Q&A with Liberal Democrat West of England Mayoral Combined Authority Metro Mayor candidate Oli Henman

Editor's note: earlier this month, the Bristol Initiative hosted the first hustings for the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority's next Metro Mayor with candidates from the Conservative, Green, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties in attendance. We invited all candidates to do a Q&A on our blog, and here we speak with candidate Oli Henman of the Liberal Democrats.

What do you think a Metro Mayor’s role should be?

A Metro Mayor should be a convenor, connector and a catalyst. The role should be about enabling and supporting the wider community to draw on strengths across the region and encouraging collective action. 

In terms of a convenor - the Mayor should be someone who can bring together diverse groups, from residents, community organisations, local authorities and business representatives to enable a sense of collective purpose. There is a real opportunity to bring together a clearer direction for the region, for example on transport there is a unique moment to set out a joint strategy which addresses mutual concerns. 

Secondly in terms of a connector- the Mayor should make connections between diverse stakeholders and enable useful collaboration and partnerships to take place, for example connecting community organisations with an interest in nature restoration with housing developers looking for biodiversity net gain. 

Finally in terms of a catalyst- there is a strong role for the Mayor to ensure the right support is provided in terms of infrastructure, training and financing for new initiatives. By unlocking investment for the underlying architecture, the Mayor can provide a supportive environment for each organisation and individual to flourish. There is a real opportunity to connect talent and encourage innovation, for example it would be interesting to develop a prize for renewable energy innovation.

What would be your top priorities for your first year in office?

My first priority would be to deliver reliable, affordable and low carbon public transport. For too long our region has been let down in terms of linking people effectively from their homes to their place of work or study. 

I would look at the best way to deliver joined up local bus services, including franchising, this would allow us to improve reliability, as well as guarantee and expand routes to ensure that all parts of our region are better connected. I would also aim to keep fares affordable and consider ways to reduce the costs for young people. Furthermore, I would look to invest in an integrated transport network, including cycling infrastructure across our cities, towns and villages and I would take forward steps towards a mass rapid transit system to connect our major employment hubs. 

Secondly, I would urgently expand support for training and apprenticeships to help people re-enter the workforce, focusing on key industries like net zero construction, renewables, and technology innovation. Crucially, I would work in partnership with local businesses, start-ups, technology experts and engineering companies to create career opportunities in industries of the future.

Thirdly I would move to improve our infrastructure by establishing a £100 million West of England Investment Fund to support economic development. We can deliver major infrastructure and connect the jobs of the future.

Finally, I would engage on the development of a spatial strategy to identify key areas for housing and industrial development as well as for biodiversity and local green spaces.

How do you plan to collaborate with the business community to ensure policies meet regional needs?

I am strongly committed to a collaborative approach to delivering for the region, I would host regular dialogues with the business community, working in partnership with key networks, such as Business West.

I would build on strategic partnerships with key employers, research institutions and training providers to build trust and ensure collective understanding of regional needs. I would consider setting up regular forums on key issues, including infrastructure, transport and energy to enable an ongoing meaningful relationship which ensures clear outcomes.

I would build on the local Growth Plan and I would aim to host a Local Growth Conference to showcase the areas of innovation and new opportunities.

I would also aim to ensure that the team within the Authority and the 3 local authorities are all aligned around the shared objectives of the Growth Plan and that the team is ready to engage and support partners to achieve their part of the shared vision.

How would you raise our region’s profile with government and the private sector to secure the investment that we need?

I have a strong background in communications and international partnerships. I would draw on my personal expertise to bring stakeholders and the 3 local authorities together behind a shared vision which can be promoted to government and potential investors.

I believe that a major reason for the underperformance of this authority has been the lack of an effective joint plan over recent years and I am skilled in bringing together diverse stakeholders to agree on a shared vision. I would work hard to demonstrate to government that this is a region with massive potential and that it can come together around a shared vision.

I would draw together the vision of a region that is proud of its heritage but embraces innovation, a region that is confident in its identity and ready to engage with partners. A region with a dynamic skills base and a fantastic research capability, a region with huge talents in the economy of the future.

I would work tirelessly to raise the profile of our region by taking forward joint conferences and inviting key investors to learn about our growing industries. I would draw on my international experience to invite potential investors from European partners, such as Denmark and Germany as well as new and growing economies such as India and Brazil. Our region already hosts many dynamic engineering firms, technology companies and communications specialists, I would work in partnership to enhance this expertise and give greater prominence to our role as a leader in the UK and around the world.

Why are you best placed to be Metro Mayor?

I’m a local Councillor in Bath and my family all live around the region. I love this region and I am committed to rebuilding trust and credibility for our area. I would throw myself wholeheartedly into this role and would live and breathe the promotion of the West of England to the UK and the world.

Many people have felt let down by economic challenges under both Conservative and Labour administrations. They are tired of the old two parties failing to deliver. The Liberal Democrats are the clear alternative to years of ineffective leadership. We are in leadership positions in South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset and we also have key committee chairs in Bristol, we can work effectively across the whole region to ensure a joined-up approach. 

This region was one of the homes of the early Industrial Revolution and it should now be at the heart of the next industrial revolution. I am proud of our shared history and I am excited about the next steps.

In my professional career I have worked with partners all around the world including at the UN, I know how to negotiate and how to win investment. I can bring much greater visibility to the West of England and ensure we are once again an economic powerhouse for the jobs of the future.

At the centre of my vision is the need to provide new opportunities for prosperity, homes and connected transport for people across the region.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this guest blog are those of the author. Business West is an apolitical organisation and does not endorse any statements provided in this guest blog.