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This book explores the role of leadership in shaping places and driving sustainable urban and regional development. Moving beyond the traditional organisational focus of leadership studies, it uses inspiring case studies to show how place-based leadership can become more attuned to local needs, across sectors such as housing, healthcare, creative industries and environmental sustainability.
Addressing societal challenges—urbanisation, inequality and climate resilience—it offers practical strategies for place-centric leadership which drives social value. Bridging theory and practice, this timely resource will inspire academics, policy makers and practitioners to rethink leadership for equitable, thriving communities.
“At a time when the challenges facing our communities are increasingly complex and interconnected, this book makes a compelling case for a different kind of leadership — one that is rooted in place, shared across institutions and communities, and focused on long-term social value rather than short-term outcomes.
What stands out is its recognition that meaningful system change is rarely the result of individual leaders or organisations acting alone. It emerges through an ecosystem of leadership: networks of people, communities, public institutions, businesses and civic organisations working together around a shared purpose. The contributors demonstrate how trust, collaboration and collective action can create the conditions for lasting social, economic and cultural change.
By bringing together theory, practice and lived experience, this book offers valuable insights for anyone seeking to build more inclusive, resilient, and equitable places. It reminds us that leadership is not simply about authority or position, but about the ability to connect people, align resources and create the relationships through which transformative change becomes possible." Jennifer Van der Merwe, Executive Director Kindred LCR and Office for the Impact Economy, UK
“A powerful, evidence‑based research of place‑based leadership, offering important insights into community‑driven social and economic transformation, emphasizing long lasting impact of changemakers’ action.” Paula Dourado, Division Chief for Education, Município de Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal
Lisa Knight is Head of the Centre for Management Development & Innovation at Liverpool Business School.
Fiona Armstrong-Gibbs is Associate Professor in Enterprise and Inclusive Growth at Liverpool Business School and Chair.
Foreword - Joanne Anderson
1. Place Leadership and Social Value - Fiona Armstrong-Gibbs and Lisa Knight
2. Social Value, Connectedness, and Collaboration: A Conceptual Framework - Lisa Knight, Fiona Armstrong-Gibbs and Geena Whiteman
3. Creative Place Leadership: Fostering Social and Cultural Value - Rafaela Neiva and Christine Spriggs
4. Place-Based Leadership in Integrated Care: Embedding Social Value - Lisa Knight, John Eastwood, Hueiming Liu, Robin Miller
5. Educational Advancement and Social Value Through Place Leadership - Jo Pretty
6. Regional and Urban Regeneration: Social Value Creation Through Place Leadership - Fiona Armstrong-Gibbs
7. Oslo: A Case Study on Place-Based Leadership and Climate Change Mitigation - Emma Hill and Fiona Shaw
8. Economic Development, Employment, and Social Value Through Place Leadership - Jan Brown, Liz Edwards and Gerwyn Jones
9. Inclusive Place Leadership in Social Housing: The COM-B x PAR Framework -Lisa Newson, Lucy Bridge and John Ghader
10. England’s Metro Mayors as Place-Based Leaders - Paul Anderson
Conclusion - Lisa Knight and Fiona Armstrong-Gibbs