Scottish Cities Alliance

In June 2025, Cardiff hosted Joining the Dots – Innovation and Regeneration for Local Growth, a collaborative event led by Connected Places Catapult and the British Embassy in Dublin, with support from Cardiff Capital Region and Cardiff City Council. The event brought together leaders from government, industry, academia, and the creative sector to explore how place-based innovation can drive inclusive, sustainable growth.

Dr Harry O’Rahilly from the British Embassy opened the event by highlighting the importance of legacy and collaboration in building resilient communities. The “Joining the Dots” initiative aims to connect people, sectors, and places to foster long-term development.

Louise Harris of Tramshed Tech emphasised Cardiff’s potential as a tech hub, noting that while the city has strong foundations, many businesses still feel the need to relocate to London to scale. She called for greater local council engagement and support for regional entrepreneurship, fostering an inclusive ecosystem space that encourages local people to innovate and pursue ideas. Tramshed Tech’s work with Barclays Eco Labs and skills academies exemplifies how local infrastructure can nurture innovation.

Oliver Hayden of AMPLYFI described AI as a revolution surpassing the internet in scale. He stressed the UK’s need for greater scale-up funding and risk appetite. His personal story was one worthy of note, and which many can relate to. He initially left Cardiff to seek better opportunities in London, however, when returning to Cardiff and finding community through Tramshed Tech, it really underscored the importance of nurturing local ecosystems. Oliver found a welcome space in which he could thrive and develop, one that he initially did not think existed. This is something our cities can develop, so that bright minds are aware of the local initiatives and ecosystems available to them.

Charis Owens of Whisper spoke about the creative sector’s reliance on co-working spaces and local talent. Her experience working across Europe, often alongside Welsh professionals living abroad, highlighted the need to retain talent through accessible, collaborative environments.

On the policy front, Cllr Huw Thomas introduced the Cardiff Commitment, linking over 300 companies with school leavers, especially in less affluent areas. Michelle St Clair and Alan Welby (from the British Embassy in Dublin, and Connected Places Catapult respectively) emphasised the need for mission-driven innovation and warned against investing in isolated “innovation districts” without community integration.

Professor Kevin Morgan and Kellie Beirne (Cardiff Capital Region) stressed the importance of inclusive governance and the role of further education in bridging innovation and public service delivery. With a key term being created by Professor Morgan, looking at things from a ‘worms eye view’ and not a birds eye view. We need to look at the direct influence that communities have on innovation and how our partnerships can create healthy environments for early action.

Jon Day (Invest in Cardiff) reflected on Cardiff’s industrial past and the urgent need to invest in areas with low social mobility, particularly south of the railway line.

International perspectives from Dublin and Limerick offered valuable lessons in aligning infrastructure with economic development.

A strong vision from the Future Generations Commissioner was shared, highlighting the need for a low-carbon, inclusive economy – one where procurement, education, and sustainability go hand in hand.

Joining the Dots is more than a discussion, it was a blueprint for how cities like Cardiff can lead through collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to place.