60 acast.com The South West Agenda with Tim Williams https://shows.acast.com/the-south-west-agenda-with-tim-williams en Tim Williams Interviews,Leadership,South West,Westcountry Studio TRW A new home for politics, business and leadership conversation in the South West of 

England, hosted and created by BAFTA-winning media producer Tim Williams.


The podcast is motivated by three main ideas:


Firstly, that the South West deserves a bigger, clearer and more modern voice.


Secondly, a belief that there are great people here who don’t often get the chance to share their lessons in life, business and politics like they would if they lived in London. I want to find those people and understand how they operate, how they make things happen. Politicians, business leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, creatives and community leaders — and hear from them in a decent length conversation, inspiring the next generation. This podcast is the perfect platform.


Thirdly, I want to build a serious conversation about the region’s future. There is so much more than tourism going on here. Mega space projects, clean energy, as well as the amazing farming and defence industries. You can expect politically impartial, open-minded chats, hearing from people sharing ideas that will shape the region’s future - building piece by piece a South West Agenda. I want this to be a place people come to provide thought leadership, announce things, share lessons.


The North West had the Northern Powerhouse. This is the South West Agenda. Most of all, I hope you just enjoy hearing from amazing people.


Thank you for finding it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> A new home for politics, business and leadership conversation in the South West of 

England, hosted and created by BAFTA-winning media producer Tim Williams.


The podcast is motivated by three main ideas:


Firstly, that the South West deserves a bigger, clearer and more modern voice.


Secondly, a belief that there are great people here who don’t often get the chance to share their lessons in life, business and politics like they would if they lived in London. I want to find those people and understand how they operate, how they make things happen. Politicians, business leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, creatives and community leaders — and hear from them in a decent length conversation, inspiring the next generation. This podcast is the perfect platform.


Thirdly, I want to build a serious conversation about the region’s future. There is so much more than tourism going on here. Mega space projects, clean energy, as well as the amazing farming and defence industries. You can expect politically impartial, open-minded chats, hearing from people sharing ideas that will shape the region’s future - building piece by piece a South West Agenda. I want this to be a place people come to provide thought leadership, announce things, share lessons.


The North West had the Northern Powerhouse. This is the South West Agenda. Most of all, I hope you just enjoy hearing from amazing people.


Thank you for finding it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> false Tim Williams info+6a5791516f1292268643b8c6@mg-eu.acast.com 6a5791516f1292268643b8c6 the-south-west-agenda-with-tim-williams episodic https://assets.pippa.io/shows/6a5791516f1292268643b8c6/1787818123144-d14cf6d2-842e-4a6c-a242-d83c2e0a74e4.jpeg https://shows.acast.com/the-south-west-agenda-with-tim-williams The South West Agenda with Tim Williams 7c9c06f0-822f-11f1-a0c8-77ce7b554319 Do We Need More Elected Mayors? | with Paul Coles, CEO South West Business Council Do We Need More Elected Mayors? | with Paul Coles, CEO South West Business Council Tue, 08 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT 20:02 6a9582cc3255edf6049a2239 false https://shows.acast.com/the-south-west-agenda-with-tim-williams/episodes/do-we-need-more-elected-mayors-with-paul-coles-ceo-south-wes 6a9582cc3255edf6049a2239 6a5791516f1292268643b8c6 do-we-need-more-elected-mayors-with-paul-coles-ceo-south-wes full 1 5 South West Business Council CEO Paul Coles argues that the region needs more powerful, directly elected mayors if it is going to unlock economic growth and have a stronger voice in Westminster.


In this 'Agenda Item' episode of The South West Agenda, Tim Williams speaks to Paul about the case for giving local leaders greater powers, whether the South West is getting a fair deal from central government, and what stronger regional leadership could mean for businesses and communities across the region.


From devolution and economic growth to transport, investment and the future of the South West, this is a conversation about who should have the power to shape the region's future.


Could elected mayors give the South West the political clout it needs?


Paul singles out four potential areas that could end up with an elected mayor: Cornwall, Devon, an expanded 'West of England' and Wessex, comprising Somerset, Dorset, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and parts of Wiltshire.


Follow The South West Agenda for more conversations with the politicians, business leaders and thinkers shaping the future of the region.


Leave a comment below with any thoughts of your own!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> South West Business Council CEO Paul Coles argues that the region needs more powerful, directly elected mayors if it is going to unlock economic growth and have a stronger voice in Westminster.


In this 'Agenda Item' episode of The South West Agenda, Tim Williams speaks to Paul about the case for giving local leaders greater powers, whether the South West is getting a fair deal from central government, and what stronger regional leadership could mean for businesses and communities across the region.


From devolution and economic growth to transport, investment and the future of the South West, this is a conversation about who should have the power to shape the region's future.


Could elected mayors give the South West the political clout it needs?


Paul singles out four potential areas that could end up with an elected mayor: Cornwall, Devon, an expanded 'West of England' and Wessex, comprising Somerset, Dorset, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and parts of Wiltshire.


Follow The South West Agenda for more conversations with the politicians, business leaders and thinkers shaping the future of the region.


Leave a comment below with any thoughts of your own!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Does Westminster Understand Rural South West England? | Justin Sargent OBE (Part 2) Does Westminster Understand Rural South West England? | Justin Sargent OBE (Part 2) Wed, 02 Sep 2026 23:05:43 GMT 59:14 6a90357a456ea7a600b05930 false https://shows.acast.com/the-south-west-agenda-with-tim-williams/episodes/howdowesolveourhiddenruralproblems 6a90357a456ea7a600b05930 6a5791516f1292268643b8c6 howdowesolveourhiddenruralproblems full 1 4 Rural villages across the South West face “big city challenges” but they are often “hidden” and not appreciated fully by central government in Whitehall.


That’s one of the insights from special guest Justin Sargent OBE in this second part of his conversation with Tim - in which they also share their appreciation of cheese and cider!


We delve deeply into the characteristics of the Westcountry, particularly Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, where Justin has been Chief Executive of the Somerset Community Foundation for over 20 years. But the lessons equally apply to Gloucestershire, where Justin hails from, plus the cities of Bristol, Bath, Plymouth, Bournemouth and the county of Wiltshire.


In that time, he’s seen the charity sector evolve - and Tim asks whether it’s become more corporate as the years have gone by.


Justin offers brilliant advice for small charities and community groups looking for funding - tapping in Justin’s wide expertise of the grantmaking world.


We also discuss how philanthropy has changed and whether cultures of the United States rubbed off over here.


There’s also political chat - from the Big Society to Levelling Up. From New Labour to the Coalition government of the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats to the latest Labour government. Plus how the Civil Service sees the region of the South West.


How should the balance be between the public sector, such as local government, councils and mayors, and the community and charity sectors?


Also you might be surprised to hear that the Somerset Community Foundation has been experimenting with Artificial Intelligence, AI, in clever but careful ways using Claude.


We finish with some advice for Members of Parliament and a heartwarming story of Justin and his wife visiting the then-Prince Charles at the royal palaces to receive his OBE and meeting a poignant fellow guest.


Follow and subscribe to The South West Agenda with Tim Williams for more political, business and leadership conversations - and find us across Instagram, Youtube and TikTok where you can see clips of the interviews.


Thanks to Justin - and thank you for listening!



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Rural villages across the South West face “big city challenges” but they are often “hidden” and not appreciated fully by central government in Whitehall.


That’s one of the insights from special guest Justin Sargent OBE in this second part of his conversation with Tim - in which they also share their appreciation of cheese and cider!


We delve deeply into the characteristics of the Westcountry, particularly Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, where Justin has been Chief Executive of the Somerset Community Foundation for over 20 years. But the lessons equally apply to Gloucestershire, where Justin hails from, plus the cities of Bristol, Bath, Plymouth, Bournemouth and the county of Wiltshire.


In that time, he’s seen the charity sector evolve - and Tim asks whether it’s become more corporate as the years have gone by.


Justin offers brilliant advice for small charities and community groups looking for funding - tapping in Justin’s wide expertise of the grantmaking world.


We also discuss how philanthropy has changed and whether cultures of the United States rubbed off over here.


There’s also political chat - from the Big Society to Levelling Up. From New Labour to the Coalition government of the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats to the latest Labour government. Plus how the Civil Service sees the region of the South West.


How should the balance be between the public sector, such as local government, councils and mayors, and the community and charity sectors?


Also you might be surprised to hear that the Somerset Community Foundation has been experimenting with Artificial Intelligence, AI, in clever but careful ways using Claude.


We finish with some advice for Members of Parliament and a heartwarming story of Justin and his wife visiting the then-Prince Charles at the royal palaces to receive his OBE and meeting a poignant fellow guest.


Follow and subscribe to The South West Agenda with Tim Williams for more political, business and leadership conversations - and find us across Instagram, Youtube and TikTok where you can see clips of the interviews.


Thanks to Justin - and thank you for listening!



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Leading The Way: Justin Sargent OBE (Part 1) Leading The Way: Justin Sargent OBE (Part 1) Mon, 17 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMT 46:09 6a81cbc383128ee3d2f050d4 false https://shows.acast.com/the-south-west-agenda-with-tim-williams/episodes/leading-the-way-justin-sargent-obe-part-1 6a81cbc383128ee3d2f050d4 6a5791516f1292268643b8c6 leading-the-way-justin-sargent-obe-part-1 full 1 3 Justin Sargent OBE is one of the most thoughtful and respected CEOs in the West Country.


In this honest conversation with The South West Agenda host Tim Williams, he discusses the highs and lows of leading Somerset Community Foundation for over 20 years. 


We discuss his background, including his time in Africa witnessing positive and negative practices in international development. The characteristics of the South West of England including challenges for rural areas - and whether that is fully understood by Westminster politicians. There are also lessons in philanthropy and fundraising and much more.


The South West Agenda is grateful to Justin for being the first of many guests on the new podcast. Please follow the show for future episodes relating to leadership, politics and business in the South West of England.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Justin Sargent OBE is one of the most thoughtful and respected CEOs in the West Country.


In this honest conversation with The South West Agenda host Tim Williams, he discusses the highs and lows of leading Somerset Community Foundation for over 20 years. 


We discuss his background, including his time in Africa witnessing positive and negative practices in international development. The characteristics of the South West of England including challenges for rural areas - and whether that is fully understood by Westminster politicians. There are also lessons in philanthropy and fundraising and much more.


The South West Agenda is grateful to Justin for being the first of many guests on the new podcast. Please follow the show for future episodes relating to leadership, politics and business in the South West of England.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Agenda Item: Does it matter where the Cabinet comes from? Agenda Item: Does it matter where the Cabinet comes from? Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:36:55 GMT 6:58 6a638697a51cbd54e252f9cc false https://shows.acast.com/the-south-west-agenda-with-tim-williams/episodes/does-it-matter-where-the-cabinet-comes-from 6a638697a51cbd54e252f9cc 6a5791516f1292268643b8c6 does-it-matter-where-the-cabinet-comes-from full 1 2 Welcome to the first Agenda Item from The South West Agenda with Tim Williams.


These are occasional, bitesize analytical takes on topics affecting the political and business world in the South West.


We begin with some reflections on Andy Burnham's Cabinet selections - and ask whether it matters that so few are from the South West, with some potted history along the way.


You can get in touch by emailing thesouthwestagenda@studiotrw.co.uk


Thanks for listening



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Welcome to the first Agenda Item from The South West Agenda with Tim Williams.


These are occasional, bitesize analytical takes on topics affecting the political and business world in the South West.


We begin with some reflections on Andy Burnham's Cabinet selections - and ask whether it matters that so few are from the South West, with some potted history along the way.


You can get in touch by emailing thesouthwestagenda@studiotrw.co.uk


Thanks for listening



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The South West Agenda - coming soon The South West Agenda - coming soon Wed, 15 Jul 2026 14:06:44 GMT 0:45 6a5793f4e743c69800e5e100 false https://shows.acast.com/the-south-west-agenda-with-tim-williams/episodes/the-south-west-agenda-coming-soon 6a5793f4e743c69800e5e100 6a5791516f1292268643b8c6 the-south-west-agenda-coming-soon trailer 1 1 A new home for in-depth conversation with leaders from across the South West of England is coming soon with a range of brilliant guests. Please subscribe to receive episodes in your feed as soon as they are published.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> A new home for in-depth conversation with leaders from across the South West of England is coming soon with a range of brilliant guests. Please subscribe to receive episodes in your feed as soon as they are published.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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