Lancaster University's Joe Finkle, Southampton Test MP Satvir Kaur and Alan Welby, MD of Built Environment and Local Growth at Connected Places Catapult

On 6 May 2025, leaders of Key Cities and member universities came together in the House of Commons with parliamentarians, government and industry for a truly inspiring occasion, the fourth annual Parliamentary dinner of the Key Cities Innovation Network.

Guests speakers, Innovation Secretary Peter Kyle MP and AHRC Executive Chair Professor Christopher Smith, focused on the role of place in an era of transformative change, and the distinctive contribution the network has in shaping that. Cllr Jemima Laing launched "Culture, Place and Development", a compendium of papers exploring the role of culture and place in the development of our cities and towns, based on projects presented at the KCIN conference that took place at the University of Bradford in November 2024, weeks before Bradford took on the mantle of UK City of Culture.

Salford's Director of Culture Darren Grice and Cllr Lorna Fielker, Leader of Southampton City Council 

Looking forward, Professor Nic Beech, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford, announced plans for i-PLACE 25, a two-day conference at Media City in November where cities and universities will explore innovation districts and ecosystems in partnership with BEYOND Conference also taking place in Salford that week.

Porfessor Chris Gaffney, Shipley MP Anna Dixon, the Dean of Bradford Cathedral Andy Bowerman and KCIN Chair Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford.

Photos by Nikki Powell