Award-winning podcast, We Built This City, has marked the milestone of reaching 100 episodes with a star-studded dinner in Manchester.
The honour of being the 100th guest on the podcast hosted by Lisa Morton went to Michael Ingall, founder and CEO of Allied London.
Ingall is the visionary behind some of Manchester’s most iconic neighbourhoods, including Spinningfields and St. John’s.
Morton, who founded PR agency Roland Dransfield in 1996, launched We Built This City in February 2020, just two weeks before the UK entered lockdown.
Its mission was to celebrate the people who have helped shape Greater Manchester into the city region it is today.
Each episode features an intimate conversation with someone who has put their heart and soul into the city, exploring their values, the impact they’ve made and the legacy they are leaving.
Notable podcast guests include Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester; Professor Erinma Bell, community activist; the late Sir Howard Bernstein; actor John Henshaw, DJ Paulette, Clint Boon, Sacha Lord, and Rowetta.
On Wednesday, Morton brought together 100 guests at the iconic Manchester Hall for a landmark celebration.
The evening featured special performances from local musician Nina Morton and, of course, a proper chippy tea.
Guests included Simon Wood, DJ Paulette, Stan Chow, Chris Bisson, Collette Roche and Sacha Lord.
Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham spoke passionately about how the strength of Manchester comes from its people – and that’s what makes the city so powerful.
Lisa Morton at the celebration event for the We Build This City podcast
Morton said: “Hitting 100 episodes of We Built This City is a very proud moment for me. It takes soul to build a city and every guest has shared their own bit of Greater Mancunian magic, showing how much heart and grit goes into making this place what it is.
“Bringing our guests together at the fittingly named Manchester Hall, owned by Manc 92, Colin Shenton, was like one big family do – full of laughs, memories and of course, a proper chippy tea. It just reminds me how lucky we are to live and work in a city like this.”
All 100 episodes of We Built This City are available to stream now on all good podcast platforms. Lisa’s new spin off series, Drawn Here, Not Born Here, is also streaming now.