John Duncan | Connected Places Lead
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
John Duncan is an experienced leader in the digital sector, with a distinguished career spanning roles in local and regional government and the telecommunications industry. Currently, he serves as the Connected Places Lead at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), where he leads on digital infrastructure policy and strategy, including the development of the GM strategy on Data Centre’s and AI Growth Zones. His work is pivotal in advancing the Greater Manchester Strategy workstream: Connecting people and places through digital technology. John’s mission is to develop Greater Manchester’s world-class digital connectivity, leveraging technology and data ethically to create resilient, connected, accessible, and sustainable communities for all. As a passionate advocate for digital transformation, John champions projects that leave a lasting positive impact on citizens and communities.
Appearances:
Connected Britain 2026 - Day 1 @ 15:45
Planning reform and policy readiness: Is the UK fit for the AI data centre boom?
- Do current planning processes support the growth of data centres? If not, what changes need to take place?
- How does access to power and grid capacity effect new developments?
- How have recent policy changes and CNI classification altered the planning process for data centres?
- How can government ambition better support local planning?
Connected Britain 2026 - Day 1 @ 16:50
Place leadership in a digital Britain: Are local authorities ready for what’s next?
- What does strong place leadership look like in a digitally enabled future?
- How can authorities better align with local objectives and national goals?
- What skills, governance and cultural shifts are still required within councils?
- What should local government be focusing on next to deliver long term impact for communities?
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