Ed Cox previously led IPPR (Institute for Public Policy Research) North for nine years where he was a champion for devolution and much of the thinking behind the "Northern Powerhouse," working closely with several combined authorities in the north of England. Before that, Ed was an advisor to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government where he played a key role in developing the Sub-National Review (2007) and the Empowerment White Paper (2008). Ed has a background in community engagement and wrote Manchester's first community engagement strategy. He was a founder of the national Participatory Budgeting Unit, and he is the founder and chair of the Levenshulme Inspired community hub in inner city Manchester.