Pride of Place: Newport
Pride of Place: Newport
In communities across the UK that have long endured hardship, BITC’s Pride of Place programme unites people from all walks of life around a vision for a better future, nurturing collaboration, sustained investment and self-belief to drive action so that millions can thrive in a place they call home.
Driving change in Newport
Business in the Community’s Newport Pride of Place programme is a partnership bringing together businesses, the public sector, and community organisations to address social and economic challenges in the city and unlock inclusive growth. Established in 2022, the Newport programme was the first Pride of Place programme to be launched in Wales. The programme focuses on closing skills gaps, improving employment rates, and supporting community wellbeing and is helping to position Newport as a place of opportunity, resilience, and shared prosperity.
Why Newport?
Newport is a city undergoing a dynamic transformation, combining a strong industrial heritage with a growing reputation as a hub for innovation, business growth, and community collaboration.
With a growing population, strong connectivity along the M4 corridor, and a thriving business environment, the city has significant potential, but also faces entrenched challenges such as inequality, skills gaps, and deprivation. Through collective action, Newport is positioning itself as a city of opportunity, resilience, and ambition, working towards a future where every resident can thrive and contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable local economy.
pride of place: Newport
Our strategic priorities
Essentials Access
Ensuring everyone in Newport has food, a home and essential support
Community Spaces
Creating safe, welcoming, and vibrant places where people want to live, work, and spend time.
Employment and Skills
Opening up education, skills, and employment for youth and those often left out.
Our impact to date
The Newport Place programme has developed a rich and impactful track record since its launch in October 2022. Its success lies in its ability to mobilise businesses, community organisations, and public sector partners to address entrenched social challenges in Newport.
A key role has been the convening power of BITC, turning corporate goodwill into long-term community impact. From transport and food security to skills, education, and organisational resilience, each partnership delivers tangible, measurable outcomes. Key case studies are showcased, evidencing a coalition of partners contributing to positive and enduring change.
The programme now stands as a national example of place-based collaboration driving change where it is needed most. This includes working with over 30 businesses to drive change, over £1 million unlocked of private and public funding, over 10,000 beneficiaries supported, and over 10 charities and schools engaged.
“The Pride of Place programme is a
great example of what a community can
do when it pulls together. … The progress made over the last three years is remarkable and
transformative. Now is the right time for Newport’s Pride of Place to take stock and work with its partners to develop a vision for the city
that sets out a plan to drive its growth
and prosperity, promote climate justice
and social inclusion.”
Lord Steve Bassam, Chair of the Pride of Place Taskforce
“The BITC Newport Place Programme
is firmly focused on outcomes to
tackle local challenges and unlock
opportunities by bringing together
businesses, community organisations,
and public sector partners in Newport.
The Welsh Government has praised
the programme for its impact, noting
that it has helped over 7,000 people,
collaborated with 30 local businesses,
and engaged 150 charities and schools
to improve access to employment, skills,
and health services.”
Rebecca Evans MS, the cabinet secretary for
economy, energy, and planning
Newport Leadership Board
Our work is led by our local Pride of Place Partnerships – a cross-sector senior leadership board which sets the strategic direction for our work, mobilises their workforce to support with delivery of activities and acts as an advocate for the programme both regionally and locally. Current Newport Leadership board members include:
FAQs
The programme has received support from Newport City Council through the Shared Prosperity Fund, alongside founding funders including KLA Foundation and the University of South Wales. Additional support is delivered through partnerships with businesses and local organisations.
The programme has already supported thousands of people across Newport through skills development, employment support, community initiatives and partnership projects. According to the Welsh Government, the programme has helped more than 7,000 people, worked with over 30 businesses and engaged 150 charities and schools.
The programme supports communities across Newport, with a particular focus on areas experiencing higher levels of deprivation, including Alway, Bettws, Duffryn, Lliswerry, Maindee, Pillgwenlly and Ringland.
BITC defines place-making as long-term and transformational change in a particular geographic location. For us, it is underpinned by some core principles:
- Collaboration – bringing together business, public and VCSE sectors
- Business leadership – senior business leaders working together on a shared agenda
- Community-needs-led: based on the priorities and needs of the Place, as defined by the people in the place.