Levelling up is back on the agenda, but capital still clusters around London. Standard Life's Manuel Dusina explains what local authorities need to get right to change that. The challenge isn't just about presentations—it's about creating genuine investor confidence through credible infrastructure pipelines and risk mitigation strategies.

Local authorities must demonstrate clear value creation, robust governance frameworks, and alignment with national development priorities. Without these fundamentals, even the most polished pitch will fail to attract the anticipated £80bn in regional investment. Success requires systematic reform of how infrastructure projects are structured, marketed, and executed outside the capital.