendid mobile classroom, we hear from Trust Manager Frances Roberson about why they're at the conference and what this educational sister charity to the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association has planned for the year ahead - no need to feel sheepish!  Next, Mike drops by the Norfolk Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group's stand to chat with Nathan Walker about their deer management strategy and the move to get more people into venison.   With the slightest of pauses to hear more about Eastern Insight, Mike catches up with Cllr Fabian Eagle to ask about the Norfolk Rural Business Awards, before seizing the chance to interview former agriculture minister and Pier of the Realm, Baroness Shepard of Northwold, asking about what makes this event so important.  It was a whistle-stop tour of the stands but you can get a flavour of the event right here...possibly venison!  You can hear all of Eastern Promise's back catalogue and contact us by visiting our website and clicking on 'contact'. Eastern Promise is proud to be supported by Mills & Reeve.

    24 min
  4. Episode 158: Form the Future's Annual Conference 2026

    FEB 12

    Episode 158: Form the Future's Annual Conference 2026

    This Week: Form the Future is one-of-a-kind; a unique bridge between the worlds of education and work.  This Cambridge-based CIC is rightly praised for its work in lifting the horizons of young people in the #EastofEngland and beyond, so Eastern Promise didn't hesitate to send Mike Rigby along to Hinxton Hall Conference Centre to ask delegates at Form the Future's 2026 Annual Conference why they're there, what makes Form the Future so special, and what they hope to have gleaned by the end of the day.    Mike chats to delegates, speakers and CEO of Form the Future, Anne Bailey herself.  Don't miss it! To find out more about Form the Future, click here. PLUS! Hear all about our new thought leadership slot, 'EASTERN INSIGHT'; it'll be kinda like 'Thought for the Day' but more: 'Thought for the East'! Perfect if you need to raise the salience of a product, place, innovation, or a cause that motivates you.  If you've something to say that's true to Eastern Promise's values of people, place, potential and positivity, and shares our commitment to diversity and inclusion, then get in touch via podcast@easternpromise.org.uk for pricing and booking details. There's only one Eastern Insight slot per week, so you'll have unrivalled visibility (or audibility!)  To listen to Eastern Promise's entire back catalogue, or to contact the podcast, click here to visit easternpromise.org.uk.   Eastern Promise is proud to be supported by Mills & Reeve.

    49 min
  5. Episode 157: Cambridge Science Centre

    FEB 5

    Episode 157: Cambridge Science Centre

    This Week: As the magnificent Cambridge Science Centre publishes its new Strategic Plan for 2026-2031, Eastern Promise's own Mike Rigby chats with the centre's CEO on the intent behind the Strategic Plan, their outreach strategy and the drive to not only make the centre 'best in class', but also an exemplar for STEM educational centres around the world. You can read the Strategic Plan by clicking here, and buy tickets to visit the centre by clicking here. PLUS! You can hear about the all-new thought leadership slot coming soon to the Eastern Promise podcast: EASTERN INSIGHT!  It's your chance to share your news, views and more with the world, with strategic visibility and a unique position in each episode. All this and so much more! You can contact Eastern Promise by visiting the Eastern Promise website and clicking or by emailing podcast@easternpromise.org.uk.    Eastern Promise is proud to be supported by Mills & Reeve.

    42 min
  6. Episode 156: The Beginner's Guide to CAMBRIDGE!

    JAN 29

    Episode 156: The Beginner's Guide to CAMBRIDGE!

    This Week: Confused by Cambridge?  Well, Eastern Promise has your back and help is at hand!  We bid you welcome to this first in our occasional series exploring our region's main urban ecosystems, the BEGINNER'S GUIDES! In this first of our special episodes, Mike Rigby is joined by local experts to explore and explain the nuances, niceties, and need-to-knows of CAMBRIDGE! Joining Mike to make up this cohort of Cambridge connoisseurs is: Chair of Cambridge Ahead, Cambridge Science Centre, and all-round legend, Harriet Fear MBE; Founder and CEO of CONEXEN, Paula Bekinschtein;  MD of Cap Air Systems, Board Member and SME champion, Katy Davies; Strategy and Community Advisor, Ilker Akansel; and Investment Fund specialist and Partner at Mills & Reeve, Dona Ardeman! Together, they talk through the special secret sauce that makes this city what it is; bust a few myths and shed new light into a place that can seem intimidating from the outside, but is a truly warm and welcoming place that rewards those who make the effort to engage.  You'll be informed, educated and - hopefully - entertained!  More Beginner's Guides will be coming soon, with Ipswich, Norwich and Peterborough following later in the spring!  Let us know what you think of these special episodes.  What did Mike miss? Does it need a second volume?  Where should we go after our first four?  Let us know by emailing podcast@easternpromise.org.uk, or by visiting our website at https://easternpromise.org.uk, and clicking on 'contact us'.   Eastern Promise is proud to be supported by Mills & Reeve. Recorded on 5th December 2025 at Botanic House, Hills Road, Cambridge.

    1h 4m
  7. Episode 155: Norfolk's Ambassadors

    JAN 21

    Episode 155: Norfolk's Ambassadors

    This Week: We meet three of Norfolk's incredible coterie of AMBASSADORS! Meet Matt Smith of Place UK, Candy Richards of the Federation of Small Businesses, and Chris Spinks of Westcotec, who will be sharing with you: Their love for Norfolk; What makes the county unique; and Why families, businesses, entrepreneurs and more should relocate to Norfolk!  Our ambassadors share their experience and a clear-eyed vision for the county; not shrinking from challenges and eager to forge solutions.  Norfolk really couldn't ask for better representatives So, put those spherical, golden chocolate & hazelnut sweeties into a tottering pyramid, because these ambassadors  are really spoiling us!  To find out more, and to apply to become an Ambassador for Norfolk, click here. For further details about the Norfolk Business Board, click here. To learn more about Eastern Promise, and to listen to all of our back catalogue, click here.  Eastern Promise is proud to be sponsored by Mills & Reeve.

    48 min
  8. Episode 154: The Oxford-Cambridge Supercluster Board!

    JAN 15

    Episode 154: The Oxford-Cambridge Supercluster Board!

    This Week! We're kicking off 2026 in style, and focussed on what's currently the most important economic development project in the UK - The Oxford Cambridge Corridor.   Our navigators to this galactic-scale potential are the Oxford-Cambridge Supercluster Board, ably represented by Chair Andy Williams and fellow board member (and CEO of Cambridge Ahead) Dan Thorp.  Together, we'll dig into where we are, where we're going, what's at stake and what each of us needs to do to make this happen (top tip: just be nice to each other!)   It's a fantastic listen and a brilliant insight into the importance of capability, community and coherence to this project.  Our thanks to Dan and Andy. For the Connected Clusters report referenced by Mike and Dan, click here. To visit the website of the Oxford-Cambridge Supercluster Board, and read the reports referenced in this episode, click here.   Click here to read the UK Government's investment prospectus for the Oxford Cambridge corridor (PDF, opens in new window).  To read the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority's Local Growth Plan, then click here (PDF, opens in new window).  If you want to take a look at the Cambridge Growth Company  Click here to visit their site.     Eastern Promise was made in The Podding Shed and you can catch up on previous episodes at our website, and contact us there or by emailing podcast@easternpromise.org.uk.    Eastern Promise is proud to be supported by Mills & Reeve.

    47 min
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About

‘Eastern Promise‘ explores the full potential of the East of England. We talk to experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, disrupters and more, finding out why the Eastern region is the best place in the UK to start, run and grow a business. From architecture to zoology, every business has a place here, with Mike Rigby as your guide on this audio journey, celebrating and promoting our region. Eastern Promise also features the Plug Board; where a panel of three get to plug their own business, event or project in exchange for giving a plug to someone else in return. And there‘s also a bit of lighthearted audience participation in ‘CrowdSourcery’, where folk from across the East of England - and even beyond! - choose their favourite things on a given theme to share and celebrate! You can contact Mike at podcast@easternpromise.org.uk.

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Rigby
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Eastern Promise - The Podcast

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