Sir Keith Burnett FRS
Chair, Nuffield Foundation
East Midlands
Inclusive Growth
Commission
Unlocking prosperity in the East Midlands
The East Midlands Inclusive Growth Commission is tasked with recommending an ambitious, long term and evidence-based plan to unleash potential and deliver prosperity for communities across the region.
The commission unveiled its interim report in March 2025. It set out the current picture of the East Midlands’ strengths, challenges and opportunities, and called for a step change in investment, underpinned by strengthened devolved powers to better reflect the needs and opportunities of the region.
Interim Report
The East Midlands Inclusive Growth Commission
The East Midlands Combined Country Authority should be granted more powers, funding and flexibility in order to deliver a step change in investment.
The commission, chaired by RSA CEO Andy Haldane, acts as a critical friend to the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), offering solutions to address persistent inequalities for communities in the region and routes to greater opportunity.
The commission’s recommendations will inform future investment proposals for up to £4bn of public investment, shaping EMCCA’s Inclusive Growth Strategy for the East Midlands.
Guiding principles of the commission
The commission explores solutions that offer a long-term plan for people who live, work and study in the region, equipping them with the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
Recommendations are rooted in our unique Prosperous Places model, which combines economic, social and natural factors to provide long-term ideas for growth rooted in cutting-edge evidence, community insights and conversations with local leaders.
The commission was set four ‘exam questions’ by the Mayor of the East Midlands:
- What does inclusive growth mean for the region? What will communities feel is different in ten years from a successful inclusive growth strategy?
- What are the region’s unique combination of strengths? How can it best leverage its economic assets across cities, towns and rural areas to grow these?
- What are the root causes that sit behind the region’s well-established challenges in achieving inclusive growth? How can the region tackle these challenges to enable its full potential to be unleashed?
- What role can EMCCA play to effect change, alone and with its partners, including as part of the systems of public services?
The commission’s findings and strategy will be developed in close collaboration with councils, businesses, colleges, universities and trade unions across the region.
Inclusive growth: forthcoming research and collaborative opportunities
The full and final report will be published in Autumn 2025 and will set out a vision and roadmap for the next decade.
Guided by the commissioners, activities will include regular interface with local place leaders, direct engagement with communities and subject matter experts, and desk-based research. The team will also be drawing on the expertise of our fellowship (see our dedicated East Midlands Inclusive Growth Commission Circle space for more information).
Have your say on inclusive growth
The East Midlands Inclusive Growth Commission brings together leading voices, from business leaders to regional experts, to brainstorm radical, creative solutions based on local insights and cutting-edge research. RSA Fellows can get involved on our online community.
If you would like to get involved or want to find out more about the East Midlands Inclusive Growth Commission, please contact the team at eastmidlandsigc@rsa.org.uk.
Our commissioners for inclusive growth
Andy Haldane, CEO of the RSA, will co-chair the commission. Andy has convened seven expert commissioners from the East Midlands and beyond.
Commissioners come from a wide range of backgrounds, including business, civil society, and local government, and they provide specialist input and oversight.
Dame Julia Cleverdon
Former CEO, Business in the Community
Sarah Gordon
Founding CEO, Impact Investing Institute
Andy Haldane CBE
CEO, the RSA
Dr Andrew Haynes
Senior Nottinghamshire healthcare leader
Sir John Peace CVO, CStJ
Chair, Midlands Engine
Marvin Rees
Former Mayor of Bristol
Gillian Sewell
CEO, Derbyshire YMCA
In partnership with
Read about our other work in this area
Prosperous Places
Every person deserves to live in a vibrant community, with opportunities to thrive in a flourishing natural environment.
Local Prosperity Plans
Local Prosperity Plans are single, long-term, integrated strategic plans which, uniquely, deliver economic, social and environmental prosperity in a single package.
UK Urban Futures Commission
Unlocking the potential of UK cities, to drive economic, social and environmental improvements for people and for the country.
Updates from our Local Prosperity Plans work
Blog
Prosperous Places: creating thriving communities
With regional growth at the top of the agenda, it is vital that we create thriving communities across economic, social and natural perspectives. Prosperous Places is a suite of interventions aimed at responding to the unique ambitions and challenges of places.
Blog
Leading for a brighter urban future
UK Urban Futures Commission Leadership Researcher Joan Munro discusses how long-term government support could help council leaders and their partners move further and faster.
Blog
Regenerating places: redefining prosperity for UK cities
Regenerating cities is at the core of our Design for Life mission. Unlocking cities’ full potential holds the key to building a regenerative future for people, places and planet. Tom Stratton, RSA Chief of Staff, discusses.
