The English Devolution Act 2026 has just passed — but how do combined authorities actually negotiate the deals, powers and investment that make devolution work in practice? Phil Witcherley, Director of Economic Growth and Innovation at the North East Combined Authority, joins James Dowling to reveal the strategy behind building regional coalitions, securing integrated settlements and attracting private investment. An essential listen for businesses, investors and public sector leaders navigating England's new devolution landscape.
Devolution is a Negotiation: Delivering Successful Regional Government in the North East
With the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 just receiving Royal Assent, England is entering a new era of regional government. But how do combined authorities actually negotiate the powers, funding and investment they need to deliver for their regions?
In this episode, James Dowling is joined by Phil Witcherley, Director of Economic Growth and Innovation at the North East Combined Authority and a former HM Treasury official, for a frank conversation about what devolution looks like from the inside.
What you'll learn:
- Why devolution should be treated as a negotiation — not a grant application — and how that mindset changes outcomes
- How the North East Combined Authority built a regional coalition of businesses, local authorities and private sector partners to strengthen its position with central government
- What an integrated settlement actually means in practice, and why it represents a fundamentally different relationship with central Government compared to traditional grant funding
- How Phil's background as a Treasury official gives the North East a strategic advantage in understanding what central government actually needs to hear
- The growing role of combined authorities in attracting foreign direct investment — and why businesses increasingly want to deal with regional government, not just Whitehall
- How private sector partners can use the devolution agenda as a lever for joint investment in regional infrastructure
About Phil Witcherley
Phil Witcherley is Director of Economic Growth and Innovation at the North East Combined Authority. He has direct experience of both sides of the devolution negotiation — as a central government official and as a regional partner. He spent the first decade of his career in Whitehall, including at HM Treasury, before moving into local and regional Government; immediately before joining the Northeast Combined Authority, he was a Deputy Director at the Treasury's Darlington office, before moving into combined authority work. He has direct experience of both sides of the devolution negotiation — as a central government official and as a regional partner.
About the Podcast
Negotient is the expert adviser in managing negotiations between the public and private sectors; we advise clients in both sectors how to get the best results from their negotiations. This podcast explores the strategies and behind-the-scenes mechanics that shape successful negotiations, and the factors that drive the interests of both sides. Our aim is to help those involved in public sector negotiations understand the challenges they face — and how to overcome them to deliver better results for the public.
