New Bloomberg programme targets UK metro mayors

Bloomberg Philanthropies has launched a new UK programme aimed at strengthening the capacity of the country’s metro mayors and their Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs), as devolution transfers greater responsibility for transport, housing, economic development and public services to regional leaders.

The three-year, non-partisan initiative will work directly with metro mayors and their senior teams to improve strategic leadership, modernise public services and build the institutional foundations needed for authorities that are still being established. The programme, developed in partnership with the London School of Economics, Public Digital and Inner Circle Consulting, is set to begin in early 2026.

Bloomberg Philanthropies says the initiative is designed to respond to the practical realities facing MSAs, many of which are operating with lean teams while under pressure to demonstrate impact quickly. A core component of the programme is support for data-driven decision-making. Bloomberg Philanthropies will fund two data staff within ten MSAs for two years each, helping mayoral teams access timely and reliable data to inform strategy and service delivery.

While the overall financial value of the programme has not been disclosed, Bloomberg Philanthropies describes it as a major investment in strengthening the structures, talent, tools and operating rhythms of regional government.

A Bloomberg Philanthropies spokesperson told Cities Today the programme will begin by working with each authority to understand its priorities and establish a clear baseline, ensuring that MSAs of different sizes and levels of maturity start from a common foundation.

Success measures will then be agreed for each authority, alongside wider indicators tracking improvements in leadership, data use and delivery capacity over the course of the programme. The spokesperson added that this approach is intended to ensure residents see meaningful improvements in devolved areas such as transport and public safety during the three-year period, rather than activity being limited to internal capability-building alone.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “It is vital that we give directly elected mayors and devolution the greatest chance for success, and I’m thrilled to know Mike Bloomberg and his team are investing in this major reform. I’ve been a partner to Bloomberg Philanthropies since my first year as mayor and our region has benefitted enormously as a result.”

Bloomberg Philanthropies has also emphasised that the initiative is designed to support newer and smaller authorities that are still building institutions from scratch. This includes early engagement with shadow teams shaping new MSAs, followed by tailored support once mayors are elected. This ranges from hands-on leadership training to practical assistance in designing data systems and core operational capabilities, helping newer authorities accelerate at a similar pace to more established mayoral offices.

Additional metro mayors are expected to participate as new MSAs are established in the coming years.

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