In Episode 18 of Placecast, Nicola Headlam interviews Professor Calvin Jones, a LPIP Hub Place Fellow working on sustainability and regional economics in Wales. The discussion explores how devolved governance in Wales is evolving, particularly in areas such as fiscal powers, wellbeing policy, and green transition. Cavlin argues that traditional growth-led economic models are failing to deliver for local communities and highlights the need for place-based, community-driven approaches.
The conversation illustrates how grassroots initiatives such as community energy schemes in northwest Wales and the Welcome to Our Woods project in Treherbert demonstrate the power of local assets, collective action, and long-term thinking. Jones emphasises that policy success depends on understanding local context, embedding evidence in decision-making, and avoiding one-size-fits-all solutions borrowed from elsewhere.
They also reflect on the importance of “brokers” who translate knowledge into action, the role of future-focused policymaking, and the need for better land use planning. Overall, the episode advocates for a more holistic, place-sensitive approach to economic development and governance that prioritises wellbeing, sustainability, and community resilience.
Managing Director, Jones the Numbers LTD
Calvin is a specialist in regional development, sustainability and energy economics. He holds a PhD in the Economics of Tourism and Major Events and is a specialist in economic and environmental accounting and modelling. He has been involved in the development of a number of measurement tools for sustainability. He manages Jones the Numbers Ltd, and additionally is Adjunct Professor at Cork University Business School and a non-executive Director at Natural Resources Wales. He has written and spoken extensively on sustainable development, regional policy and energy transformations. Possibly too extensively.
Calvin is a failed novelist, rock star and screenwriter, but served a successful and rewarding (if short) period in Nelson Mandela's security detail. He is a winner of both the Moss Madden Medal in Regional Science, and the People's Choice Award at the 1996 Milwaukee International Snow Sculpting Championships, representing Cymru.
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Dr Nicola Headlam has over 20 years of experience working across all aspects of the multi-helix innovation system, including central and local government, civil society and campaigning, academic research and knowledge mobilisation, and industry. Along the way, she has honed her expertise in urban and regional subnational economic development, the roles of government in shaping place, and in utilising data and evidence for transformation.
In 2024, she became a freelance economic advisor on the role of leadership and partnerships, urban and living lab forms for research, future of cities and foresighting methods, urban transformations, place-branding and urban regeneration and the spatial consequences of public policy.
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